Warcross Author: Marie Lu Series: Warcross #1 Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Format: Kindle
Page number: 366 View on Goodreads
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For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation. Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.
my review
** this review contains spoilers **
Warcross is a Sci-Fi, futuristic-style book that follows our world (10 years later) where virtual reality has become a huge part of everyday life. Our Heroine is Emika Chen, an 18-years-old bounty hunter from New York who is an excellent hacker that doesn't get jobs because of her criminal record and her young age, resulting her in poverty, and Warcross follows how her life changed overnight after she hacked into the official Warcross game (which is viewed by millions), accidentally exposing herself to the world. This book shot up my list of favorite-books-of-all-time to the top spot like a rocket. I can't even remember the last time I read a book that fit my taste and my likings so perfectly (it was like it's tailored made). This book literally has every story-factor I like ever with one of my all-time favorite romance-tropes. Also, can we just talk about how beautiful this book is? Not the cover (although I do personally like it), but the Warcross world. Everything is so animated (in the most awesome way possible), thanks to Marie Lu doing such a fantastic job with the descriptions. She really helped bring the book to life, especially when a huge part of the book's experience would be dependent on the visual aspect, with one of the book's main theme being virtual reality and technology. It's such a great feeling to admire the scenery along with Emika in my head, even if I'm not able to actually see them (because a world with Warcross is stunning). The book also has ONE OF THE MOST SHIPPALBE SHIPS I'VE READ ALL YEAR, AND ALL MY LIFE. I realized this from how I still cannot stop thinking about Hideo and Emika a week after reading Warcross (it's becoming a problem). Their dynamic, chemistry, and just how Marie Lu strings them together is just SO AMAZING OH MY GOD *inhales*. I literally have ALL THEIR SCENES AND QUOTES in my Kindle, highlighted because I just had to go back and re-read them, time and time again. It's really not allowing me to start another book. It's absolutely adorable how Hideo and Emika's relationship grow and flourish. This book came into my life and become the best and worst thing I have ever experienced. Best because it has been so long that I came across a book taht is so tailored made for me, and worst because this book officially "gifted" me my first ever true book hangover experience. Can I just say that I wish no one would ever have to experience that? If you see anything in this list that you like, chances are you're going to enjoy this book as much as I did: - villain-ly romance - unapproachable - and - cold - guy- except- with- the - heroine- romance - science fiction/futuristic world-building (that is very colorful and beautiful by the way) - SUPER SHIP-ABLE ROMANCE - Bounty hunter - Espionage - Virtual reality - Deep web/dark web - Hacking - The guy is young/billionaire/super successful prodigy - Protagonist life changes over-night storyline/finally gets recognition
My rating:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :) I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
