Warcross by Marie Lu

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Date of publication: September 2017

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.

Warcross is the latest by Marie Lu. It takes place in an ear future where the game of Warcross is the biggest thing for everyone.  People gamble on the game and use it to escape reality for a time. For me, this was just an OK book.  I wasn't all that thrilled with it.  It was entertaining enough, but not one I would run out to recommend.


The biggest reason for me not loving this one is the lack of world building. I had a lot of questions.  What else was society like?  Why did it get that way?   It was supposed to be "futuristic" yet current pop culture references kept pulling me out of the "futuristic" aspect of the story.   I really didn't understand how the Virtual reality game worked.  I just found myself going with it.  The characters were a bit forgettable.  The story was predictable. The "twist" at the end was not a surprise at all and I called it halfway through the book.  The romance was boring and completely unnecessary.  I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.