Review: Wildcard by Marie Lu

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Date of publication: September 2018

Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she's always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo's grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone's put a bounty on Emika's head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn't all that he seems--and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

I know I said I wasn't sure I would continue with the series, but when I saw the audiobook available, I figured I'd give Wildcard a shot.  I have to say that I did like this one a bit more than Warcross.  The story picks up right after the events of the frst book.  I would warn that you really need to read the first book to understand what is going on in this one.  There really is no recap. so new readers would be lost.  This time around, Emika isn't sure who to trust and spends much of the book trying to stay alive.

As I said, I liked this one more than the first.  The technology pieces made more sense to me and I was able to grasp the game a bit more.  I also liked the characters much more this time around.  I felt like I got to know them better because more of their pasts were revealed.  The ending was great and a perfect way to wrap up what I believe is a duology.    If you can make it through the slow pacing of the first book, this one is worth checking out.  

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.  

Joint Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Date of publication: November 2011

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.


Back when this book came out I wasn't much interested in reading it.  I was a little burnt out on the glut of similar books flooding the YA market at the time, like Hunger Games, Divergent, Shatter Me, etc.  Now that some time has passed and the entire trilogy has been published, we decided to give it a go.  I liked it.  I can't say it wasn't anything dramatically different than any other YA dystopian/post-apocalyptic/sci-fi out there.  One thing I did like was that it was told through alternating view points of June and Day.  I often don't feel there are enough male protagonists in YA.  This series has penetrated my anti-sequel ban and I am listening to the Prodigy audiobook.

I enjoyed Legend.  It was fast paced and had a few surprising twists.  As in most dystopian stories, things aren't always as they seem.  The main characters are in for some shocks about what they have grown up to believe.  I  liked the world  that the author created. The story had one major thing going for it...no love triangle.  There was instant attraction between Day and June, but not insta-love.    I thought the characters were interesting and the alternating points of view kept the story flowing.  Stay tuned, Autumn and I will be back soon with our joint views on Prodigy.