Review: Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu

Warcross

(Warcross #1)

by Marie Lu

September 12, 2017

368 pages

Goodreads   Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
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.
 

Review

It's always a good feeling when you read a book everyone's loving and end up joining the club. Warcross was a fantastic read! Maybe because I'm not a gamer so I didn't know what to expect but this book was everything I didn't know I wanted.

Warcross, being my first foray into gaming stories, was refreshing and exciting. I haven't read a book quite like it so that reflected positively on my enjoyment of the plot. There were some surprising elements and some predictable bits but through most of the story my blood was pumping with intrigue. The stakes were high and I couldn't wait to decode the mystery. Some plotlines left me with burning questions but I thoroughly enjoyed the chase through cyber space.

Warcross really touches on how much technology impacts our lives. People literally can't function without gadgets these days. Warcross takes things one step further showing what may be our very near future- when virtual worlds intertwine with reality. It may be an impressive feat but with it comes risks. Marie Lu does a perfect job setting up the sinister side of the digital world. Because of the past-faced nature of the Warcross games there wasn't really room for doubts and that worked beautifully to blind us from the truth right in front of our eyes (quite literally in our eyes ;P).

Zero's identity was not at all surprising but definitely curious. We don't yet know how it's possible but this person was my top suspect almost as soon as said person was brought up. I just knew we'd be seeing Hideo's brother and not in a happy reunion way. It didn't really take away from the story per se but I really hope Marie Lu will have a satisfying explanation to compensate for the predictability.

I knew something was going to happen between Emika and Hideo but I wasn't sure I'd be on board. Well, I shipped it. They turned out to be a surprisingly intense and swoony couple. Their secret rendezvous and stolen moments all felt genuine. With the huge revelation dropped at the end of this first book I look forward to seeing what direction their relationship will go in the next book.

Warcross made for a stimulating start to an electrifying series. If Marie Lu just keeps up what she did with Warcross then we're good! I'm most eager to see what fun title the sequel will have.

 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way.