Wildcard - Book Review (repost)

Wildcard (Warcross #2)
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
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?

What did I think of it:
I loved Warcross, so I pre-ordered Wildcard right after finishing Warcross.

And this is a great read as well!

I love Emika, and I was rooting for her to find a way to reach Hideo and let him see reason. I liked that her team members are there for her and try to help her as much as she lets them.

And then there is Zero and his people. I distrusted them from the start and worried about Emika. She gets involved in their plans and soon finds out she's in over her head. I was anxious to find out what would happen to her and to Hideo and his plans.

There is of course less Warcross in this book, as playing a game of Warcross (instead of the dangerous games she gets caught up in) is the last thing that's on Emika's mind. Still there are some really exciting scenes set in the virtual world. I loved discovering what was going on and what secrets everyone was hiding. I finished the book in a day, because I had to know how this duology would end.

And I can tell you that I was very satisfied. There was one tiny moment near the end that made me fear I would love the book, but hate the ending, but luckily it was false alarm. The only thing to hate about this book, is that it's already the end of this series. I wouldn't have minded more books I can tell you.

All in all this is a great read and I will most certainly reread this duology. I will also keep an eye out for what Lu will write next.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome Futuristic YA read.


Buy from bookdepository

Warcross - Book Review (repost)

I've been rereading this duology, so here's a repost of my review.


Warcross (Warcross #1)
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
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.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I was wary when I started on this book. I have tried two other books by Lu. The first I finished, but it didn't impress me, the second I DNFed. The blurb of this book did sound good though, and when it was picked as this month's read at an online book club I'm part of, I decided to give it a try.

And to my surprise I loved it!

Emika is of course a bit of a Wunderkind, good at everything she tries, but not in an annoying way. I was interested in her life from the start, and when she meets Hideko I was hooked.

The whole Warcross game was intriguing and it's clear Lu is a gamer herself, she makes Warcross and everything connected to it feel real and exciting. I actually chuckled when I encountered a reference to Leeroy Jenkins. I was as invested in Emika finding out what's going on as I was in seeing her team win the games. The scenes where they are in Warcross are creative and full of action.

I liked seeing Emika grow over the course of this book. She is closed off and stubborn at first, thinking she can handle everything on her own. It was nice to see how she warms up to others and starts trusting. Her investigation into the security problems of Warcross is dangerous and I rooted for her to stay on top of things and survive.

And then there's Hideko. If there's one thing I can say against this book it's that there's not enough Hideo. I loved him. He's a very complex character, and got more interesting and intriguing with every scene he's in.

And then there's the ending! I can tell you that the ending made me love this book even more! You bet I'll be getting my trotters on the next book, because I want more!

Why should you read it:
It's a cool futuristic YA read full of action.


Buy from bookdepository

Wildcard - Book Review

Wildcard (Warcross #2)
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
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?

What did I think of it:
I loved Warcross, so I pre-ordered Wildcard right after finishing Warcross.

And this is a great read as well!

I love Emika, and I was rooting for her to find a way to reach Hideo and let him see reason. I liked that her team members are there for her and try to help her as much as she lets them.

And then there is Zero and his people. I distrusted them from the start and worried about Emika. She gets involved in their plans and soon finds out she's in over her head. I was anxious to find out what would happen to her and to Hideo and his plans.

There is of course less Warcross in this book, as playing a game of Warcross (instead of the dangerous games she gets caught up in) is the last thing that's on Emika's mind. Still there are some really exciting scenes set in the virtual world. I loved discovering what was going on and what secrets everyone was hiding. I finished the book in a day, because I had to know how this duology would end.

And I can tell you that I was very satisfied. There was one tiny moment near the end that made me fear I would love the book, but hate the ending, but luckily it was false alarm. The only thing to hate about this book, is that it's already the end of this series. I wouldn't have minded more books I can tell you.

All in all this is a great read and I will most certainly reread this duology. I will also keep an eye out for what Lu will write next.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome Futuristic YA read.


Buy from bookdepository

Batman: Nightwalker - Book Review

Batman: Nightwalker
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
Returning home from his lavish eighteenth birthday party, Bruce Wayne stops a criminal's getaway - disobeying the police and crashing his car during the chase.

Sentenced to community service in Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, he encounters some of the the city's most dangerous and mentally disturbed criminals. Among these, Bruce meets the intriguing Madeleine who has ties to the Nightwalker gang that is terrorizing Gotham City.
She's a mystery Bruce has to unravel but can he trust her? The Nightwalkers target the rich, and Bruce's name is next on their list.

What did I think of it:
I confess: I was hesitant to give this book a try. I love Batman, especially the darker comics, and I loved Lu's Warcross, but I didn't much care for her other two series. Then I got a gift certificate and decided to buy books with it I wouldn't easily buy otherwise. This is one of the two books I bought.

And I can tell you this is a cool read.

I really liked Bruce. He's not Batman yet, but you can see he is on his way. I loved the inclusion of characters who will play important roles in his future, and I tried to see if there is something in this book that could have tipped Bruce off to things to come.

I also loved the scenes between Bruce and Madeleine. Madeleine is a deliciously complex character, and I enjoyed seeing how she manages to connect with Bruce. I'm starting to think Lu is at her best when she writes morally ambiguous characters.

The action is fun and exciting, but it's the psychological aspect of this story that I enjoyed the most. All in all a great read. I wouldn't mind if Lu got permission to write more stories about young Bruce, but I don't see it happening sadly enough. I'll most certainly will be rereading this book, and I'm already eagerly awaiting the arrival of Wildcard, the next book in the Warcross series.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Superhero read.


Buy from bookdepository

Warcross - Book Review

Warcross (Warcross #1)
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
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.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I was wary when I started on this book. I have tried two other books by Lu. The first I finished, but it didn't impress me, the second I DNFed. The blurb of this book did sound good though, and when it was picked as this month's read at an online book club I'm part of, I decided to give it a try.

And to my surprise I loved it!

Emika is of course a bit of a Wunderkind, good at everything she tries, but not in an annoying way. I was interested in her life from the start, and when she meets Hideko I was hooked.

The whole Warcross game was intriguing and it's clear Lu is a gamer herself, she makes Warcross and everything connected to it feel real and exciting. I actually chuckled when I encountered a reference to Leeroy Jenkins. I was as invested in Emika finding out what's going on as I was in seeing her team win the games. The scenes where they are in Warcross are creative and full of action.

I liked seeing Emika grow over the course of this book. She is closed off and stubborn at first, thinking she can handle everything on her own. It was nice to see how she warms up to others and starts trusting. Her investigation into the security problems of Warcross is dangerous and I rooted for her to stay on top of things and survive.

And then there's Hideko. If there's one thing I can say against this book it's that there's not enough Hideko. I loved him. He's a very complex character, and got more interesting and intriguing with every scene he's in.

And then there's the ending! I can tell you that the ending made me love this book even more! You bet I'll be getting my trotters on the next book, because I want more!

Why should you read it:
It's a cool futuristic YA read full of action.


Buy from bookdepository

Legend - Book Review

Legend (Legend #1)
by Marie Lu

What is it about:
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.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

What did I think of it:
I got a weakness for post-apocalyptic and dystopian settings, so that's why I decided to give this book a try.

Only a few pages in I was reminded why I should always check Young Adult reads before buying them: it was in present tense!

The setting and set up of the story were interesting enough to continue reading though, so I plowed myself a way through the present tense writing. (Why is it that so few authors manage to write present tense in a natural, flowing way?)

And it turned out to be an ok story.
I will confess I never really made a connection with either Day or June: They both were difficult to like. I kept getting annoyed at both of them and at times I wished some of the side characters had actually been the lead characters of this book. The plot and the world building were both cool and interesting enough to keep me reading until I reached the end of the book though.

All in all a nice read (if you can stand present tense), but I probably won't be reading the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It has an interesting Dystopian setting