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Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | Listening Library
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Format: MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 368 pages | Audio Length: 11 hours 46 mins
Narrators: Nancy Wu
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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.
*This audiobook was provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Format: MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 368 pages | Audio Length: 11 hours 46 mins
Narrators: Nancy Wu
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: 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.
*This audiobook was provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
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After hearing many good things about Marie Lu's Legend Trilogy and Young Elites Trilogy, I was excited to dive into Warcross. This was my first time reading Lu and it won't be my last. Marie Lu has created an intriguing and well developed melding of science-fiction, dystopia, and virtual reality gaming. Imagine the Second Life game that's played on laptop computers, or the Avakin game app that's played on Android and iOS devices, but put it on a much larger scale for everyday consumption in the real world. You create your own reality. You make your avatar look any way you want, you have unique pixels that make up clothing and weapons and other things. While the Warcross game is very reminiscent of those types of games I mentioned, it has it's own unique vibe.
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The plot is an interesting concept that I've personally never read before. I liked it, very much. I didn't know anything about gaming in a books at this level, but Marie Lu has has gotten me interested in reading more! Speaking of gaming, Warcross is the ultimate game for these characters. The International Warcross Championships is the goal for hardcore players and hackers. That's the glue that brings all of the different characters together.
Lu did a great job with the characters. I found the heroine was both likable and relate-able. Emika is a young, smart, hacker, and Bounty Hunter. Hideo Tanaka is equally as young. He's a quirky, very intelligent programmer that has created Warcross, a game that everyone is addicted to. He's also a billionaire As with most YA love interests Emika and Tanaka are pretty opposite. Upon their first meeting there's instant attraction and Emika finds herself wanting to help him. Tanaka has a job for Emika that turns out to be more than what she could have ever imagined. She's there for the money and the recognition of finding a hard to catch illusive hacker. So while they clearly like each other, they both have bigger fish to fry initially.
Warcross had enjoyable pacing. The plot was constantly moving forward and the story never got dull. The fun descriptions of the game play added an additional layer to the story. When it comes to the bad guy, figuring out the motive of the villain, Zero, is somewhat convoluted right up until the very end, which is a good thing. I made the story very multifaceted and when it comes to morality and right and wrong, there are many shades of grey by the time you reach the end of the story. It's complicated and messy in a beautifully ironic way. Lu has fulfilled my need for a realistic ending, no candy and roses here. She delivers a plot full of secrets and lies, misdirects, allies, friends, and enemies.
The audiobook narrator, Nancy Wu, did a wonderful job. This was my first time listening to her narrate a title and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'll be keeping look out for her on other audiobooks. I hope that as the trilogy goes forward, Nancy Wu stays on board. I can't imagine Emika with a different voice. Warcross is the perfect audiobook for headphones free listening. Overall the content is pretty mild, so you won't feel the need to be discreet in regards to content or language. As always, Listening Library puts together a polished product that's easy on the ears.
I think that the best is yet to come. When book two (currently untitled) is released, I suspect that this ride will get even more wild. Marie Lu is in the forefront of a YA gaming genre trend. Warcross is a light and fun read that I recommend if you're looking for something a little bit different that gives you a glimpse of what the future of technology could one day be.
The audiobook narrator, Nancy Wu, did a wonderful job. This was my first time listening to her narrate a title and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'll be keeping look out for her on other audiobooks. I hope that as the trilogy goes forward, Nancy Wu stays on board. I can't imagine Emika with a different voice. Warcross is the perfect audiobook for headphones free listening. Overall the content is pretty mild, so you won't feel the need to be discreet in regards to content or language. As always, Listening Library puts together a polished product that's easy on the ears.
I think that the best is yet to come. When book two (currently untitled) is released, I suspect that this ride will get even more wild. Marie Lu is in the forefront of a YA gaming genre trend. Warcross is a light and fun read that I recommend if you're looking for something a little bit different that gives you a glimpse of what the future of technology could one day be.
