YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

Join Robin and I buddy read this book :)

Chapters 1-5 (view spoiler)[Wow. This is an amazing start! At first I was kind of slow because I'm not reading YA books lately (I go back once in a while. I read new adult / adult romance nowadays). As the passages goes on, it's getting more excited! I really like the concept of VR and other futuristic technologies. It's badass and I find myself in awed of it.

I love it's not infodump. Thank GOODNESS! Marie Lu is descriptive with the setting. LOVE LOVE IT! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6 - 10 (view spoiler)[As a bounty hunter, this is an amazing opportunity for Emika. I'm mesmerized with all these modern technology. It's so freaking badass and I love the setting. Tokyo ftw! Hideo Tanaka sees her potential as he hires her to become a spy. Someone breaches the security system and he wants to find it out.

I have a feeling it's Ren. I'm suspicious with his activities. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11 - 13 (view spoiler)[ I knew it. Ren was really suspicious and his files are damn well guarded but Emika cannot outsmart him. Gosh she's one hell of a hacker! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 14 - 20 (view spoiler)[An amazing match between the Phoenix Riders and Demon Brigade! That one gave me an adrenaline rush.
I'm going to rule out Ren = Zero because he's a different person.
I need to read further for clues.

Gaah! It's bloody good! Goddamn the romance between Emika and Hideo <3 <3 (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21 - 25 (view spoiler)[I'm taking my time reading these chapters. I don't want it to end! It's nice Hideo is opening up Emika about his past. His inspiration in creating Warcross.

I love their dinner date, liplock on Hideo's house and their scene together in the bathouse! LIIIITTTTT OMFG. To think those are mild steamy scenes. THOSE STILL MAKE MY HEART RACING!

I have a theory on Zero... since he mentioned Sasuke is missing.
I'm betting Sasuke = Zero. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 26 - End (view spoiler)[Marie Lu just turned the tables! OMG. I'm shoookt. I knew Zero = Sasuke! Hideo needs to know but damn.They're going to be RIVALS. I think Emika will neither take sides on this.

Emika was right about Hideo being wrong with his new technology of controlling the minds. It takes away a human's freedom to think. When it comes to right and wrong, there's line. in between depending on our purpose. Hideo thinks there's only black and white.

I'm still shook that Zero / Sasuke wasn't that a bad person. I WANT THE SEQUEL SO BAD!
(hide spoiler)]

Hey I'm late but joining in because I've started this

chapter 3
(view spoiler)[so far I really like the world and main character. The fact she's a bounty hunter is super cool, and the world itself is pretty well built so far (hide spoiler)]

No problem! I'm still joining you for the discussion ;)

✨ jamieson ✨ wrote: "chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

I agree with you! I'm instantly fascinated with it. Marie Lu is keen on details without confusing her readers.

chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ I LOVE the way technology interacts with the world its amazing. The worldbuilding is definitely the best aspect all the modern stuff is so cool. The plot is much more interesting now with the secret hacker, I kinda had a feeling it'd be someone on the Phoenixes team. Maybe Asher? But it can't be since it's a Wild Card player, so now I'm not sure.
Also I am loving the diversity and how many different types of people are represented
(hide spoiler)]

Beatrice wrote: "✨ jamieson ✨ wrote: "chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

I agree with you! I'm instantly fascinated with it. Marie Lu is keen on details without confusing her readers."

Yeah she is! I love her writing style it draws me in everytime but she doesn't sacrifice detail for pace

chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ this is kinda crazy but I kinda feel like Hideo's little brother is Zero ?? idk why but I just think that.
I feel bad for the Phoenix Riders it'd be so annoying wondering what Emika is hiding. I wish she'd just tell them even though I get why she can't (hide spoiler)]

finished (view spoiler)[OKAY so I guessed who Zero was so that wasn't really a plot twist for me BUT, I did NOT see the Hideo is the bad guy kind of concept coming. I'm not sure how to feel about him now hmmm. But it's definitely interesting he doesn't know Sasuke is Zero.
Also, I did NOT see Tremaine being a bounty hunter coming, but I liked he helped out at the end and I'm excited to see where his character goes.
I loved the concept of Warcross and the team so much, I hope the team is in the sequel more because I love Roshan, Hammie and Asher
I really liked Warcross it was great! Marie Lu is an expert at exciting writing with good characters
(hide spoiler)]

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Starting today.

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Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Liking Emi so far. She seems to have a rough go at life right now so we shall see what comes of this job offer. I love how she reacted to Hideo called her - like a starstruck teen lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ Hideo is an interesting person. Is he supposed to be the love interest? I feel like I'm missing his age even though I'm pretty sure it's been mentioned. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ so I'm pretty sure this Zero person is not going to be so obvious so I'm counting out DJ Ren. And now Emi is being thrown into her first game. And Hideo is intriguing with all of his secrets. Also I figured out that he's 21 lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[ hmm seems like Hideo wants more than just Emi's employment. He's such a mystery. I'm hoping we get more of his history. And Ren is seems is in on the hacking. But it seems like it's a global thing now. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26:(view spoiler)[ holy crap shit is going down. Part of me wonders if Hideos brother is Zero... (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Called it! Zero was his brother! However, did not call that Hideo was going to pull some crazy mind control shit! (hide spoiler)]

Got to this later than hoped. Fingers crossed it’ll still count for the November challenge if I post updates/respond to old comments.

just got this today so hoping to start reading it later. looking forward to talking to everyone about it once i have a read enough to add my thoughts.

I started this a few days ago, if I add updates will it count for November challenge?

I’m hoping it still will. Normally there’s a window for BRs-if it’s a problem we can always request the thread to be reset.

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Date Changed. Restarting November 6th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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Thanks for updating this. Read the opening pages-not a pleasant world to live in, and I’m not sure how it’s come to this set-up.

Thank you! :D

I'm actually on Chapter 22 now but ill come and respond to comments :)

Chapter 1-9

(view spoiler)[So far I'm loving it, it is a very fast read. I like Emika, and the concept of the story. Can't wait to see what happens, and find out who Zero is (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[ So WC is for Wild Card, and there are 40 of them, making Emi WC40 so that means the wild card names go from WC1-WC40.... So WC0 technically isn't one of the Wild Cards.... ???

But there was a Wild Card not present during the Wardraft and that would be the DJ guy... and also youd need access to enter the dome... so that person most likely would be that DJ guy (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[Ha so DJ Ren was that guy, WC0 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16

(view spoiler)[ She found Zero!! I wonder who he is. What is he up to?? But Ren and Zero seem to notice that she is in to them (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[ OMG (hide spoiler)]

I really want to play Warcross

Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ Ok but I so ship it!!

Its nice to see Hideo opening up and sharing more things about him, we are getting to see much more of who he is.... like the fact that he had a brother

So Zero has made his first move at trying to kill Hideo!!

I need to read more and try to figure out who I think Zero is

Hes obviously not Ren, and whatever hes been plotting is much bigger, its global with many supporters (hide spoiler)]

Okay I've been really wanting to read this one so can I join? I'll be late as I have other buddy reads planned for the next few days.

Chapter 23

(view spoiler)[ Ok so I think Zero is going to be Sasuke

Technically hes not dead and has somereason to want his brother dead (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25

(view spoiler)[ The whole world know now, about Emika and Hideo!! Zero now know about Emika, and even talked to her, and is now attacking her as well (hide spoiler)]

i've been enjoying this and the whole concept of the virtual reality video game storyline and modern technology and this whole thing with Emika being through so much in her young life made her character intrigue me immediately. i can't imagine how cool it must've been for her to realize some of her dreams were going to come true with getting to go to Japan, meet her idol, and actually participate in Warcross (none of that is spoilery since that's all in the beginning of the book)

i forget what chapter i am at (i think it was chapter 21 or 22) but i am up to around 60% of the book so i will cut my thoughts here (view spoiler)[
~Emika thinking the hacker person she is hired to catch being Ren seems too obvious. though he is probably involved since is acting suspicious.

~so this Zero person doesn't just want to interfere in the Warcross games - wants to kill Hideo! oh my goodness!

~wow so Hideo asked Emika to have dinner THEN later on he also invites her into his home. uhm yah big surprise that he has personal interest in her as more than someone he hired to do a job. called that immediately so he was definitely not as subtle as Emika thought.
(hide spoiler)]

can't wait to get some time to read more later!!!! it has been really interesting.

Ch1-2. Our main character is set up as having an awful existence. Quite like the concept of Warcross-love books that almost have the potential to take place.

Up to ch11. What a great idea! Really curious to see how this goes on.

Chapter 29-end

(view spoiler)[ WHOA.... that twist Though... and I was right! Zero IS Susuke

and he turned out to not be much of a bad guy after all... and Hideo turns out to be more of a bad guy (and hes harder to stop now)... athough he could have just gone with sending the virus to all neurolinks and skipped the assassination part

Emika was right to disagree with Hideos true plans, his plans are messed up in so many ways, just no Hideo, no.

I can't choose a side... Hideo or Susuke....but really it's neither ... and do actually hope Emika doesn't side with either

I NEED THE SEQUEL NOW (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch20 (view spoiler)[ Perhaps I’m overthinking this, but is the game creator the saboteur? (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch27. (view spoiler)[ Now I’m thinking Zero might be the missing brother. (hide spoiler)]

Completed. Interesting...and I’m not even cross that some aspects were clear pretty early on.

yah well i wasn't shocked by the reveal of who Zero is because i did call that early on, but i can't say i expected the other part of the end... (view spoiler)[ about Hideo and his plans (hide spoiler)]. i really want more story NOW!!!! hopefully we won't have to wait forever.

Starting this today! :)

Through chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ Wow. I was drawn into this book right away. I absolutely LOVE when that happens! At first it kind of had a "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" vibe to me - which I also enjoyed as well so it definitely didn't hurt. The whole idea of this virtual reality is just ingenious and crazy! I couldn't imagine being able to see all these things just normally throughout the day. Emika has been handed what seems to be the opportunity of a lifetime. I wonder if she'll know who the other bounty hunters are or if anyone else will know the 'real' reason that she is infiltrating the game. She has such talent as far as hacking goes I could see her earning herself a permanent position. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[ I keep wondering if anything is going to come of Hideo and Emika. Maybe I'm just so used to seeing a romance that I go looking for it! haha. It would be so easy to think of Res as Zero. Because of his shields and mysteriousness. Emika sees now that he has at least some kind of tie to the Dark World. Maybe its as simple as him being a gambler. Maybe he is helping Zero out - whether he really knows it or not. Or maybe he is Zero - I'm shying away from that one because it seems too obvious but who knows! Emi did well in her first training exercise, but will it be enough against Tremaine? They're really going to be gunning for her! (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 22

(view spoiler)[ And there it is!! The romance I have been waiting for. Hideo has this mysteriousness about him that just draws me too him- obviously Emi too ;) Its so satisfying to seem them come together, but of course I hope it doesn't hinder Emi's progress or Hideo's life. Ren's involvement with Zero has me reeling and now thinking that he knows Emika's involvement is crazy! He probably doesn't know how she is involved or how much she knows though. Even so, I could definitely see this causing problems and even being dangerous for her. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 27

(view spoiler)[ Zero sure seems to have some pent up anger towards Hideo and even the whole Warcross thing. I also can't believe just how involved Ren is! But Emi is right - nothing will really come of the police questioning him. It sucks that she is off the team as well, but its obvious that Hideo is just wanting to protect her. I hope that he is taking steps in protecting himself as well. Is he really expecting her to listen to him though? She has quite the agenda of her own. I didn't suspect Tremaine to be another hunter, but then again I haven't really suspected anyone else. Maybe I'm missing clues - maybe there isn't any. Either way it was a huge thing for Emi to get the other half of that file and get Ren's memory. I'm feeling that she definitely has some tricks up her sleeve and she's right in trusting and even enlisting the help of her team. (hide spoiler)]