YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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?

So glad there’s a BR for this. Loved book one.

Karen wrote: "So glad there’s a BR for this. Loved book one."

I was surprised no one had requested one yet so I had to find a partner and get one up, excited to read it. Feel free to join us. :)

I bought my copy at Barnes & Noble and then a few days later I was in Half-Price Books and they’ve got signed editions 😭

I have a copy so I’ll probably join in

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ It's a bit creepy to still be fantasizing about the guy trying to control the whole world. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 2-8 (view spoiler)[ It's obvious with what Hideo has done he shouldn't be trusted but Zero doesn't exactly scream trustworthy either when one minute he's helping save her then the next rooting around in her memories. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ So it's Taylor to be afraid of.... but what exactly is Jax up to? (hide spoiler)]

End (view spoiler)[ Lots of shockers, especially finding out that Zero was AI and not actually Hideo's brother. Kind of like rooting for the lesser of all the evils for a while there. (hide spoiler)]

Starting this one today!

Up to ch10. Think I put my first comment on the series thread...anyway. Curious to see what choice Emika will make.

Up to ch18. Zero doesn’t seem to be what we thought. Hope Emika doesn’t get too stung.

Up to ch29. Well, that kind of took me by surprise. Tense.

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ will we finally get to meet Zero?? I'm pretty certain it is Hideo's brother but i need that confirmation. Also poor Emi. Assasins after her, drugged, then having to deal with Hideo who needs to calm the eff down with this NeuroLink business (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[Oh Emi, you're playing a deadly game there. I'm just waiting for the showdown between Zero and Hideo. And exactly how is she going to tell Hideo that his brother is Zero and alive and doesn't seem to care about him at all?? Also, I'm really loving Tremaine in this one and his back story was so heartbreaking. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18:(view spoiler)[ok didn't call that Taylor was behind everything. So Zero is somehow being controlled and Jax is secretly helping Emi. Also, my heart literally stopped when Jax shot Tremaine. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well huh, that's not how I thought it would end. I had no idea that Zero was actually just an AI. So sad that Hideo's brother died years ago. Also freaking Kenn! You traitor you! I'm glad this was just a duology and it wasn't dragged out. I loved this world and these characters. (hide spoiler)]

I'll join in next month sometime! I just finished Warcross yesterday!

Starting off my month with this one! Sharon, you about ready too?

Ya I am starting now!!!

At least now I have updates :D I'll respond to yours rather than the old ones

Ya I know. I will post an update today for sure. I am a bit sick and it’s almost 1 so I will rest then read a bit more before posting an update.

Sure thing! I'm not sure how much I'll get through today

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[I already like Jax!

And I like the whole 'villain' story here. Hideo's not really a bad guy, and I kind of agree with the algorithm. I like it because it's not just one-dimensionally bad. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[Just seems like another whole Hideo introduction. And it's so clear there's going to be a brother love triangle -_-

I love how Asher and Hammie are a couple though, so cute. (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully get further into this tonight.

Hopefully get further into this tonight.

Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[Holy moly we learnt a lot in that section!

Taylor's actually running the show, and Zero's her project! Sasuke is dead, but his mind might still live on through the memories Taylor's kept.
I loved finding out what happened to Sasuke and how it all came about!
And I am so pleased that Hideo is still the good guy! Well technically they're both good, and Taylor's the bad guy! I love Jax too! And her trust in all the Phoenix Riders.
Happy Tremaine's going to be okay too! (hide spoiler)]

Will finish up tomorrow!

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[ She does not really have a choice if her options are to join Zero or be assassinated by people in the Dark World. (hide spoiler)]

I know right haha

Is this good? I'm scared to dive into my physical for this!

Yeah wildcard is alright the first half but the second half is so good! Probably not a 5 star maybe 4.5

Maddison wrote: "Yeah wildcard is alright the first half but the second half is so good! Probably not a 5 star maybe 4.5"

ugh I hate when books are meh in the beginning :(

Especially a #2 in series. Just has a different feel from #1

Chapter 28 (view spoiler)[Okay so Zero really is bad? Ugh typical -_- Thought it was a nice twist, him just being controlled. Never mind. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

Review: I'm so happy I read this so close to Warcross, that way I actually remember characters and plot! This one just didn't have the same vibes as Warcross did, hence why I rated it lower. It just didn't grab me as much as #1 did. I still enjoyed this though, don't get me wrong! Her relationship with (view spoiler)[Hideo (hide spoiler)] was awesome, and I loved her development of trust and friendship with her team, and the new character introduced in this book! I like the ending, how it (view spoiler)[left her relationship with Hideo quite open-ended, with the audience unaware of whether they get back together or not. And I want to know who her team is! (hide spoiler)] Not sure if there will be a #3. I think that wraps up quite nicely though.

23%
(view spoiler)[Weird glitch. And those suicides, bit too overkill in my opinion. Something had to have happened to Zero in the past since he is acting like his brother ain't nothing to him. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah exactly xD

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ It seems like Jax and Zero are a thing. I wonder how it started. Also, I am happy that Emika contacted the team and is asking for her help. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ OMG!! Hideo and Sasuke's mother used to work for a biotech company called Innovation Institute of Technology? I wonder why she left 12 years ago? (hide spoiler)]

Keep reading! XD

33%
(view spoiler)[Aw hes looking for the kidnapper in a weird way, interesting he can put a cause into the thing making kidnappers come and give the details of who they had taken. (hide spoiler)]

56%
(view spoiler)[Oh Project Zero.... for kids who are dying and are super smart. So is he dead then... (hide spoiler)]

73%
(view spoiler)[Yah he's dead. Holy shit. Just using a word now. Killed that girl by just saying "die". (hide spoiler)]

Meh.
Was way too slowed paced in the beginning for me, i got bored. The ending was alright, never saw it coming.

Yeah I'm the same Brooke. Rated it lower than the first one

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ OMG! Zero isn’t real!!?? Wow...Taylor is something else. I hope Emika can defeat her. That is sad to hear that Sasuke really died. (hide spoiler)]

I know right!!!

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ Although a bit more slower paced, I thought that the relationship between Emika and Hideo was fantastic. Also, I really liked how Emika has more people that she can depend on aka Hideo, and the Phoenix Riders. Also, I am glad that Tremaine is alright, and that he and Roshan have made up. If there is a book 3, I wonder how the Warcross Games will be like after the rebuild of NeuroLink. I think that would be interesting and if Emika and Hideo are couple. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah I agree! Not sure if there is a third though