Warcross

Science Fiction

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Justification: This title was recommended to me by my librarian. She thought it would be of interest to me because much of the setting takes place in Tokyo and I live in Japan. I was excited to read it, especially since I don't read much sci-fi. This book reads like an action movie; it's a fast paced, adventurous, page-turning thriller. It also has a female protagonist, which I'm a big fan of. I think this book would appeal to boys and girls alike, which I particularly enjoyed as I will recommend it to any young adult interested in exploring the world of science fiction.

Response: Emika Chen is a teenage bounty hunter orphan in a futuristic landscape where everyone plays a virtual reality (VR) game called Warcross. She's a whip-smart hacker and has a knack for tracking down bad guys for bounty and breaking down code. At first, Emika seems an unlikely heroine. She's broke. She's disheveled. She has rainbow-dyed hair and rides a broken-down electric scooter. She's not going places. We first meet her in a run-down flat in NYC she shares with another down-and-out teen. Things are looking bleak for Emika. Until....she hacks into a live championship match of Warcross taking place in Tokyo. Soon her whole world is turned upside down as she's flown to Japan in a private jet owned by the Warcross creator, Hideo Tanaka to solve a mystery in an investigation fraught with danger and suspense. I really enjoyed how the reader becomes personally invested in Emika. You are with her in journey and you want her to succeed. This first-person narrative hooks you; Emika's voice is clear and she is a well-defined character battling against all odds. You don't just want her to succeed, you want her to win.

My opinions about science fiction were really challenged by this text. I had preconceived notions of futuristic technology perhaps being dry and uninspiring when in fact, this book was the exact opposite. While the novel was steeped in the details of technological possibilities, it was also imaginative. The use of technology in an unknown future actually made the premise for the novel believable. I could envision a future in which we are all hooked on VR and living our lives vicariously through a virtual interface.

Conclusion: I have come to believe that Marie Lu is a master of sci-fi for young adults. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the female protagonist in a male-dominated world of coding and advanced technology. I felt like the text gives a positive message to young girls. There is a sequel, called Wildcard that I now have on my reading list thanks to my worthwhile experience with this text. I will recommend this book to young adults grades 6 and up.

APA Reference: Lu, M. (2017). Warcross. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons.