Warcross - Young Adult Annotation

Title: Warcross by Marie Lu
Published: 2017
Number of Pages: 353 pages
Sub-genre: Science Fiction

Plot Summary:
Ever since inheriting her father’s large gambling debt when he died, Emika Chen has been struggling to get out of it by being a bounty hunter. In a desperate attempt to gain quick cash, Emika hacks into the world famous virtual game, Warcross. As Emika waits to be reprimanded, she is surprised to find her world turned upside down when the creator of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka, hires her to help with a major security issue. The story follows Emika as she goes undercover and discovers a chilling secret surrounding Warcross. 

Young Adult Elements:
Pace: Like many YA novels, Warcross is very fast paced. The chapters quickly go through Emika’s investigation into the security issues and her interactions with other Warcross players.
Storyline: The storyline is very action packed which goes with the fast pace. This action is mostly shown through the many detailed, suspenseful Warcross Championships Scenes. 
Writing Style: As YA novels are often fast paced and action packed, they usually have a compelling or engaging writing style to keep the reader’s attention. Warcross is compelling and engaging as Marie Lu writes about Emika’s quick investigation and makes sure to not add too many extensive details. The only descriptive scenes are when Emika is travelling or a new Warcross world is introduced.
Characterization: YA novels have been including more and more diverse characters within them. Warcross is no different. First, the story starts in New York then it shifts to Tokyo. Secondly, the players of the Warcross Championships are from around the world. Both of these pieces allow the reader insight into different cultures. Lastly, there is even some representation of disability as one of the Warcross team captains is a wheelchair user. 

Read-Alikes:
The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
Otherworld by Jason Segel
Bluescreen by Dan Wells
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 

Personal Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. It was so action packed and suspenseful. This included a major twist at the end that I thought I was catching on to, but got distracted and then blindsided. Yet, this is the kind of YA novel I love. I want to be shocked and surprised. 
I also like Sci-Fi in YA novels and there is a lot in this. The concept of Warcross and the NeuroLink are very intriguing. Although, I should note for people who are not familiar with Sci-Fi, Warcross and the NeuroLink are a major part of this story and are involved with every piece of it. So, it could become a bit overwhelming for someone not used to something like this.
Lastly, I want to comment on the common theme of romance in YA novels. This did have some, but it was not the main part of the story. Although it did play an important part in the plot, it was not the focus. While there was a bit more romance than I was expecting, I do not feel it was too much.