Wildcard by Marie Lu

Wildcard by Marie Lu

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Hardcover: 341 pages
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Release date: September 18, 2018

Series:  Warcross #2

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Kara

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

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?

Emika Chen seems to be caught in the middle of a high-stakes match, one where she could pay her life as a price. Rather than repudiate Hideo for the revelations in the last book, Emika makes a different choice. Instead, she tries to understand the human emotions and motives behind Hideo and Zero, discovering a much bigger plot than she ever dreamed. Wildcard kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation! Where the first novel was building the idea of the game of Warcross and Emika was discovering her team, her mission, and an entire new "arena" of players, this next novel went past the game and contemplated hard questions of morality, choice, freedom, and society's system of punishment. This had less worldbuilding and gamification of the first book and covered more exploration of the characters.

Emika, who had been very used to depending only on herself for most of her life besides her father and maybe her roommate, had become part of a team even if she was mostly working on her own. However, her choices and their effects come to pay a price on her team and they push Emika to open up, to trust them. Here, she finally has a chance to show them whether she does or not -- with the revelation of her "kidnapping", Hideo's plans for the Neurolink, and her adoption into the gang. Emika also has to question her feelings for Hideo. Do they change now that she knows his plans? Does she question his motives? For instance, does Hideo not realize the consequences of his actions? The effect he has had on the populace? The choice of life that he's taken away from people? Emika has to weigh who holds the real power? Is it Hideo? Is it Zero? Is it someone else? It's a new question of Machiavellian power--do the ends (Hideo's algorithm saving everyone from bad choices) justify the means (controlling them and taking away their capability of freedom)?

There are a lot of answered questions and strings wrapped up satisfyingly, like the identity of Zero and what happened with his kidnapping. I like that this goes deeper into questions of humanity and actions, but also contains a lot of twists I never saw coming. We get more Hammie, who I love for some reason, and more Tremaine and Roshan (I loved this subplot btw.)...

Without sharing any spoilers, the one thing I'm still not sure I followed well was the, er, villain of the series and the motives behind it and the hidden dots that Emika puts together. Maybe I just didn't anticipate things well, but I think there should have been a little more stitching together. Who knows? Maybe I just need a re-read! I will say that my husband is reading this series right now on audiobook, and it kept him engaged over 8 hours of driving so much that he grabbed his earbuds and is now reading this second book. It's incredibly engaging and I recommend to anyone who enjoys videogaming or who liked Martha Wells' recent Murderbot series or Ready Player One. Can't wait to see what series Marie Lu embarks upon next! What did you all think?

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Posted by Kara at 07:00

 G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, game fiction, Marie Lu, Science Fiction, Warcross, Wildcard, young adult  9 People left their mark

Warcross by Marie Lu

Warcross by Marie Lu

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Hardcover: 353 pages
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Release date: September 12, 2017

Series:  Warcross, #1

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Kara

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

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 Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. 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.

If Marie Lu wrote it, I'll probably read it, so I've been waiting on this book for months, especially since it is a virtual reality gaming book. And look at this beautifully designed cover! I am blown away. It looks like a maze or block or symbolic for interlocking code.

Before I go further into the review of this book, I'll also say I recently completed Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which you've probably heard about because the movie's coming out in 2018. (For years, I've also heard everyone rave about this book). For the sake of comparision, it is about young man who plays another virtual reality game called OASIS and goes on a scavenger hunt within it for the recently dead creator's "keys" to his vast fortune.

Right off the bat, it's hard to not draw similarities from Warcross to Ready Player One.  Warcross might be about virtual reality, but it draws less off of games we have played before (unlike RPO, which mainly talks about games from the '80s) and creates its own world and game. The game part that is actually Warcross is complicated to explain. Warcross the game is rather like a version of ultimate capture the flag but "you" are a real player, and there is vast world-building and special abilities you can obtain in-game and trade. (Side note: when explaining this, I get an image of versions of old Halo games for capture the flag.)

Another difference is that Warcross virtual reality can be a lens through which you can interact and exist in the real world. Things are revealed in your surroundings as you go about your daily life, and Warcross points are awarded for doing things in life. (RPO has this too, but on a much smaller scale.) This is about where the similarities begin and end between the two books. If you're a big fan of RPO, sure, you might like this. If you hated RPO but are still interested in gaming books, it's different enough that you really might like it.

I really enjoyed the creativity of this book! The hardest thing to grasp for me though was the visual representation of the hacking. I'm a gamer too; I understand that there are limitations for describing video games in print. I think this is one thing that will divide readers. It's harder to relate to and see in your mind because the game and the representation of hacking within it are brand new.

Emika is an creative, determined, yet uniquely vulnerable heroine. She has no family because her father has died and her mother left them some time before. She is crawling with debt, mainly left from her father, and due to an infraction at school, is banned from computers for two years, unable to work at something she's actually gifted at: hacking. Instead, she is a bounty hunter within Warcross and her captures keep getting taken out from under her. Her luck, though, has finally run out and she's facing homelessness and extreme poverty until she performs a hack within the Warcross Championship game. This accidentally glitches her into the game where everyone can see her instead of her [null] hacked character. Emika is whisked off to Tokyo where she's facing multiple new experiences and challenges she's never encountered before. She's part of a team, which functions like a family of sorts, she's got a steady job with money though it's a secret, and she's romantically interested in Hideo Tanaka, the wealthy enigmatic creator of Warcross. Because of her loss and her self-reliance, she is a strong female character, but then, for such a strong female, you might be wondering why she falls so hard and so fast for Hideo, an insta-love situation. As a reader, I thought this was off-putting, but when you consider it, it still can be believable. Emika's rather a loner, having had few friends growing up and still fewer in her poor state, plus with the loss of her family. It doesn't change her strong character, but it does allow that she has areas with little experience and obvious vulnerability. No spoilers, but Emika does gain some perspective by the end of the book and grows emotionally.

Speaking of the ending, the twist at the end I guessed, but still very much enjoyed reading and understanding some character development. In the next book in the series, I would like to see Emika have more interaction with her teammates and have them grow to be more well-rounded characters. Not that they were flat, but they didn't have as much depth because Emika wasn't opening up to them. I thought they were intriguing side characters and want more! I'll be looking forward to reading the next installment and seeing what new exploits in virtual reality Marie Lu is able to dream up.

Favorite quotes:

"No one chose you," I snap.
"And have people been so great at choosing their leaders?" he snaps back.
"But you can't do that! You're taking away something that makes us fundamentally human!"
Hideo steps closer, "And what is it that makes us human, exactly? The choice to kill and rape? To war and bomb and destroy? To kidnap children? To gun down the innocent? Is that the part of humanity that shouldn't be taken away? Has democracy been able to stop any of this?"

Favorite Easter egg moment:

"Serene would be nice, Mr . . . Car."
"Fred," the car says.
"Fred," I reply, trying not to feel weird about talking to a bottle of champagne in an ice block. "Hi."
. . .
"I'm George," the bodyguard says as the car starts to drive us forward.

Read an excerpt.

Watch the book trailer.

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Posted by Kara at 07:00

 G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Marie Lu, Science Fiction, Warcross, young adult  4 People left their mark

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam Sons Book for Young Readers
Release date: October 11, 2016

Series:  The Young Elites, #3

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Kara

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she's gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger. 

The final dark tale of Adelina and the Young Elites ends with sacrifice, beautiful storytelling, and revelations for the deepest questions of the heart.

I can't say enough how I really like this series and how different it is from other things that are out there in YA. Adelina's growth from a scared girl who discovers she has power and influence to the queen/empress responsible for death, destruction, betrayal, and abuse of power should make the reader unsympathetic, possibly even to the point of intense dislike for her. After all, how do you like a villain?

But, this series is one of the few where I am surprised I DO like the villain. Yes, she's flawed and consumed by her depth of ambition and hunger for any brand of "justice", even one that crosses lines of morality. However, she also shows an inner conflict, a mental instability caused by her abuse and her powers (which could be symbolic for a real mental illness), and a deep thirst for love, affection, and acceptance, which due to her upbringing, she never received except from her sister (who later betrays her thus causing more violent consequences). I really love the conflict of Adelina's insanity and her bloodlust rivaled with her desire for power, love, and the fear she weaves into the hearts of others. It makes the ending that much more powerful. 

One of the other fantastic things about this series are the characters. You really remember Enzo, Raffaele, Teren, and the rest long after you've read the series, and each of the Young Elites has their gifts but also has their own loyalties and reads just like real people. When many of the Young Elites have to band together to even begin to stop the horrors occurring in the land, it is strangely a scene of forgiveness, of common alliance at their similar fates, and still they mistrust each other. It is symbolic of how something that benefits everyone could be achieved if all parties set aside their hatred, their selfishness, and their past trespasses to really work as a team. Usually in stories, it is the heroes versus the villains, but in this case, it's the heroes and the villains having to come to a middle ground to reach a common goal. Very thought provoking and unlike other books out there!

One of the things I loved most about this novel was that while it had an entirely different flavor than the previous two which were increasingly dark and felt reminiscent of Assassin's Creed, it also is the most poetic of the three and really brought out the gift of storytelling that Marie Lu has. I cannot say much more without telling elements that are essential to the final bits of the book. I never could have predicted that outcome; so wow! the twist was shocking, beautiful, and I cried. But no spoilers here! The cover is lovely and at the end of the novel, the reader must contemplate the cover and the title with the novel's resolution. Let me know what you think of the ending!

 

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Posted by Tynga at 14:23

 Fantasy, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Marie Lu, Review, The Midnight Star, The Young Elites, young adult  2 People left their mark

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

A Second Look...  for Stephanie's take on The Young Elites, click here!  She read it in December; I'm a little behind times and only just now read it.

Stephanie mentioned the premise of The Young Elites in her review:  a blood fever swept through the country, killing thousands and leaving hundreds of children scarred/marked.  The marked children are known as malfettos, and are discriminated against.  Some of these malfettos have been discovered to have extra powers, such as the ability to create illusions or controlling the elements.  Some of these special malfettos have banded together into a group known as the Young Elites.  The story follows Adelina, a malfetto and new recruit to the Young Elites, as she hides from the Inquisitors (the police force in this fantasy world) (she has to hide from them- she's been accused of murdering her own father) and trains with the other Young Elites.

One thing I found really cool about this book was the world itself.  It felt very much like old, old, old world Italy.  In fact, there's mention of gondolas, and many characters have Italian-esque names, like Raffaele.  (Different spelling, but in my head I pronounced it the same as you would the painter's.)  Everyone gets around by foot, gondola, or carriage- there are no motorized vehicles or electronics in this world.  Much of the story takes place below ground, in catacombs, and I could just picture it in my head- all twisty passages lit sporadically by candlelight!  I don't know about you, but I love reading books that involve old underground passages in Europe.  I know that this is a fantasy book in a fantasy world, but it reminded me so strongly of other fiction I've read where the characters spend time exploring this whole world under Paris or London.  Then there's the intrigue of a royal court of sorts.  The Young Elites find their patrons/supporters through their service in a sort of religious-sexual court.  There are rituals and costumes and masks.  I also love love love masked balls in stories!  As you can tell, the setting of the story was a major plus in my mind!

Like Stephanie, I also have a hard time reading books where a character is abused.  I don't know that anyone would want to read about a teen being abused!  But I was able to endure it in this particular book because I didn't quite "click" with Adelina.  I wouldn't say that she's a bad person, but she's definitely darker than some other YA characters.  Of course, a decent therapist would probably trace her inner anger back to her father's abuse, but there were a couple of scenes with Adelina that honestly made me cringe.  If we met in reality, I think I'd be pretty scared of her.  She doesn't stand out too much, though: due to the fact that society shuns these young malfettos, most of them are pretty jaded, and also act more maturely than their physical age.  (Yet there's no language or sexual situations- you could hand this book to younger teen.)

Overall, this book was a winner in my mind, and I intend to read the sequel, The Rose Society, soon.  Even if the characters are darker than I'm used to, I'm over the moon about the setting and definitely intrigued by the society, and I want more!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Fantasy, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, Library, Marie Lu, Review, The Young Elites, YA, young adult  Leave your mark

The Rose Society by Marie Lu

As far as YA books go, this one is pretty intense. While it isn't as good as the first book, this sequel is non-stop action, character driven and very dark.

Curiously, as much as I loved and sympathized for the main character, Adelina, at the beginning of the story, I really don't agree with some of the decisions she's made throughout the course of the novel. Her revenge has driven her into making some of the worse mistakes in her life, and while she thinks she's doing the right thing, clearly she's on the wrong path. She has some pretty dark thoughts and I wonder if they're really coming from her, or from an ominous source.  I really hope she can redeem herself in the next book, because since reading the last scene, I kind of hate her. I know hate is a strong word but the fear and the power she uses to control people is definitely something I disagree with. Her Elite power to create illusions isn't just something useful. It has now become her weapon, and ultimately, I think it will be her demise.

Cast out by the Dagger Society in the previous book, Adelina searches for new allies. When thieves and mercenaries start following her, it's clear Adelina is going in for a fight. At first she's determined to free the malfettos of Kenettra, those children, like herself, marked by the blood fever. But her goal to save those that can't protect themselves turns into something more. Along the way, she sets her sight on something bigger, the throne and the crown jewels of Kenettra. Of her new followers, Magiano is one of the new characters that I really enjoy. He's probably one of my favourite characters of the book since he's probably the only one that stays genuine to the end. He still remains a mystery, but one thing he's unable to hide is his feelings for Adelina. He clearly cares for her, though she's blind to it.

Since the fall of their leader, the Daggers have allied themselves to the new Queen of Beldain who's ultimate goal is probably to usurp Kenattra. The Daggers and Adelina may want the same thing, but unable to forgive, they fight a common enemy while also fighting each other. As much as I liked Raffaele in the previous book, in this one he's uninspiring and lost. I think, ultimately, all the characters at this point of the series, are lost.

This series is not for the faint of heart and is better suited for an older Young Adult audience. The story in general is pretty dark and the author clearly isn't afraid of killing off some of the key characters. The final battle of the book is riveting, dramatic and a blood bath. So many things happen in this book and I've done a poor job of gathering all my thoughts together. While I really enjoyed The Rose Society, I feel like I need to read the next book before I recommend this series to anyone.

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Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Fantasy, High Fantasy, Library, Magic, Marie Lu, Paranormal, Penguin, Review, The Young Elites, young adult  3 People left their mark

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

I want more, please! An easy to read, Young Adult fantasy novel, The Young Elites is an exceptional book. The characters, the fantasy world and the story, are all well crafted and leaves you wanting more.

The blood fever swept through the country killing thousands and leaving many children physically scarred. The scarred children, the malfettos, are seen as abominations, and are being persecuted by the Inquisition Axis. Some of these malfettos are rumoured to possess incredible powers, like controlling fire, the wind or animals. One is even rumoured to being able to bring back the dead. A few of these exceptional young adults have come together and formed a group called the Young Elites. Adelina Amouteru is only now showing the first signs of her malfetto powers, and is being sentenced to death for the murder of her father. She might be in part responsible for his death but she isn't a murderer. At least not yet. The Young Elites come sweeping in, saving her from execution, and taking her under their wing.

The Young Elites' leader happens the be rightful heir to the throne, Enzo Valenciano, but was robbed of his rightful place as king when he was outed as a malfetto. His ability to create and control fire has earned him the name Reaper and his goal is to gain his rightful place on the throne. His group of Elites are dedicated to his cause, so when they save Adelina from a certain death, she feels like she owes them her life. She becomes dedicated to her training and controlling her malfetto powers, which are dark and powerful. Some of the other elites are weary because of the nature and darkness of her powers, however, Enzo decides to train her himself, something he rarely does. They form an easy relationship. Adelina is attracted to Enzo but she knows she doesn't have a chance with a would-be-king. And since she doesn't necessarily trust the Young Elites, she is weary of everyone surrounding her.

Although I have a hard time reading books where characters have been abused, the recollection of Adelina's abusive past is necessary in order to understand the darkness that lurks inside her. Her past has not been an easy one so trusting a new group of people is difficult for her, despite her need to feel accepted. The only good thing about her past is her relationship with her sister, and when she learns her sister is being held captive by the Lead Inquisitor who sentenced Adelina to death, she is willing to do just about anything in order to save her. Yet, her guilt prevents her from totally betraying her new friends.

This is the type of book where so many things happen yet feels too short in order to be complete. The writing seemed a little rushed but honestly because the pace was so fast, it had me hooked from beginning to end. Although it was a great story, it feels like the world needs a little bit more in terms of details. Hopefully the next books will add more details and we'll learn more about this magical world Marie Lu created.

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Posted by Tynga at 03:28

 Fantasy, High Fantasy, Library, Marie Lu, Penguin, Review, The Young Elites, young adult  Leave your mark

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu

Book Stats:
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 336 pages
Genre: Dystopian
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release date: November 29, 2011

Series: Legend #1

Source: Penguin Canada

Reviewer: Tynga

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

The Republic of Los Angeles, at war against the colonies, is controlling its civilians with an iron fist in a time burdened by plague and poverty.  Day and June are on opposite spectrum of this harsh reality. He is a 15 years old boy, supposedly deceased 5 years ago, fighting for Justice and Freedom, helping the poor and oppressed as best he can, while living in the streets, which deserved him the title of most wanted criminal. She is part of the high society and a genius. Obtained a perfect score on her Trial (a test every 10 years old takes to be assigned their role in society) and graduated from University at age 15. She is the bright star of the Republic's Army and has strong confidence in her government.  What happens though when the two of them collide?

Legend, Marie Lu’s debut novel, is breathtaking. Set in a very imaginative and crude dystopian world, Legend’s plot will sweep you off your feet and drag you in a harsh reality. The way Marie chose to narrate the story provides a much more intense experience for its reader. The POV alternates between Day and June, opposing the poor’s lifestyle to the privileged one, highlighting a stark contrast in opinion. I’d also like to point  that the publisher took an extra step by printing the two POV with inks of different colors (brown for Day and black for June), a nice touch contributing to the narrator’s distinction.

Day is fighting to protect his family from the shadows, breaking into an hospital to steal plague remedy when his childhood house is marked for quarantine. He couldn’t know that his prank would be the spark igniting his downfall though. June will be dragged out of school by the death of a loved one and will end up working for the government, hired to hunt down Day. The plot is all about this hide and seek game between a criminal and a law enforcer and the face off will be a very emotional one. The twist and turns Lu plotted for us were often unexpected and shocking, leaving you with a strong urge to smack a character behind the head or throw the book across the room.

Day and June are both strong-minded and capable, the cultural shock of their meeting is simply delightful. I love them both to death and they were also surrounded by an equally awesome cast of secondary characters. Tess is lovely and Metias left a strong impression even though he is present only for a short part of the story.

The end was torture and I find it hard to describe because on one hand it seems the tension drags on forever, yet everything happens at a fast and furious pace. The consequences of the grand finale will be immense and I honestly can’t wait for this second round, full of promises.

Marie Lu delivered the work of a genius with Legend and I can only praise her ability to collide two cultures in an incredible dystopian showdown. Legend is definitely one of the best release of 2011 and I strongly urge you to get your hands on a copy. I read it within a couple of hours because it’s just impossible to stop reading once you start!

Read an excerpt

Artwork by Marie:

June on the left & Day on the right.

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Posted by Tynga at 10:59

 Dystopian, Marie Lu, Penguin, Review, young adult  7 People left their mark