In a futuristic world, Emika Chen is a rainbow-haired bounty hunter stalking the streets of New York City –who is also just three days away from eviction. After a hunt goes wrong, Emika knows that she needs money and fast. So, when the opening ceremony of Warcross, a virtual reality game beloved around the world, is broadcast, Emika can’t resist the temptation. However, when Emika attempts the hack the game, she accidentally glitches herself into the game instead. After that, Emika becomes an overnight sensation, and instead of being arrested, she is invited to Tokyo to meet the creator of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka. When Emika arrives in Tokyo, she is offered the chance of a lifetime. Uncover a dangerous hacker for Hideo Tanaka, and she will have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life. However, when Emika takes the job, going undercover in the international Warcross championship, instead of finding just a hacker, she finds a plot that could crumble the Warcross empire. 

“Warcross,” by Marie Lu, is an excellently written book, and it kept me glued to every page. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves sci-fi and books that get your heart beating. With a wonderful mix of friendship, love, betrayal, and suspicious dealings, Marie Lu creates an immersive world just as engaging as the virtual reality game, Warcross, in the book. On top of that, each of the characters in the book are uniquely human, each with undeniable flaws, and redeeming qualities. An explosive plot, incredible setting, and realistic characters combines to make this one of my favorite books.