“A vibrant, action-packed shot of adrenaline.”—Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author “ The Hunger Games meets Minecraft.”— Seventeen From #1 New York Times bestselling author—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths. 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. In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all. Gr 8 Up—A highly engaging and incredibly exciting science fiction novel for young adults. Emika Chen is a bounty hunter living in a futuristic New York City. Emika has a juvenile record and spent time in the foster care system after her father died. She is struggling to pay her bills, and is banking on getting enough from the next bounty to settle up with her landlord. In the midst of her troubles, Emika gets involved in Warcross, a virtual reality video game played by nearly everyone. Players put on virtual reality glasses and can play others, build their own worlds, and keep memories there. There is a huge tournament where the best players from around the globe come together as teams to compete for the ultimate prize. When Emika tries stealing a valuable item in the opening ceremony, she glitches into the game and finds immediate fame. With this fame comes a job offer from the young Hideo Tanaka, creator of Warcross. He flies her to Japan on his private jet, and he asks for her help to find someone who is threatening the game. Emika is also a skilled hacker, so she accepts. The teen becomes a key player in the tournament and in Hideo's life, as they develop a romantic relationship. Readers will move effortlessly through Lu's fantastic writing, and they will enjoy getting to know this international cast of characters. The author adeptly weaves together exciting video games scenes, virtual reality, and romance. The great plot twist and cliff-hanger ending clearly leaves room for a sequel. VERDICT An enticing first purchase for YA collections, especially where Lu's other books and science fiction are popular.—Nancy Jo Lambert, Reedy High School, Frisco, TX Praise for Warcross : A New York Times Bestseller A Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2017 A Publishers Weekly Best YA Book of 2017 A Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2017 A Boston Globe Best YA Book of 2017 A POPSUGAR Best YA Book of 2017 A Paste Magazine Best YA Book of 2017 A Bustle Best YA Book of 2017 A 2018 YALSA Teens’ Top Ten Pick “ A vibrant, action-packed shot of adrenaline . Lu delivers characters with heart and determination, then sets them loose in a luminously conceived world of infinite possibility.”— Leigh Bardugo , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Six of Crows ★ “With a keen eye for detail, Lu (the Young Elites series) vividly imagines a future society where gaming is woven into daily life . . . Think The Hunger Games meets World of Warcraft .”— Publishers Weekly , starred review “Marie Lu’s Warcross is unlike anything I’ve ever read —clever, smart, romantic—yet exploding with color, action, and unrelenting speed. I flew through this book—it’s absolutely fantastic .”— Sabaa Tahir , #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes ★ “A stellar cyberpunk series opener packed with simmering romance and cinematic thrills .”— Kirkus Reviews , starred review “Clear your schedule, because you won’t stop reading Warcross until you’re done. Addictive, fast-paced, and totally immersive , this book takes you from a futuristic Tokyo on a high-tech tour of incredible virtual worlds. Packed with danger, intrigue, and heart-pounding gameplay, set in a world built with an incredible eye for detail, Warcross is Marie