Warcross (Warcross #1 of 2) [J0063]

2018 - PB with wear, cover is creased and some pages are dog eared. 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.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Totally enjoyed this book. The storyline was good and kept my interest the entire book. Characters are memorable. The author didn't disappoint. looking forward to finding out in the sequel how the main character survives and what she does."; "Very interesting concept especially with the rise of AI"; "The dynamic between Emika and Hideo is super fascinating and the neurolink is such a fun concept. I love reading about the Warcross games and the twist with Hideo's character at the end was unbelievable."