Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warcross | 2017 | Marie Lu | Buy |
| 2 | Wildcard | 2018 | Marie Lu | Buy |
Warcross (2017) and Wildcard (2018) make up Marie Lu’s duology about virtual reality, hacking, and the power of technology. Emika Chen, a teenage bounty hunter, is pulled into the highest levels of the world’s biggest VR game and discovers a conspiracy with global stakes.
Warcross introduces the game and its creator, Hideo Tanaka, whose motives become more complicated as Emika gets closer to the truth. The first book ends with a twist that reframes everything, and Wildcard picks up directly from that revelation. The second book is darker in tone, as Emika finds herself caught between two sides that both claim to want what is best for the world.
Marie Lu first gained attention with her Legend dystopian trilogy, and Warcross shares that same ability to build a convincing near-future world. The duology format keeps the story tight, and both books move fast. Readers who enjoy YA science fiction with strong female leads and questions about surveillance and control will find this pair worth reading.