Parents' Guide to

Wildcard: Warcross, Book 2

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Emika steers cyberpunk thriller duology to exciting finish.

Book Marie Lu Science Fiction 2018
Wildcard: Warcross, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

lostintomes
lostintomes Parent of 2-year-old
December 4, 2018
age 14+

A decent, satisfying conclusion.

3.5 Stars CONTENT NOTES - There is some language like in the first book, a little violence and one "fade-to-black" sex scene. Nothing very noteworthy IMO. REVIEW - Wildcard ended up being nothing like I expected. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'm disappointed (cuz I am happy with it) but I was expecting a little more. I had this idea in my mind of where I thought the story was going to go after the ending of Warcross. I think that any "disappointment" that I feel is mostly due to the fact that she took things in a different direction than I imagined. There was a new element of sci-fi added to the story this time around. Which was fun! And I loved the questions of morality that are brought to the surface throughout the ways this technology is created/used. I think this book could be a great jumping off point for some powerful discussions. All in all I feel content with where things left off and ready for a new story.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
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What's the Story?

Having barely survived the Warcross Championships, Emika Chen must handle a new threat. The man she loves, Hideo Tanaka, unleashes a new NeuroLink algorithm that turns everyone's virtual reality glasses into mind-control machines. Determined to stop him, Emika enlists the help of her Phoenix Rider teammates, only to learn that someone has put a bounty on her head. On the streets of Tokyo and in the digital world, she seeks clues to the central mystery of Hideo's life: the unsolved kidnapping of his beloved younger brother.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (7):

Cyberpunk thrillers sometimes suffer from "no-rules-apply" stories, but this exciting sci-fi novel gives readers characters to root for in deadly situations that at least attempt to make sense. Wildcard raises its stakes right from the beginning, and author Marie Lu orchestrates a couple of jaw-dropping plot turns. Emotionally and physically fearless, Emika is a complex protagonist, and Lu excels at revealing her interior life. Some of the fight scenes go on too long, but readers who enjoyed Warcross will be satisfied by the breakneck conclusion to the saga.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Wildcard depicts the future uses of virtual reality. What are the dangers and benefits of immersive digital environments?

  • What might happen if everyone's mind were programmed to obey the same laws and follow the same rules? Why is the concept of free will important to society?

  • Is it possible to love a person who does bad things?

Book Details

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