Book Review: Wildcard by Marie Lu

The first word that I can think of to describe Wildcard is mind-blowing. Much like its predecessor, Warcross, it is full of shocking reveals, heart-pounding action, and unpredictable plot twists. But at the center of Wildcard is a deeply emotional story of fear, grief, morality, and humanity as it intersects with the pursuit of technology and science. Marie Lu goes beyond telling a thrilling sci-fi story based on a virtual reality world to present a thoughtful allegory of our digital culture. With its thought-provoking themes and incredibly entertaining plot, Wildcard is a satisfying conclusion to the Warcross duology. In case you need a refresher of what happened in book one, check out my review of Warcross!

At the end of Warcross, Emika discovered the unsettling truth behind the algorithm Hideo created for the NeuroLink. This device connects users to the Warcross game and overlays a virtual Tokyo when they are out in the city. However, when Emika learns the true purpose of Hideo’s creation, she sets out to stop him from bringing his plan to fruition. She’ll need the help of her former teammates, the Phoenix Riders, and an uneasy alliance with the mysterious rebel-hacker Zero to not only save the world, but also Hideo from going down a dark path.

With an established world already set from book one, Lu takes time to develop her characters in Wildcard. Emika shows growth as she learns to move away from her “lone wolf” mentality to trusting the Phoenix Riders to watch her back as she throws herself into dangerous situations with Hideo and Zero. Emika, Asher, Hammie, Roshan, and Tremaine develop a genuine friendship that you can easily believe will be a life-long one. Lu also gives readers more backstory on the Phoenix Riders which fleshes out their characters and highlights their diversity. The slow unraveling that is the enigma of Zero is one of the best parts of the book. We also meet Taylor and Jax, two prominent members of the Blackcoats, who have secrets and are each working their own agenda.

Emika and Hideo’s romantic relationship comes to an abrupt end in the last pages of the first book. One time partners are now working against each other. Much of their interaction in Wildcard is fraught with tension, conflict, and mistrust. But there is an undercurrent of their true feelings that they are unable to deny. Emika is clinging to hope that she will be able to convince Hideo to not move forward with his nefarious plan. She wants to save him as he unknowingly saved her in her darkest time as a teen. I can’t help but ship these two, no matter the questionable things Hideo has done. Their chemistry is just that good.

The wild, fast-paced plot from Warcross carries over into Wildcard. If you thought the first book was edge of your seat exciting, then the finale is clutch at your heart thrilling! Just when you think there can’t be any more surprises left, Lu throws a game-changing curveball and you’re left with your jaw on the floor and your head spinning. Despite Lu’s intense storytelling style, she does slow it down, in the end, to wrap up this duology in a very pleasing way. There is a sense of coming full circle in Emika’s journey and a satisfying closure for all the other characters.

Wildcard is everything you want in a finale: explosive, intense, emotional, entertaining, and most importantly, 100% satisfying. Definitely pick up this duology for a binge read!