Welcome back, everyone! IAD has been sorta quiet lately so it’s definitely time to shake things up. For this new Inky Awards post, @bookwithbane and I answered some questions on Marie Lu’s Warcross (Silver Inky). Leave some of your answers to the questions below!

If your new here, hi! My name is Erin (or E) and I’m an Inky Awards Shadow Judge for 2018. On this particular blog, I post my thoughts and opinions on the longlisted books. Now that that introductions out of the way, let’s get on to what your really here for!

Did the story have a good beginning?

B: I personally liked the beginning, though it might have been a little slow, it was all essential to the story.

E: I agree with Bane. It was a little slow getting into what Warcross was all about, but Marie Lu did an amazing job of setting up the plot and introducing the characters.

Was this story believable?

B: Yes! I believe this story was well researched and I think this could be possible. In fact, we may be on the brink of it now. There are already glasses that work like a computer, except you don’t need a physical keyboard, or bulky headsets.

E: For me (who has never played a video game in my life), this story was described in such depth that I completely believed that it could be possible. The actual explanations of how it all works was really interesting to learn about. However, was anyone else getting Ready Player One vibes?

B: Yup. Ready Player One like, except less video game references.

Was there a lot of action?

B: Not really, but I don’t think it really mattered. The smaller details kept me in the Warcross world.

E: I beg to differ to be honest. The scenes where Emika was playing were so realistic for me and I really enjoyed it.

B: I guess we have to agree to disagree.

Did you think the story was fast paced or too slow?

B: I think it was a little slow at the start, but events progressed quickly near the end.

E: Personally, it progressed too quickly for me at the end. I could barely keep up with what was going on and was so shook when we found out who was behind the glitches.

What was the most exciting moment in the book?

B: When we find out that Zero is Sasuke Tanaka, Hideo Tanaka(the creator of Warcross)’s long lost younger brother.

E: I agree with Bane, but let it be known I SO knew who it was the entire time.

B: Obvious much?

What did you think was the most important point, or climax, of the novel?

B: When Emika realises the Zero was actually doing something good and that Hideo was doing something bad. That he was going to use the NeuroLink to make people listen to the law, effectively cut off their free will

E: finding out that it wasn’t actually any of the Warcross players who seemed super shady

Did you want to read the book to the end? Why?

B: For sure! I was so immersed in the Warcross world and more than anything, I wanted to be in it. I love this genre of books and I think it deserves its own niche (like cli-fi). Other books and anime I recommend like Warcross, are Armada and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and Sword Art Online.

E: It was actually really good. I didn’t expect to like it because of the video game part, but I found I really enjoyed it.

Were you happy with the ending?

B: As a person I was disappointed that Hideo chose to do those things, but as a writer and reader, I applaud Marie Lu for the brilliant ending and cliff-hanger. I will definitely be reading Wildcard (the sequel to Warcross).

E: Let’s just say I am so ready to read Wildcard! I need to know what happens next. Also, it’s now confirmed that Bane is in fact a person.

Was the novel predictable?

B: At times it was. Such as Zero being Sasuke, or when Hideo and Emika started their relationship. But it was still an enjoyable read.

E: Predictable, check. Enthralling? Also, check.

What were your first thoughts on the main character?

B: I straight away liked her and she had an interesting backstory. Though I wish she didn’t fall for Hideo, as it was pretty predictable, seeing as she was obsessed with him when she was eleven

E: I agree with Bane, but the romance was needed to make the ending epic betrayal more emotional.

B: I think there were other alternative romances that would have been just as good, if not better. Tremaine would be cliché, Hammy doesn’t ping my gaydar, Asher and Roshan(separately) though…

Was she believable/realistic?

B: Most of the time. But I think she should have thought more about her decision to join the Wardraft and that she needed more character growth/development. Also she should have thought over her relationship with Hideo.

E: Are any novel characters ever super realistic? I liked how she was headstrong and confident in her abilities. Her rushing in to things will always be a trait that is never believable though.

B: You’d be surprised Erin… And yes, novel characters can be realistic. I’ve read many a book where I imagine myself being friends with them. It all has to do with world building and character building (which I’ll be covering soon on my blog <3).

E: Realistic in the sense that we can adapt to them and understand them, but realistic that every trait of theirs makes sense if the situation was in real life? Characters possess traits in order to keep the plot moving, to achieve what they are needed for. For me, this hinders their realism.

Were any themes obvious in the book, or were they mostly hidden?

B: They steadily became clearer throughout the books. As above in the spoilers, some of them were a bit obvious and cliched.

E: I don’t overly look for themes when reading books not for school (what a drag), but when I reflect on it, they were pretty evident throughout the novel.

Did the language the writer used suit the characters?

B: Definitely.

E: Something Marie Lu does consistently through all her novels is terrific vocab and language.

Did you find this book easy to read?

B: Yes it wasn’t a difficult read. And I did not become bored at any point.

E: With the knowledge that Bane and I read it in literally a day, I would assume it was an easy read. In more technical terms, it was easy to read because the chapters flowed really well. Never a dull moment.

If you could continue the story, what events would you include? Why?

B: Without reading Wildcard, I would go into Ren’s reasons, his backstory. I would also write in what happened after Hideo lost Sasuke. Also, I would write a confrontation between the brothers. I would also make have a bit of romantic tension between Sasuke and Emika. And at the end I would have Hideo be convinced and dismantle a last second procedure that would enslave everybody and fix it. Or I would have Emika and Sasuke gather followers and slowly liberate people until Hideo tries to stop it.

E: Also without reading Wildcard, I would develop Hideo and Emika’s relationship more. It felt super rushed and confusing, like all of a sudden you’re in love? Don’t think so .

What part would you change in the story, and why?

B: Nothing!

E: Ditto

If you were allowed to change one character/event in the novel, who/what would you and why?

B: I would change the memory that Emika pieces together. I don’t know how, but I know I would, because it didn’t satisfy me, or answer enough questions.

E: The whole dark web thing confused me because I didn’t understand how it fit into the Warcross world? That might just be me though.

B: I think that was a case of assumed knowledge. Marie Lu forgot one vital rule, never assume the reader knows the same things as you. She should have gone into the Dark Web a little more.

If you could only save one character from the novel, who and why?

B: Tremaine. I think he plays an integral part and that he will affect the story.

E: Zero. Read the book to find out why (unless you’ve already looked at the spoilers above).

Would you ever be interested in playing war cross?

B: Definitely! Though without adverse side effects 😉

E: Only if my experience is as dramatic as Emika’s! I want a billionaire love interest too!

In conclusion, Bane and I had some mixed feelings about Warcross, but felt it to be interesting, eventful and we are SO ready for the sequel that comes out 18th September 2018! Read Warcross now!

-E