Warcross by Marie Lu

I’ve never exactly been able to get into video games, despite all my best efforts … but I still love hearing about them, and trying my hand at them every once in a while.

Warcross gave me some major Hunger Games meets Ender Game vibes, and I was not disappointed!
  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. 
All right. So this book turned out to be exactly what was expected: a high-stakes cat and mouse game. With shifting loyalties, and a lot more at stake than Emi originally assumed. After Emi’s father died, she was left with nothing but his unsurmountable gambling debts, and a handful of memories. She found solace in coding her way through abusive foster homes, and lives day-to-day. She’s always worked alone, fighting to make it through each day with her head down. Hideo Tanaka has provided a source of inspiration for her; a light at the end of a tunnel, so to say. I think that the highlight of this story was definitely Hideo Tanaka. Emi is a huge fan of Tanaka and she totally flips when she gets to meet him. He’s a very confusing character; surprisingly kind one moment, shuttered off the next. He gives off very mixed vibes, but is quite fun to follow throughout the adventure. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a lot under the surface with this one. This book was very fast-paced, and thought-provoking at the same time. It was definitely a wild ride, and lots of fun to read! Personally, I didn’t like the cliffhanger ending, but I’m anticipating a sequel.