Review: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke

Title: Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

Authors: April Genevieve Tucholke, Stefan Bachmann, Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, A. G. Howard, Jay Kristoff, Marie Lu, Jonathan Maberry, Danielle Paige, Carrie Ryan, Megan Shepherd, Nova Ren Suma, McCormick Templeman, April Genevieve Tucholke, Cat Winters

Genre: YA, horror

Publication date: August 2015

Published by: Dial Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror.

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Even a monster wants to be loved.

I was excited to read this because I love horror stories and this anthology included some authors that I knew! For these types of books I usually like to touch on every story and say a little about them, but honestly, that seems like a lot of effort for a book I didn’t love.

Review: Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu

Title: Wildcard

Series: Warcross #2

Previous book in this series: Warcross

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: YA, sci-fi

Publication date: September 2018

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she's always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo's grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone's put a bounty on Emika's head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn't all that he seems--and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Warcross ended up being an okay read for me. I loved the world and the technology but everything else was underwhelming. But after that crazy ending, I was really looking forward to reading this one. However, I think I liked this book even less 😬

Review: Warcross by Marie Lu

Title: Warcross

Series: Warcross #1

Author: Marie Lu

Publication date: September 2017

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: 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 players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing 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.

My rating: ★★★★☆

The idea of going into a virtual reality game has always been intriguing to me, so I was very excited to read this book! And overall, I enjoyed it!

Finish the Series #16: Sci-Fi and Vampires

Last month I didn't pick out a series to finish because I just wasn't sure what mood I was going to be in, but I did end up finishing something!