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Quick answer: If you liked Warcross, read its sequel Wildcard, then Legend, The Young Elites, Ready Player One and Illuminae. All are fast, glossy young adult science fiction about hackers, rebels and dangerous games with high stakes.
Marie Lu's 2017 novel follows Emika Chen, a teenage bounty hunter who hacks into a worldwide virtual reality game, Warcross, and is drawn into its creator's secret plans. It is neon-bright, romantic and fast. The books below offer similar technology-driven adventures, rebellious heroines and futuristic cities.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | Marie Lu | Teen | the sequel |
| Legend | Marie Lu | Teen | dystopian chase |
| The Young Elites | Marie Lu | Teen | dark fantasy |
| Ready Player One | Ernest Cline | Adult | gaming adventure |
| Ready Player Two | Ernest Cline | Adult | the sequel |
| Illuminae | Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | Teen | files and documents |
| Scythe | Neal Shusterman | Teen | moral dilemmas |
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | Teen | fairy-tale science fiction |
| Uglies | Scott Westerfeld | Teen | rebellious teens |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Teen | survival |
| Skyward | Brandon Sanderson | Teen | pilot and war |
| Ender's Game | Orson Scott Card | Teen | young strategist |
| Snow Crash | Neal Stephenson | Adult | cyberpunk classic |
| Renegades | Marissa Meyer | Teen | heroes and villains |
| Divergent | Veronica Roth | Teen | factions and choice |
1. Wildcard by Marie Lu
Emika faces the consequences of what she uncovered. A fast and twisty conclusion.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Legend by Marie Lu
A prodigy soldier and a wanted criminal meet in a divided Los Angeles. Fast and emotional.
Best for: dystopian chase.
3. The Young Elites by Marie Lu
A girl with strange powers joins a secret group. Darker and more tragic than Warcross.
Best for: dark fantasy.
4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
A teenager searches a virtual world for hidden treasure. Packed with pop culture and puzzles.
Best for: gaming adventure.
5. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
Wade faces a new virtual world and bigger stakes. Larger and more divisive.
Best for: the sequel.
6. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Two exes escape an attack while an AI takes control of their ship. Fast, funny and innovative.
Best for: files and documents.
7. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a world without death, teens are trained to kill. Smart and dark.
Best for: moral dilemmas.
8. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A cyborg mechanic is drawn into a royal plot. Fast and romantic.
Best for: fairy-tale science fiction.
9. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
A girl who is about to be made pretty discovers the truth about her society. Smart and quick.
Best for: rebellious teens.
10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers for a televised fight to the death. The classic young-adult dystopia.
Best for: survival.
11. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
A girl dreams of being a pilot to defend her planet. Fast and funny.
Best for: pilot and war.
12. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender Wiggin is trained to fight an alien enemy through simulated battles. Classic and tense.
Best for: young strategist.
13. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
A pizza-delivering hacker enters the Metaverse. Fast, funny and brainy.
Best for: cyberpunk classic.
14. Renegades by Marissa Meyer
A girl from a villain family infiltrates a team of superheroes. Fast and romantic.
Best for: heroes and villains.
15. Divergent by Veronica Roth
A girl chooses her faction and discovers a plot. Fast and popular.
Best for: factions and choice.
How to Choose
For the full story read Wildcard. For more Lu choose Legend or The Young Elites. For gaming adventures pick Ready Player One or Snow Crash. For fast dystopian action read The Hunger Games, Divergent or Scythe. For romance and technology try Cinder or Illuminae. Warcross is a quick read, so these picks suit readers who like pace and style. Warcross also exists as an audiobook with a fast, bright narration, which suits its virtual-reality setting. If you want more virtual-world thrills, Ready Player One and Snow Crash are the classics. If you want a similar heroine with an edge, Legend and The Young Elites are the best next steps. If you want a quieter, more romantic story, Cinder is a good pick. Warcross works well as an audiobook, with bright, clear narration. Fans of Marie Lu often enjoy her other YA series, including Legend and The Young Elites.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Warcross about?
A teenage hacker is hired to investigate security problems in a global virtual reality game.
Who wrote it?
Marie Lu.
When was it published?
2017.
How many books are in the series?
Two: Warcross and Wildcard.
Is there romance?
Yes, a slow-burn romance runs through the story.
What age is it for?
Teens, roughly ages 13 and up.
Is it similar to Ready Player One?
Both involve virtual worlds, but Warcross is more focused on a heroine and a conspiracy.
What should I read next?
Try Wildcard or Legend.
Is Warcross a standalone?
No, it has a sequel, Wildcard, which concludes the story.
Is it good for fans of gaming?
Yes, the Warcross game world is central, with players, teams and tournaments.
Is Warcross suitable for younger teens?
Yes, it has mild violence and romance, so it suits readers around 12 and up.
Does Warcross have diverse characters?
Yes, the heroine is Chinese American, and the cast is diverse.
Is there an audiobook of Warcross?
Yes, and the performance suits its fast, bright style.