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Wildcard was WILD.

was one of , so i (obviously) had high hopes for Wildcard. but i was also really worried i'd be disappointed. spoiler alert: I HAD NOTHING TO FEAR (aka it was fantastic). all the things i loved about Warcross came through in the sequel, while also maintaining ~suspense~ and ~mystery~. Wildcard is definitely a darker book compared to Warcross, but it's one of the things that made me love it more. it felt like a "slytherin" type of novel (and the cover is green and black so!!!).

warning: spoilers for !! if you haven't read the first book, don't read the review for the second book.

we begin the novel almost directly after the end of Warcross. the big reveal makes us wonder who Zero really is and what's his story. naturally, he (and the rest of his gang) become a big part of Wildcard and I WAS HERE FOR THIS. their gang, the Blackcoats, are so ruthless and so cool. i mentioned earlier about how Wildcard is super ~dark~ but the Blackcoats are a big reason why. i loved all the new characters and their stories. although a lot of it is completely new, it ties together with Warcross really naturally.

"Every locked door has a key.

the parallels between Warcross and Wildcard!!!! i scream. i'm obsessed with authors who do little things with their series that tie it all together; MARIE LU PRESENTED IT WITH A BOW. i actually didn't fully realize until i went back to reread parts of Warcross, but UGH. i have a lot of feelings. but. i do wish i noticed these things the first time around. i feel like i would enjoy this duology so much more if i'd read both books in one sitting. regardless, i now officially prefer duologies to series/trilogies/standalones. they're so wonderful??

(view spoiler)[i'm SPECIFICALLY talking about the very last sentence of the book. "So, I have a job offer for you," I say to him. "Would you like to hear more?" which � idk if you noticed � is like, the first thing Hideo says to Emika??!!!? I'M OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTIONS. i know there were a lot of other moments but this specifically!!!! (hide spoiler)]




the one issue i have with Wildcard probably has more to do with myself than anything else. i forgot a lot of details in Warcross, which made me kind of confused while reading Wildcard. (duh) for example, a lot of the side characters and relationships were completely wiped from my brain (sorry, characters!). like i mentioned earlier, i think i would've enjoyed this book so much more if i'd read it immediately after finishing, instead of a year later. i know Mare Lu probably intended the reader to experience it that way, but she could've done a better job at refreshing my memory. (but i blame my memory!!! ugh) now i want to reread both books.

(view spoiler)[i forgot who Tremaine and, like, ALL of the Phoenix Riders were. but i guess because of that, i read them from a new perspective? (hide spoiler)]

the thing we, as readers, are most worried for is the ending of a series. personally, i was even more worried than usual because i felt UGH about Legend's ending and didn't bother reading The Young Elites' ending (both of Marie Lu's previous series). i love her books, but am usually frustrated at her endings – mostly because of what she does to characters. PROTECT MY KIDS PLS. i don't want to spoil anything but WILDCARD IS A PERFECT CONCLUSION. it ends so cohesively!! it's so subtle and allows you to imagine a world for the characters beyond the pages!! i'm so happy with it, i could cry!!!


in conclusion, Warcross/Wildcard is amazing. this is one of my favorite duologies. it's action-packed, carefully complex, and fast-paced; it's been a while since a read a book in one sitting and i couldn't put this one down. i'm in love with the world and how it seems too possible. i love all the characters and their relationships (and how they diversely represent different cultures and sexualities). i'm too obsessed.


note: gallery photos belong to their respectful owners. i found them on weheartit and created of my loves.