Warcross

Like many action/mystery novels, Warcross offers several plot twists intended to keep readers guessing about what happens next. Select two to three strong plot twists that change the direction of Emika’s objective or change one of Emika’s long-standing opinions. Discuss how the next several plot events hinge on the selected twists.

Emika lives in a near-future New York City different from modern times. What imagery or setting elements suggest a dystopian atmosphere? Conversely, what setting details and imagery provide Warcross levels with a utopian atmosphere? How might a reader label the setting of Tokyo—more dystopian, or more utopian? Discuss your responses with text evidence for each part of the question.

Emika meets antagonists throughout the real world, the virtual world, and the Warcross game. What three antagonists have the most significant impact on the conflict of the novel? Provide a rationale for each of your choices.

Warcross (the novel) is filled with detailed visual imagery in each setting. Sensory imagery, however, can also include descriptive details that employ the other four senses. What sound, texture, taste, and scent imagery details add to scenes in Warcross (the game)? To scenes in the real world? Find and list at least three examples from the book. What mood does the author achieve in employing the use of these sense images in each example?

In the real-time narrative of Warcross, the author consistently uses present tense to tell the story. Discuss the impact on the reading experience that results from the use of present tense. Use text examples to support your response. Consider especially the scenes of virtual Warcross competition before and after Emika plays for the Phoenix Riders.

Emika is 18 in the real-time narrative of the story, but her memories of childhood and her flashbacks to the foster group home and high school help to paint her as a three-dimensional character with complexity and motivations. Summarize three events from Emika’s backstory that most strongly impact her character development. Use book details to fully explore these backstory events and make a connection from each event to a character trait evident in 18-year-old Emika. 

Besides Hideo, which secondary character affects Emika most in terms of conflict, objectives, emotions, or any combination of the three? Discuss your choice in two to three points using evidence from the novel.

Once Hideo contacts Emika after she glitches into the opening ceremony, a motif of opulent materialism accompanies Emika’s experiences (sometimes via technological products, but not always). List six to eight examples of extravagant material goods Emika encounters. Choose three from your list and discuss how these examples contribute to the atmosphere of the surrounding scene(s).