Red City
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Description
Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation, an exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates who market it to the world's elite in the form of sand - a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of themselves: more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.
Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor's edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city - and the paths of their lives - will be irrevocably transformed.
The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off from opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.
Readers are loving this book:
'A truly outstanding and emotionally powerful story'
'Sharp, cinematic, and completely addictive'
'The writing was exquisite, the plot and politics a treat, I couldn't put it down'
'The characters are flawed in the best way. It's tragic, it's doomed, it's absolutely PERFECT'
'This book isn't just good - it's freaking phenomenal. It's the kind of story that makes you cancel plans, stay up too late, and immediately recommend it to everyone you know'
Praise for Marie Lu:
'Marie Lu always delivers' - Leigh Bardugo, author of Ninth House and Six of Crows
'Marie Lu is magic' - Tahereh Mafi, author of Shatter Me
Book Information
Posts
I totally get the BookTok hype around Red City — there’s so much to love here: a rich urban fantasy world full of alchemy, crime syndicates, and morally grey characters that rivals The Magicians and The Godfather in vibe.  That said, it wasn’t quite my favorite. While the world-building and concept are fresh and compelling, the beginning felt slow and a bit dragged out, which made it harder for me to fully sink into the story at first.  Once the plot picked up, though, I was drawn in — the tension between Sam and Ari, their complicated paths through rival syndicates, and the stakes of alchemical power kept me turning the pages.  Ultimately, this was a very good read with a lot of potential, and I can see why so many people are talking about it — I just didn’t love it in quite the same way. Still highly recommend if you enjoy gritty, character-driven fantasy with plenty of world and magic to explore.
A big thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to immersive reading with the ebook and audiobook. In an alternate Los Angeles two rival syndicates are controlling alchemy. And with it a drug called 'sand' that enhances the user's charisma and beauty. In this world, Sam and Ari find themselves on different sides. But they were childhood friends, so eventually they have to deal with their very own, personal conflicts. The story relies on your engagement with the FMC and MMC. Which might work if you feel their connection. Sadly, I didn't. So while the world and its Mafia aspects was rich, glamorous and interesting, I did not get hooked. I personally would have loved to read way more about Sam's mother and their relationship. I still got through it fairly quickly, due to the mentioned immersive reading (and the really excellent audiobook narrators), but it's not a story that will stick with me. However, the writing style and worldbuilding is really great, so to me it's 3,5/5 stars Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio and @panmacmillan for the eARCs! #RedCity #Netgalley #Bookstagram
Description
Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation, an exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates who market it to the world's elite in the form of sand - a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of themselves: more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.
Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor's edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city - and the paths of their lives - will be irrevocably transformed.
The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off from opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.
Readers are loving this book:
'A truly outstanding and emotionally powerful story'
'Sharp, cinematic, and completely addictive'
'The writing was exquisite, the plot and politics a treat, I couldn't put it down'
'The characters are flawed in the best way. It's tragic, it's doomed, it's absolutely PERFECT'
'This book isn't just good - it's freaking phenomenal. It's the kind of story that makes you cancel plans, stay up too late, and immediately recommend it to everyone you know'
Praise for Marie Lu:
'Marie Lu always delivers' - Leigh Bardugo, author of Ninth House and Six of Crows
'Marie Lu is magic' - Tahereh Mafi, author of Shatter Me
Book Information
Posts
I totally get the BookTok hype around Red City — there’s so much to love here: a rich urban fantasy world full of alchemy, crime syndicates, and morally grey characters that rivals The Magicians and The Godfather in vibe.  That said, it wasn’t quite my favorite. While the world-building and concept are fresh and compelling, the beginning felt slow and a bit dragged out, which made it harder for me to fully sink into the story at first.  Once the plot picked up, though, I was drawn in — the tension between Sam and Ari, their complicated paths through rival syndicates, and the stakes of alchemical power kept me turning the pages.  Ultimately, this was a very good read with a lot of potential, and I can see why so many people are talking about it — I just didn’t love it in quite the same way. Still highly recommend if you enjoy gritty, character-driven fantasy with plenty of world and magic to explore.
A big thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to immersive reading with the ebook and audiobook. In an alternate Los Angeles two rival syndicates are controlling alchemy. And with it a drug called 'sand' that enhances the user's charisma and beauty. In this world, Sam and Ari find themselves on different sides. But they were childhood friends, so eventually they have to deal with their very own, personal conflicts. The story relies on your engagement with the FMC and MMC. Which might work if you feel their connection. Sadly, I didn't. So while the world and its Mafia aspects was rich, glamorous and interesting, I did not get hooked. I personally would have loved to read way more about Sam's mother and their relationship. I still got through it fairly quickly, due to the mentioned immersive reading (and the really excellent audiobook narrators), but it's not a story that will stick with me. However, the writing style and worldbuilding is really great, so to me it's 3,5/5 stars Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio and @panmacmillan for the eARCs! #RedCity #Netgalley #Bookstagram