Description: "Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation. An exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates that market it to the world's elites 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"--Provided by publisher.
Brief description: Marie Lu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 15 novels, including Legend, The Young Elites, Warcross, Skyhunter, and Stars and Smoke. She graduated from the University of Southern California and initially jumped into the video game industry, working for Disney Interactive Studios as an artist. Now a full-time writer, she spends her spare time reading, drawing, playing games, and getting stuck in traffic. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Review Quotes:
"Like power itself, Red City is equal parts seduction and carnage--sexy, brutal, and laced with doom. Lu stages her tale of star-crossed love against a glittering world of ambition and greed, and the result is as devastating as it is spellbinding. I loved it."--Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six
"Powerfully written, Marie Lu's spellbinding novel of rival magicians and impossible choices will break your heart."--Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of Book of Night "Red City is a thrilling descent into a seedy underworld of alchemists and arcane-wielding criminal syndicates with ties to the upper echelons of power. Marie Lu has crafted not only a mesmerizing world, but memorable and convincing characters caught up in the machinations of competing crime bosses and assassins vying for control in Angel City. The only thing I wanted when I reached the end of this engrossing book--was more!"--P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn "Red City introduces a stunning new world with complex, morally grey characters who will steal your heart! I couldn't put it down!"--Katee Robert, New York Times bestselling author of Neon Gods "Both heartbreaking and action-packed: an immense achievement."--Kirkus (starred review) "Lu builds a rich alternate present that pulls tropes from both magic school and crime drama literary traditions to tell an addictive double "chosen one" story... It's truly enthralling."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Wondrous magic and terrifying brutality...Lu's writing feels like alchemy as her words form an utterly gripping and heartrending story."--Library Journal (starred review) "[F]antastic storytelling. Fans of fantasy and romantasy will thoroughly enjoy this book."--Booklist (starred review) "A captivating urban fantasy."--Elle's Best Books of Fall "Bold, memorable, and unique."--FanFiAddict "Red City is a masterclass in urban fantasy. A high-stakes and just downright cool fantasy, built on such emotional gravitas, Red City deserves all the praise, and more. For lovers of Fonda Lee's Greenbone Saga, V.E. Schwab's Vicious, and even Avatar: The Last Airbender, you are in for an absolute treat. Marie Lu has outdone herself, and I can't wait to see how she tops this."--Grimdark Magazine "Marie Lu stuns with this dark contemporary fantasy that probes the true cost of perfection.... Sure to leave readers clamoring for more."--Shelf Awareness