While listed as an adult novel, the first 30 percent takes place during Sam and Ari’s childhood. It sets up their initially poor circumstances and why ambition and success are so important to them. It does have star-crossed love vibes and dark magic drug syndicate controlling everything. I loved Marie Lu sneaking her love of Mozart’s sister into this book. Longer and darker than what I usually prefer, it was a satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this DRC.
#RedCity #NetGalley

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of Marie Lu's Red City in exchange for an honest review. This book is an absolute triumph, solidifying Lu's place as a master storyteller.

From the very first page, Red City plunges you into a world that is as captivating as it is chilling. Marie Lu excels at establishing her cityscapes as truly gritty, dark, and almost sentient entities. The urban environments are not just backdrops; they are living, breathing characters themselves, their shadows and neon lights reflecting the desperate struggles of their inhabitants. Lu's understanding of the psychology of setting is unparalleled; you don't just read about these places, you feel them in your bones.

The character development in Red City is nothing short of phenomenal. Each character, no matter how minor, feels fully realized and complex, their motivations and flaws laid bare. However, it is Sam who truly shines. Her journey is a masterclass in nuanced character arc, and watching her navigate the treacherous landscape of her life, both externally and internally, is an incredibly rewarding experience. Her growth, struggles, and her moments of vulnerability make her deeply relatable and utterly compelling.

Lu weaves a narrative that is both fast-paced and emotionally resonant, balancing thrilling action with profound introspection. The plot is intricate, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end, but it never overshadows the rich character work or the immersive world-building.

Red City is a dark, atmospheric, and profoundly human story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Highly, highly recommended for fans of dystopian thrillers and character-driven narratives.

Lu’s adult debut is absolutely stunning. Flavored a bit like R F Kuang’s Poppy War, the gritty setting and magic system really bring to life this alternate reality of Los Angeles. I appreciated the multiple perspectives, and the underlying narrative of Ari and Sam’s friendship. I thought this might be a standalone, but the ending sets up for a series. I would definitely follow Sam into a sequel!

Thank you for the arc.

As someone who has read all of Marie Lu's YA releases, I was happily surprised when I heard about this book. While I did have some issues, overall it was a great read and a series that I will continue to read.

The writing felt familiar to the style and world-building of Lu's past work. The rich world building and the magic system was interesting and inherently heart-wrenching. The characters were beautifully flawed and the relationships hit me to a core.

At times, the pacing felt a bit off, as this feels like such a character driven book. I felt myself wanting more at times and hope to see a bigger overarching conflict in future installments.

Marie Lu the queen that you are!!! I grew up reading her books, so getting the chance to read an ARC of her adult debut felt incredibly special. And let me tell you, this book delivered on everything.

The writing is stunning, and the emotional depth hit me right away. I knew early on that this was going to be a five-star read. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters, how they’re opposites in so many ways, yet their journeys mirror each other in such a powerful and meaningful way.

The alchemy element was so unique and refreshing. It added a whole new layer to the story that made it stand out, and I honestly loved every single second of it. I quite literally couldn’t put this book down. And y’all the spicy scenes are so well done!!!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC. This was an unforgettable read, and I’m already looking forward to whatever Marie Lu writes next.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The BEST adult novel that I have ever read. EVER. This story healed and wrecked me in the best way possible. Marie Lu truly has a way with words. The world-building, character development, and storytelling were all masterfully done. I was HOOKED from the very first page.

One of the many reasons I love this book is because I deeply relate to Sam. Always getting the wrong right answer, trying to live up to my Asian family’s unreal expectations, and feeling invisible my whole life. It’s that quiet ache of wanting to be seen, of doing everything right but never quite being enough.

I loved the multiple POVs bcs they made the story even more heart-wrenching. We got to see why each character did what they did and how they became who they are. I do wish we had gotten more POVs, but maybe it’s for the best. I’m not sure I could’ve handled the extra heartbreak😮‍💨😭

Now, the spicy scenes 🥵🌶️ The tension, the buildup, the very GRAPHIC details?!!! 😮‍💨 It wasn’t just thrown in for the sake of smut either; it felt intense, emotional, and perfectly in tune with the story, like wdym you could manipulate hormones and everything that goes down there with alchemy?! 😮‍💨 I knew you had it in you since The Young Elites, Marie 🤭

If you like Marie Lu’s other books, you’re in for a riiiideeee ⭐️🛸 This might just be her most powerful story yet.

Publication Date: 14 October 2025

I’m truly grateful to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for granting me early access to this INCREDIBLE book!!! Thank you thank you thank you! 🥺♥️

It took me a little while to get into this book—the beginning was slow, and it didn’t truly grab my attention until Chapter 6. But once Part 2 began, I was fully strapped in. Part 1 wasn’t bad by any means—it laid the necessary groundwork for the worldbuilding, magic system and the backstory between Ari and Sam.

I absolutely felt for these characters. I was devastated by their circumstances and deeply invested in how they navigated such difficult, often unfair situations. The character development was excellent, and I truly loved them as individuals.

The way power, alliances, and manipulation were woven into the story added so much depth. It was fascinating and kept me engaged throughout. The magic system is incredible, I was especially hooked during the fight scenes—they were intense and really well done.

The main reason I wouldn’t rate this higher than four stars is the romantic connection between Sam and Ari. I had a hard time feeling it. During their school years, their bond was built on sidelong glances and letters that never went beyond surface level—understandably so, since neither of them felt safe enough to fully open up. But when they reunited years later, their dynamic felt more like concern or longing for a close friend than genuine romantic tension. In my opinion, there just wasn’t a strong enough foundation for the kind of yearning the story implied.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I found myself rooting for Will and Sam instead. I can actually see their relationship developing into something deeper. I think it was Chapter 32 that did it for me—I loved how Will let his guard down with Sam and showed real vulnerability. Can he redeem himself after what happened? It’s unlikely they’ll end up together, but I still see potential there, and I’m not ready to give up on it. Even if I don’t get the romantic pairing that I want, I hope we dive deeper into Will as a character—and that he gets some kind of redemption arc.

Overall, despite a slow start and some romantic misfires (for me), this book was an emotional, immersive, and captivating experience with strong worldbuilding and compelling political drama.

** Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review. **

This is definitely the IT book for fall - it gives all the mysterious vibes mixed with hints of alchemy and dark elements that would make anyone shudder. I highly recommend this book - it was truly a whirlwind to read. Plus, reading about Ari and Sam broke my heart EVERY single time. I truly look forward to the second book in this series!

This was a slick, high-stakes story with really sharp writing and a killer premise—alchemy as a drug that transforms people into idealized versions of themselves? Instantly cool. I was hooked by the worldbuilding and the tension between Sam and Ari, who have that perfect mix of shared history, buried feelings, and looming betrayal. The pacing kept things moving, and I loved the emotional undercurrents beneath all the action. That said, the mob/gang politics didn’t totally do it for me—I was way more invested in the personal stakes than the turf war drama. Still, Marie Lu delivers a strong 4 stars with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for providing an advanced reader copy for an honest review.
Red City is perfect for people who love Full Metal Alchemist and These Violent Delights. Sam and Ari are both on the same trajectory of life until they are picked up by opposing alchemy syndicates. Told in three parts we see their lives as shy friends in school, to rivals learning to navigate their alchemy, to bitter rivals vying for political footholds.
This book was such a wild ride in the best way possible. I loved that we were able to get both POVs of Ari and Sam in their journeys from children to strong alchemists with ultimate power at their fingertips. I am a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope and the friends to lovers trope so having this be a friends to enemies to lovers was perfect.
The writing was also breathtaking! Having been a fan of Marie Lu since the Legend series, it has been amazing to see her writing grow. She had a great balance of poetic descriptions and progression of the storyline.
The only reason this book wasn’t an immediate 5 star for me was that I felt the beginning dragged. By the time we had reached Part 2, I assumed the book was already halfway done, but it was only 36% through. I understand it was meant to show Sam and Ari’s childhood in more detail, but with the promise of alchemy on the horizon, I wished we had gotten their sooner.
Other than that, I highly recommend Red City and can’t wait to read the next book!

This was a really enjoyable read. Thanks for the ARC! I love the way Marie Lu explores themes.

The one flaw that makes it difficult to give this five stars is the romance. It is such a large portion of the book, but Ari’s character is so one dimensional after they become teens/adults that it becomes difficult to root for him. Will and Sam both have their independent motives and ambitions, and their loyalties are mixed into them in a way that is compelling. But Ari seems to only be defined by his devotion to Sam and - maybe - his family, though that is tenuous at best since he jeopardizes them frequently in his pursuit of Sam.

In comparison, Will’s sacrifices for Sam feel weighty and calculated, and therefore more meaningful. Though Sam’s attraction to Will is clouded by her need for approval, it doesn’t seem as though her attraction to Ari is any different. They both seem to like her “the way she is”. It would be interesting to see how these relationships develop in sequels, and I hope that Will doesn’t get shoehorned into a villain. Particularly not because of jealousy…

All in all, a great adult debut and I’m looking forward to future installments already. Left a similar review on Goodreads.

I will start by saying I haven't previously ready any of Marie Lu's other books, but was intrigued by the premise of her first adult novel.
I really enjoyed the premise of the story, the world building, the science, and the magic. The Romance was good, but definitely left me wanting more, however, the spice was spicing! The action and violence were well done and not over the top, it was interesting and very entertaining.
I loved the story flowing through the decades, even if it was a bit slow at times, it really helped understand the characters.
I had trouble with the writing at times, and Lu's predominantly YA background really showed. If the spice was left out it could easily read as a YA novel.

Overall, I did enjoy it, and would continue with the story.

Anything that promises to give "The Magicians" vibes bodes well in my book, and "Red City" did not disappoint. I am a sucker for stories without happily ever afters, stories that take liberty to explore human emotions without fear of darker or sadder sides of us. The pacing of the first part of this book was a bit off, and it took a while for me to feel any sort of connection or empathy for Sam or Ari. By the time the characters age and the world starts to flesh out with the plot, I couldn't stop thinking about the book. I ended up on a reading sprint and finished the book in a few hours overnight. It's a dark world that these alchemists live in, but it's not what I would consider very gruesome or emotionally involving for the reader. If you can get through Batman, you can get through this novel just fine.

The beginning of this felt incredibly slow, but paid off in the end when we got to the meat of the plot. I read Warcross by Lu when it first released and was hooked, so I had to pick up her adult debut. Firstly, I felt like every side character was fully fleshed out and had their own motivations and stories to be told, which is something I find missing from a lot of books with a large cast. I found Will and Connie to be the most compelling characters and I think I would read two more books strictly following their respective upbringings. The magic system was so interesting and as someone who tends to dislike urban fantasy I was pleasantly surprised. However, I felt no connection to Ari and Sam's relationship. I felt like their constant pining for each other was very forced and did not have a solid foundation with their limited communication at the beginning of the book. Overall the plot was interesting but I think I will only be reading the next book in the series to continue Will's story and see what happens.

I unfortunately have to stop reading this book, as there are many scenes that disturb me regarding underaged teenagers and older adult groomers. I am disturbed by the fact that the female protagonist is practically fantasizing about being on her knees blindfolded (for an alchemy trial, but still) in front of this older male character who admits to being attracted to her when she is underaged. Not to mention the detailed sex scenes that follow. I don't know why detailed sex scenes need to exist in a book between anyone but the main characters involved in the romance plot, so THIS is completely absurd to me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

This one grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. Marie Lu has such a masterful way with prose. There is very little telling here, and a great deal of showing.

Other review have gone into depth about the plot, so I will give what I believe to be the best aspects of this novel:

* The writing quality; as mentioned above, there is an addicting quality to the way that Marie Lu writes - you can tell she is no novice author, a master at her craft. The nuance and subtleties of the characters' feelings, their body language written into each scene, allowed for an immersive experience that felt wholly real and not at all contrived. Other reviews have mentioned the slow pacing of the start, but I actually loved that, as it gave the reader time to allow the backstories, motivations, and environments of the main characters to sink in.

* The main characters. Both were so believable, so lovable. Sam, in particular, was so easy for me, as a reader, to identify with, and her motivations and inner conflict were beautifully written.

*The world building was incredibly complex and realistic, and so very well thought out. This is a fully realized fictional world that breathes and exists just like our own. No info dumps, no unnecessarily complicated names or systems, just realistic and complex aspects to a world very similar to - and yet so very different from - our own.

I highly recommend this story and will certainly be purchasing a copy (or copies) when it publishes in October.

I loved Marie Lu’s Young Elites series when I was younger so when I heard she was writing an adult fantasy, I was incredibly excited to see what Lu would do with it. Though there were a few elements I disliked, I enjoyed this story immensely.

✔ I loved loved loved the magical mafia-esque setting. The politics/maneuvering within the story was one of the most enjoyable parts of reading this story.
✔ Combined with the depth of the characters, including side characters, and their complex motivations, as a reader I was heavily invested in seeing how the tangled web would work out. Lu also does a great job writing tension into an, at times, slow plot, which makes the build up into the final scenes of the book particularly riveting.
✔ 2nd favorite aspect: worldbuilding. The darkness of the syndicates was supported by the grit of Angel City and the struggles found in Sam and Ari’s life. I also particularly enjoyed how Lu tied drugs (would it be mafia without drugs?) into the magic system. The setting of this story absolutely carried this book for me. Reading it and just being absorbed into the atmosphere was a pleasure, despite the darkness.
✔ The themes hit so incredibly hard. As the daughter of an immigrant, Sam and Ari’s struggles felt so real and deep. Though they both came into wealth from their involvements with the syndicates, their roots in immigration heavily influence who they are as people and their character arcs and I deeply related to the roots of their conflicts.

✖ Though this book would most likely be adult fantasy regardless due to the darker themes, I really questioned the inclusion of the explicit sex scenes. Though I enjoyed the tension of the romance between Sam and Ari, a lot of the other scenes (not including Will’s first scene) felt somewhat unnecessary and took me out of what I was looking forward to: the action/thriller plotline. It wasn’t hugely problematic but it was a bit weird at times. Rather than feeling involved in the story, I felt like an awkward voyeur.

Note: The copy I received did not include trigger warnings, so this may change in future iterations, but there was grooming in this story that I was not expecting based on the synopsis. Read with caution if that is a trigger.

4.5/5 stars!

It’s a hunch, but I highly suspect that the second installment of this story will be more compelling than the first and I deeply look forward to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley/Tor for the eARC!

This is Marie Lu's first foray into adult books, and unfortunately, it shows. To start with, I will say that I absolutely adored the concept for RED CITY and the worldbuilding was quite interesting! For me, personally, I did find that her writing still feels too YA-ish--that is, not mature enough for what I felt sits with other adult fantasies on the market, and to fully make the most of the darker themes of this work. Please note that there are elements of this book I would consider "grooming" and may be triggering for some to read. Bouncing off this, I don't think the sex scenes were very well written and felt painfully awkward to read at times, and I could not tell if that was the author's intent or not. The magical system--at a glance--seems really cool. But is so poorly elaborated on that it was hard to get immersed in it properly. Our protagonists, Sam and Ari, could be compelling at times--especially with Sam's mother's immigrant background, which is something obviously deeply personal to the author and also very relatable to me, as well. So I did have a lot of appreciation for how that was handled. I loved the gangster-esque plotline which felt, at times, reminiscent of JADE CITY in the best way possible and I am curious to see where Lu takes this world next.

A LONG overdue foray into adult fiction from Marie Lu. I have loved everything she has done and this is no exception. Her world building just feels so real, no matter how fantastical. No evidence of "Mary Sues," with only naturally flawed characters. This one was a real triumph.