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What to expect
‘As devastating as it is spellbinding. I loved it’ – Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six
A dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles; perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab.
Sharp-as-a-blade Sam lives in poverty, and she’ll do anything to claim a better life. This includes forcing her way into the Grand Central crime syndicate to learn the magical art of alchemy.
Charismatic Ari was taken from his family as a boy to join Grand Central's greatest rivals – the Lumines. Long ago, he and Sam were childhood friends. Now, he’s one of his syndicate’s powerfully gifted stars.
Among the gleaming skyscrapers of Angel City, these rival gangs deal in sand. This drug magically transforms users into a more perfect version of themselves. And Sam and Ari find themselves facing each other from opposite sides of an escalating conflict. Will ambition be enough to survive – and who they might be when it’s done?
* * *
‘Marie Lu’s spellbinding novel of rival magicians and impossible choices will break your heart’
– Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince
‘Equal parts seduction and carnage – sexy, brutal and laced with doom’
– Olivie Blake
Critics Review
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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
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Marie Lu always delivers
Leigh Bardugo, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ninth House
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Red City is a thrilling descent into a seedy underworld of alchemists . . . 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
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As devastating as it is spellbinding. I loved it
Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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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
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Every book she writes is a knockout. Marie Lu is magic
Tahereh Mafi, author of Shatter Me
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Marie Lu’s prose paints a vivid picture of the struggles and hopes of the young immigrants, and the brutal training they endure . . . strong, multifaceted characters and moments of lurid intensity
SFX Magazine
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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
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Wondrous magic and terrifying brutality . . . Lu’s writing feels like alchemy as her words form an utterly gripping and heartrending story
Library Journal
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Red City is a masterclass in urban fantasy. Marie Lu has outdone herself, and I can’t wait to see how she tops this
Grimdark Magazine
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Both heartbreaking and action-packed: an immense achievement
Kirkus
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Marie Lu
- Narrator
- various
- Duration
- 15 hours 23 minutes
- Release Date
- 16 October 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035079469
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Contemporary fantasy / Low fantasy, Urban fantasy, Dark fantasy
Synopsis
‘As devastating as it is spellbinding. I loved it’ – Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas SixA dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles; perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab.Sharp-as-a-blade Sam lives in poverty, and she’ll do anything to claim a better life. This includes forcing her way into the Grand Central crime syndicate to learn the magical art of alchemy.Charismatic Ari was taken from his family as a boy to join Grand Central's greatest rivals – the Lumines. Long ago, he and Sam were childhood friends. Now, he’s one of his syndicate’s powerfully gifted stars.Among the gleaming skyscrapers of Angel City, these rival gangs deal in sand. This drug magically transforms users into a more perfect version of themselves. And Sam and Ari find themselves facing each other from opposite sides of an escalating conflict. Will ambition be enough to survive – and who they might be when it’s done?* * *‘Marie Lu’s spellbinding novel of rival magicians and impossible choices will break your heart’– Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince‘Equal parts seduction and carnage – sexy, brutal and laced with doom’– Olivie Blake
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