Red City (The New Alchemists, Bk. 1)

Red City is the first volume of The New Alchemists by Marie Lu.

The deluxe edition is described as: “a stunning hardcover edition featuring dark crimson sprayed edges.”

In a shimmering alternate-Los Angeles (Angel City), alchemy is a hidden art of transformation. It is controlled by crime syndicates and distributed to the elite as a kind of drug—sand that enhances people into “more perfect” versions of themselves: more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.

Among the stifling glitz and power of the city, two childhood friends—Sam, the daughter of a poor single mother who claws her way into a powerful syndicate, and Ari, plucked away as a boy to be a Lumines apprentice—find their lives irrevocably transformed when ambition, loyalty and love collide.

“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.” Olivie Blake

“Powerfully written, Marie Lu’s spellbinding novel of rival magicians and impossible choices will break your heart.” Holly Black

“Both heartbreaking and action-packed: an immense achievement.” Kirkus