Book Review: Red City (The New Alchemists #1) by Marie Lu

I’m so glad that I finally read Red City!

This debut adult fantasy from a well-established author (whose other works I’ve read and frequently enjoyed) centers two individuals: Ari, a young man taken from the life he knows and transported across the sea to be brought up as an alchemist within the Lumines syndicate; and Sam, a young woman whose mother struggles to make ends meet and whose life is forever changed when she discovers alchemy and gets involved with the Grand Central syndicate. In a world where the syndicates constantly vie for power and control, where loyalty is both protection and a trap, where wealth and brutality exist side by side, where ambition and temptation entice at every turn, Ari and Sam find themselves on opposite but equally unescapable sides of a war.

Red City hooked me immediately. The writing style Lu employs in this narrative is distinct from her YA work, aided greatly by using third person limited perspective. She immediately invites readers into a world where alchemy is woven into modern society and history (and in such a fascinating way – I was fully convinced alchemy, and the many things it can allow individuals to do, existed); where syndicates worldwide have varying levels of involvement in politics, economics, science and more. It feels dark, gritty and urban, and the alchemy aspect just weaves a sense of unreality (and possibility) through it as well. I really enjoyed my immersion into the novel’s world; it felt so real, from the beautiful moments to the darker, more violent ones (of which there were plenty, so check content warnings if you need to).

The plot threads were really compelling. What starts out straightforward and simple – two teens getting involved in the syndicates and alchemy due to individual circumstances – quickly becomes chaotic, violent and tense as both Sam and Ari hone their talents, rise in the ranks and gain notoriety. They find themselves forced to make decisions (without having actual choices) that shape their sense of self and morality. It becomes about survival. About risk. The highs of getting what you thought you wanted, and the lows of realizing what you had to do to achieve that. And this compelling mix had me turning the pages as fast as I could, eager to discover what would happen next, despite knowing that it would likely enrage me or break my heart.

I liked both Ari and Sam, but I wasn’t as emotionally invested in either (or their specific relationship) as I would have liked. And I do think that having that connection would have made some events in the novel pack a bigger emotional punch! Readers are told a lot about them at the start (though that eases up), and the set-up for their relationship felt a touch contrived and a bit underdeveloped on page. It’s not that they aren’t interesting individuals, shaped as they are by their histories and choices; it’s just that they didn’t quite feel like much more than moving parts of the story to me.

I’d still say Red City was an incredibly solid adult fantasy debut from Marie Lu. It’s got the vibes, it’s got the story, and it’s definitely got me itching to read the next installment! Would specifically recommend this one to readers who like gritty urban fantasies, especially those that feature rival groups vying for power and control.

Red City (The New Alchemists #1) by Marie Lu

Publication Date: October 14, 2025 | Publisher: Tor Books

Format: Hardcover | Source: Owned | Buy the book!