I picked up a copy of Red City by Marie Lu after Maxine from Knotty by Maxine recommended it. I knew almost from the beginning that it wouldn't be a happy story, and it wasn't, but the excellent and intricate if very dark world-building kept me absorbed, and the storyline, while pure fantasy, grew more engrossing (and harrowing) with every page.
In the universe of this novel alchemy, the ancient, secretive tradition and early branch of natural philosophy with goals of turning base metals into gold, discover cures for disease, and ultimately achieve immortality, is real. This is not the stuff of Harry Potter -- or, it's the Sopranos version. Into this dark and greedy world are dragged two kids: Samantha, whose mother brought her to America from China to give her a chance at a better life, and Ari, a boy taken from India because of his natural charisma and potential talents. The kids are recruited by syndicates that are enemies, but as they befriend each other at school they keep this secret from each other. They do fall in love, and yet eventually part ways, unaware they'll meet on the battlefield of the streets where they're expected to kill each other.
Upsides: this is a very well put together novel, and the pacing is particularly excellent. None of the characters are cardboard, and I thought the plot was one of those paint-yourself-into-a-corner deals that would end badly. I'm not going to tell you how it ends, but it did surprise me, and that's hard to do.
Downsides: hardly any. I don't believe in alchemy but I could pretend I did while I was reading. This is what I'd call dark fantasy with a smidge of romantasy. At times the tragic love story between the main characters, who are expected to become enemies by those who manipulate and use them, creeps over the line into utter fantasy as well. Yet perhaps it's apt. I don't know how else a writer could handle this set up. There is an expected amount of violence that may be triggering for some, and a few heartless sex scenes that I didn't care for but that contributed to the shaping of the two leads, so I saw the necessity.
Red City is a dark novel, heavy on the super powers, and not particularly romantic. Yet it's also fully realized, very balanced and beautifully written, so you don't care -- or, at least, I didn't. Recommended.
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