Red City

★★★★★★★½☆☆ 7.5/10

420 pages

What’s it about?

When Ari and Sam meet in middle school they are instantly drawn to each other. Sam is the daughter of a single mother who has come to Angel City to better their lives. Ari is also in Angel City to better the life of his family. They remain close friends but keep their family lives, and their links to alchemy, to themselves.

What did it make me think about?

Alchemy- which is by definition the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter.

Should I read it?

This work of fantasy started off with great promise. Ari and Sam are both likable characters that seem caught in their own destinies. I was invested in their relationship for about 180 pages. For me personally, the story turns too cruel in the second half. I think fantasy fans (that do not mind a little inhumanity) will love this book. Marie Lu writes some well-formed characters, and the story moves along at a good pace. So, In my opinion, this book is meant for hardcore fantasy readers. Pick it up for Christmas if this is your preferred genre.

A passage I marked

“In chemistry, combining a specific set of ingredients will always create the same end result, no matter who does it. Alchemy is different. My way of transmuting an object into another object will be different than yours.“