Red City

Red City is a contemporary fantasy set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles where alchemy is a hidden art of transformation controlled by crime syndicates. In this world, the syndicates market sand, a drug that enhances users by making them more beautiful, more charismatic, and in other ways more “perfect.” The novel follows a setting shaped by magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and a pursuit of perfection that comes at a cost. The book is positioned as the adult debut from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu and is described as “The Godfather meets The Magicians,” indicating a blend of crime, fantasy, and high-stakes power struggles. Retailer listings identify it as a fantasy romance / contemporary fantasy title, published in paperback with 432 pages. The story’s central appeal appears to lie in its fusion of organized crime, alchemy, and an alternate modern cityscape, with an atmosphere that is dark, deadly, and fast-moving. The ISBN 9781035079421 is consistently associated with this title and author across the available retailer records.