[How it Works](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/how-it-works/) [Bookshop](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/books/bindery/) [Publishing](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/publishing/) [Team](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/team/) [Contact](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/contact/) Log in or Sign up Red City Marie Lu Save to Your Books [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/10458/9781250885685) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQJ4G2DG?tag=thisstoryai04-20) 100% of affiliate revenue supports Boundless Press The Godfather meets _The Magicians_ in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, _Red City_ is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles. Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation. An exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates that market it to the world’s elites in the form of sand, a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of themselves: more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more. Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city—and the paths of their lives—will be irrevocably transformed. **The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life.** Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off across opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. Show more Get the Bindery app * * * Posts about this title from Boundless Press [Boundless Press\\ \\ Jananie\\ \\ • Oct 21 2025](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/) [new releases & upcoming books that sound cool (& that you should add to your TBR) 📚](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/item/MvpyL4j2cgTOxbtUeadF/) are your excited for any of these releases?! * * * 19 books 9 Posts about this book from across Bindery [chronicallybookish\\ \\ Kaley\\ \\ • Feb 17](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [January Reading Wrap Up](https://chronicallybookish.binderybooks.com/item/9FBaE1QYJ0RSMSCH5YQp/) I’ve already had my first read of February (Kindred by Octavia Butler) and it does in fact blow all of these out of the water #booktok #readingwrapup #fantasybooks #romancebooks * * * 14 books [The Coterie\\ \\ Mikah Mia Reads\\ \\ • Jan 23](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/) Join for free \\ \\ The votes are in and we are reading **_Red City_ by Marie Lu** in February! I’m very excited about this pick and hoping that reading an urban fantasy will be a fun change of pace for us ☺️ Also, don’t forget to check the Discord for the giveaway winner this month!](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/item/pFXYSnlve3wAlxZlqdJ2/) [FEB BOOK CLUB PICK: RED CITY BY MARIE LU 🌆](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/item/pFXYSnlve3wAlxZlqdJ2/) * * * 1 book [The Coterie\\ \\ Mikah Mia Reads\\ \\ • Jan 19](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Poll:\\ \\ what should we read in feb?? \\ \\ It’s time to vote on our February book club pick! We have three awesome options here. I’ve heard wonderful things about Red City, a new fantasy romance and the first book in an incomplete series. A few people in the book club have also requested to read Daughter of the Empire, the first book in a complete science fiction fantasy trilogy written by two widely respected authors! We can also choose to continue on with The Dandelion Dynasty series together. Full disclosure—I’ve already read Wall of Storms and I LOVED IT. It’s better than Grace of Kings and very action packed.\\ \\ Happy voting everyone!! Can’t wait to see what you pick!\\ \\ **_Red City_** by Marie Lu\\ \\ Genre: Fantasy Romance\\ \\ Blurb: _The Godfather_ meets _The Magicians_ in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, _Red City_ is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles.\\ \\ **_Daughter of the Empire_** by Raymond E. First and Janny Wurts\\ \\ Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy\\ \\ Blurb: Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan.  Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni.  While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir.  Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival.  But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy.  Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all--in his own impregnable stronghold.  An epic tale of adventure and intrigue.  Daughter of the Empire is fantasy of the highest order by two of the most talented writers in the field today.\\ \\ **_Wall of Storms_** by Ken Liu\\ \\ Genre: Silkpunk Fantasy\\ \\ Blurb: Kuni Garu, now known as Emperor Ragin, runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then an unexpected invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara—and chaos results. But Emperor Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara’s savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children, now grown and ready to make their mark on history.\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/item/V8dTJXtBwXnFGGuUYDM3/) [February Book Club Voting ❤️](https://thecoterie.binderybooks.com/item/V8dTJXtBwXnFGGuUYDM3/) * * * 3 books [Alysha Fortune Reads\\ \\ Alysha\\ \\ • Jan 14](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Women Fantasy Authors that arent romantasy](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/item/1fiXh2irOJwX0ULvcZ7Y/) Here is my completed list of fantasy and scifi books written by women that aren’t Romantasy! #books #booktok #bookstagram #booksta #bookworm #fantasybooks #fantasy #scifi #Romantasy #womenauthors * * * 30 books 3 [Written Reveries\\ \\ Krystal\\ \\ • Jan 1](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Top 10 Reads of 2025 Part I](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/628WMv9KN4R910KeZWCy/) Top 10 Reads of 2025 Part One * * * 6 books 1 [Written Reveries\\ \\ Krystal\\ \\ • Dec 31 2025](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Best Book Read Each Month in 2025 Part II](https://writtenreveries.binderybooks.com/item/97nQaPfWnSPfYiV670bx/) Best Book Read Each Month in 2025 Part 2 * * * 6 books 1 [Discotopia \| Diverse Books\\ \\ Disco (he/they)\\ \\ • Dec 30 2025](https://discotopia.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hi folks! \\ \\ The year is almost up, here’s my last bookish roundup! All books by BIPOC authors with BIPOC MCs.\\ \\ **A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna**\\ \\ Cosy, cute, found family, zombie rooster. My top BIPOC read of the year, and I blurbed the proof!\\ \\ \\ \\ **Red City by Marie Lu**\\ \\ Rival alchemists, one Chinese, one Indian. An incredible fantasy world with high stakes and a heart wrenching romance.\\ \\ **(S)kin by Ibi Zoboi**\\ \\ A verse novel about Caribbean fire witches, family secrets, and two teenage girls trying to survive their inner nature.\\ \\ **The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones**\\ \\ An incredible indigenous historical vampire book, the writing is dense but impeccable.\\ \\ **Wicked Flavors by Azalea Crowley**\\ \\ An autistic doll collector strikes a  supernatural deal a mysterious antique dealer with a cane (both are also mixed heritage). Absolute carnage ensues.\\ \\ **Dulhaniyaa by Talia Bhatt.**\\ \\ A Desi lesbian romance with a transfemme love interest. Dancing, romance and bonkers Bollywood vibes.\\ \\ **Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai.**\\ \\ A queer Japanese boy finds a century old diary of a woman who sings for ghosts. Beautiful Madam Butterfly retelling. \\ \\ **Katabasis by R.F. Kuang**\\ \\ Two PHD students, one Chinese, travel to academic hell to find their supervisor. It’s basically one long in-joke/nod to academia, which I enjoyed, but definitely not for everyone!\\ \\ **Here to Slay by Radhika Sanghani**\\ \\ Buffy but with sapphic British-Indian demon slayers. SO fun.\\ \\ **Marigold Mind Laundry by Junguen Yun**\\ \\ A bittersweet, melancholy Korean fantasy about a lonely immortal woman opening a laundry to wash away people’s bad memories, finding a new family along the way.\\ \\ Happy New Year everyone!\\ \\ Disco x\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://discotopia.binderybooks.com/item/Mshr16uhja3Ex6DQFJFe/) [Top 10 BIPOC books of 2025](https://discotopia.binderybooks.com/item/Mshr16uhja3Ex6DQFJFe/) * * * 9 books [Alysha Fortune Reads\\ \\ Alysha\\ \\ • Dec 13 2025](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [My top 10 reads of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/item/iUR7yYthvQJsQBNxGUmD/) I’ve read 75 books this year (so far) and here are my top 10! This has been such a good reading year I even read my favorite book of all time this year! What was your favorite read this year? #books #booktok #bookstagram #booksta #bookworm #fantasybooks #fantasy #scifi #fantasybookrecs #favoritebooks #mustreads * * * 10 books 3 [Alysha Fortune Reads\\ \\ Alysha\\ \\ • Nov 10 2025](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Poll:\\ \\ Did this convince you to read it?\\ \\ Red City. \\ \\ Wow, I have seen so many mixed reviews on this on this book but I was completely blown away. \\ \\ First off, third person is fantastic in this story. We follow two characters who are childhood friends but are unknowingly in opposite syndicates in the illusive _sand_ industry. The magic system is really cool, Alchemy, allows people to be able to transform any matter into different materials but uses a fragment of their soul. The applications are really cool and numerous and I really enjoyed this. The storytelling was very vivid in my head and could really visualize it. \\ \\ The world reminds me of Jady City or a godfather style story and I ATE IT UP. \\ \\ The third person style really works for me here where the story is elevated and it made me love the characters even more. The romance and yearning in this book was so good! I would not consider this a romantasy cause I don't feel the whole point of the plot was the romance.\\ \\ It had high stakes, cool magic, steamy romance, and characters to love. \\ \\ I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK TWO. \\ \\ This book is being slept on and is CRIMINALLY underhyped. GO READ IT. \\ \\ This is officially on Alysha's hype team must read. \\ \\ If you use the link on this to buy the book, I do get commision just fyi!](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/item/np3b6rJcLEWn1hckT3qx/) [Red City!! Must read. (Spoiler Free)](https://alyshafortunereads.binderybooks.com/item/np3b6rJcLEWn1hckT3qx/) * * * 1 book 4 [Boundless Press\\ \\ Jananie\\ \\ • Oct 21 2025](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/) [new releases & upcoming books that sound cool (& that you should add to your TBR) 📚](https://boundless.binderybooks.com/item/MvpyL4j2cgTOxbtUeadF/) are your excited for any of these releases?! * * * 19 books 9 [Infinite Realms Book Club \\ \\ Nozomi \\ \\ • Oct 12 2025](https://the-infinite-realms-bookclub.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hello everyone! Real quickly before we get into what I read this past week, my TikTok account was hacked! I know they Have been going live to try to sell (ugly) jewelry and making posts about it. I’m not sure if they are DMing people but please do not purchase anything or click on any links. I am working on getting it back but TikTok has been radio silent so I’m not sure when I’ll get it back but I’m doing everything I can!!\\ \\ Okay now onto what I read so far in October.\\ \\ I did finish our two book club picks: Wild Revernece by Rebecca Ross for our fantasy pick and Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly for our horror pick. I do have discussion pages open on my discord to discuss further about these! \\ \\ Wild Reverence 4.25 ⭐️\\ \\ Theme Music 3 ⭐️ \\ \\ More in depth thoughts at the end of the month to let others finish up \\ \\ I did also read Do You Remember by Freida McFadden 3⭐️ this was a nice quick palette cleanser book. It’s very simple and surface level, a great pick for beginners \\ \\ I’m currently reading an ARC of Red City by Marie Liu in 50 pages in and I’m already hooked! I’ve seen a lot of mutuals give this 5 ⭐️ so I am very excited to see where it goes!! The synopsis is giving me Jade city vibes 😁](https://the-infinite-realms-bookclub.binderybooks.com/item/cOa7S7TXGjeZxpl6R16f/) [Reading Update!](https://the-infinite-realms-bookclub.binderybooks.com/item/cOa7S7TXGjeZxpl6R16f/) * * * 3 books [Ladybug Books\\ \\ Samantha\\ \\ • Oct 12 2025](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/) Join for free [Hello friends, and welcome to my first Bindery newsletter! I am hoping to post these once a week to provide a little recap of my reading week, along with some book recommendations and books on my priority TBR. If there is anything else you would like to see in these newsletters, let me know!\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Reading Updates:** ****Audiobook \| Finished:** _Remarkably Bright Creatures_** \\ \\ **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐\\ \\ **Thoughts:** My mom has been trying to get me to read "the octopus book" for over a year at this point, and I finally got to it. It absolutely does not surprise me that my mom gave an amazing book recommendation. _Remarkably Bright Creatures_ is a charming, heartfelt book about family, grief, community, and growing old. Marcellus' chapters were so unique and endearing. Though I love how everything came together, I found myself wishing for something to add an element of surprise to the story. The plot plays out exactly how you would expect. Though it is a very sweet story, it can feel a bit one note. Cameron's character was also quite grating at the beginning. Though I appreciate his growth.\\ \\ ****Audiobook + Ebook \| Finished:** _The Second Death of Locke_** \\ \\ **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐\\ \\ **Thoughts:** I don't think you understand how high my hopes were for _The Second Death of Locke_. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year—I really thought it would be a guaranteed five star read. It took me a month to read this because I just didn't care about the characters, the plot, certainly not the romance. It's not that I actively disliked this, but I just felt so indifferent towards the story to the point that I had to use the audiobook to force myself to finish. With the lady knight aesthetic, the cover, themes of devotion and betrayal, and comp to _Gideon the Ninth_, I was expecthing this story to pack so much more of a punch. It feels like this book played it too safe with almost everything, resulting in an underwhelming story that lacks tension. The characters are just nice. They're nice, kind, and in love to the point that they feel borderline one-dimensional. The romance lacked any tension because they were both clearly in love from the start. I was particularly disappointed in Grey as this "lady knight" character. I have a lot more thoughts in my full review on TikTok if you're interested. Long story short, I think this is my most disappointing read of the year so far.\\ \\ ****Audiobook \| Currently Reading:** _My Friends_** \\ \\ **Progress:** 16%\\ \\ **Thoughts:** The first ladybugs.mom audiobook recommendation I actually picked up was _My Friends_ by Fredrik Backman. This story is incredible. I am absolutely loving the audiobook but I know that this is one that I want to read with my eyes so that I can tab all of the amazing lines about art, life, and friendship. I'm planning on starting over with the physical copy once I finish my current physical read.\\ \\ ****Paperback (ARC) \| Currently Reading:** Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter** \\ \\ **Progress:** 60%\\ \\ **Thoughts:** _The Howl's Moving Castle_ vibes are strong with this current read. Too strong? Undecided. Heather Fawcett delivers another delightful cozy fantasy read, this time with lots of cats. This is a very heartwarming read so far and I love the choatic whimsy of the magic and the cat shelter. I do find myself wishing for a little bit more of a plot. I think I prefer the combination of cozy, romance, and magical action featured in the Emily Wilde series. Regardless, I am really enjoying it and hope to finish soon!\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **On my radar (possible next reads):** \\ \\ I recently found out that Cinder House is actually a novella! A queer, Gothic Cinderella retelling, this will be the perfect read for a moody fall evening.\\ \\ \\ \\ The people are loving this and I could not be more excited to read it. The only other thing I have read from Marie Lu is the Skyhunter duology but that remains one of my favorite YA fantasy series. Urban fantasy with alchemy, I cannot wait to get started!\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ **Fantasy Standalones Perfect For Fall:** \\ \\ I feel like I am constantly starting new, incomplete series and I can never catch up. Recently on my TikTok I recommended some completed series, but here I wanted to shout out something even rarer—fantasy standalones. I narrowed the list down to a few recommedations that I think would be perfect to read during the fall.\\ \\ \\ \\ **_The Maiden and Her Monster_ by Maddie Martinez:** This recent fantasy release beautifully weaves Jewish history and folklore together with a fantastical world. In order to save her mother from being accused of a crimes she didn't commit, young healer Malka journeys into the forest to find the monster that is stealing the village's young girls. In the forest, Malka stumbles across a monster, but not the one she expected. She makes a deal with this disgraced golem that gets her involved in politics, rebellion, sinister threats, and ancient magic. I highly recommend the audiobook in particular. The narrator does a fantastic job bringing Maddie's beautiful writing to life!\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Year of the Reaper by_ Makiia Lucier:** This YA fantasy story absolutely swept me away when I read it last year. In this book we follow Lord Cassia who returns home after being held prisoner in an enemy kingdom for years. A near death experience during his captivity has left him with the unusual ability to see the dead. His emotional return home is interuppted by an assassination attempt that sets the court on the trail of a terrible secret. I absolutely love this story. Cas is such a compelling main character and I loved watching him start his journey of healing. There are great family moments in this as well as a sweet romance subplot.\\ \\ \\ \\ **_Ink Blood Sister Scribe_ by Emma Törzs _:_** _Ink Blood Sister Scribe_ is a tightly woven story of family, loyalty, and power. This book is a unique love letter to books that reminds me a lot of _The Starless Sea_(another great standalone). What I enjoyed the most was how everything connected together. None of the reveals were particularly shocking, but it is incredibly satisfying when an author effectively uses every single element of the story.I loved the book based magic system and I really appreciate how the author explored the topics of conservation, power, and control through the library and the books.\\ \\ * * *\\ \\ Have you read any of these books? I would love to hear your thoughts! See you next week with more reading updates and book recommendations.\\ \\ Happy reading!\\ \\ Samantha (ladybug.books)\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/rQuiLGKpWddiZmcCjAWa/) [Ladybug.books Newsletter (10/5/25 - 10/11/25)](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/rQuiLGKpWddiZmcCjAWa/) * * * 9 books 3 [1](https://ladybug-books.binderybooks.com/item/rQuiLGKpWddiZmcCjAWa/#comments) [The Inkborne Society\\ \\ Azhangia\\ \\ • Oct 3 2025](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/) Join for free \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/7yIVUIbPELjhWaR02aGj/) [October 2025 Book Releases (Fantasy & Sci-Fi)](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/7yIVUIbPELjhWaR02aGj/) * * * 14 books 9 [2](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/7yIVUIbPELjhWaR02aGj/#comments) [The Inkborne Society\\ \\ Azhangia\\ \\ • Sep 30 2025](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/) Join for free \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/MGIXVauyrqStiF6oRRQu/) [September Reading Wrap-Up (Ratings & Reviews)](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/MGIXVauyrqStiF6oRRQu/) * * * 9 books 10 [4](https://azhangia.binderybooks.com/item/MGIXVauyrqStiF6oRRQu/#comments)