Silver Dawn

The New Alchemists #2

by Marie Lu

Return to a world where The Godfather meets The Magicians, alchemists reign, and ambition will be your undoing in the highly anticipated sequel to Marie Lu’s bestselling adult debut, Red City.

A new era of alchemy is about to dawn…

The empire of Grand Central, built on its foundation of sand, has crumbled. But in Europe, Belle Epoque believes it has the key to a bright new golden age. A new formula for the philosopher’s stone, so strong it stretches the limits of the impossible. They plan to unveil the drug at a global Exhibition, where they will unleash wonders the world has never seen—and rain destruction upon their enemies. It’s a plan that’s missing only one the Ghost who brought down Grand Central.

Set adrift by her own victory, Sam takes Belle Epoque’s offer, but all she wants is to turn their plans against them. Set free of the syndicates for the first time in years, Ari follows her back into their grasp. All he has ever wanted is for those he loves to be safe.

But forces greater than them both are on the move, bringing new enemies–and old–into their orbit. Sam and Ari have never had the luxury of being on the same side. Now, it might be too late to reclaim the innocence of the children they once were, but perhaps they can still find their way back to each other… unless this deadly new age forces them to pay for their ambitions with their lives.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, Adult, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Romantasy, Dystopia, Adult Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 27, 2027

About the author

Hi there! I'm an author of mostly sci-fi/fantasy YA novels, like Legend, Warcross, The Young Elites, Skyhunter, and Stars & Smoke. My adult fantasy debut, Red City, releases this October 14, 2025.

I graduated from the University of Southern California and currently live in LA with my family. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I spend most of my time writing, trying to keep my plants alive, and getting stuck in traffic. I feel very honored that I get to tell you stories, and my deepest wish is always that my books can offer you some joy, solace, entertainment, and/or escape. With all my heart, thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Emily (Books with Emily Fox on Youtube)]

👀

[clicktojointhemafia]

Uhm, why does it say April 27 ... Marie Lu what do you have to say for yourself.....

I'm ready NOW for more badass Sam and Ari my baby im so excited for your comeback (and the raging red flag in me still is obsessed with Will SUE ME)

[Salomé]

my best friend got me the arc!!!

[Annabelle]

• Red City (#1): ★★★★★

I can’t wait!!
🕯️🕯️🕯️Also, I might be the only one but welcome to my prayer circle for some a lot of Will in this sequel 🕯️🕯️🕯️

[millena]

I finished this book and my first thought was ‘omg this has to be deja vu’ bc I felt the exact same way I did after reading Red City for the first time: that overwhelming urge to give a book five stars even though, objectively, it isn’t a perfect five star read. I just loved it that much despite its flaws.

Keeping this as brief and spoiler free as possible, I was genuinely surprised by how much the magic system evolved in this sequel. It was already one of my favorite parts of Red City, but here it reached a completely different level. I also loved how much more attention was given to the politics and relationships between the syndicates. That aspect of the world felt so much richer this time around, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it.

Another thing I really loved was how this book kept me on edge the entire time. The first 10-15% was a little slower but it never bothered me. If anything, I think it built the anticipation really well so when everyone finally came back together, those moments felt even more rewarding.

What really made me stop and question whether this was actually a five star read for me was (surprisingly) the romance. I don’t think I’ve ever said this about a book before, but for the first time, I actually wished it had taken up less space in the story.

Anyway, I definitely have more thoughts but they’re way too spoilery so I’ll be back in April xxxx

[_literati_]

What do you mean it will be released "27 April 2027"

I need it NOW 😭

[Alexandra]

4.5, rounded up

What a great continuation and conclusion! I loved that this picked up right where we left off, and the pacing felt really solid throughout. The back and forth of Sam and Ari did get repetitive, but it was resolved before it got too drawn out. I loved being in a new city, and the setting of the fair was really fun and interesting.

The political machinations of the syndicates got a bit in the weeds for me at a few points, and it felt like everything with them got wrapped up really quickly for how much time was spent building up to it. Emotionally, I loved the ending so much, but it does feel very neat and tied with a bow considering everything these characters went through.

Overall I loved being back in this world, I loved the darker, grittier tone and how Ari’s anger at his circumstances was explored, and it was a really great conclusion to this story.

(thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts)

[Rayne]

I am so ready for this book to ruin my life 🥰

[Kyli Whittle]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the advanced readers copy of Silver Dawn.

I was very excited to dive into Silver Dawn after how much I enjoyed Red City. While I still had a good time reading it, this ultimately didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the first book.

One of the things I was most excited about was the expansion of the alchemy world. The premise of Belle Epoque, the World’s Fair, and the unveiling of new alchemical advancements felt exciting and left things open for the plot to go a lot of ways.

I kept waiting to really dive deeper into the exhibits, the preparations, the politics, and the impact of these alchemy advancements. Instead, many of those elements stayed in the background, and I found myself wishing the world-building had been explored in greater depth.

I also missed some of the emotional intensity that made Red City such a good read. Sam and Ari’s relationship was still central to the story and this book focused a lot more on their relationship but I found myself longing for more of the yearning, tension, and emotional pull that made me love them in Red City. Their connection remained sweet, but it didn’t carry quite the same spark for me.

Will’s storyline ended up being one of the most engaging parts of the novel. His arc brought some of the strongest emotional conflict and I like the pull of Will and Ari and Sam to each other.

As for the ending, I know many readers will appreciate the hopeful resolution, but it felt a little too neat for me. After two books exploring sacrifice, power, and the cost of alchemy, I expected a bit more complexity, darkness or lasting consequence in the final parts.

That said, Marie Lu’s writing remains highly readabl. While Silver Dawn didn’t fully deliver on all the things I hoped it would explore, I still enjoyed returning to this world and these characters. For readers who were primarily invested in seeing Sam and Ari find happiness, the ending will likely be very satisfying. For me, I just wished the book had spent more time exploring the world and its ideas and consequences.

Overall it is a satisfying conclusion for many readers, but one that left me wishing the story’s most exciting concepts had been developed further.

[Kenni]

Words cannot properly convey the way that I feel about these books and these characters. I have fallen in love with them and never want to leave them.

I will likely come back and revisit this review once I have gathered my emotions back into check (and stop crying) but I am BEGGING you to read these books.

[Caroline Berg]

🤯😩🥲

[Raquel Flockhart]

1. Red City ★★★

[Molly]

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't *love* Red City, but I decided to give this one a shot in the hopes that it would trend more fantasy and less romance - and while I liked the added perspective from Edward the detective (the "normie" POV was something I really wanted the first time around), this just didn't land for me. It hasn't even been all that long since I finished Red City, but I just could not hold any of the details in my head - which house is which, who's at war with whom, how anyone's powers actually work (they all have different specialties, but it also kind of seems like all alchemists can pretty much do all the alchemy things, just with varying degrees of success). And to me, that's because the focus is less on the world and what's happening and more on the Great Love of Sam & Ari. And also Will is here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am almost never invested in whatever supposed Great Love is happening to our characters (I will occasionally get invested in spite of myself, but it's never what I tuned in for, if that makes sense - like, I adored Laini Taylor's Shadow & Bone series, but I truly did not care if Akiva and Karou ended up together). And in this case, so frequently the plot just stops in its tracks so Sam or Ari or Will can either declare or moon about the Great Love and Its Terrible Complications.

Sidebar - I remember when Twilight was so popular, and there was all this Team Whoever, Who Will She Choose nonsense, and it's like...she chooses Edward. She obviously chooses Edward. It's not really even a love triangle because you have two people who love each other and also Jacob is here and the other two points of this triangle are actively trying to expel him and he's like...still trying to insert himself into the narrative. That's how I felt about the whole Sam/Ari/Will nonsense. Sam loves Ari, Ari loves Sam. Will is also here.

Oh, the plot? Well there's a new World's Fair happening, and all of the different alchemical houses are putting up exhibits, and there's a new form of sand called Propium. So if sand enhanced your powers (like, you can DO alchemy without it, but sand makes it easier) but also drained your soul faster, propium is like super-sand in that it allows you to draw on the souls of *others*. So potentially you can live longer and do more alchemy without actually damaging your own soul at all. It's implied but I don't think anyone ever outright admits it that of course the idea is that you'll draw on the souls of normies rather than fellow alchemists. Detective Edward is trying to work with Sam to bring down these powerful families for all of their various crimes and insider trading.

I also weirdly had a hard time remembering these are all supposed to be adults. Maybe because the first book follows Ari and Sam from the time they're kids? But I kept thinking these were teenagers - it was hard to pinpoint how old any of them were actually supposed to be. And I have the same complaint I had the first time around re: alchemy - it's all still too easy. Yes, the balance has to be maintained - you can't transmute something that isn't there in the first place (there has to BE water in something for you to transmute that something into water, for instance), but it still just felt like you can turn anything into anything else, and then transmute it back again to avoid getting caught, and there's literally no way Edward's investigation can go anywhere. Like, I'm left wondering what the point of any of this was, besides the romance?

[Julia]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this ARC.
I have been a longtime fan of Marie Lu since the Warcross series, and was thrilled when Red City came out as her adult debut. This series shares much of the same parts about Warcross that I loved, including the great balance of fantasy and sci-fi that she achieves with her worldbuilding. The additions of datamancy and the enhanced form of sand, Propium, were worthwhile in this sequal. Though I found them more difficult to comprehend, they were just believable enough for the scene and I found myself not asking too many questions when the characters can literally control millions of electrons simultaneously to crash a stock market.
Silver Dawn also further drives home how diverse in background our characters are, from cultural backgrounds to LGBT representation alike. It was refreshing to see mixed-race and non-heterosexual relationships, another characteristic of Lu's writing that has has found a welcome place in this series. Edward's perspective was welcome as I appreciated the opportunity to put ourselves, non-alchemist folk, in his shoes and imagine what it would be like to take sand and suddenly accomplish a 'magical' feat.
Ari is perfect, almost to a fault, because there's really nothing he can't do. Despite being our resident charismatic biochemist, he is also able to draw incredible power in transmuting inorganic materials when pushed, and has immense intuition on how to navigate the insanity that is Propium. He just casually figures out how to save Sam's life by knitting her insides together, while suffering from surely immense pain and panic? I'm not saying that Sam had it easy, I'm just saying that if we all had an Ari, we would all be way, way better off! I almost wish we were inside his head hearing his struggles more. Aside from always knowing what to say, and being the picture-perfect center of attention, we never truly see him crack, or how he stays so perfect, and a vulnerable man is a more enthralling one.
Will's inner turmoil was a highlight and I'm sorry to see him go. Though it's predictable from the start who Sam ends up with, I found myself rooting for Will as he navigated through waters that were higher than he could imagine. I loved his interactions with Ari and the acceptance that, whether you share love or hate with someone, the mental ren that they take up inside your mind needs to be paid! I imagine under different circumstances and if given the chance, they would make excellent friends, brothers in arms, or maybe more :)
All in all, I can't believe we have to wait until April for the full community to enjoy this sequel. So grateful for the chance to have read this ARC,a nd looking forward to rereading the series again and again in the near future.

[Jensen McCorkel]

Rating: 3.75 Rounded up

Silver Dawn is an engaging continuation of the series, expanding the world and building naturally on the foundation established in Red City. Marie Lu once again does a great job with the alchemy system, using it to create inventive action sequences and a unique approach to magic that continues to set this series apart.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths is how much the world expands. The larger scope, competing factions, shifting alliances, and underlying mysteries add another layer of complexity while raising the stakes. I especially enjoyed the darker tone and the greater focus on the consequences of the characters’ choices. There’s a constant sense of uncertainty throughout the story, which kept me invested and made it difficult to predict how everything would ultimately unfold.

That said, there were times when the sheer number of factions, schemes, secrets, and shifting loyalties became a little difficult to follow. The supporting characters also aren’t always as developed as I would have liked. Some feel more like pieces within the larger conflict than fully realized individuals, which made certain emotional moments feel less impactful than they could have been.

Even with those shortcomings, Silver Dawn is an imaginative and entertaining conclusion to the duology. The combination of fantasy, alchemy, political intrigue, action, and complicated relationships makes for a compelling read. It doesn’t always come together perfectly, but there’s still plenty to enjoy, especially for readers who connected with Red City.

Overall, I enjoyed Silver Dawn, although it didn’t quite have the same impact on me that Red City did. I think the first book pulled me in more emotionally, while this one succeeds more through its expanded world, higher stakes, and increasingly complicated conflicts. Still, it was a satisfying continuation and a solid conclusion to the duology, with an imaginative fantasy world, an interesting magic system, and enough tension and uncertainty to keep me turning the pages.

[Katie]

Silver Dawn is a satisfying sequel to Red City.

Sam and Ari continue to fall deeper into the dark urban fantasy world of alchemy, and we also get POV chapters from Edward and Will as well to give us a more complete view of what’s going on as syndicates fall and new leaders rise. There’s spying, secrets, deaths, and a pervasive sense of dread. It’s a tense read that’ll have you flipping through pages to find out what’s next.

The magic - or alchemy - fights continue to be the highlight of this series. The books have some of the most interesting fantasy battle scenes I’ve ever read, with combatants quickly transmuting objects during violent brawls.

One complaint I had about Red City was that I didn’t really feel the deep love between Sam and Ari as much as the writing told us that it was there. Silver Dawn definitely spends more time on their connection, though even while together, the years, lies, and mistrust keep them from truly communicating often. It's an epic love story, and there are heart-wrenching moments, but for some reason, I just don’t have an emotional connection to their romance. Sam and Ari, however, as individual characters are great. I also like Edward, though I’m not sure on Will. He’s portrayed as the big bad, but his storyline goes out with a whimper.

The book has its most intense moments during the 50%-80% mark, with the big battle around 70%. After that is mostly tying up loose ends, but I was hoping for more twisty reveals or a sacrifice or another thrilling fight. The story at that point is more about introspection, and the last chapter threads together the first and second books.

I almost wish this was a trilogy so we get more of this world, and the story could be stretched out further, but I suppose Sam and Ari have been through enough.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[KQC]

Ok so I just read Red City and Silver Dawn back to back, and it was a hell of a ride. This is actually my first time reading Marie Lu despite the fact I’ve known her as a YA author for more than a decade. I’m so happy have to finally read her adult debut series because damn I did not know her game!

Silver Dawn is paced nicely like Red City. It has the perfect balance between Sci Fi and Fantasy. If you ever wonder why these genres are sometimes grouped together, this book is the perfect example. The book is a corporate (syndicate?) crime thriller based on a very special “magic” system that can be explained by science.

Compared to the first book, Silver Dawn focuses less on the struggles of alchemical trainings, and more on Sam and Ari’s relationship as these broken alchemists try to navigate and further take down the collapsing alchemy landscape. There is a lot more yearning and romance between them now that they come to know each other again, and I think it was done really really well. The multi pov may have made me fallen a bit in love with both of them (Ari: the pulls of our attractiveness is real), and the ending was wholesome.

——

One thing that really stood out to me was how this series struck the right balance when it comes to diversity. The syndicates are established in various countries. Their leaders come from many different cultures with a wide range of skin colors. There are gay and lesbian couples represented in the story.

Our FMC Sam is Chinese, and our MMC Ari is Indian. Both are very interesting characters, with just the right amount of focus on their respective cultures. Their cultural backgrounds are highly respected, but are also not always the main motivation behind the characters’ actions. I really appreciated this because it’s a great example of how Asian characters can be at the center of a story and simply just be characters rather than having their ethnicity be the defining aspect of who they are.

[farah]

*3.5

Marie Lu is truly masterful at crafting immersive magic systems; Red City showcased this, but Silver Dawn built on the premise in profoundly unique ways. The alchemy system central to this series prospered with every new inclusion introduced, it kept me consistently engaged and eager to keep reading. The way individual characters adapted to these changes and the subsequent tensions that arose was very well fleshed out. All of the characters as individuals resonated with me in different ways and I found myself rooting for them despite the moral ambiguity they expressed.

My main issue with this book was my mediocre feelings toward the central romance. I felt similarly in Red City, however Silver Dawn dedicates a larger portion of its content to the romance—which makes sense given the way the plot plays out—but ultimately had me reminiscing about the high-stakes action elements of the first book. If a more even balance was achieved through the middle section of this book I likely wouldn't have had as many negative feelings toward the romance, but given the longer set-up associated with the climax I had no choice but to focus on the romance. At times, it felt like the plot got lost in the author's desire to push the romance forward and the pacing suffered as a consequence of this.

Ultimately, still a tense and enjoyable conclusion to this duology! Those who particularly enjoyed the romance aspects in Red City will have an amazing time with this book.

eArc provided by NetGalley and Tor

[Yara]

3.5 ⭐️

"Was it worth it?" - The question on everyone's mind

A lot of this book is sides being chosen and secret betrayals being plotted. There is also more of a focus on Ari and Sam figuring out their relationship which was interesting to an extent, but it was lacking in romance and tension. I thought that Sam and Will had more tension and chemistry. Another thing that bothered me a bit is that Ari is just good and better at everything and solves all the problems. Yes, he had struggles, but he really just took care of everything.

The new development of alchemy in this book was interesting; it added a new layer of impending doom for the world. I really enjoyed getting multiple POVs in this book. Will's POV and his struggles were the most interesting. Ekkehardt was my favorite character introduced; I can't help liking a really good villain. I wish we had gotten more of him! Also, Sebastian kind of disappointed; I thought he'd be the villain in this book, but he barely did anything.

Overall, the book wraps up Sam, Ari & Will's story in a very real and satisfying way. To get there we see the characters struggle with their dependency on alchemy. We see them ponder of what a life without alchemy would be like and if they even want that. In the end, Retribution is served cold and THAT was the most satisfying.

Side Note: I took a longer time than usual to finish this book, I feel like in the right mood, I would want to re-read it and see how a second read goes.

NetGalley ARC

[Kelley S]

3.5, but rounding down for a myriad of reasons.

Oh, how much I wanted to love this story as much as the first. I am a bit disappointed by a few things in this book. It felt like work to get through the first 30%, and then it went more quickly. The pacing was hot and cold/ on and off during several points throughout the book.

I deeply love the magic system. The scenes where magic/alchemy was implemented are some of my favorite use of magic ever. Transmutation for the win!

I was surprised by the lack of twists. The ending was predictable. The romantic scenes were rushed and glossed over. Also, the main romantic scene was graphic enough to be off-putting due to the timing and build up to the romance. Delicious tension was present for most of the book and then THE moment came and went with a underwhelming sigh (in my opinion).

If Marie Lu decides to write a spin-off on Will Taylor, I am there! I think he has a story to be told and one that could lead to a redemption arc. Never with Sam, but for himself. Or...maybe he spirals into despair .... Either way, I sense a really good opportunity to keep the world of The New Alchemists alive and well!

I want to thank NetGalley, Marie Lu, and TOR publishing for early access to the ARC and for trusting me with a review before the release of Silver Dawn. All ideas and opinions expressed are fully and uniquely my own.

[Swai]

I have been keeping an eye out for this sequel to Red City, even though the exact content of that book now feels hazy to me. For that reason, it took me a while to get into Silver Dawn, and for several chapters, I'd felt half a step behind, trying frantically to recall which character did what to whom.

But then at some point this became the kind of book that made me want to read faster and faster, and the words became something of a blur.

There are many kinds of love in this book: love in its most romantic and purest form; love tainted with lust and anger and masochism; love of enduring and passing friends; love for and from imperfect parents.

For all its complex depictions of relationships, this novel tied up more neatly than I would have expected. I kept waiting for a last twist that never came -- an interesting surprise in the form of no surprise.

A study of science and power could easily have included a more intentionally social and political worldbuilding. This novel instead leans into the emotional complexities of interpersonal relationships. That's fine; I just wanted to register that it could have been a story with a bigger, more critical perspective.

[B. Russell]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC!

I feel so privileged that I was able to read the sequel so close to finishing Red City!

A very satisfying conclusion. Duologies are great because the story has both time to develop but also remains tightly paced. The alchemy magic system was so unique in the first book and it continued here, breaking down the science of it while still explaining it in a propulsive engaging way. The main characters remained complicated and morally gray. There were many shades to the decisions they made and the feelings they had for one another. I think the love triad works here because the three really are parts of a whole. Which reflects the concepts of alchemy itself.
The themes of belonging, legacy, living up to others’ expectations, love, hate, loyalty, and sacrifice were explored beautifully.
My one criticism is I think the ending felt a little too HEA, which I wasn’t expecting. It felt a bit like an editorial note guided the final decision for the end scenes.

But overall I really enjoyed this series. Marie Lu is an engaging writer who I hope shares many future stories with her readers.

[Clarissa]

i have an idea for how we can solve the ari/sam/will relationships but we're all going to have to be open about a few things (however, halfway through i did feel like rooting for will felt like rooting for luc from invisible life of addie larue - i guess at least will had a traumatic upbringing)

what a sequel, silver dawn definitely lived up to red city's expectations. though this had the added benefit of not needing elaborate worldbuilding which meant that it was way easier to pick up and stay immersed within. the stakes and the literal cost of of alchemy is higher now with the introduction of more syndicates and developments. yet, how full circle these stakes make the relationship dynamics are so well done. i loved the different perspectives, seeing inside will and edward's heads was a delight. and the conclusion? thank god, i really thought were were about to go full the midnight star again from marie lu. it was so perfect, threads came together and genuinely the only reason i would ever want more from this, is to flesh out the ari/sam/will dynamic. otherwise, let ari and sam be happy.

thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

[Kathleen]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Silver Dawn!

I have read many of Marie Lu’s books in the past and consider myself a fan of some of her work. Unfortunately, not this one. I read Red City near when it came out and couldn’t tell if I had a fluke of not enjoying it or it was bad, and the sequel confirms I do not enjoy this series. While the premise is interesting, the book does not build tension well. It spins on its wheels by telling, not showing, and adding a lot of superfluous detail that just takes up space. The dialogues go on and on, and the writer gets wrapped up in describing back stories that don’t add anything. The author can go on for far too long on an issue. Every page is littered with trite sentences that sound like they’re saying something deep about the character’s state of mind or plot but are too generic to really offer anything helpful. Marie Lu used to write more YA books, and it feels like this one is trying to get political with the different factions, but the politics are going nowhere.

[Alex]

What a follow up to Red City.

I found myself thinking about this book in between reading sessions, and I'm so content to have gotten through the other side to see Sam, Ari, and Will start some new beginnings. The story is formulaic and feels like a good action/adventure plot, but the intricacies of alchemy and the impact on this alternate universe is haunting.

How far can change balance itself out?

The character dynamics between our three alchemists and Edward present ample opportunities for reflection on the balance of love, lust, and hate, all wrapped up in power dynamics. Even as this novel wraps itself up as expected, the heavy emotional investment into the lives and deaths of now familiar characters increases the reader's emotional stakes.

I'll be thinking of the New Alchemists for a while longer. What a joy to have received an advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher to immerse myself in the awes of nature, natural and human, once more.

[Beth]

A Brilliant, Razor‑Sharp Fantasy

Silver Dawn by Marie Lu is an absolute standout; complex, intriguing, and crafted with the kind of precision that demands your full attention. Every chapter is layered with meaning, every clue matters, and the payoff for staying alert is enormous. This is one of those rare books where you feel the author trusting the reader to keep up, and it makes the experience even more immersive.

The worldbuilding is rich and meticulously woven, the characters are compelling in their flaws and brilliance, and the plot twists land with that perfect mix of shock and inevitability. I found myself slowing down just to savor the details, then speeding up because I had to know what happened next.

If you love fantasy that challenges you, surprises you, and rewards reader, Silver Dawn is a must‑read. Marie Lu delivers a story that stays with you long after the final page.

Thank you to Edeweiss | MacMillian | Tor Books for this ARC copy. This is my review.

[Summer]

A wonderful sequel that in my opinion fully completed the full arc of the story and world that was built in Red City. Part of me hopes this will be a trilogy, because although the story was neatly tied up and finished, I was so sad to say goodbye to Sam and Ari. Silver Dawn didn't blow me away quite like Red City did, but it complemented and enhanced everything that was laid out in the original. I think after this series it's safe to say I will be reading anything else Marie Lu chooses to publish and will probably go back and explore some of her earlier YA works. I always did think Warcross had a sick rainbow cover :)

[Jailyn]

3.5 stars

I’m honestly a little disappointed in this book! I really wanted to love it.

The plot again felt like a strong weak point for me- so much more could have happened that the middle sections feel like a blur and we could’ve explored so much more of the world. While I understand trying to build up Ari and Sam’s relationship, I think the plot felt really sluggish sometimes. I loved the characters individually, but I still feel lukewarm about their relationship. The other side characters I wish I had a stronger emotional connection towards. I honestly missed Sam and Connie’s relationship throughout because of how they made me feel in the first book.

Overall, I still hope we get more content about this world! It’s incredibly intriguing to me and I almost wish we got a third book to more fully explore it- it’s definitely the highlight of this series. I would still recommend the first book :)

[Jamie]

I was so grateful to receive this ARC from Tor and NetGalley! I picked up the first book in this duology just a few months ago and was thrilled to jump back into the world of the New Alchemists. Silver Dawn brings us familiar characters in an expanded world. Our main characters, Sam and Ari, find themselves working for the same side this time, though they still have their own motivations and secrets. Though they have a deep bond and love for one another, they struggle to be fully honest with one another which heightens the tension in their scenes. There are also some intriguing new characters, and a propulsive plot as the various factions fight to gain control of the new landscape. I found myself unable to put this book down, needing to know what happened next!

I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be a very satisfying conclusion to the story. I will miss being engrossed in this world!

[illiterateaura]

SILVER DAWN takes everything I loved about Red City and makes it better.

With this sequel, the world of Red City goes international—and with it, we get expanded politics between rival syndicates, more world building, and deeper connections between characters.

Lu's descriptive prose ushers readers back into a lush, immersive world. I could picture every scene as clearly as if I were reading a graphic novel.

New character perspectives add even more color to the narrative. In this world of alchemy, everyone is scheming behind the scenes. Each POV character has a distinct voice and unique motivations, allowing them to come alive on the page.

The plot is fast-paced, and I couldn't help but turn the page and root for these devastatingly human characters.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Thank you Tor and NetGalley for the eARC.