Quick verdict
Renegades by Marissa Meyer is an engaging young adult superhero novel with a clever central idea and a long, sometimes slow middle. It works best for readers who like secret identities, enemies-to-lovers romance and stories that ask whether the “good guys” are really good. Readers who want constant action may find it overlong.
A quick note: Marissa Meyer, author of The Lunar Chronicles, is a different writer from Stephenie Meyer, who wrote Twilight. People mix them up often.
What Renegades is about
In the city of Gatlin, a group of people with extraordinary abilities, known as prodigies, helped end a period of chaos. The heroes who did so, the Renegades, now act as the city’s protectors and rule in practice. Not everyone sees them that way. Nova, a young woman with a powerful grudge against them, joins their ranks in disguise, intending to bring the organization down from inside. There she meets Adrian, a committed young Renegade who believes strongly in justice, and both carry secrets that could ruin the other.
What works
- A grey moral landscape. The book asks what happens when heroes hold power and no one holds them accountable. It is not a simple good-versus-evil story.
- Dual secrets. Nova and Adrian each keep a hidden identity, and the tension of watching them circle each other is a major strength.
- Inventive powers. The abilities are creative and add flavor to action scenes. Without spoiling too much, one character can bring drawings to life, and Nova’s touch has an unusual effect on other people.
- Readability. Meyer’s writing is smooth and the chapters invite reading one more.
What drags
- The middle. Reviewers regularly mention long stretches of training and setup before the plot picks up.
- Familiar beats. Seasoned YA readers may guess certain twists and the shape of the romance.
- Length. It is a substantial book, which makes the slower sections more noticeable.
How many pages is Renegades?
Page counts vary by edition and format, but the hardcover and common paperbacks run to roughly 550 pages or a bit more. If that sounds daunting, an audiobook can make it easier to work through, though you should check the listed running time for your edition.
What is the second book in the series?
Renegades is the first of a trilogy. The second book is Archenemies, and the third is Supernova. They are best read in that order, since each continues directly from the one before.
Does Renegades have LGBTQ characters?
The central romance is between Nova and Adrian. Readers sometimes ask about secondary characters, and we cannot confirm specifics with confidence here. If representation is important to your choice, check a recent, detailed reader review or community list for the exact characters and how they are handled.
What happens at the end?
Without spoiling it, the final chapters raise the stakes and change what Nova and Adrian know about each other and about the organization they serve. The book ends in a way that sets up the sequel rather than fully wrapping things up, so expect to continue if you enjoy it. Reviewers tend to say the ending builds real momentum after the slow middle.
Who it suits
- Teens and adults who like superhero stories with moral questions.
- Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance.
- Readers who enjoyed the author’s earlier series and want another long-form world.
If you like fast, humorous fantasy instead, our Percy Jackson new book review covers a lighter option.