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Marie Lu is an American #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend Trilogy and The Young Elites Trilogy.

Born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, Lu and her family moved to Texas in the United States during the Tiananmen Square Protest when she was just five years old.

After graduating from the University of Southern California, Lu worked in the video game industry as a Flash artist for Disney Interactive Studios.

Currently a full-time writer, all her time is spent reading, drawing, playing Assassin’s Creed, and getting stuck in traffic.

She lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, their son and dogs.

More about Marie Lu

Genres: Fantasy / SF, Young Adult

Born: 1984

United States

Website: http://onetrueportal.com/marielu/books

Non Series

  • Spirit Animals (2015)
  • Life Before Legend: Stories of the Criminal and the Prodigy (2013)
  • The Kingdom of Back (2020)
  • Stars & Smoke (2023)

Skyhunter

  1. Skyhunter (2020)
  2. Steelstriker (2021)

DC Icons Series

  1. Batman: Nightwalker (2018)

The Legend Graphic Novels Series

  1. Legend: The Graphic Novel (2011)
  2. Prodigy: The Graphic Novel (2016)
  3. Champion: The Graphic (2017)

The Legend Series

  1. Legend (2011)
  2. Prodigy (2013)
  3. Champion (2013)

The Warcross Series

  1. Warcross (2017)
  2. Wildcard (2018)

The Young Elites Series

  1. The Young Elites (2014)
  2. The Rose Society (2015)
  3. The Midnight Star (2016)
DC Icons Series
The Warcross Series

Detailed book overview

Non Series

Spirit Animals

“The world of Erdas will be changed forever.”

Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan were once ordinary kids, until they found out that they have wise and powerful spirit animals that equipped them with incredible gifts.

With great power however comes great responsibility.

Together, they have journeyed across Erdas, racing against time to stop a terrible enemy. They have also laughed together, triumphed and even lost friends.

On the verge of ending their journey, they must go toe-to-toe with a prisoner and ancient enemy who could very well destroy the whole world.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2015
ISBN: 978-0545841092
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Life Before Legend: Stories of the Criminal and the Prodigy

Get to learn more about June and Day in this exclusive book shading light into the daily lives of the two individuals before they met in Marie Lu’s bestselling Legend series.

The world where the two live in the Republic is as different as can be.

Twelve-year-old June begins her first day of school at Drake University as the youngest cadet ever admitted, while Day is scraping for food on the streets of the Lake sector.

This book contains two original stories that will give readers a backstage look into the lives of their favorite characters; with exciting new context.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2013
ISBN: 978-0399167591
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
The Kingdom of Back

Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish--to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age--her tyrannical father has made that much clear.

And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true--but his help may cost her everything.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2020
ISBN: 978-1524739034
Publisher: Penguin Books
Stars & Smoke

Meet Winter Young – rookie backup dancer turned global pop phenomenon. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. Now he’s bringing his swoonworthy assets to a whole new arena...

Infamous criminal tycoon Eli Morrison has just one weakness – his daughter, Penelope. And Penelope has just one wish for her nineteenth birthday – a private concert with Winter Young. When covert ops organization The Panacea Group approaches Winter with this once-in-a-lifetime chance to infiltrate Morrison’s inner circle, Winter must use his fame, cunning, and charisma to pull it off – only he won’t be on his own.

Posing as Winter’s bodyguard is the fiery Sydney Cossette, Panacea’s youngest spy. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as the mission brings them closer, she's forced to admit there's more to this A-lister than slick dance moves and a handsome face. Panacea's unlikeliest partners just might become its biggest heroes – and maybe even more – if they can survive each other first.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2023
Ebook: B0BGDKDCNN
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Skyhunter

Skyhunter

Strikers are loyal. With unparalleled, deadly fighting skills. With a willingness to do anything―including sacrifice their own lives―to defend Mara, the world’s last free nation. But to the very people she protects, Talin is seen as an outcast first and a Striker second.

No matter what others think, Talin lets nothing distract her from keeping the evil Federation and its army of haunting, mutant beasts at bay. Until a mysterious prisoner shows up and disrupts Talin’s entire world. Is he a spy? A product of the Federation’s sinister experiments? The clock is ticking for Talin to unravel the prisoner’s secrets and discover whether he’s the weapon that will save―or destroy―them all.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2020
ISBN: 978-1250802699
Publisher: Square Fish
Steelstriker

The world’s last free nation has fallen. And behind enemy lines, Talin stands alone.

With her friends scattered by combat and her mother held captive, Talin has no choice but to submit to the Federation’s experiments and become their most deadly war machine—a Skyhunter.

But Red hasn’t given up on Talin. Though the link between them is weak, it could be enough. To find their way back to each other. To reunite the Strikers. To fight back against the Federation, against all odds, against all hope.

Because the battle has only just begun.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2021
ISBN: 978-1250838773

DC Icons Series

Batman: Nightwalker

“Before he was Batman, he was Bruce Wayne.”

The Nightwalkers are determined to destroy Gotham City, and Bruce Wayne is next on their list.

Turning eighteen, Brice will not only inherit his family's fortune but also gain access to all the tech toys of his dreams from Wayne Industries.

An impulsive act however leads him to the notorious Arkham Asylum where he meets Madeleine Wallace, a smart assassin with links to the Nightwalkers.

Mysterious to say the least, Madeleine will only speak to Bruce.

Is he however convincing her to reveal her secrets, or is Bruce handing her vital information that will help destroy Gotham City?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2018
ISBN: 978-1947783713
Publisher: Montena

The Legend Graphic Novels Series

Legend: The Graphic Novel

This is the graphic illustration of the first installment of the best-selling Legend Series by Marie Lu.

Fifteen–year–old June is born into a family in one of the most affluent districts in the Republic. Dutiful, zealous and loyal to her country, she is being prepared for success in the Republic’s highest military circles.

Fifteen–year–old Day, born into the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector, is the most wanted criminal in the country. His motive however aren’t as bad s they make them seem.

Different as they may be, June and Day’s paths entwine one day after her brother is brutally murdered. The twist however is that Day is the primary suspect.

As Day embarks on a quest to save his family and June endeavors to avenge her brother’s death, the two individuals will unearth shocking truths about their country in an unexpected turn of events.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2011
ISBN: 978-0399171895
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Prodigy: The Graphic Novel

This graphic novel breathes life into the characters and scenes from the second book in the best-selling Legend Series.

When the Elector Primo dies, coincidentally at the same moment that June and Day arrive in Vegas, his son Anden takes over the reins of power.

With mayhem in the Republic drawing ever so closer, the two join a group of Patriot rebels determined to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies.

Their only request however is that June and Day must execute the new Elector.

June is nonetheless faced with a choice to make after discovering that Anden couldn not be any different from his brutal father.

What if the Patriots are wrong, and Anden is the one to guide them to the next frontier?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2016
ISBN: 978-0399171901
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Champion: The Graphic

This graphic adaptation paints a vivid picture into the third part of Maie Lu’s best-selling Legend Series.

June and Day have put a lot of things on the line for their nation, and each other. It’s a huge relief that the Republic is now on the verge of a new beginning. June now serves as Princeps Elect within the government’s prestigious circles while Day has been assigned a high ranking position in the military.

But when a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, right at the point of sealing a peace treaty, war threatens the Republic’s border cities.

The new strain of plague may be the worse ever witnessed, but June is the one person who holds the key to her country’s defense.

Will she however ask the one person she loves to sacrifice everything for the sake of thousands of people?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2017
ISBN: 978-0451534347
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

The Legend Series

Legend

Fifteen–year–old June is born into a family in one of the most affluent districts in the Republic. Dutiful, zealous and loyal to her country, she is being prepared for success in the Republic’s highest military circles.

Fifteen–year–old Day, born into the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector, is the most wanted criminal in the country. His motive however aren’t as bad as they make them seem.

Different as they may be, June and Day’s paths entwine one day after her brother is brutally murdered. The twist however is that Day is the primary suspect.

As Day embarks on a quest to save his family and June endeavors to avenge her brother’s death, the two individuals will unearth shocking truths about their country in an unexpected turn of events.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2011
ISBN: 978-0142422076
Publisher: Speak
Prodigy

When the Elector Primo dies, coincidentally at the same moment that June and Day arrive in Vegas, his son Anden takes over the reins of power.

With mayhem in the Republic drawing ever so closer, the two join a group of Patriot rebels determined to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies.

Their only request however is that June and Day must execute the new Elector.

June is nonetheless faced with a choice to make after discovering that Anden could not be more different from his brutal father.

What if the Patriots are wrong, and Anden is the one to guide them to the next frontier?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2013
ISBN: 978-0142427552
Publisher: Speak
Champion

June and Day have put a lot of things on the line for their nation, and each other. It’s a huge relief that the Republic is now on the verge of a new beginning. June now serves as Princeps Elect within the government’s prestigious circles while Day has been assigned a high ranking position in the military.

But when a plague outbreak causes chaos in the Colonies, just when a peace treaty is about to be sealed, war threatens the Republic’s border cities.

The new strain of plague may be the worse ever witnessed, but June is the one person who holds the key to her country’s defense.

Will she however ask the one person she loves to sacrifice everything for the sake of thousands of people?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2013
ISBN: 978-0147512284
Publisher: Speak

The Warcross Series

Warcross

Warcross is more than just a game; it’s a way of life for the millions of people who log in every day.

Some play it to escape from reality while others do it to make a profit.
Emika Chen, a teenage hacker and bounty hunter who tracks down player illegally betting on the game, is having a hard time fending for herself.

In dire need of quick cash, she hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships, only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

But instead of being arrested, Emika is employed by the game’s billionaire creator to spy on this year’s tournament in a move that uncovers a dark ploy with devastating repercussions.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2017
ISBN: 978-0399547973
Publisher: Speak
Wildcard

Lucky to have survived the Warcross Championships, Emika Chen no longer trusts her hero now that she knows the truth behind Hideo’s new NeuroLink algorithm.

She thus joins hands with the Phoenix Riders band together in a desperate bid to stop Hideo’s sinister plans.

Someone however wants her dead, and her only realistic chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his brutal crew.

Immersed in a chain of treachery, what extent will Emika go to destroy the man she loves?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2018
ISBN: 978-0399548000
Publisher: Penguin Books

The Young Elites Series

The Young Elites

Adelina Amouteru survived the blood fever which devastated her nation a decade ago, killing many. Those who survived were however left with strange markings.

Survivors of the fever are referred to as Young Elites; believed to possess mysterious and powerful gifts.

Teren Santoro, servant of the king and leader of the Inquisition Axis, is tasked with the responsibility of finding Young Elites, and killing them before they destroy the nation. Teren however has secrets of his own.

When Enzo Valenciano, a member of the Dagger Society, finds Adelina, they discover someone with powers beyond their wildest imaginations.

The lives of these of these three individuals will be entwined in the most unexpected of ways.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2014
Publisher: Speak
The Rose Society

Having suffered at the hands of both family and friends, a vengeful Adelina Amouteru and her sister flee Kenettra in search of other Young Elites who can help her build her own army; determined to destroy the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who almost killed her.

Adelina is however no heroine. Her powers, inspired by fear and hate, have become too much for her.

Can a person still be good when their very nature is built on darkness?

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2015
ISBN: 978-0141361932
Publisher: Penguin
The Midnight Star

“There was once a time when darkness covered the entire world. That darkness had a queen.”

Adelina Amouteru has finally inflicted revenge on her enemies.

Although she has reigned supremely as the White Wolf, the darkness in her flourishes with every act of cruelty; spinning out of control and threatening to destroy everything she has sacrificed her life for.

Forced to protect her empire after new danger emerges, Adelina and her Roses join forces with the Daggers on a dangerous mission.

In a world such as this, the real danger could very well be the unsettling alliance between them.

Author: Marie Lu
First Release: 2016
ISBN: 978-0147511706
Publisher: Speak