Marissa Meyer

Archenemies (Renegades Book 2)

A story of superheroes, villains, vengeance and forbidden love, Archenemies by Marissa Meyer is the fabulous sequel to Renegades. Time is running out. Together, they can save the world. But they are each other's worst nightmare. Nova's double life is about to get a lot more complicated: As Insomnia, she is a fully-fledged member of the Renegades, a syndicate of powerful and beloved superheroes. As Nightmare, she is an Anarchist - a group of of villains who are determined to destroy the Renegades. Nova wants vengeance against the so-called heroes who once failed her when she needed them most. But as Nova, her feelings for Adrian are deepening, despite the fact that he is a Renegade and the son of her sworn enemies and, unbeknownst to Nova, he has some dangerous secrets of his own. The line between good and evil has been blurred, but too much power could mean the end of their city - and the world - as they know it.

Archenemies

Eilidh 

Part thriller, part superhero fantasy, here is the fiercely awaited sequel to the New York Times-bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles. Are Nova and Adrian each other's worst nightmare? In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory. The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one that Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City - and the world - as they know it.

i still can’t get the climax point... 
but i also cannot say this book wasn’t better than the first one, both of them were the same

but sure, 5 stars. 
i just love adrian.. he’s so pure... you know what i mean... 

and we get to see nova-adrian’s moment which is good... and...

but still, 5 stars. 
cAn i hAvE a dAdS liKe hUgh aNd siMoN??😂👌🏻

Christine

Michaela Hudson

This one is definitely better paced, but still slow imo. Either I am too smart or everyone in this book shared one brain cell, and by "sharing", I mean Danna using it 90% of the time. Adrian was busy simping, and Nova was so wrapped up in her childhood memory. Sis needs a therapist, really.

There were more posibilities and more morally questionable concerns were brought up to make the book more intriguing. No mindblowing plot twists in this one, but enjoyable anyway.

chloe rae

Almost more fun the second time around! Can’t wait to finally finish the series and read the last book!

Tatiana

Archenemies: 3/5

“Once we have total power, what's to keep us from becoming villains ourselves?”

Premise:
In this sequel to Renegades, we are met with the dual perspective story once again. While still keeping secrets, Nova and Adrian are faced with new problems as Agent N, a drug with the ability to take away prodigy power, is introduced to the Renegades. This complicates Nova's undercover mission, as does her growing feelings for Adrian. 

Writing & Plot:
I definitely feel like I enjoyed Renegades more than Archenemies, which is interesting because I usually enjoy sequels more. I think the pacing in Archenemies was where this went wrong for me. Not much happens in a 500-page book until the very end, which picked up, which I definitely enjoyed. I think the whole plot for Archenemies overall was weaker than Renegades. I would go as far as to say there was a lack of plot until the final 100 pages.

One part of the writing that really annoyed me was that Nova's "purpose" for her loyalties is reiterated in almost every chapter that she has. We are constantly met with the same inner monologue of how Nova hates the Renegades but is also conflicted because she likes them. I feel like this is partially due to Meyer knowing that Nova's motives are weak. Nova's whole premise is pretty hypocritical and childish, in my opinion, and this really took away from the plot. I found myself getting increasingly annoyed at her since I do not believe she is a convincing villain at all. This may be the whole story's point, but I think her duality could be conveyed more convincingly.

Characters:
Putting Nova aside since I mentioned her above, let's start with Adrian. I really love Adrian's character. We learned more about him, and I felt like he became more real within Archenemies. On the other hand, all other characters didn't matter. We didn't learn anything new about any side characters, and their parts were very minimal. I liked their snippets and their presence in the book, but there wasn't much purpose.

Conclusion:
I do want to say despite it all, this installment of the Renegades trilogy overall entertained me, but it was not what I was looking for. This was very lackluster for me, and the entirety of it was missing a backbone and purpose. The lack of plot and weakness of the characters had me constantly losing interest and rolling my eyes.

I'm still going to read the third book since I have my own theories, and I want to see everything resolved, but I am praying it is better than this.

Julia Moran 

Meh kinda boring and predictable I feel like nothing happened at all… like just 500 pages of nothing

Most often I rate the second book out of a trilogy last (the exception being ACOMAF), but I thought Archenemies was better then Renegades. 

The characters were further developed, along with their relationships (FINALLY SOME ROMANCE THANK YOU MARISSA), which I really enjoyed. 

0,5 point deduction for Nova being insufferable as in "omg I like Adrian but I can't, I am an Anarchist" *insert Debbie Ryan hair swoop. Yeah no. Might be pretty obvious, but I'm rooting for the rebels, although with some changes which Nova and Adrian already suggested, like more transparancy and without agent N (what even was that about??). 

That's all thank you, see you at the final part, Supernova :)

If you liked this book, I recommend: the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. 

Laura

Most often I rate the second book out of a trilogy last (the exception being ACOMAF), but I thought Archenemies was better then Renegades. 

The characters were further developed, along with their relationships (FINALLY SOME ROMANCE THANK YOU MARISSA), which I really enjoyed. 

0,5 point deduction for Nova being insufferable as in "omg I like Adrian but I can't, I am an Anarchist" *insert Debbie Ryan hair swoop. Yeah no. Might be pretty obvious, but I'm rooting for the rebels, although with some changes which Nova and Adrian already suggested, like more transparancy and without agent N (what even was that about??). 

Further opinions:

- I love Max

- I love Adrian he gives me so much Tom Holland vibes idk why

- Danna can go sniff some flowers or something, why is she spying??

- Oscar and Ruby need to get together asap plss

That's all thank you, see you at the final part, Supernova :)

If you liked this book, I recommend: the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. 

The Renegades Trilogy continues, in this fiercely awaited second installment after the New York Times-bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles. Now a New York Times Bestseller! Time is running out. Together, they can save the world. But they each other’s worst nightmare. Nova’s double life is about to get a lot more complicated: As Insomnia, she is a full-fledged member of the Renegades, a syndicate of powerful and beloved superheroes. She works with Adrian’s patrol unit to protect the weak and maintain order in Gatlon City. As Nightmare, she is an Anarchist - a group of of villains who are determined to destroy the Renegades. Nova wants vengeance against the so-called heroes who once failed her when she needed them most. But as Nova, her feelings for Adrian are deepening, despite the fact that he is the son of her sworn enemies and, unbeknownst to Nova, he has some dangerous secrets of his own. In this second installment of the Renegades trilogy, Nova, Adrian, and the rest of their crew – Ruby, Oscar, and Danna -- are faced with escalating crime in Gatlon City, while covert weapons and conflicting missions have Nova and Adrian questioning not only their beliefs about justice, but also the feelings they have for each other. The line between good and evil has been blurred, but what's clear to them both is that too much power could mean the end of their city – and the world – as they know it.

alexandra

Rachel Kanyid

This was a super fun read, and I really enjoyed the second installment in this series! Looking forward to book three.

ehh I feel like I was just waiting for something to happen most of the time.

Pien van Nunen

Kelsey Joëlle

I’ve finally finished this book and I’m SHOOK. 

Holy, that ending left me so scared but also like ‘hell yeah go get them girl’ because Genissa is an ass. Her team as well though. Also, is there is shipname for Adrian and Nova because I’m dying for that ship, even though they have probably no future whatsoever.

Vajas Johanna 

sophia n

erasing my initial review now and lowering my rating 4ish months later, looking back, realizing a few things ...

this book was very middle book. at the time reading it, i thought it was continuing on the interesting moral dilemma issue that was raised in the first book, but looking back after having read the whole trilogy now, i realize it was NOT, and this book introduced a new plot point that was incredibly stupid and ended up imo ruining the entire concept of this.

the characters were still entertaining in this and you can see from my reading activity at the time i WAS entertained, but i also realize looking back that it was all really cheap and wore off extremely quickly, and once it did, the story itself really fell apart and i cared less and less. i'd never reread this, and in my heart this is a 2 star read (solidly at "it was ok") but i was entertained, so i'm splitting the difference and leaving it at 3 stars. but idk. i don't think it was all that great sozzzzz

Ashley Wendt

3.5 stars
I think I had more hope for book 2. I think the part that annoys me is some of the conflicting actions/words/behaviors of Nova...it feels a bit disconnected. Like how she felt about Agent N, yet in the same breath wishes there were no prodigies at all. It makes it hard to connect with her sometimes. Also...longest drawn out reveal...especially when so much is so obvious...it kind of dumbs down the characters. Although, now I'm invested and now I will finsih the series!

Nicole Dykeman

I’m obsessed. This series is my favorite thing from Marissa Meyer by far. It’s creative and engaging, and all of the characters are just SO lovable, from Nova and Adrian to to Captain Chromium and the Dread Warden to Honey and Leroy. And Max? My ABSOLUTE favorite little boy. I’m a sucker for cute, younger-brother-type characters, and he is the cutest. 

The tension is killing me. When Adrian finally, eventually finds out that Nova is Nightmare, I might spontaneously combust. Or when Adrian’s dads figure out that he’s the Sentinel. There are so many layers of secrecy to this story and I love it all. I want superhero books to be the new trope that everyone writes about until I start to hate it. I cannot wait for the final book in this trilogy. I really haven’t ever read a YA series quite like this.

5/6/22 - Max has my whole entire heart, that is all.

Livia

3.5 rounded up

The plot truly has more substance than the first one, for sure. And it talks more on the Renegades and whether or not they are what society needs, what's with total control and authority they have. Aside from that, I don't really like Adrian that much, more like I don't really care for his character. The only one I truly root for is Nova since at the very least she holds to her beliefs with an iron grip while allowing herself to see the world more and empathize with it.
And if anyone asked me about the romance, that's the thing that drops my rating. It felt slightly childish, a bit lacking in chemistry and then they just somehow are smitten with each other. I do wish they could be platonic partners in crime, close best friends that would confide with each other fiercely instead of the hesitant will-they-won't-they that dampens the meaning of their bond.

Lauren Tabor

** spoiler alert **
           Marissa Meyer has a way of making you feel like you are actually in her books and that is just incredible. I love the feeling I get reading this series. It's just a plain fun series if you ask me. This one had a lot of really good action scenes and friend dynamics just like the first one. Though I think it was a bit long and felt like it was dragging at bit at the beginning/middle. 
It felt a little repetitive in some of the thoughts that Nova had. I get it, she hates the Renegades and she has all this angst blah blah blah. I was kind of over hearing her thoughts. Nova in general annoyed me throughout this one. 
Nova keeps talking about the 'rights' of villains/anarchists as if they are wonderful law-abiding citizens who shouldn't be held accountable for their actions. She constantly talks down about the Renegades as if her and her people haven't tried to hurt or murder them. I think once towards the end she mentions something about the villains being held accountable for bad deeds but I think it was more of a passing thought. And I get her side too, about the Renegades taking over and not really letting the people decided what is best and kind of forcing people to rely on the Renegades for everything. I'm not saying the Renegades are perfect either, there's a lot they need to figure out too. She's caught between the two sides and I'm ready for her to figure things out. It's taking a long time to get to the place I want. lol 
My own personal book taste kind of ruins this a little bit because I hate when the main character(s) keeps secrets...especially for a really long time. And that's basically the entire premise of this series. It's literally built on the two main characters having these huge secrets. While I get it, and appreciate it, I still can't help but not like it that much. All the deception is killing me!! Especially the fact that Nova keeps stealing all these really incriminating things (and no one finding out??), and also putting people to sleep and no one has figured this out yet?? To me it seems like all the big shot renegades are really dumb?? How is no one figuring any of this out...I don't get it. Except Danna-she seems like the smartest one there. And did they just forget about her and the fact they don't know why she won't go back to her human form????
I really love Adrian. I think he has the most fascinating powers. He can literally create whatever he wants and make it REAL. And he's all around such a good person and a true sweetheart. (He obviously needs to sort out the whole Sentinel situation though). 
Also, what's the point of calling for back up when it takes them 498439384 years to get there?! Literally everything is over by the time anyone comes to help. 
If Max dies, I quit.

vmknmy

Tori Martínez 

Ingrid 

4.5 stars. Even better than book 1. Now I need to know how it ends!

Sophia Wolf

It wasn't as good as the first book and sometimes pretty boring. I was excited for book 3 tho, but I just spoiled the entire ending for myself, so. Towards the ending it got better, even though I still hate some characters with a passion, but okay.

jacque

This book definitely suffers from second-book syndrome. Some parts kinda dragged and the plot was a bit lackluster up until the end. I heard that this series was originally supposed to be a duology and I think the series would have benefitted from that but I believe these came out in the era of YA trilogies so I understand why there are three of them. 

The Adrian and Nova romance was really cute. I loved seeing that their ideas and morals actually line up pretty well, even though they don’t realize that (yet). I’m looking forward to seeing how they learn each other's identity and how that plays out!

I love that Adrian’s power is so unassuming but he uses it in such a creative manner that shows how powerful he actually is! 

This series has so much potential and I’m so ready to dive into Supernova!

Archenemies (Renegades Book 2)

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