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TL;DR: In a city that was shattered by a revolution, the heroes known as the Renegades are the protectors. Nova, a girl whose family was destroyed, secretly hates them. She infiltrates the group, but then finds a friend and a rival among them, and her beliefs start to change.
Table of Contents
Renegades at a Glance
| Author | Marissa Meyer |
| First published | 2017 |
| Type | Young adult superhero fantasy |
| Best for | readers who like superhero stories with moral gray areas |
Renegades is a novel by Marissa Meyer, first published in 2017. The book is the first in the Renegades trilogy, and it ends with a hook for the next book. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains violence.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A world after the fall
Years ago, Ace Anarchy, a villain with a vision of chaos, was overthrown by a group of prodigies who became the Renegades. The city of Gatlon is now run by them, and the old villains are in hiding.
Nova's secret
Nova, who goes by Nightmare, is an Anarchist at heart. She was raised by a villain after her family died and wants revenge on the heroes for what they did.
Joining the Renegades
To get close to the Renegades, she goes undercover as a new recruit and tests into the group. She meets a team of misfits and begins to see them as human.
Adrian and Sketch
A boy named Adrian is a Renegade whose powers let him bring drawings to life. He is also a secret vigilante called Sketch. The two grow close, not knowing about each other's second lives.
Cracks in the story
Nova learns that some heroes have flaws and that the Renegades have used their power in troubling ways. At the same time, the Anarchists have their own agenda.
The edge
The final act raises the stakes and leaves her at a crossroads. The book ends on a cliffhanger that sets up the next novel.
5 Key Takeaways
- Heroes and villains can both be wrong.
- The stories we tell about ourselves shape our choices.
- Power without accountability is dangerous.
- People are more than their worst moments.
- Loyalty is tested when your beliefs and your friends pull in different directions.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The two-sided view of a hero world is the book's main hook.
- The romance is built on secrets, which keeps the tension high.
- Meyer uses the superhero genre to ask who gets to define justice.
Who Should Read Renegades?
Read it if you like superheroes, slow-burn romance and stories where the line between good and bad is blurry. Fans of the author's other series will find a similar style.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Renegades:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: Renegades by Marissa Meyer (2017)
- Type: Young adult superhero fantasy
- Best for: readers who like superhero stories with moral gray areas
- Main idea in one line: Heroes and villains can both be wrong.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Renegades is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Renegades, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not.
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What to Read Next
- Heartless by Marissa Meyer: a dark fantasy about the Queen of Hearts
- Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: the author's sci-fi fairy-tale series, starting with Cinder
- Sidekicked by John David Anderson: a middle-grade superhero story
Related: 15 Books Like Renegades You’ll Love · Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Renegades part of a series?
Yes. It is followed by Archenemies and Supernova.
Who is Nova?
A young woman who secretly works against the Renegades.
What age is it for?
It is usually read by ages 13 and up.
Is Renegades worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like superhero stories with moral gray areas. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading Renegades?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.