I’m excited to be the next stop on the Black City blog tour! Black City is Elizabeth Richards’ debut novel and it’s a post-apocalyptic paranormal romance. The book hasn’t even hit shelves yet, but a film deal is in the works. So, big expectations right off the bat! Richards makes YA dystopia interesting again with compelling characters and a story that grabs you right from the beginning. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win the first two books in the Black City Chronicles!
Book Info: Black City by Elizabeth Richards (Book 1 in the Black City Chronicles), Putnam Juvenile, YA Paranormal Dystopia, Hardcover 384 pages, On Sale November 13. Review copy acquired at San Diego Comic-Con. Rating: 4/5
About Black City:
A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.
In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.
When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.
I picked up a copy of Black City at Comic-Con and the eye-catching cover is the first thing that got my attention. I like the exploding rose visual over the city landscape, very striking. I went into the book not knowing what to expect. I thought it would be a dystopia but I was pleasantly surprised that there is a paranormal element as well. I like the fresh take on the vampire-like Darklings, and how the author takes it to the next level by bringing up the struggles for equality and fair treatment for all.
Black City is about Ash, a twin-blood Darkling (similar to a half human/half vampire) who struggles to make ends meet, and Natalie, the (human) privileged daughter of a government big shot. They are from two different worlds and romance between them is forbidden. Too bad they have instant chemistry in a love/hate sort of way. Ash and Natalie find themselves attending the same school in Black City, an area torn apart by war, and find it hard to stay away from each other.
We get inside Ash and Natalie’s heads through their alternating POV narration. The character voices are distinct and the short alternating chapters keep the book moving at a swift pace. From the opening pages I was hooked as we immediately dove right into the action.
The tension ramps up in the story and there are surprises and reveals to keep things interesting throughout. Both Ash and Natalie show character growth and even though the odds are stacked against them I was rooting for them as a couple.
The writing is smart and engaging and visual, and I think Black City will translate very easily to the big screen. Fans of Legend and romantic dystopia will eat Black City up.
You can find Black City on bookshelves next week. And the next book in the series, Phoenix , will follow next Summer. Check out the cool cover at right. The synopsis is spoilery so don’t read it until you’ve read the first book!
Pre-Order Black City : Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Connect with author Elizabeth Richards:
Author Info: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Those covers are gorgeous, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy, it sounds like a great book! Great review 🙂
I think Black City would be right up your alley, Kelsey. Looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
I love the covers and your review made me want to read Black City that much more! Thanks!
Wonderful review~ some of the things you point out that are done well in this book are things I look for in books and that makes me excited to see them done well here! And I have to agree with everyone else that the covers are stunning! Thanks for the lovely stop on the tour!
Thanks, Misha! Hope you enjoy Black City as much as I did 🙂
The cover is what drew me in too. As soon as I saw Black City I knew I had to read it. It’s easily one of my favourites from recently. Can’t wait to read it.
Isn’t it nice to have a cover that is unique, and beautiful without needing a dress or a girl? It makes me a happy camper. Thanks so much for the review. I am so very excited about Black City. I love the Darkling idea. I just love the whole idea. And I am so ready to have a chance to go to Comic Con!
Good point about the cover, Jaime Lynn! No dress, and still gorgeous. Hope you enjoy Black City and that you get to experience the madness of Comic Con sometime soon 🙂
I love your review! It’s so easy to follow, and points that didn’t jump all over the place! Can’t wait to read it now!
You’ve got me so pumped for this book. I love half-breeds. They have such interesting problems. Mostly, I’m in cover love with both books.
Wonderful review!
I think I have to say that I’m definitely looking forward to this novel much more when it comes out which is only 4 days time.
The covers are both beautiful too.
[…] @ The Reading Date has me dying to read Black City by Elizabeth […]
I am soooo excited to finally read this book, can’t wait for the official release TOMORROW!!! 🙂
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