ARC Review: Phoenix (Black City # 2) by Elizabeth Richards

Title: Phoenix

Author: Elizabeth Richards

Series: Black City #2

Number of Pages: 368

Published: June 4th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile
Source: Publisher - ARC paperback

Genre: Paranormal Romance > Dystopia

Reading Level: YA

Ash and Natalie are just starting to build a life together when things in the United Sentry States go from bad to worse. Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of turmoil when dictator Purian Rose threatens Natalie’s life unless Ash votes in favor of Rose’s Law—a law that will send Darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the Tenth.

When Ash can’t bring himself to trade Natalie’s life for those of millions of Darklings, her fate is sealed. Enter Elijah Theroux, the handsome Bastet boy Natalie once saved from her mother’s labs, where he’d been experimented on and tortured. It was his venom the Sentry used to create the lethal Golden Haze, the heart of the government conspiracy that led to Black City’s uprising and Ash’s rebirth as the Phoenix, the face of the rebellion. Elijah is back and Ash doesn’t like him; it’s clear he’s taken with Natalie, and Ash fears she may have feelings for him as well.

But Elijah also may have the answer to taking down Purian Rose for good—a powerful weapon called the Ora. Ash, Natalie and Elijah just have to escape Black City undetected to find it. But fleeing the city and finding this weapon (if it even exists) are easier said than done, and the quest could tear Ash and Natalie apart, even pushing them into the arms of others.

This enthralling sequel to Black City is just as absorbing, delicious and steamy as the first book, leaving readers hungry for the series conclusion.

Purchase @ Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | The Book Depository

Check out my review on Black City - Book 1 - HERE

*sigh and dreamy look* This series keeps getting better and better, book by book. If you have not read book one if the series, Black City then I would suggest you do and also be aware there may be some slight spoilers in this review.

Phoenix picks up almost right after Black City ends. Once again the story is being told from both Ash and Natalie's POV. Ash "The boy who rose from the ashes" is now given the name PHOENIX because of the recently attempted execution by the Government and President Rose. Both Ash and Natalie remain within the walls of Black City. They desperately try to give hope to their people and somehow find a way to end this fuming war once and for all. Although the quest for freedom does not come easy for either Ash or Natalie. Things go from bad to worse when President Rose threatens Ash to make a decision between the girl he loves, and his followers, the people of Black City. Ash must now make the right choice. But how can he choose between two things he loves so dearly. With only days left to choose someone new comes into the picture....someone who offers Ash a way out and way to end this war once and for all. But the price of this freedom may be more than anyone saw coming...

From here the story truly begins - Death, Bloodshed, Battles, Lost, an Escape and a LOVE like no other.
PHOENIX has it all!

The EPIC battle to save their world.....begins with a savior; "The boy who rose from the ashes".


Wow, I was blown away by this book. I kept telling myself that this book could not get any better than Black City but boy was I wrong. PHOENIX was immensely fast paced and held my attention throughout the entire book. I read it from cover to cover in only one day. Yeah, it was THAT good! I loved the dual narration between Ash and Natalie. Seeing things happen from both of their POV's. Oh, and the romance between them was better than ever. Although the author throws us a curve ball; there is a "love triangle" introduced into the book. I won't go into this future because I don't want to spoil it for those who have not read, Pheonix. 

Author Elizabeth Richards has captured by heart once again. Her writing style is almost lyrical.  Elizabeth somehow finds a way to make her story "jump off the page" come alive. I felt like I too could feel what the characters were going through; their pain, hurt, loss, loneliness, indecision, and most of all love and to never give up in what they believed in.  

There was never a dull moment. Phoenix is so super action packed and for me this made the book really carry it's own. 

The beginning was heartbreaking and the ending was breathtaking....
AGAIN, I'll say: PHOENIX has it all! This book, this series, IS a MUST read! If you've been procrastinating on whether or not to read this series ...STOP! DON"T THINK! DO! 
I promise you'll never regret it.

 

Totally EPIC! One of the best books I have read. A MUST read!!

About The Author: Elizabeth Richards

Find Elizabeth @ 

Goodreads |  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist, who spent her early career reviewing videogames before making the bold (or crazy) move into travel writing, despite suffering from terrible travel sickness.

In her spare time, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls, where she got to interview many of her favourite bands, go to gigs and basically blag loads of free swag all in the name of ‘research’.

Elizabeth lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her husband. Black City is her debut novel.

I would love to hear what you think of my review. Leave me a comment. :)