Series Recap: Black City Trilogy by Elizabeth Richards

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Black City (Book 1, Published on November 13, 2012)
Phoenix (Book 2, Published on June 4, 2013)
Wings (Book 3, Published on June 12, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out the reviews.

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Synopsis recap:

Set in the future, The United Sentry States is a country intolerant to non-human residents. Natalie is the daughter of the Emissary, Ash is the rare half-Darkling with no heart-beat. They're on opposite sites and they're supposed to be enemies. But against all odds, they find themselves falling for each other and there's a connection between them. Meanwhile, a dark force is rising - a force that can destroy the non-humans and humans who help them. The Sentry and the non-human forces has to join together in order to defeat it and have a future that is not full of blood and war.

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Thoughts recap:

Black City is not the brightest and most powerful series openings I've ever read. It's got some issues. However, despite some problems with the book, I still like it because of the innocence and the romance between Ash and Natalie, which is by all means, sweet and real. They have really great chemistry between each other and they truly care for each other. It's one of the reasons why I decided to read the sequel
.
And Phoenix is beyond awesome. For a book that's not even reaching 300 pages yet, it's certainly dark and twisted enough to be called crazy. There's a lot of character improvement in the book and I love that. It's more emotional than the other two books in the series. There are a lot of angst and ache, which is written really masterfully. Though I'm usually not a person with emotions pouring from every orifices, I admire the writing.

Wings is action-packed, and a truly impressive conclusion for a dystopian series. Besides the weirdness I feel when I read some certain scenes, which is not exactly a bad thing, but I don't know how to process it, it's mostly good. The triple point of view is fascinating and it gives us a insight of how the future world has come into being. Truly mesmerizing.

Overall rating: 8/10

Do I recommend this series: Yes

Wings: Review

Synopsis:

Following the cliffhanger ending of Phoenix, Natalie finds herself separated from Ash and unexpectedly reunited with her parents, including the father she thought was dead. But she can only think of Ash. She hasn't heard a word of him since she and Elijah were brought to the underground headquarters of the Sentry Rebellion. But she vows to find him.

Ash, meanwhile is back in Black City; it's the perfect place to hide from the Sentry government. But not for long. He won't give up on Natalie or bringing an end to the terrible reign of Purian Rose.

A pulse-racing end to an exciting series.

***

I love Wings as much as I do Phoenix, as it is a really action packed and darkly heart-pounding conclusion of the trilogy, which is one of the better books I've ever read. However, Wings gives a weird edge of the story. Certainly not a bad thing. It's just... weird. Strange. It dissipates a little of my liking towards Wings, but I wholly enjoy the story nonetheless.

Wings is slightly different from the previous two books. Besides Ash's and Natalie's point of view, we get to learn about one more important character's past in the book, as the story is told in triple point of view. Personally I like the turn of things, because we get to learn more about how this certain character comes to be who he is, which makes his character more three-dimensional. But it's slightly disturbing to see just how twisted and morbid he is. However tragic his early life was, I still can't muster any sympathy for him.

We also get to see a lot of Ash/Natalie moments. There are not a lot of big moments between the two of them, which is slightly disappointing, because they're really cute together when they have their romantic times. But given that they're at war, I'm gonna pass. What we can see is a lot of little exchanges between them, which is pretty sweet and makes the book endearing as much as it's exciting. There are some... metaphoric-literal moments between them which is awe-inducing but hilarious in a kind of weird way at the same time. We'll also have some heart-breaking moments in the book, which I'm not going to talk about because it's spoiler and my ass will be kicked if I spilled more. Not as much as in Phoenix or even Black City, but it's definitely present. Prepare for that. 

The plot twist and turns are slightly lacking though, despite the awesomeness of it. Don't get me wrong, it's still really nicely-written. However, with the triple point of view thing, not much has been going on. Of course, I really love that those few twists are big ones and very shocking. But comparing to Phoenix, there's not enough of that. I'm down with that though, because my hurt was hurting when I was reading the book. An overdose of exciting plot twists will most definitely result in my head explosion.

Side note: And I guess heart transplant is really common in the future, huh? Everyone is like "oh, transferring one heart to another is no biggie. It's gonna be alright." As a high school student who want to study medic at university, I totally want to see that happen in the future as it indicates a rise in medical tech. However, I can't say it's not weird that people are so casual about heart transplant.

Rating: 8.5/10

Phoenix: Review

Synopsis:

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.

***

First off, I need to start with "I'm alive." Yeah, it's been a little while since I post a review but I just don't have time for this lately. Don't worry, though. I will be posting a lot more after... June 18.

Okay, I can't say I LOVE Black City because clearly the best I can say is I LIKE the first book. There are certain things that are admirable in Black City. But damn, this book has blown way past "admirable". It's addicting and a whole lot of intriguing. I was pretty surprised to fall into the story instantly but I'm really glad I did. This is one of those cases where the sequel is much better than the first one. 

The characters are fascinating to read. Every single one of them. Elizabeth Richards writing has improved a lot. Ash is resurrected as the Phoenix and he's just as sweet and loving and intense. Natalie has grown up a lot too. She's no longer the "Sentry Brat" as Ash once called her. She is able to make her own mature decisions and even though sometimes I didn't agree with her decisions, I completely understand her motives and surprisingly, I'm not annoyed by her anymore. Elijah is... well, the mysterious guy and the Bastet Natalie saved. I don't hate him since there's hardly anything to hate... for me (actually there's a lot to hate. But I just can't hold that against him). He's not boring. But he's not exactly the most interesting part of the story either. The villain in this book is Purian Rose and, oh you have no idea how evil he is until you read the book! He reminds me of Sarren from The Eternity Cure so much, probably because they're both ruthless, cold-blood and cunning bad guys.

The plot is also just as nice and awesome as the romance. First is the plot. Yep, you will love every single moment because there's nothing boring about it. In fact the twists are so finely made that they are sophisticated. Excitement is definitely present. Now comes to the romance part. Damn if that part didn't break my heart completely into shards and splinters. Yeah, there are so many things happen between Ash and Natalie and some are... not so nice to our hearts. I have to say that the romance part is kind of a classic but strangely it still breaks me wide open (because I don't take well with classics normally). Bittersweet moments are guaranteed and you will find out why. 

Now I totally need the third book. I can't wait!

Rating: 8.5/10

Gonna Read: June 2013

Yep, June's coming fast. I'm gonna read 4 new releases. But don't think that's all I'm gonna read in June, because after June 19, I will be free to read whatever I want and I'm planning to read Gone series by Michael Grant and Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin (and possibly more :D).

1. Phoenix (Black City #2) by Elizabeth Richards.

Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed.

The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

Expected Publication: June 4, 2013 (The date pisses me off a little because that's the first day of the whole 12-day-long of Annual Examination section)

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2. Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale (The Bane Chronicles Part 3) by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Magnus Bane leverages his alliances with Downworlders and Shadowhunters on a venture to Victorian London. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

When immortal warlock Magnus Bane attends preliminary peace talks between the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders in Victorian London, he is charmed by two very different people: the vampire Camille Belcourt and the young Shadowhunter, Edmund Herondale. Will winning hearts mean choosing sides?

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles, Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale, is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

Expected Publication: June 18, 2013 (Ahh, I want it earlier because I want more Herondales!)

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3. Defy The Dark (Anthology)

Defy the Dark, an all-new anthology edited by Saundra Mitchell. Coming Summer 2013 from HarperTeen!

It features 16 stories by critically-acclaimed and bestselling YA authors as they explore things that can only happen in the dark. Authors include Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Hawkins, Carrie Ryan, Aprilynne Pike, Malinda Lo, Courtney Summers, Beth Revis, Sarah Ockler, and more.

Contemporary, genre, these stories will explore every corner of our world- and so many others. What will be the final story that defies the dark? Who will the author be?

Expected Publication: June 18, 2013



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4. After Daybreak (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #3) by J. A. London

(Reminder: I found THREE different blurbs for this book. Take you pick)

First blurb (from Goodreads):

Dawn returns from L.A. with terrifying news: In his greed for power, the maniacal Day Walker Sin is raising an army and infecting his followers with the Thirst—a rabieslike disease that will turn them into mindless killers. To stop him, Dawn and Victor will have to convince humans and vampires to work together before it’s too late.

Second blurb (from Harperteen):

After Daybreak brings J. A. London's romantic dystopian Darkness Before Dawn series to a thrilling conclusion.

Dawn grew up behind a wall, terrified of the vampires outside who controlled the lives of humans and demanded their blood. But when she became a delegate for her city and met Victor, she realized that not all vampires were the same, that maybe one could be trusted.

Now Day Walker Sin is infecting his followers with a disease that turns them into mindless killers. Dawn and Victor will have to convince humans and vampires to band together to stop him, because alone they will all die.

After Daybreak is perfect for fans of the YA series Morganville Vampires and the Vampire Diaries. 

Third blurb (also from Harperteen):

Our last hope lies with our oldest enemies.

When we lost the war with the vampires, our world changed. The Old Family overlords trapped us in a few scattered cities and demanded our blood. Then Victor—the first vampire I've ever trusted, ever loved—came to power, and I hoped for peace between our kinds. Only now a new type of monster, Day Walkers, has emerged, and their maniacal leader is threatening to destroy us all, human and vampire alike.

The Old Family Council is stubborn and proud, unwilling to acknowledge the danger. But once I claim my birthright as the last living member of the Montgomery line, they will have to listen to me.

Neither fully human nor vampire, I am the bridge between both. Even if I'm not sure where I belong anymore, I know that the only way any of us will survive is if we stand together.

Expected Publication: June 25, 2013
  

Black City: Review

Another new series is started! It's called Black City by Elizabeth Richards.

Summary:

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.

***

Out of all dystopian novels, that's not the best I've ever scene. I mean, it's not bad. But it's just not as addicting as it sounds and to be honest, it's definitely no match to famous ones like The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner, etc. Though there's some really good parts that makes me think of... well, other books.

For instance, don't you think the heart flutter thing from the very first parts of the book is like Warm Bodies? If I remember correctly, the zombie's heart fluttered when he saw the girl. And now Ash's still heart flutters and beats afterward. Don't tell me there's no resemblance between them, even though there's a huge possibility that it's just a coincidence. 

Another thing that reminds me of someone else is Ash himself. And he is somehow similar to Ash in The Iron Fey series. Don't get me wrong. It's not just the name. You see, the Winter Prince Ash was a heartless boy and when he fell for Meghan, his emotions were more... human. And this Ash is just about the same. Before he met Natalie he felt like he was existing between the dead and the alive. He feels when Natalie comes around. Another resemblance here.

The plot itself reminds me of Mystic City (why does everything in this book has to remind me of something?). In Mystic City, Aria Rose is a girl from the "royal family" that is enemy to the mystics... and Hunter, her love. In this book, Natalie is the daughter of Emissary, who rules the government and a sort-of enemy of the Darklings and half-bloods. Now I really wonder if the author's idea of Black City comes from Mystic City, or vice versa.

Of course, there are really good parts. The book is really detailed. There are hidden threats everywhere, there are secrets everywhere. And the fighting scene is just awesome. I really like how Natalie confess her love for Ash in front of the whole country. Admitting you love an enemy to all humans is not something you will see everyday, and definitely one of the most dangerous things to do. And most of all, the book starts out really well. It really caught my attention at first.

I hate to write negative comments, but I have to. The book is detailed, yes. But everything has a negative side. And a too detailed book means there are some little boring parts. And there are some... not so important parts that can be ditched. Like the whole Evangeline issue. I don't know if she will do something in Phoenix, the second book of the series. But if she's not gonna do anything in Phoenix or even the last book of the series, I really doubt the importance of that part's existence. It kind of annoys me.

I can't say the book is not good. But I can't say this book is underrated either. I understand why the rating in goodreads is just 3.93. If you are an expert dystopian novel reader, then I think you should broaden your horizons and read more kinds of dystopian novels, and then I may recommend this book. But if you are a new novel reader, then I think you should know famous ones like THG and Divergent first.

Rating: 6.5/10

Black City: Out Now!

I always wanna read some more books even though I didn't really know that new series at the first place. And it's time for Black City by Elizabeth Richards! Check it out:

Summary:

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.

***

Sounds like another epic dystopian novel. I think I'm gonna love it... or not. Who knows.