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| Read from March 12 to March 13, 2013 |
Published: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Putnam (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 374 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: Black City, #1
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.
Addictive and pulsing, Black City is a majorly fantastic debut that I couldn't put it down. Beautifully told and exceptionally plotted, you must read this novel.
I'm basically kicking myself: why in the world did I wait so late to read this book?! It's phenomenal. It's amazing. The writing is basically gorgeous, and the way that Richards described the city played out in my mind like a movie, and I fully felt like I was emerged into this world. And I absolutely loved that part of Black City.
But that's definitely not the only thing I loved about this great book: the characters were brilliant as well. Natalie is one of the best female protagonists I've ever read about: she's determined and destined to break free from her planned life style, and the author did a fantastic job at crafting her together. But I can't forget about Ash. Ash is such a dark and epic character, and what's even better is that he's half Darkling. That's just epic in itself!
And the ending was insane! No spoilers here, but seriously, my jaw was open for the entire final thirty pages. And I mean, the very last thing that happens blew me away. One of the best endings I've ever read! And now I'm dying for Phoenix!
Overall, Black City is an absolute must-read. Original and phenomenal, Black City is stunning.
M Y R A T I N G
(Happy St. Patrick's Day!)
Ooh, good review, I can feel your excitement coming through! I've been wanting to read this for SO LONG, but other reads keep taking priority - especially since my local library didn't buy this for their collection, argh! So I've got to wait until the price comes down some. But maybe waiting's okay, cause if it's that much of a "holy shizz" cliffhanger, it'd be nice to have book 2 in hand immediately! :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'm looking forward to reading it even more now (especially since you mention how well-written the female lead is).
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to pick this up but it never happens :( I might wait till the 2nd comes out so I don't have to wait a long time. But hopefully I dont feel the way you did for waiting so long to read Black City :P
ReplyDeleteI love great female character so that makes this sound even more interesting.
Great Review Brad :)