• About Us
    • Disclaimer and Policies
  • Giveaways
  • Features
    • Pre-Order Deal Incentives!
    • Author Talk Podcasts
    • Flashback Friday
    • Whadda YA Know Wednesday

Fiction Fare

  • Banners
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

Review & Giveaway: Phoenix (Black City, #2)

May 25, 2013 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Phoenix (Black City, #2)Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Phoenix was good and frustrating all at the same time for me. Hopefully I don’t ramble in this one but overall I enjoyed this second book. I was able to dive right back into not only Ash’s and Natalie’s stories but also the rebellion which they both play a major role in.

Ash has just survived being crucified and is now being called Phoenix as he rose from the ashes. In the midst of all of this, the vote for Rose’s law is set to take place and Ash has become the poster boy for standing up to Purian Rose. Unfortunately, Rose knows Ash will do anything for Natalie and that is what he threatens him with. Rose and Sebastian grab Ash just before the vote and let him know that if he doesn’t vote for Rose’s law, he will take “Miss Buchanan” and “slice bits off her, piece by piece.”

Now Ash is faced with another decision – save Natalie or betray his people by voting for the segregation laws. Ash decides not to tell anyone what happened and when voting begins in Black City the Sentry Guards are present and intimidating everyone. After seeing other regions cave to Rose’s threats, Ash takes a stand and decides to vote no. And when she finds out about it, Natalie completely understands his decision and tells him she would have done the same.

Once the voting is complete, Purian Rose makes his play by invading the city and he does something that will impact Natalie and haunt her for a while. Whilst all of this is going on, Humans for Unity have also found out just what Rose is up to which happens to be creating another concentration camp for anyone he considers a dissenter called the Tenth.

The rest of the book follows Ash and Natalie on their way to finding what they hope is the weapon that will beat Rose. Elijah happens to be present for most of the journey as he was partnered with them on their way out of Black City. His presence and some other things that happen throughout the book place Ash and Natalie on rocky ground relationship wise. Honestly, for about 10 chapters I just kept wishing they would have it out with each other and talk. They were both so worried about what might happen that neither of them was willing to open up and actually talk about what was really happening with either of them. I get it, Natalie didn’t want to Ash to worry but her actions were the catalyst to Ash doubting their relationship. Add to that the way she was when she was around Elijah and I don’t blame him at all for having those doubts.

With all of that said, the book is about more than just their relationship. Richards does a great job of diving more into the description of the world as it is today. She also gives us more background on the different races. The Lupines add a layer to the story that was critical in Phoenix but I think will be important in book three. We didn’t really get to spend a lot of time with the secondary characters from book one only because for most of the book, we are with Ash, Natalie and Elijah. There are some new characters introduced though and not all of them good in my opinion.

I still like both Ash and Natalie. Though they both do some stupid things here, they have good hearts and truly care about each other. Just know that I really disliked the scene by the fire in the Dacian camp. I have no words for Elijah…at least none that I want published anywhere. We get very little of the Humans for Unity crew in this book (Sigur, Day, Roach, Beetle, etc.) but what we do get was great. I loved seeing them all rally and continue to fight for their beliefs. The bad guys are still really bad – Sebastian doesn’t have a redeeming quality in him and I have to believe he will get what is coming to him…right along with Purian Rose. And although Rose obviously is the main bad guy, I felt like Sebastian was almost presented as the “face” of evil and set up to be the focus for everyone’s anger as we only get little glimpses of Rose throughout the book.

In the end, there is a lot of deception and, dare I say, betrayal. I will definitely be reading book three as this one left off with sort of a cliffhanger which everyone knows isn’t my favorite. With that in mind I have a feeling that the next book will get to the bottom of what really is going on in this world and I am keeping my fingers crossed that someone at Penguin will take pity and send me an early copy so I don’t have to wonder what the heck is going to happen for too long.

View all Erin’s reviews

US/CAN only – shipping is expensive!! Sorry
Please make sure you do all the required tasks! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Related Posts

  • Related Posts
Web of Frost (Saints of Russalka #1) by Lindsay Smith
Empress of A Thousand Skies Blog Tour by Rhoda Belleza
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
Fiction Fare
Review: Sweet Evil
Fiction Fare
REVIEW: Sekret by Lindsay Smith

Filed Under: Book Review, Giveaways Tagged With: GoodReads, Reviewed by Erin, Vampires, Young Adult

About Jaime

Avid reader and book blogger, lover of music, writing, my kid & my cats. Master of sarcasm and snark and doing what makes me happy.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin
  • custom1
  • goodreads
  • rss
  • custom2

Get Our Updates!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Pre-Order Deals

 photo E-Book Deal 3_zpsrbgh839i.jpg


Author Talk

 photo author-talk_zpscsw6iy8a.png

fictionfare

Instagram post 2198161422389701636_56090291 Do you prefer coffee or tea or hot chocolate or none of the above? I’m a coffee drinker so I’m excited to use this mug!  Thank you to @oneoddbirdpress for sending this lovely package! I read the sampler of this book and I was immediately looking for the rest of it! Contemporary Romance fans get this one on your #tbrpile! Make sure you’re following One Odd Bird Press too!
.
So I apparently have Achilles Tendonitis so that’s fun and requires a brace for my foot... super excited about wearing that for a few weeks.
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #booklife #booklover #bookdragon #readerlife #mustread #readersofinstagram #igbooks #instaread #igreads #mybookfeatures #booksandtea #unitedbookstagram #bookphotography
Instagram post 2198004902876217383_56090291 What’s a book you wish you could read in graphic novel form? I am so very excited for the upcoming BRIGHTLY WOVEN! It took me forever to find this copy of it and it was worth every penny! Have you read this yet? Will you get the graphic novel?
.
Happy Friday my friends! I’ve been excited to get to the weekend here and I plan on enjoying every second of it! I have another vacation around the corner and hope to binge on books and tv and not open my computer once... but the countdown begins now! .
#bookgram #bookstagram #booklife #readerlife #bookdragon #mustread #yareader #igbooks #igreads #instabook #instaread #bookphotography #authorlove #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram
Instagram post 2197412159112135175_56090291 Did you guys post anything for #hypeyourfive - I love that @themackenzilee and @amiekaufmanauthor are doing this because there are so many titles out there that you don’t see talked about—  these are some of my faves from 2019!
.
Famous in a Small Town by @elmify - her stories just get better and better! each time a new book comes out its instantly my new favorite and this one is so good!
.
The Art of Losing by @lizzymason21 - this book is so heavy and filled with emotion but when you turn that last page the hope and joy is pure perfection!
.
When Summer Ends by @jessicapennington - Jessica has become an instant buy author for me she just writes the best sweet and swoon with that touch of drama that always wrongs the emotion out of me!
.
10 Blond Dates by @ashleyelston - this book was so fun and I absolutely loved the huge, crazy family! Elston writes wonderful stories that will keep you turning the pages!
.
The Deceivers by @kris10writes - ugh this book has everything! Drama, romance, swoon and cons! I’m a huge fan of Kristens stories and this series is such fun and filled with twists you won’t see coming!
.
I highly recommend all of these titles... in fact read all their back lists too!!
.
What are the five books you’d put on your list?
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #booklife #booklove #readerlife #mustread #bookdragon #bookstack #bookpile #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #yareader #yacontemporary #igbooks #igreada #instaread #instabook #quietya
Instagram post 2196635271351758942_56090291 Do you have a favorite superhero?  What’s a book you’re excited to read in 2020? Crystal was at an author event recently and was talking about her upcoming book Super Adjacent and I was so excited for it!  Thankfully my amazing friends at #Disney sent a copy my way!
.
Get this one on your #TBRPILE ASAP!
.
About the book:

Claire has always wanted to work with superheroes, from collecting Warrior Nation cards as a kid to drafting "What to Say to a Hero" speeches in her diary. Now that she's landed a coveted internship with the Chicago branch of Warrior Nation, Claire is ready to prove she belongs, super or not. But complicating plans is the newest WarNat hero, Girl Power (aka Joy), who happens to be egotistical and self-important . . . and pretty adorable.

Bridgette, meanwhile, wants out of WarNat. After years of dating the famous Vaporizer (aka Matt), she's sick of playing second, or third, or five-hundredth fiddle to all the people-in-peril in the city of Chicago. Of course, once Bridgette meets Claire-who's clearly in need of a mentor and wingman-giving up WarNat becomes slightly more complicated. It becomes a lot more complicated when Joy, Matt, and the rest of the heroes go missing, leaving only Claire and Bridgette to save the day.

In this fresh and funny take on the world of supers, author Crystal Cestari spotlights what it's like to be the seemingly non-super half of a dynamic duo with banter-filled romance and bold rescues perfect for readers seeking a great escape.
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #booklife #readerlife #bookphotography #bookdragon #mustread #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #bookstagramfeatures #yareader #ilovebooks #igbooks #instaread #igreads
Instagram post 2195849332819842093_56090291 What is the last book series you completed? I finished Queen of Nothing a couple of weeks ago and still am thinking about it randomly. I was lucky enough to have gotten my hands on the @illumicrate TCP box and it was so amazing! I love this pin so much and the quote is a favorite! But that book😍 there was so much amazing in this box I can’t wait to show it all to you!
.
I’m in Detroit just doing a bit of work before I pack up to head to the airport for my flight home! One day trips are hard lol.
Plus I broke my phone cord so I have to conserve my battery so I probably won’t be on here until I get home and can plug in! I hope you have an amazing day!
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #booklife #readerlife #mustread #subscriptionbox #yareader #yafantasy #hollyblack #thecruelprince #specialedition #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #illumicrate #bookdragon
Instagram post 2195323141234907152_56090291 What have been some of your fave diverse reads this year?  This series is a delight and I absolutely love it! If you haven’t checked it out yet please do so!
.
I’m sitting in my hotel lobby waiting to head to a client visit and then I finally get to eat some dinner! I hope you all are having an amazing start to your week!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #booklife #readerlife #mustread #diversereads #yareader #graphicnovel #bookdragon #mybookstagramfeatures #unitedbookstagram #bookphotography #igreads #instaread #igbooks
Instagram post 2194514680003932514_56090291 How’s your weekend so far? Mine has been pretty good but I have to repack my bag because I’m off to Detroit tomorrow morning for an overnight trip.
.
I’ve got some cookies and fudge to make today, I already went to Target so now the rest of my day is just baking and relaxing and hopefully reading!
.
I’m so excited to dive into this contemporary YA from @shhenning I love books that feature sports and a girl playing football- gimme! .
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #booklife #readerlife #bookphotography #yareader #yacontemporary #mustread #tbrpile #bookdragon #instaread #igreads #instabooks #igbooks #flatlaystyle #flatlay
Instagram post 2193830442698939851_56090291 Who is the last couple you completely shipped or who are some of your faves? This bag came in a sub box ages ago and I absolutely love it!
.
So tell em who your fave coupes to ship are? My most recent is Monty and Percy from A Gentleman’s Guide but you know I have a million (June&Day /Kestrel&Arin / Sam&Jase... shall I continue?)
.
Holiday baking has begun - I’m actually chilling some dough and then will start the next treat once I get them in the oven!
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #bookishmerch #bookdragon #igreads #instaread #instabook #igbooks #ishipit #booklife #readerlife #bookphotography
Instagram post 2193670901659090409_56090291 Happy #stacksaturday! Do people still use the #quietya hashtag? When I was cleaning up my shelves a couple weeks ago I realized that I love a lot of books that are quietly telling lovely stories so here are a stack of them! I whole-heartedly recommend all of these if you haven’t read them yet!
.
Whatcha up to today? I have to run to the grocery store today to get some of my baking supplies - it’s time to start the cookies etc! Do you bake for the holidays? I love to do it I just wish I had a bigger kitchen!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #mustread #bookstack #bookpile #booklife #readerlife #yareader #bookphotography #igreads #instareads #instabook
Instagram post 2192991408841915087_56090291 Do you give books a second chance?
.
I’m going to be a black sheep here and say that this one didn’t capture my attention when I tried to read it the first time, but after some trusted book people raved to me about it I ended up putting it back on my #tbrshelf to give it another go! As a mood reader I have to be in just the right frame of mind for stories like this one so I’m going to try again soon!
.
Got any fun plans for the weekend? None for me, I’m just going to relax a bit and maybe possibly put up the tree? Who knows! I like to keep my options open! Lol .
#bookgram #bookstagram #mustread #booklife #readerlife #bookdragon #fantasyreader #bookphotography #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #bookstagramfeature #igbooks #instaread #igreads
Instagram post 2192179946275972653_56090291 What’s your favorite Vampire story?
.
I recently read Tge Beautoful by @reneeahdieh and really loved it! I’m looking forward to book 2! Isn’t this pin lovely? I received it for preordering!
.
I’m still in Buffalo but heading home a bit later today- work travel can be tiring lol
.
I hope you all have a wonderful day today!
.
#bookstagram #bookgram #bookstagramfeature #mybookfeatures #yareader #mustread #booklove #booklife #readerlife #booklife #bookishmerch #igbooks #instaread #instabook #igread
Instagram post 2191440493458641507_56090291 Happy Wednesday! Are you an early bird or a night owl? I think I’m a bit of both! I go to bed early but I actually get comfy in bed and read for at least an hour!
.
I’m at the airport on my way to Buffalo for some work meetings - it’s going to be a long day I think - I’ve been up since about 3:45 *sigh*
.
Have you read this series by Kristen Cashore? I read Graceling and absolutely love it! I just need to get started on the other two!
.
I hope you all have a wonderful day if you’re wondering about the giveaway I’m working through entries and hope to announce a winner by end of the week!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #bookdragon #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #yareader #mustread #booklife #readerlife #bookphotography #yafantasy #authorlove
Instagram post 2190835586858783441_56090291 What are you reading these days?
.
I am just getting into Lucky Caller by Emma Mills and I just adore her books so I’m excited to get reading! I have some travel in the next few days so I should have a bit of time to read in The airport!
.
Isn’t this sticker lovely? I told Erin yesterday i need this as a tattoo!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #booklife #readerlife #hollyblack #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #igbooks #instaread #igreads #readersofinstagram #mustread  #yareader #yafantasy #bookdragon #booklover
Instagram post 2190157202579415598_56090291 Quick - favorite villain? Do you gravitate towards the hero or the villain? I adore Adelina from The Young Elites by @marieluthewriter this series is so underrated in my opinion!
.
How was your weekend? Today has already been rough - I need to ease back into the job after having a week off- I should know better than not taking a Monday off LOL!
.
Did you read anything fun this weekend? I finished 10 books this week that I had off - and a lot was very good! My fave was Meet Me At Midnight by Jessica Pennington and you must put it on your #TBRPILE
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #mustread #authorlove #booklove #booklife #readerlife #yareader #yafantasy #bookphotography #booklover #bookdragon #igbooks #instaread #dreamyandco
Instagram post 2189364241365181642_56090291 Hit me with your favorite romances this year?
.
Not just contemporary either! I need some more historical romance authors to binge!
.
Isn’t this stack lovely? I kind of love the new covers that have been showing up on shelves lately - they certainly catch my attention!
.
I’m not doing much today- it’s the last day before work starts back up and ugh I wish I could lounge around all day with no obligations lol - who doesn’t right?
.
I mayyyyyy start decorating for Christmas though, we will see! What are you up to!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #bookstagramfeatures #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #booklife #romancereader #readerlife #tbrpile #booksbooksbooks #authorlove #booklove #igbooks #instaread #instabooks #igread
Instagram post 2188594682546619363_56090291 Happy #stacksaturday - what is the book you recommend most often? For me it’s probably #illuminaefiles - I actually just convinced a coworker to download the audio and start it! I love peeking under the jackets of these and finding new things and just saw the “everyone deserves a second chance” on there! (Do they though? Lol)
.
I’m on the end of my PTO that I took and was really good about not checking e-mail etc so I’m kind of already dreading what Monday will bring! Not going to think about it though - I finished 8 books and hope to complete #9 and 10 over the next few days too! It was glorious!
.
#bookgram #bookstagram #booklove #authorlove #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #booklife #readerlife #booksbooksbooks #bookdragon #instaread #instabook #igbooks #igreads #bookphotography #design #bookstagramfeatures
Instagram post 2187972882498544292_56090291 Did you do any Black Friday shopping? I bought myself books in the @book outlet sale which I should not have done but did anyway! Lol
.
This is my reminder of how amazing and beautiful these booksleeves from @juniperbooks are for the #adsom series - a must for anyone who loves these books!
.
My Instagram app was among those that crapped out yesterday for a bit - I had just uninstalled and reinstalled because all week I had been having trouble with accessing my saved draft images and so I kind of panicked a bit not knowing what had happened when I reinstalled and couldn’t log in! Thankfully I am back but have to pull all my draft images back in - something for me to do later today I suppose!
.
I’m in the car and on my way home for hopefully a relaxing remainder of the weekend!  What are you up to?
.
#bookstagrammer #bookgram #instaread #igbooks #igreads #mustread #booklife #booklove #authorlove #bookphotography #bookphotography #yareader #ilovebooks #booksbooksandmorebooks #bookdragon #mybookfeatures #unitedbookstagram #bookstagramfeatures
Instagram post 2187194485887403331_56090291 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all have a wonderful day however you are spending it if you’re in the US and those of you not here I hope you just have a wonderful day period!
.
I’m in the car on the way to my grandmas to see family and I’m trying not to be irritated with my insta app because it keeps shutting down when I try to get into my saved images. I’m hopeful I don’t need to uninstall and reload because I’m also afraid I’ll loose all 140+ pictures!
.
I should tell you all what I’m thankful for but that list would be long, please know you are all on it and I’m thankful for this place that gives me a bit of a break from the real life stress!
.
I am also thankful for this novella from @themackenzilee because it was absolutely wonderful and i adore Monty and Percy so very much! Go grab it ASAP and if you haven’t started this series do it immediately!
.
Have a great day everyone!
.
#bookgram #bookstagrammer #booklove #booklife #mustread #readerlife #booksbooksbooks #Ilovetoread #readersofinstagram #mybookfeatures #bookstagramfeatures #bookphotography #igbooks #igreads #unitedbookstagram #welovebooks #authorlove #yareader #bookcommunity
Instagram post 2186619931787795387_56090291 **GIVEAWAY**
.
As promised you guys! I have a signed copy of Queen of Nothing by @blackholly up for grabs! Erin and I moderated her event here last week and I had an extra copy so one of you lucky followers is going to get this and the sticker that is being given away on the tour!
.
How to enter:
** must be following me! Don’t follow to unfollow - it makes me sad!
** like this post! ** leave a comment telling me which author you’re most thankful for!
** if you would like an extra entry share this to your stories but tag me so I can count it!
** tag a friend or two!!
......
RULES

This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.
.
AGAIN Please do not follow to unfollow!
.
Giveaway ends on December 2nd at midnight CST and the winner will be chosen as soon as possible after validating entries! ( international okay!) .
#giveaway #hollyblack #signedbooks  #becauseofreading #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookcommunity #bookfeature #bookgram #mybookfeatures #bookishfeature #booklover #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #bookstagramfeature #bookstagrammer #featuredbooklovers #igreads #readersofinstagram #readingismagic #unitedbookstagram #welovebooks #igbooks #bookstagram #mustread #booklove #authorlove 
Giveaway accounts are automatically disqualified. Private accounts must be open by the time this giveaway closes. If you follow to Unfollow you will be automatically disqualified.
Instagram post 2186439268518515139_56090291 What’s your favorite kind of pie? My family loves pumpkin and I just dislike pumpkin so much! Each year I bring an alternate dessert to thanksgiving because of this! This year I’m making a lemon tart with a sugar cookie crust! That said I am a huge  fan of cherry and apple pies - those would be my faves!
.
Do you display your bookish art any particularly fun way? I have a lot that i would love to share on my shelves etc, but I can’t seem to figure out what to do with it all!  This print came from #illumicrate and I just couldn’t resist it! I seem to have that problem a lot with #schwab stuff!
.
#bookgram #bookstagramfeature #mybookfeatures #bookishlife #readerlife #bookaddict #igreads #igbooks #instaread #instabook #ilovebooks #bookphotography #bookmerch #mustread #booklife #booklove #autorlove #design #bookart
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Archives

What We’re Currently Reading

Jaime's bookshelf: currently-reading

The Trouble with Destiny
0 of 5 stars
The Trouble with Destiny
by Lauren Morrill
The Beginning of Everything
0 of 5 stars
The Beginning of Everything
by Robyn Schneider
Forget Tomorrow
0 of 5 stars
Forget Tomorrow
by Pintip Dunn

goodreads.com

Erin's bookshelf: currently-reading

Endure
0 of 5 stars
Endure
by Sara B. Larson
The Unquiet
0 of 5 stars
The Unquiet
by Mikaela Everett
Twist
0 of 5 stars
Twist
by Karen Akins

goodreads.com

Upcoming Reviews

None yet!

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Netgalley Badges!

Professional Reader
Frequently Auto-Approved
Challenge Participant

Recent Comments

  • Lisa Loves Lit on Waiting on Wednesday: The Queens of Innis Lear By Tessa Gratton
  • bookbunny68 on Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been On My TBR the Longest and I Still Haven’t Read
  • Kristy Petree on Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been On My TBR the Longest and I Still Haven’t Read
  • MischaS_ on Cover Reveal: Beyond Pain by Kit Rocha
  • Maggie @ ReadingDiva's Blog on Blog Tour: Tempests & Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Recent Posts

  • Flashback Friday: History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
  • Waiting on Wednesday – Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
  • Review: The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins
  • Flashback Friday: Sweep by Cate Tiernan
  • #EJKMHomework – October 2019 Podcast Episode

Grab the Button

Grab this HTML code

Copyright ©2010-2015 Fiction Fare All Rights Reserved Site Design by The CreativeB Login