Review of Black City by Elizabeth Richards

     

          The Story

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. -Amazon

         My Opinion

     To be honest I started reading Black City mainly because of the cover( it's amazing!!!!!). The dual perspectives worried me a little; I've read so many books where one perspective is terrible and the other is not much better. Thankfully my worries were for nothing, Richards was able to perfectly develop both perspectives. Ash fits the forbidden bad boy, who really just needs the chance to prove he's good, profile that I am obsessed with. I couldn't help but be team Ash, even when he was a bit douchey. Natalie, the girl everyone thinks is perfect, was the tool used to reveal the hidden atrocities surrounding a city on the verge of collapse. She grew on me and will definitely be a favorite for those who love kick-ass female characters.

     Black City was the perfect post apocalyptic Romeo and Juliet Story. Of course hot flawed boys are just what a girl needs in a good book.The hot guys, although very important, were not all that made this book such a good read. The plot never slowed and every detail that seemed so minor ended up being hugely important. As the fantasy world created in Black City began to unravel, I was just as surprised as the characters. Richards formed a puzzle of clues and hints that even Sherlock Holmes couldn't figure out. It was so refreshing to not have the obvious plot turns and twists.

       The fights were heartbreaking, the love stories made me cry and by the end the characters felt like old friends.  The romance was like every contemporary romance lovers dream. The conflicts felt like they could really happen. And most importantly the message was beyond beautiful. Black City is the book you read when you want  love, fantasy, and a beautiful message about tolerance wrapped up into a dark dystopian treasure.

Giveaway- To continue celebrating my blog launch I'm giving two copies of Black City ARC's away below! The next book  up will be Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Venom by Fiona Paul

Summary

Cassandra Caravello has everything a girl could desire: elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, invitations to the best parties, and a handsome, wealthy fiancé—yet she longs for something more. Ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman—with a bloody X carved across her heart—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans, and killers. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a poor artist with a mischievous grin . . . and a habit of getting into trouble. Will Cassandra find the murderer before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, romance, and mystery weave together in a novel that’s as seductive and stunning as the city of Venice itself.

My Opinion
   

    Fiona Paul's Venom was beyond what I expected. Originally, since there was so much hype, I was unsure if Venom could actually hold my interest. There was so much buzz surrounding it, that when I stumbled across a copy I just had to read it. I'm not really one to read period pieces but the plot summary was interesting enough to pull me in and it was Venom's main character, Cass, that kept me reading.   

     On the very first page, there was a quote encased in black. It was the perfect way to start an unconventional murder mystery. The quote was intricate enough to peak my interest but didn't give anything away. As I continued reading the quotes became more entwined with the story and I can't help but think they have something to do with the end of the series. 

   As the plot and characters evolved, I just couldn't stop reading. It was one of those novels that you read until you fall asleep exhausted with the book still open on your chest. Needless to say I loved it. The characters, although they were from a different period, were extremely relatable. I especially loved Paul's creation of a villain that was just as wounded as the other characters.   

    There wasn't too much or too little of any aspect in this book. There were hot boy vying for the attention of a kick-ass female lead, a fight scene that made my heart leap into my throat, and an inner dialogue of a teenage girl going through thee same issues that modern day girls are plagued with. I got action, romance and angst in just the right doses. Paul's balanced out characters and plot just continued to surprise me.     

   Fiona Paul created a magical world that placed me right in the center. Paul managed to keep the story steeped in tradition, while making the concepts modern enough to make today's readers fall in love. Venom is the perfect book for anyone looking for love, action and a city filled to the brim with secrets.

  

 Giveaway  - To celebrate the launch of my blog I will be giving away an ARC of venom. Check it out below. Next book up will be Black City by Elizabeth Richards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 
 

Breathless Reads Month

 I'm so happy to be launching my first blog. To kickoff my blog I'm having a breathless reads month. Every week I'm going to be giving away an ARC of a breathless reads book to go along with a review. I hope you stay tuned and enjoy. :)