Review ~ Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

Phoenix (Black City #2)
by Elizabeth Richards
YA Dystopian
Published: June 4th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

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.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

While I enjoyed bits and pieces of Black City and was invested enough to continue reading the series, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Phoenix. I actually liked it a whole lot better than Black City. The characters had more development and depth to them and it wasn't all about Ash and Natalie's relationship. Well, I guess Black City wasn't either, but it felt like it.

Phoenix is a non-stop adventure right from the beginning. There is so much that happens and at points you are left feeling empty and wondering, "did that really just happen?" I won't say who, but I will tell you that Elizabeth Richards has no problem killing her characters. Elijah is an interesting character that I still don't know if I like or not. Ok, after the ending... don't think I like him.

I can't wait to read what happens next. Especially since I no longer want to smack Ash and Natalie on the back of the head and tell them to trust each other again. Excellent book that actually makes me want to go back and re-read the first to see what I missed.