Book Review: Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Title: Black City

Author: Elizabeth Richards

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's sons (Penguin)

Release Date: November 13, 2012

Source: ARC from publisher (BEA)

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.(goodreads)

My Thoughts:

A dark and heart gripping suspense story of love and war. The world Elizabeth Richards reflected a world of devastation and injustice. Everywhere you turn, its full of hopelessness. If you've read my previous reviews here in my blog, you'll know I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic and dystopian books. Where the world is poised to be ruined and suffering. But you know what makes me still love it? Its the hope. The hope that everything will get better. And it's equally romantic, don't you think?

In Black City, it's the aftermath of the war between Humans and the darklings, creatures That are like vampires but they're really not. Only nine cities remain, and one of them is the Black city. The story circles around Ash, a half darkling, and Natalie, the daughter of the city's leader, whose paths have crossed and in the long run they fall in love. As we delve more into the story, we are exposed to more injustices and cruelty of the government lead by Purian Rose. Murders and mysteries of the past are left unsolved. Secrets and lies pawned to the citizens will soon be revealed, but not before many perished lives. There is a love story, as well as political intrigues. Alliances are formed, and yeah okay I was kind of reminded of the Hunger games with the novel. I only find it weird that in this poor world they live in, they still have cellphones, TVs, and medias! But that's what makes it unique. However, somehow my mind can't mix their way of vintage outfits, modern technologies, bloody war and a really really dark and weird environment. When 'sunshine' is mentioned, I can't picture it happening on the gloomy world my imagination reflected, lol.

Anyway, I'm sort of devastated with the ending. Dang it! I thought this was not a series! Anyway, the story was still good and I love how my mind's wheels are turning while reading the novel. The ending made me cry loads. We are led to believe of something, but I knew in someway it wouldn't happen. And what a relief it was when the 'something' did not happen. Instead, that event, I think, served as a symbol of hope to every citizen of the forsaken land.