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13
Nov

Breathless Reads Interview + Giveaway: BLACK CITY

Hi! Today we’re celebrating the release of BLACK CITY by Elizabeth Richards.

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.

I LOVED this book. It’s definitely one of my favorites of 2012! I was expecting a swoonworthy Romeo and Juliet romance between Nat and Ash, and I absolutely got that. The first scene where they make a move on each other during a training sequence had me holding my breath. But there’s also brilliant dystopian worldbuilding. I was fascinated by the differences between Darkling society and humans, and between the Sentries (like Natalie’s family) and the workboots (like her new friends).The Darklings’ desire for civil rights absolutely won my sympathies, and Natalie’s gradual awakening to their plight was very well-done. I can’t wait to read the sequel, PHOENIX! And I highly, highly recommend you hie yourself to the bookstore (or library) and check out BLACK CITY!

Now for our interview:

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Ash is a damaged, dangerous, sexy Darkling. (JS: Yes. Yes, he is.)

Natalie is a conflicted, rebellious, courageous Sentry.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

BLACK CITY is a dark, romantic, dystopian novel.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Iā€™m a shy, passionate, sci-fi geek.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

Japan, Fiji islands, Thailand.

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Geology, life-drawing, cake decorating. (JS: ooh, cake decorating would be fun!)

6. If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Illustrator, special effects artist, editor.

7. What are 3 of your favorite flowers?

Gerbera, freesias, Antique roses.

8. What are 3 of your favorite foods?

Yorkshire Puddings, white chocolate, banoffee pie.

9. What are 3 of your favorite books?

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by JK Rowling, HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, THE LIAR by Stephen Fry.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Elizabeth!

And thanks to Penguin, we also have a giveaway! This will be open until Saturday at midnight, and is only open to US residents. (Edited to add: Sorry for any confusion! I forgot to fully update the Rafflecopter question from my last giveaway, for VENOM, but the book up for grabs is definitely BLACK CITY!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 Responses

  1. Haily

    I read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo a while ago, which had a Darkling in it. Well, actually it had the Darkling in it, and I just have to know what's up with the Darklings in Black City. Thanks for the giveaway!

  2. Cassy C

    I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while now. And I’ve been wanting to read it as I am a dystopian fiction kinda girl and just want to know what happens!!

  3. How could you not be excited to read Black City??????? The cover is spectacular, it's dystopian, there are vampires…I mean come on!!! If I wasn't a broke college student I would already have this book!

  4. Joanna W.

    I'm totally stoked for Black City! I find the cover amazing. I love white backgrounds in covers and what appears to be a shattered rose over a city scape, plus the Romeo & Juliet storyline–with Romeo (Ash) being a Darkling. Also, reading the first four chapters in the Breathless Reads Fall Sampler got me hooked and anxious to want to see what happens next to Ash and Natalie. C:

  5. Kim B

    I have been waiting to read this for so long! I haven't had a chance to read it since it came out but I am excited to finally read it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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