Book Review: Phoenix By Elizabeth Richards

Name: Phoenix
Author: Elizabeth Richards
Publisher: Putnam
Release date: June 2013

Summary:Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed.
The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

Review:When Black City finished with that epic ending I was biting my nails for months waiting for Phoenix to arrive in my hands and it was worth the wait. From High school students to full blown action heroes! Phoenix is like a whole new level. Love, destruction, gore and heartbreak. Life has gotten worse in Black City. Purian Rose threatens Natalie's life unless Ash votes in favour of Rose's law- a law that will send darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the tenth.

I haven't felt so emotional reading a book in a long time. This book is defiantly not for younger readers. This skilfully crafted novel contains some mysticism, mystery, intrigue, sex, epic fight scenes, humour and romance in a neat package that is not just entertaining but challenges your mind and imagination. Elizabeth has created word images so vivid that it is almost like watching a movie. She takes you for a ride through The United Century States as Ash and Natalie find themselves in a action packed suspenseful events.

I was hoping that we would learn more about the world outside Black city and boy do we! We meet sexy new characters for example Elijah! I won't give much away but I can tell from reading Elizabeth's novels she likes to take risks and those risks pay off tremendously. Twists and turns are what Elizabeth's writing is about. I find myself always on the edge of my seat. You don't know who to trust where to look or what your feeling because her writing takes you on a roller coaster of emotions.

The plot is amazing Ash can't bring himself to trade Natalie's life for those millions of Darklings. The only way to save everyone is to escape Black City and find the Ora, a powerful weapon that could take down Purian Rose for good. I grew a serious hate for Purian rose and Sebastian. Elizabeth has a knack for drawing so much emotion from her books that makes the reader feel so passionate about her novels and it's characters.

 

Once again Elizabeth has blown me away and as I sit here after reading this book with tears running down my face I've realised that this book is one of the most heart-renching emotional YAs I've read in a long time. I need the third book NOW.