Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

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. 

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1rvMlmO

MY REVIEW:
5/5 STARS

This series is one of my favorites! I loved Black City and Phoenix did not disappoint!

It started right where book 1 left off and the intensity level was off the charts. An engagement, a threat, & a kidnapping all take place within a few days. Purian Rose *or Sentry Hitler* plans to send the darklings to a new place. He wants to work some and execute the rest. His main goal is to be rid of Ash and the rebellion. He wants the darklings gone and he uses each person within reach as a pawn in his own game. 

Natalie and Ash plan to escape before they are taken... Enter *Elijah* ... That's right he's back! Him and his unique looks and arrogant personality is chasing after the affection of Natalie. Not necessarily as a love interest, but his flirty persona gets him in all kinds of trouble. I never expected a love triangle and to be frank, I'm not usually a fan, but holy crap! Ash and Elijah are too much hotness for one book. Their jealousy steams up the pages and brings out all kinds of emotion. Add in sexual tension, monsters, danger, and one intense betrayal and you get an awesome book!

The story line is the 100 meets Hunger Games meets Divergent. It's action packed with a romeo/juliet romance. There are twists and turns along the way and of course a cliffy ending. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was so consumed by the plot and intrigued by the possibilities... My heart raced, my stomach clenched, and my mind was boggled. I definitely recommend this book to all readers! The Author is a creative genius and the writing is top of the line. 

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

The exhilaratingly seductive new series from the author of the bestselling Starcrossed series

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1mACE42

MY THOUGHTS:

3/5 STARS

I'm quite confused when it comes to rating this one...

On one hand I found myself intrigued by the fantasy world and swooning over the book boyfriends, but on another I have a severe headache from all of the science talk. When I dive into a book I want to be transported from reality and consumed by fantasy. This one transported me, but instead of a magical world, I entered a confusing jumble of mish mash. There were monsters, witches, outlanders, and lots of science talk. I am not opposed to gaining knowledge while reading, but page after page of science descriptions is just not for me. I really wanted to learn more about the different characters, but sadly the story just grazed the surface. There was action, but it wasn't enough to make me want to keep turning the pages. I found myself pushing to get to the end and well even that was just meh. 

I think Rowan and Tristan saved this book for me... I really enjoyed the love triangle, intensity, and humor that the romance brought. I was hoping for more of it, but the story was definitely focused on science. Science, science, science.... Just too much! 

I don't recommend this book...

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.

- http://amzn.to/1IEVFMd

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

This book blew me away. It was fast paced, edgy, suspenseful, and romantic in the most intense way. It's a dystopian that involves a war between humans and darklings or more like a war between a few "well off" humans and everyone else. Natalie (the main character) is in an unfortunate position because she is the emissasary's daughter. Therefore, she is expected to be anti-darklings. She is torn on what to trust though and when Ash comes into her life her views are completely altered. She starts to feel something she shouldn't. She finds herself wrapped up in a forbidden relationship. Her heart wants one thing, but her mind knows that that one thing is a very bad idea. It's a dangerous kind of love that ends in turmoil or.... just another war.

I honestly can't say enough good things. I can't believe I left this book sitting unread for months... That ending rocked my world and wrecked my sanity. I became emotionally connected to the characters for sure. I felt bitter at times, but overall I mostly felt entranced. Black City was a book to not miss. It was unique and beautiful. I literally could've sat and highlighted quotes for days. The Author definitely had a way with words. She captured my heart and pulled me into the story. Even though it's over I still want to be within the pages. I need book two... like now. 

MUST READ EVERYONE- LOVED IT!