Blog Tour: Black City

Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards
Published by Putnam Juvenile on June 4th 2013
Genres: Young Adult- Fantasy/Dystopian
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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.(less)

THE RAINBOW FOREST

 

Source: cuipo.org

In PHOENIX, I introduce a new community of people, called the Dacians. I wanted them to live in a colorful, vibrant place, which had a slightly magical feel about it, so when I saw this photo of some eucalyptus trees, the idea of the Rainbow Forest came to me. The forest is on a hill, on the outskirts of Thrace, where Giselle’s people are hiding out. I love the neon colors of the trees, as they’re such a stark contrast to Black City’s cinderstone buildings and dark skies.

 

EXCERPT:

Giselle turns down a tunnel to our right. This one is much smaller and is on a slight incline; I have to stoop to prevent my head from hitting the arched ceiling. We follow this passageway for a few hundred yards. The father we go, the quieter the city above us becomes, until eventually, there’s complete silence. We reach a flight of stairs and exit through an abandoned service hut, which leads into the Rainbow Forest.

            Even in the moonlight, it’s immediately apparent how the woodland earned its name. The forest is densely populated with eucalyptus trees, whose bark is a patchwork of bright colors: lime green, sunset orange, purple amethyst, sea blue, maroon. Scattered between them are a few sap-green conifers and Carrow trees, with their famous star-shaped amber leaves.

            I turn around to get a better look at the city below us. We’re on a hill, so from this vantage point, I can see across most of Thrace. Thousands of people run through the streets as a steady stream of Transporters brings more troops down to secure the city.

 

– from Phoenix (A Black City Novel), page 272

PHOENIX (A Black City Novel) is released on June 4.  You can view the full synopsis on Goodreads.

 

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