Hello ladies (& the occasional gentleman),
Welcome to my stop on the Black City blog tour. Before we move on to the main focus of today's post, let's get to know the tour and the book.
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.
This tour is hosted by the ladies at Good Choice Reading ;)
And the most incredible lady who created BLACK CITY and the character whom I'm interviewing today is none other than...
Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist, who spent her early career reviewing videogames before making the bold (or crazy) move into travel writing, despite suffering from terrible travel sickness.
In her spare time, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls, where she got to interview many of her favourite bands, go to gigs and basically bag loads of free swag all in the name of ‘research’.
Elizabeth lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her husband. Black City is her debut novel.
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Hello Day,
Let's play Truth and Dare without the Dare part *grins evilly*!
Question one. Tell us how you fell in love with Beetle. I want to hear about that specific memory, the more detailed the better!
I’d had a crush on Beetle for ages; we’ve known each other ever since we were kids. But the day I realized I loved him was almost two years ago, when I’d just turned fifteen. I was walking home from school, carrying loads of books as always, when Gregory Thompson and a few of the other Prefects cornered me. They started pushing me around, saying really mean things. I was scared. Beetle saw them, and came to my rescue. They all got into fight, and Beetle got beaten up pretty bad, but he didn’t care. He was more concerned about me, and if I was okay. He even walked me home to make sure I was safe, despite the fact it’s an hour out of his way, and he carried my books. That’s when I knew.
Wow, can't resist a guy who carries your books *winks*!
Now, what is one thing that you secretly dislike about Natalie, but would never ever ever tell her straight in her face? (You can tell me, I can keep a secret :)
She’s a slob! Natalie’s had a housekeeper her whole life, so has never had to clean up after herself, and her side of our room is a total pigsty!
Not as scandalous as I'd have liked... But, on to the serious questions.
How does it feel, seeing your whole world change in the matter of a few weeks? Describe everything that took place in Black City since Natalie's arrival, in your point of view. I want to hear your story :)
It’s been a crazy few weeks. So much has changed! A few weeks ago, I was just this geeky girl at school with no friends. And suddenly I’m asked to mentor the new girl, but she’s not just any girl, she’s the Sentry Emissary’s daughter! Like, oh my days! I couldn’t believe my luck. I’ve always admired the Emissaries. I was sort of nervous about meeting Natalie at first; I thought she’d be a total Sentry brat. But she turned out to be really friendly, and we instantly hit it off and became the best of friends.
Then Ash came along. I knew something was going on between those two. It was just the way Natalie kept bringing him up, or trying to defend him, or went bright red whenever she saw him. I sensed she had feelings for him, probably before she even realised she did. I have to admit I wasn’t that happy when they finally got together...in fact, I handled it pretty badly. (Insert interviewer's comment: "Yes you did *coughs*") But when Ash saved Beetle’s life, and I found out he’d also been helping wean Beetle off Haze, I realized I’d misjudged him.
My perceptions of the world have really changed over these past few weeks. Since witnessing the horrors in the ghetto, and discovering the truth behind the Golden Haze, I started seeing things differently. I realized the Darklings weren’t our enemy, the Sentry was, and I should be trying to help Humans for Unity bring down the wall. Hopefully one day we’ll succeed.
I believe that you will, Day!
What is your honest opinion about Darklings and which is your favourite species and why?
Oh...well, that’s complicated. I have to admit, I wasn’t really a fan of the Darklings until recently. It upsets me how so humans get addicted to their venom, Haze, like my boyfriend Beetle. It destroys lives. But since getting to know Ash a little better, and joining Humans for Unity, I’ve really learnt to admire them. My favourite species? Don’t tell Natalie, but I like the Nordins. Their wings are just so pretty, and I love the idea of being able to fly! Maybe Sigur will take me up for a spin one day.
Methinksotoo :) Wings are pretty!
But, do you think that you are a possessive person? (e.g. breaking up with Natalie because of her dating Ash)
Erm...yeah, I might be. A little. I just don’t have many friends. Okay, any friends other Natalie, so I’m a bit possessive of her. I was very close to Beetle for a while, but then he got addicted to Haze, because of Ash, and we broke up. Then Natalie came along, and I finally get a best friend. And guess what? Ash takes her from me as well. I was pissed! But it’s all good now, and I’m trying to learn to share.
Sharing is important, Day. Especially sharing friends. Because, trust me, you'll gain more friends!
Question six (this or that). Okay, this is the best part of our bout of TRUTH OR TRUTH.
- Would you prefer to be a loner with no friends OR a girl with a lot of friends who all secretly hate you?
If you asked me a few months ago, I would’ve said ‘girl with lots of friends who secretly hate me’, but I realize now what true friendship is, and I wouldn’t want to hang around with a bunch of girls who hated me. So, I’d say loner.
- Would you rather be Purian Rose OR your dad?
My papa! I admire him so much. He’s intelligent, and brave, and kind. He’s the best dad in the world.
- Would you rather join the Darklings in the Legion OR join Humans for Unity?
Humans for Unity, so I can stay with Beetle.
- Would you rather date Ash OR Sebastian?
Physically, I’m more attracted to Sebastian, but he’s just a terrible, terrible person. So I’d date Ash.
Lovely talking to you, Day!
Thanks for chatting to me!
We need more people like you in YA ;) After all, we book bloggers are all sweet bookworms with spectacles, a bit bossy and obsessive at times, but always people with a good heart.
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GIVEAWAY (Aw, yeah!)
To know more about the world of Black City, do check out the other amazing blogs on the block!
Week One (1st-2nd)
1st - Good Choice Reading - Tour Kick-off
1st - Bookish - Review of Black City
Week Two (5-9th)
7th - The Reading Date - Review of Black City
7th - Shortie Says - Character Highlight
8th - Book Nerd - Book Highlight
8th - Forever 17 Books - Review of Black City
9th - The Mod Podge Bookshelf - Character Highlight
Week Three (12th-16th)
13th - A Book Lovers Review - Review of Black City
13th - Fantasys Ink - Character Interview
14th - Fade Into Fantasy - Character Highlight
15th - My Life is A Notebook - Character Highlight
16th - Books Over Boys - Character Highlight
Week Four (19th-23rd)
20th - The Readers Antidote - Author Interview
21st - No Thoughts 2 Small - Book Highlight
21st - A Book Lovers Review - Character Interview
22nd - Books With Bite - Book Highlight
23rd - Mostly YA Book Obsessed - Review of Black City
23rd - Fiction Freak - Character Interview
Week Five (26th -30th)
27th - Manga Maniac Café - Author Interview
28th - Always YA at Heart - Character Highlight
29th - Bookcase to Heaven - Character Interview
29th - The Book Vixen - Book Highlight
30th - Dark Readers - Character Highlight
xoxo,
Sel
