Blackbrooke III: King of Queens: Character Interview

Today we're thrilled to spotlight Emma Silver's Blackbrooke III: King of Queens, the final installment in the Blackbrooke trilogy, with an interview with our favorite character from the series, Denzil Rathbone. King of Queens releases tomorrow, and if you're looking for some spooky reads in time for Halloween, definitely check out this series!

The Blackbrooke Trilogy:

Blackbrooke
Blackbrooke II: The Guardian
Blackbrooke III: King of Queens

** Our Interview with Denzil **

Hi Denzil! We're thrilled to welcome you back to Rally the Readers for a third visit!

Awesome to speak to you. Jones and his cronies stole the postcard you sent me so I’m glad you got back in touch.

How rude of them! Well, we're glad to hear from you, too! A lot of things have changed since we last talked, including a big one for you: how did it feel to cut off your dreads?

Oh wow, it was a big moment. It takes a lot of work to completely leave your hair alone, without washing or combing it. So many years. No, I had to after the tunnels. I was covered in blood and once it dried it really did smell bad. Maz wouldn’t come near me and I had to bite the bullet and get the clippers out. The problem is you can see my face now. I didn’t realise my face was so long actually. I look in the mirror and see a horse. Maz likes it, so that’s all that matters I suppose.

Taking out Crits can't be a pleasant experience, but when it's necessary, what's your weapon of choice?

I like a gun. I don’t have too many of them after the famous Jones clearout. It’s a good clean way of getting the job done. I must say though, if I had a flamethrower, I’d be all over it. I could waste a long line of them with one of those . . . .

What are your feelings towards Cassius these days? What do you think about Liberty's feelings towards him?

I’m shaking my head right now. Listen, I liked the kid when we were doing the Scooby gang thing. I thought he was sweet and you could tell he had feelings for Liberty. I would have trusted her life with him. It’s a different story now. He’s let the power go to his head and the hatred he’s got for her makes my blood boil. That’s teenagers for you - the world ends over the most ridiculous things. I mean, a kiss for god’s sake? Get a grip, man. Liberty is doing her usual martyr crap. She loves him in some weird way, but it’s that typical thing she does. The girl wants to change the world and maybe he’s the next project. I don’t know. It’s been a fair few years since I was that age, so I’m probably not being fair.

What's your worst memory from Blackbrooke? Favorite?

Worst? Hmmm, there’s been a fair few shit moments. Can I say shit? [Absolutely!] Anyway, some of the worst times have been to do with Maz, unfortunately. Losing her to Jonathan Jones, seeing her get married and have a kid, losing her a second time when she joined Fuller’s vigilantes, watching her get bit by a Hunter . . . . Yeah, it’s been rough. My favourite memories, aside to the early days with Maz, are probably when it was just me and Lib working in the shop. She started out a little brat, but you can’t fault that sense of humour. She’s a smart little lady, and she gets me. Not many people have ever really got me in my life so meeting a teenage girl who did was a surprise. She gave me a reason to be alive when I needed it the most. I don’t want to say too much about that though, she’s already a nightmare. Don’t want that head getting any bigger.

With this part of Blackbrooke's story coming to a close, any parting thoughts?

It’s been a rush! I have so many things I could say about Blackbrooke. Sometimes it makes me laugh until I cry and sometimes I just . . . cry! One thing I learnt was the importance of people. If all of this happened when I didn’t have Liberty or Maz in my life, I would have walked out and ended it at the first opportunity. People give you the reason to go on and fight for what’s right. I’m just pissed off that I spent so many years pushing people away and living as a recluse. I call those the wasted years!

Thanks so much for all of the time you've given us not just for this interview but for your previous blog chats as well. All the best to you in the future!

My pleasure, ladies. Hey, if you’re in the area, drop by some time.

ARC Review: Blackbrooke III: King of Queens by Emma Silver

Blackbrooke III: King of Queens
By Emma Silver
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Publication Date: October 14, 2014

To Sum It Up: Liberty Connor has returned to Blackbrooke to try and save her town from being destroyed not only by the Crits but by a human threat as well. Liberty’s odds of even surviving long in Blackbrooke, where the Rules no longer apply and the Crits terrorize the residents day and night, are slim, but she’s determined to fight until the end. She’ll have to put aside whatever feelings she still has for Cassius Godwin, whom she’s known since childhood but who now leads the Crits on a mission to obliterate Blackbrooke.

Lee's Review: With Halloween right around the corner, now is the perfect time for a scare-tastic read like Blackbrooke III: King of Queens. I’m also feeling a bit sentimental about the book, as it’s the last chapter in a series about a small English town where the absolutely terrifying creatures known as Crits menace the residents, essentially keeping the humans prisoner within Blackbrooke’s borders. It’s been a thrilling ride across three novels, and King of Queens concludes the trilogy with a strong finish.

Being the hopeless wimp that I am, I don’t typically gravitate towards books with a high scare factor, but I’ve very much enjoyed this series. The Crits are grotesque as hell, but that’s been the fun of reading about them. You don’t get too far into King of Queens before you’re reminded of how vicious they are and how much they love to snack on humans. You also spend a good deal of the book waiting for them to strike yet again and horrified when they do. The suspense and pacing of the action are so spot-on here. A constant feeling of unease hangs in the air while reading this because you never know what the Crits and their human leader, Cassius, are going to do next.

Cassius, once teased mercilessly as a child by the other Blackbrooke kids, now wields the upper hand as the only person who holds the closest thing to control over the Crits. He and his “army” engage in a chilling game of cat and mouse with Blackbrooke’s residents. All the while, though, he seems to have a cryptic, alternate agenda on his mind, too. Working out exactly what Cassius’s endgame is adds even more mystery to an already taut story.

I love how the axe has become protagonist Liberty’s favorite weapon. With her axe in hand, there’s no stopping her, not even the pleas of her friends to not venture out on her own to face Cassius and the Crits. That’s why Liberty finds herself back in Blackbrooke, though, and once she sets her mind to a task, there’s no second guessing for her.

Watching the development of this story and these characters has been awesome. Even during the occasional moments when I wanted to cover my eyes, I didn’t because that would have meant turning away from the page. Although the ending of King of Queens couldn’t have been written any more perfectly, I think it’d be cool to eventually have a follow-up, even just a novella, to check in once more on Liberty and her companions.

All in All: If you’re looking for a pre-Halloween fright, then you need to start this series. I became more invested with each book I read, and Blackbrooke III: King of Queens was a very satisfying series finale.

Ally's Review: The much anticipated Blackbrooke III: King of Queens did not disappoint! It felt so energizing to be back in Blackbrooke, especially since the last book left off with a terrible (and when I say terrible, I mean that in the best way possible) cliffhanger. I easily got caught up in all the wonderful action and managed to finish the entire book in one night.

With every installment in the Blackbrooke series comes the promise of action and horror, which is one of the main aspects that I love about the books. This particular book is, in my opinion, the scariest. I made the mistake of starting the book at night time and I was flipping out whenever any of the Crits, especially the Queens, made an appearance. Instead of getting used to the Crits and their violence towards the humans, I was more horrified than ever. And I loved it. It's incredibly hard to find a good book that can actually scare you as a reader. I admire Blackbrooke for its ability to terrify me and I patiently await the day when I can find another series to compete with it. Along with the horror, there is plenty of action. All of the characters are such badasses! If I could describe King of Queens in just one word it would be badass. There was not one dull moment in the whole entire book. The story is fast-paced and it flowed perfectly. I was thankful that I didn't have to wait too long for some of the confrontations because the suspense was killing me.

The characters are yet another reason to love this series. I am so proud of Liberty, the main female character. Throughout the series, she has grown into a remarkably strong woman, and I love the fact that she doesn't sit around and let others do the work for her. Her relationship with Cassius had me on edge throughout the entire book. Cassius turning "evil" wrecked me. At first, I welcomed it, thinking that it would be an interesting twist to the story, but I soon missed the old Cass. It's weird, because in the previous books I had a hard time connecting to him and I honestly couldn't care less about his character. But something about him being evil changed my perspective. It is very difficult and slightly depressing to read about him and Libby being on opposing sides. My favorite character is and always will be Denzil. Denzil is so wonderfully humorous; he brings rays of sunshine into the otherwise dark and scary town of Blackbrooke. I felt that he also grew up a lot this time around, and I credit him for keeping the gang together.

The only aspect of the book that I did not enjoy was the fact that I felt like while some of the characters (Libby) were figuring stuff out, I was still left in the dark. Normally, mysteries do not bother me, seeing that I enjoy puzzling them out. The problem was that I felt like the mystery was solved but the answers weren't clearly stated. I had to do a lot of guesswork when it came to figuring out what had happened and what was going on.

The ending. Oh my God, the ending is so ridiculously beautiful, I couldn't help but laugh. Everything fell perfectly in place, and I couldn't have asked for anything more. All of the characters got exactly what they deserved. It was just a perfect ending to the series. I have enough closure to move on with my life but I am still invested enough to want to know what happens next. Hopefully, this won't be the last time I see Libby and the gang.

All in All: King of Queens is a brilliant addition to an amazing series. Everything, ranging from the horror to the plot, is on point. I loved every single action-packed moment and I couldn't be happier with how things were left off.

Blackbrooke II Blog Tour: Review & Character Interview

Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for Blackbrooke II: The Guardian by Emma Silver! Today we're both reviewing this thrilling sequel to last year's Blackbrooke, as well as welcoming back Denzil Rathbone, one of Blackbrooke's coolest residents, for another character interview.

Blackbrooke II: The Guardian
By Emma Silver
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing
Amazon | Goodreads

* A copy was provided by the author for review.

Synopsis:

Liberty’s fight continues.

After she had discovered the truth behind "walk outs" in her hometown of Blackbrooke and forced to sacrifice her best friend, Liberty Connor thought she was finally free.

But her nightmare was only just beginning.

Taken to the Institute, a research facility dedicated to Blackbrooke, Liberty finds herself under the watchful eye of sinister Blackbrooke guardian, Mr. Jones. Things aren’t as they seem. Familiar faces provide little comfort, and she soon realizes the Crits aren’t the only specimens under the microscope.

Determined to escape, Liberty is once again plunged into a world beyond her comprehension. The one thing she knows for certain is: trust no one.

Friends become strangers, but help is at hand from unexpected quarters. Forced to confront her real enemy, Liberty is left with one familiar choice.

Fight.

Ally's Review:

The ending of the first installment of the Blackbrooke series truly left my head spinning. I was teased with the sweet promise of closure and justice only to have that ripped away from me. I had to wait in suspense to find out what happened to Liberty and the rest of the gang. Blackbrooke II: The Guardian was no better when it came to rewarding the reader with answers and compensation for all the emotional trauma he or she has to undergo when reading about the Crits in all their ungodly glory.

In my opinion, the best thing that happened in this book was the change of setting. Blackbrooke is an awesome place to read about with all of its mystery and sketchy people. It’s too crazy not to love. But like the old saying goes, too much of a good thing . . . . I just know I would have been claustrophobic if the scenery didn’t change from the first book. The Institute was new and interesting. It opened a door for the introduction of new characters and some character development. It also gave some answers to the questions floating about in my mind, yet it did raise some new questions of its own. It was nice to take a break, and it also gave the reader the opportunity to miss the wacky, old town.

The characters were just as great. It was super easy to fall back into step with the gang. It was sad having Noah gone; he was one of my favorite characters, but with all the stuff Cassius and Liberty were dealing with, it was easy to get all caught up in the action. Liberty was tougher and more independent this time around. She didn’t let the Crits scare her and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Cassius, on the other hand, has always been harder for me to relate to. With the reappearance of Gabriel, Liberty’s ex-boyfriend, I found Cassius slightly annoying. Cass was so insecure about his relationship with Liberty that it made me sick. I lost count of how many times Liberty had to tell him that she loved him. And Gabriel wistfully lurking in the background was just plain ridiculous and wasn’t helping the situation. I get that Cassius didn’t want to have to go through losing Liberty again, but he needed to man up. In reality, I don’t think Liberty really needs a guy.

The action and conflict in book two were much more interesting. Instead of just fighting against the Crits, who are creepy as all hell, the gang had to go toe-to-toe with Mr. Jones and the town itself. But even with the new opposition bearing down on Liberty’s shoulders, there were small miscellaneous gaps of nothing dotting the story. There were times when nothing of interest was happening, and they dragged the book down. If I wasn’t so pumped about taking down Mr. Jones and the Crits, I think I would have been disappointed with the fluidity of the story.

Blackbrooke is one of the best horror series I have ever come across. It’s really hard to scare people with words alone, but Blackbrooke does its job. I did my best to read it in highly lit areas with several other people around, but when I was reading alone at night I had to put a lot of effort into remembering that it was all fictional. The first installment in the Blackbrooke series was amazing, and the sequel didn’t disappoint.

All in All:

Blackbrooke II: The Guardian was creepy, action-packed, and loads of fun. If it’s even possible, I’m left with even more questions than I had when I started.

Lee's Review:

Liberty Connor and her trusty, Crit-slaying axe are back, and I was very happy to see them both. Horror is a genre I don’t read too often due to being a gigantic chicken, but I really enjoyed the first Blackbrooke. Emma Silver has a way of writing horror that gives me a severe case of the creeps yet eager to read more of it.

Blackbrooke II: The Guardian continues in the scary footsteps of its predecessor. I loved what Silver did with the sequel, opening with a flashback to the chilling details of an event from Blackbrooke and then picking up in the present with Liberty at Blackbrooke’s Institute, where she was taken after her and Cassius’s run-in with the Queens. The Institute is a research facility that ostensibly works to improve the lives of Blackbrooke’s citizens, but of course Liberty is too smart to fall for that line. She distrusts the place and most of its staff. Quite a bit of the book focuses on what’s going on at the Institute, and I was totally into all of the government conspiracy-type stuff. For a small town, Blackbrooke certainly has a lot of secrets.

The book’s antagonist, Jonathan Jones, is the very definition of the word. How I wanted to see him get devoured by a Crit. He’s the type of bad guy who thinks he’s smarter than everyone and who revels in his villainy. Luckily, Liberty’s not the type of heroine who backs down without a good fight, even with Mr. Jones going out of his way to terrorize her.

Just when I thought that the book wasn’t going to set foot outside of the Institute—hello, plot twist! It was a clever one, too, and in general, the book held me in suspense over where it was heading next. The plotting in Blackbrooke II was top-notch; I was constantly surprised and didn’t feel that any part lagged, which was something I did occasionally experience while reading the first book. This is a finely tuned sequel that expands on the original premise and pushes it to a new level, all while continuing to give me a terrific fright. And I am fully ready and willing to be scared all over again with the next book.

All in All:

If horror’s your thing and you haven’t checked out this series yet, then you really need to. Returning to Blackbrooke was even more awesome than I’d hoped it would be, even when I was trying to clear my mind of images of the Crits before I went to sleep at night.

** Our Interview with Denzil **

We're thrilled to once again have Denzil Rathbone, Blackbrooke resident and proprietor of Tales from the Crits, the place to find all of your favorite Crits-themed merchandise, here on the blog. Denzil was kind enough to answer a few questions for us and to talk about what's been going on since we last chatted with him.

Welcome back to Rally the Readers, Denzil! It’s been a while since we last spoke to you, and it looks like a lot has been going on in your life since then. Can you bring us up to date a little on what’s been happening with you since that night Liberty took Cassius to the Queens?

Whoa, it's been interesting. I want to tell you it's been a thrill ride but there was nothing thrilling about it. The night the kids walked out is one of the worst of my life. I should have known they weren't going to come back. Maz was crying and I kept telling her over and over again they were going to come strolling through the door. She managed to fall asleep on the floor of the shop but I sat, wide-awake, staring at the door until the sun came up. I wanted them all to come back, even Cass which would have defeated the point of them going out in the first place. I actually felt sorry for the Crits having to go up against Noah. Did you see the lad? I wouldn't have messed with him. But, more than anything, I wanted Lib back with every ounce of my soul. When I realised that wasn't going to happen, the situation went from bad to worse . . .

You and Liberty have been through some harrowing adventures together. Out of all of them, which one would you say has been the scariest?

Yeah, we've had some . . . interesting encounters. I'd have to say there was nothing more scary than seeing her leave the shop with Cass and Noah but that didn't really involve me. I was scared in the tunnels, of course. That was really messed up. Everything about that night was.

Have you ever met Liberty’s family?

No. Her dad came to the shop to try and persuade her to come home after we formed our version of the Scooby Gang but other than that, I've never spoken to them. I'm surprised they didn't scope me out seeing as I'm a bloke who spends a lot of time with their teenage daughter but I know from the bits Lib told me that her family has a few issues. I don't probe. She comes to work to escape and if that's the only thing I can offer, that's cool with me.

You aren’t on the friendliest of terms with Jonathan Jones, Blackbrooke’s mayor and the headmaster of Blackbrooke Academy. Is there any truth to what he said about you being a troublemaker during your school days?

Let's get one thing straight, I wasn't a troublemaker. I didn't seek out or cause problems but I did supply my classmates with contraband and I was scruffy. Jones had my card marked from day one and hauled me into his office for any reason he could find. He must have known the story with my home life but he did it anyway. And what's worse is that he seemed to enjoy it. We of course now know the reason why he did it. He got what he wanted.

What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to say to Mr. Jones?

You wouldn't be able to print the things I'd like to say to that man. Think of the worst expletives and you get the idea. On a serious note, after everything that's happened recently I'd want to laugh in his face, but then I remember the man stole twenty years from me and I'm back to reigning offensive insults again.

What went through your mind when you were left in that cattle field?

I hope this is quick. I expected to start thinking about my life and all that crap but I didn't. I was surprised at how practical my mind worked when facing certain death. I was even feeling grateful to Blackbrooke police for making me bleed because it meant the Crits would smell me and kill me quickly. I was cursing the rain for washing it away. It was very strange.

If you could swap places with any character from a movie or a book for a day, who would it be and why?

I'd be Bruce Campbell from ANY movie he stars in. That dude doesn't die. He kicks everyone's ass, gets the girl and still has time to deliver the best one-liners in cinema history. He's my hero. If my life were a Bruce Campbell movie, I'd be one of the poor swines who bit the dust really early. I'm not meant to live to the end of any story. Sounds morbid, right? I know, it's just a feeling I have that my days are numbered. Bloody hell, that was one of the more fun questions and I still made it depressing. Sorry guys, it's been a rough week . . .

If you could have one of your dreams come true, which one would you choose?

Living in a beach hut with the woman I love and watching the sun set every night. Maybe Lib could be there to serve us drinks. She'd love that. I think she secretly dreams of being my slave.

What's your ideal future for Blackbrooke?

Blackbrooke doesn't have a future. Get everyone out and bulldoze the place. I used to think the shop meant everything to me but it really doesn't. I also used to think I couldn't care for another soul in the world after losing so many but Liberty Bell saved me from that nonsense. Things and places mean nothing if you don't have the people you love around you. God listen to me, I've gone all soft . . .

Thanks so much for your time today, Denzil! We really appreciate it, and we wish you the best of luck!

Blackbrooke Blog Tour: Character Interview & Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for Emma Silver's Blackbrooke, hosted by Book Me! Today we'll be chatting with Denzil, Blackbrooke resident and owner of Tales from the Crits, your one-stop shopping center for all things Crits-related. You can read our reviews of the book here. There's also an awesome giveaway, so read on!

Blackbrooke
By Emma Silver
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing
Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis: I live in Blackbrooke and you would have had to be living under a rock to never have heard of it before now. This town is different to most others…Humans aren’t the only residents…”

The residents of Blackbrooke share their town with the Creatures, or Crits as they are known. Grotesque, roaming the streets at night looking for food, their presence means humans have to live by the Rules, keeping them indoors and forbidding them of basic desires.

The most important Rule?

Don’t be a ‘walk out’!

Straight-A student, Liberty Connor, hates the Crits and the endless Rules she and her tight knit group of friends have to live by.

Planning her new life on the Outside with her boyfriend, Gabriel, Liberty whiles away her days waiting to turn 18, so they can leave and be free. That is, until the world she thinks she knows begins to unravel…

Her friends start to walk out. So she’s told. However, something’s not right. Things don’t add up.

Liberty faces a race against time to discover what’s going on with the Creatures of Blackbrooke.

Is it them she has to fear, or something much closer to home?

Blackbrooke is a Young Adult horror novel that has you on the edge of your seat.

Our Interview with Denzil

Welcome to Rally The Readers, Denzil! Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today. To start with, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Not a lot to tell. I’m a teenager trapped in an old, decaying body. Seriously, I caught myself letting out a sound when I bent over to pick something up yesterday. It’s depressing. Erm, what else? I own Tales from the Crits which is Blackbrooke’s one and only souvenir shop for the tourists. It’s a royal pain in the arse but it’s been in the family for years so I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Bloody hell, I sound a bit grumpy, don’t I? I’m just a free spirit, an old soul that’s fallen between the cracks of Blackbrooke that no one remembers or notices. Suits me just fine.

If it’s not too personal of a question, can you tell us a little about your family? Have you ever wanted to walk out yourself?

Walking out is a mug’s game. Only the weak walk out and you’ll never, ever catch me doing it. I wouldn’t give those Crits the satisfaction, they already rob enough from us. I don’t have any family left. My parents walked out when I was in my teens and my grandmother died soon after so I was just left to it. I don’t know why my parents did it and I don’t really want to know.

We're really sorry about what happened to your family. Have you ever thought about just leaving Blackbrooke for the Outside?

Oh yeah definitely but . . . who’d look after the shop? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it drives me mad but I couldn’t just leave it. If I did get out of here though, I’d probably head to somewhere with a really laid back atmosphere. The Australian tourists are always a laugh so that would be a good place to start. I mean its a country that counts koala bears as one of their national animals and aren’t the little critters always high as a kite on eucalyptus? Gotta love that.

You seem to have quite a few connections on the Outside (very handy when you need, say, an axe or a machete in a hurry). Can you discuss your Outside contacts, or is that information confidential?

It’s confidential but you look like the type I can trust . . . . It works because I sometimes get advance orders from tourists before they get here, just in case they get all of the way here and I’ve ran out of precious ‘I heart Crits’ t-shirts or some other crap like that. If I can get online then I can strike up a bit of banter over email or I can call them. All of the emails are monitored for some reason so there’s a code I use in order to decipher whether they have some of the things I’m looking for. It’s easier over the phone. The bigger items get delivered at the border and border control just think its stock so don’t bat an eyelid. I’ve been making that trip everyday for the last twenty years so they’ve got no reason to suspect anything. It’s a well-oiled machine.

It certainly sounds like you have an effective system in place there. What do you think of Outsiders in general?

Ah, they’re alright. Some are really weird. Like Blackbrooke fanatics or something, but most are just curious and excited to be there. I do take advantage of them a bit. Promise them exclusive tours in exchange for various things but they love it. As long as I’m not hurting anyone and they leave with a smile on their face at the end of the day, then I don’t really care what I tell them. I once told one woman that I fought two Hunters and killed them with my bare hands. She was gorgeous and I couldn’t resist. If it wasn’t for Outsiders I wouldn’t have had any . . . ahem, action for the last twenty years so yeah, you could say I quite like them!

You're really too much, Denzil! We can only imagine the stories you could tell us. Here's a topic for you: Blackbrooke isn’t your average, ordinary town. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen?

It’s off the chart for weirdness. I don’t know, I did once see some Watchers ripping another Watcher to shreds in the middle of the street, outside the shop. That was disturbing. It was like they didn’t care it was one of their own. They pulled at it until it completely ripped in two. I shouldn’t be surprised, they’re disgusting, but it just left me feeling strange.

That must have been a horrible sight. We'd probably scream our heads off at the mere sight of a Crit, never mind witnessing them attacking each other like that. What is your least favorite Crit and why?

Hate the Watchers obviously but the Queens are the frightening ones. Only because no one really knows what they’re capable of or how they kill people. They’re apparently the worst of the lot.

Your employee, Liberty Connor, describes you as a hippie. Do you consider yourself one?

Does she now? What else has that little rat been saying? Yeah, I suppose I am. It’s not deliberate though, I just go with the flow. Ended up getting tattooed in an act of rebellion when I was in my late teens and early twenties. That’s another Outsider favour. I don’t think there’s anyone else in this town with a tattoo. I don’t do anything or dress in a certain way for anyone other than myself. It’s just the style I like. As for the dreadlocks, they started to happen naturally after years of not brushing or washing my hair. Sorry, that’s disgusting isn’t it? I don’t claim to be a catch though.

The origin of your dreadlocks is definitely, um, unique. Speaking of Liberty Bell, as you call her, what was your first impression of her the day that she walked into your shop?

Jumped up little shit. Sorry, am I allowed to swear? Well, she was. Should have seen the state of her, trying to be all grown up. I do believe she threatened to have me closed down. She was witty for a twelve year old though, gave as good as she got. I think she liked that I wasn’t automatically nice to her and disagreed with most of the things she said. So, like any other bad smell, I couldn’t get rid of her. Nah, she’s a good kid. Good friend actually and she works bloody hard. Don’t print that bit though, if she reads it she’ll get a big head.

Don't worry. We won't say a thing to Liberty. *Wink* How is business going at Tales from the Crits, by the way? Are there any funny customer stories you’d like to share?

Business is alright. The winter is never as good as the summer because there’s only one coach party allowed in a day because of the limited daylight. They have to get the hell out of here at least an hour before it goes dark for obvious reasons. Probably the funniest story was when I was about 23 and a group of American college kids came over. More money than sense, hence being able to afford a ticket in the first place. Anyway, they were a laugh and turns out they brought some goodies with them so I let them stay overnight even though its against the Rules. We ended up playing strip poker and were high off the strongest weed I’ve ever had in my life, but then one of the girls started to get seriously paranoid. She must have been hallucinating or something because she became convinced I was a Crit who was going to eat her. I ran after her, downstairs onto the shop floor. There she was in her knickers and bra and I had to prise her fingers off the front door before she could run out into the night. She was at a ninety-degree angle to the door as a few of us tried to pull her back. That was a close call, imagine if she’d got out? Nightmare. They managed to sneak onto another coach the day after to get out.

You do lead an interesting life, Denzil. Is there anything else that you’d like people to know about you?

Yes, I make the best cup of tea in all the land. Seriously, I dare you to challenge me. I’m the master of the brew. Lib isn’t so bad either but she learned from the best . . . .

We don't doubt that for a second. And now for the obligatory random questions:

Favorite band?

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Favorite item you sell in the shop?

It has to be the Crit snow globes that clearly say ‘Made in China’ on the bottom.

Coffee or tea?

Are you seriously asking me that?

Biggest regret in life?

Not fighting harder for something I really wanted. But that was a long time ago and I’m over it.

Best thing that’s ever happened to you?

Erm, I’m not sure I can say . . . okay, you know when you really like someone and they notice you for the first time and you get that look, or that first smile? That’s the best thing. Yeah, that’s probably been my favourite moment in life and I doubt I’ll get it again.

Thank you again for chatting with us today, Denzil! We really appreciate your time!

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Review: Blackbrooke by Emma Silver

Blackbrooke
By Emma Silver
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing

* A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

To Sum It Up: Blackbrooke is not your average town. It is shared between two different species: the humans and the Crits. Humans have the day while the Crits reign over the night; any humans out after dark are free game for the hungry Crits. Everyone in town has to follow The Rules; those people who "walk out" at night face certain death. Seventeen-year-old Liberty Connor follows The Rules religiously. She plans to travel the world with her boyfriend, Gabriel, once they turn eighteen and are free to leave. Everything changes, however, when some of the people closest to Liberty begin walking out, and she suspects that something more sinister than the Crits themselves is going on. With the help of some devoted friends, Liberty attempts to uncover Blackbrooke’s dark secrets.

Lee's Review: Horror movies and books have never been my thing. I freely admit that I am a complete wimp; monsters, blood, and gore freak me out to no end. It was with a bit of trepidation, then, that I started reading Blackbrooke. The premise sounded intriguing, though, and I was in the mood to read something outside of my normal genres, so I figured, why not give it a try? This book completely took me by surprise; I never expected to find a novel about evil, human-hunting creatures so compulsively readable.

Blackbrooke is one of the most original stories that I’ve read in a while. It’s not every day that you come across a town surrounded by creatures that are on the prowl for their next human meal. Silver makes this world very believable, and that was a huge factor in my overall enjoyment of the novel. I get frustrated with books that ask me to stretch the suspension of my disbelief to extreme limits, but that was not the case with Blackbrooke. The town’s history is so fascinating and unique that it’s practically a character.

As for the human characters, the protagonist, Liberty, is a fairly standard mix of smarts, courage, and determination. While I admired her fiercely protective nature, especially towards her little brother, Oscar, and her friend, Cassius, I didn’t find her as compelling as some of the other characters, like Cassius. All his life, Cassius’s skin condition has made him stand out, often marking him as a target of ridicule. I loved how he transformed into an unlikely hero, looking out for Liberty the way that she tried to shield him when they were children. I always root for the underdog in books, and Cassius won my support easily with his kindness, loyalty, and bravery.

For me, the standout character in Blackbrooke was Denzil, the town’s resident outsider and owner of the cleverly named Tales from the Crits shop, which peddles Crits-themed merchandise to tourists. Denzil is hilariously sarcastic, which endeared him to me instantly. I’m serious—this guy is never at a loss for something witty to say. Colorful personality aside, Denzil also proves himself to be a dependable, trusted friend to his lone employee, Liberty. If you ever find yourself being pursued by Crits, Denzil is your go-to guy for 1) refuge and 2) weaponry to teach those things a lesson.

Although I thought that the pacing was a little uneven at times, overall Blackbrooke was a very entertaining read. Whenever the Crits reared their hideous heads, the ensuing action was gleefully thrilling. I never would have predicted looking forward to the scary parts, but I absolutely did because they were brilliantly written. Thank you, Emma Silver, for making my foray into horror so much fun.

All in All: If you’re experiencing paranormal romance burnout, I suggest reading Blackbrooke. It creatively blends mystery and horror, and the human teenagers don’t fall in love with the first supernatural being they see because the Crits would rather eat them. I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel, which I hope will include plenty of Denzil appearances.

Ally's Review: Blackbrooke is a heart-pumping, bloodcurdling horror story. I love being scared; I think it's the adrenaline rush. I find it hard to be truly scared by a book, though. There are no images or sounds to captivate your senses; all you have are the writing on the page and your imagination. But Silver does a fabulous job of making her readers scared and creating suspense. Is it sad, on my part, that I had nightmares about the Crits?!

The story was so original and refreshing. I loved the whole concept of the Crits. There are four types of Crits in the book: the Watchers, the Hunters, the Lurkers, and the Queens. All of them are pretty scary, but I find the Queens the most horrifying. The Queens are the sick ringleaders of the Crits. But the Crits weren't the only characters who had my attention.

Liberty was a take-charge heroine. She recognized something was wrong, and she put her all into trying to fix it. That being said, Liberty wasn't my favorite character; I sometimes felt that she made risky decisions that put her friends in danger. Cassius was a cool guy, but I didn't really connect with him, either. I related mostly to the secondary characters, Denzil and Noah. Denzil is incredible! He happens to be Liberty's boss and owner of Blackbrooke's very own souvenir shop, Tales from the Crits. Denzil is hilarious, and he is not afraid to take on the Crits or the town! Noah was just as great. Noah was pretty witty himself, and, to me, he ended up being the bravest character in the whole book.

My favorite things about Blackbrooke were all the action and gore! When things were happening, things were happening! I was all caught up in the excitement; I was screaming at the characters and even occasionally covering my eyes. The gore was weirdly fascinating to me. It made everything feel more real, and it showed that the characters were not invincible.

I did have a few minor issues with Blackbrooke. It took me a little while to really get into the book. Liberty's relationships also seemed unconvincing. Despite Libby going on and on about Gabriel, I did not buy it. I couldn't see Liberty and Cassius as a couple, either. I think the romance element needed a bit more work.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. Blackbrooke kept me on my toes and gave me a good scare. I'm dying to find out what happens next!

All in All: Blackbrooke is a thrilling, suspense-filled horror story that takes its readers on an entertaining ride.