Blackbrooke

Blackbrooke Trilogy #1

by Emma Silver

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.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Paranormal

ebook

First published July 16, 2012

About the author

Emma was born and raised in Manchester, England.

Blackbrooke is her debut young adult horror novel after spending many years honing her skills drafting short stories and devouring horror through the ages from R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps collection through to Stephen King.

Blackbrooke is the Part I of the Blackbrooke Trilogy.

Emma is also the author of a semi-biographical account of her dad’s years in a rock band in the 1970s, Driving Exile.

She gets most of her ideas and is inspired by music and also the fighting spirit of young people who aren’t afraid to challenge the norm and stand up for what they believe in. This fleeting ‘moment’ in life is what she tries to capture in her writing.

Reviews

[Carmen Jenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put everything you think you know about the YA genre aside. This is not the story of a beautiful girl who falls in love with a monster, it's not the story of a seemingly ordinary girl who discovers the power to save the world, and it's not the same tired old premise rehashed with a different hero/villain. Blackbrooke is a frightening foray into a world where humans are hunted and the boogie man is, in fact, lurking out there in the dark!

Seventeen year old Liberty Connor can't wait to turn eighteen and finally be free of Blackbrooke and the Crits that roam the night, but there are things about her town that Liberty could never understand, rules that all citizens must abide, a treaty set in place for over two hundred years, and a mystery surrounding the town's soaring teen suicides.
Liberty Connor is like Nancy Drew on steroids, albeit funnier and way better dressed! Red Converse and prom dresses, anyone?
She's feisty, intelligent, loyal to a fault, and the kind of heroine you want in your corner when the Crits come a calling!

Silver creates some memorable and very entertaining characters for Liberty to play off and when I wasn't shaking in my boots with fear, the banter between background characters had me clutching at my sides.
Estranged friend Cassius makes an unconventional love interest when he reenters Liberty's life, and there's something so lovable about this social outcast that just makes me weak in the knees. An unusual mix of daring and self-deprecation, Cassius manages to retain his mettle despite a life of ostracism and bullying from his peers.

The pacing in this novel was phenomenal and every time I thought I had the plot pinned, Emma threw in another mind-melding twist that kept me guessing.
Witty, heartbreaking at times, and down right scary, Blackbrooke is a roller-coaster ride from its terrifying beginning to the jaw dropping finale.

Young Adult Fiction has a new Queen of Scream in Emma Silver!

This review was first posted at Book Me!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pretty blown away by this book. I love a good thriller, but it's hard to find a book with a good balance of real horror, suspense, humor, intrigue, and romance. Blackbrooke really does have it all. I loved it.

The town of Blackbrooke is a highly guarded, gated off community that nobody leaves or enters without permission. The humans and Creatures (known as the Crits) in Blackbrooke have learned to live alongside each other. The humans own the daylight and the Crits come out at night. Any human outside at night is fair game for the Crits. Liberty Connor has lived her entire life in Blackbrooke. While it seems nice enough, with most people actually choosing to stay after they turn 18, Libby and her boyfriend, Gabriel, have made plans to leave Blackbrooke and travel the world. But then, Gabriel 'walks out'. A walk out in Blackbrooke is equivilent to suicide, giving yourself up to the Crits. But Libby doesn't believe it. She and Gabriel were happy with plans for a future together. Then more strange things start happening and Libby is determined to find the truth.

Blackbrooke is a town where almost nothing is as it seems. Except for the creatures that come out at night. The Crits are definitely real. This makes the setting of Blackbrooke awesome. Everyone knows about the Crits and everyone has seen them. There is even an agreement between the humans and the Crits that has been in place for hundreds of years. The agreement allows humans to be outside during the day and the Crits to be out at night. The agreement is also what lead to the Rules. The Rules are in place to help keep the humans safe. But like all rules, many of them get broken.

Liberty Connor is the female protagonist of the story and easily my favorite character. She's brave and smart and doesn't trust anyone but her very close friends. She is fiercely protective of her younger brother, and anyone else she thinks needs protecting. She's also a strict follower of all the Rules of Blackbrooke. Still, she wants to leave the town when she turned 18 and see the world with the boy she loves. But when strange things start happening and her friends start 'walking out', she becomes determined to discover the truth about her town and its history before anyone else 'walks out'.

Cassius is Liberty's childhood best friend. He was someone that Libby thought needed protecting. He has Heterochromia and was picked on by the other kids. As they grew up, they grew apart. Libby found new friends who didn't like Cassius and Cassius went his own way, though always kept an eye out for Libby. Cassius grows up to be very tall, very smart, and very suspicious of their community. When they both end up with friends who have 'walked out', they come back together to find the answers to their question. I was definitely a fan of Cassius' throughout the book. The way he protected and supported Libby after Gabriel 'walked out' and the way he tried to deal with his feelings for her. I was also very impressed with his bravery and willingness to help, no matter what that meant for him. I wasn't a big fan of his and Libby's romance, though only because it happened about a week after Gabriel 'walked'. If it hadn't been so soon, I would have been much happier.

A few of my other favorite characters included Denzil, Libby's employer and owner of the Blackbrooke Tourist Shop, Gemma, Libby's best friend, and Noah, Gemma's boyfriend. Libby, Gabriel, Gemma, and Noah make up the small group of friends that Libby loves and hangs out with almost exclusively. At first, their relationships seemed a bit shallow and convenient to me, but as the story progressed, it was easy to see how much they all loved and depended on each other. Gemma and Noah are the stereotypical beautiful girl and jock boyfriend. Their relationship seems to be completely based on all things physical, but it's actually much deeper than it that. Gabriel is handsome and quieter than Noah and loves Libby more than anyone. I wish we could have seen more of Gabriel because I really liked him and Libby together. Denzil is the only adult in this group of characters and provides a place for the friends to gather and begin their search for answers. He's quirky and funny and very protective of Libby. All of these secondary characters have much more depth than I thought they would. In the end, I loved them all.

Overall, Blackbrooke was awesome. While I wasn't a huge fan of the timing of the romance between Libby and Cassius, there is very little else to be negative about. The story is original, exciting, suspenseful, thrilling, and very creepy. There is also a very shocking ending and a cliffhanger that some might not be too happy about. But it just means there's more Blackbrooke waiting for us! Since I could go on about Blackbrooke all day, I'll just wrap up by saying that if you are a fan of horror or thriller books, you need to check this book out. It will not disappoint.

[Caro [The Book Rogue] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy, scary woods. Seriously, this trip was not much fun, although it had some very crooked dark humor in it, which I liked in fact. Other than that, it was a lot of fear, anxiety, dread, grief, and mostly confusion while secret after secret was revealed and the group placed together the pieces of this freakish puzzle.

In the beginning, I thought although a little stuck up, the relationships of Gemma and Noah, as well as of Gabriel and Liberty were quite nice if you consider the Rules. So when Gabriel walked out, I wanted to smack my kindle into the wall, and I almost cried of frustration as much as of sadness. It was just so... unfair, and unreasonable, and wrong for so many reasons. It was surely the first time I - along with Lib - felt that something wasn't right, that there had to be more to the walk outs than what the town let on. It's really a good thing she's so smart and brave and daring, a real fighter. Plus, she has Cassius, even after all this time apart... Their realtionship was as bumpy as a heart beat, yet just as solid, and then just unbearably cute. I'm very curious how they will continue on! Not that Gabriel wasn't a great guy, he sure was and I think Lib could've been very happy with him, but Cass is simply special - and I'm not just talking about his albinism - but he most of all was special to her, just as she is to him. Gosh, I'm really glad they both made it more or less.

I almost had a heart attack on several occasions on this trip, I mean it. One moment, it was totally heart-wrenching and nerve-wrecking, and I didn't know if I should rather cry or scream, then it was as happy as it could muster, very warm and hopeful, and I smiled like an idiot. I thought it was perfectly amazing how people come together when they have the same enemy, the same course. But then, however, I also can't believe just how tight this web of lies in this city is knitted, especially with the Big Brother like survaillance going on in the background, and the government influence in all of it. God, if this really were to excist somewhere... Scary thought, I don't even wanna find the end of it.

Which brings me to the crits which are really, really nasty beasts which I would not want to bargain with, especially not in the dark and on their ground. However, there's also something quite fascinating about them: their hirarchy, intelligence, their whole existence in the first place. I am so not satisfied with what I know about them up til now, so it's nice to know there is to find out more, and maybe there even is a way to be found to end it all. But that's to be revealed in any further stories, because I dare tell you the last words without spoiling anything: to be continued!

Area Scan: Style: 4/5 -- Plot: 5/5 -- Characters: 5/5 -- Suspense: 4/5 -- Romance: 5/5 -- Drama: 5/5 -- Humor: 4/5 -- Fantasy: 4/5

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blackbrooke synopsis alone was enough to pique my interest, so I graciously accepted the review request when it came through. Good decision on my part. I am a fan and believe Emma Silver will have a long and successful career in the writing world if this, her first endeavor, is any indication.

Blackbrooke is anything but a normal small town. It is a quarantined hamlet that the government controls, for the safety of the outside world and for those living within it's gated walls. Necessary precautions are taken by all the Blackbrooke citizens, for if they are not, you may find yourself face to face with a Crit. Creatures that stalk the town at night waiting for someone to kill.

Liberty has always followed the rules set forth in Blackbrooke. Stay indoors after dark, keep your hair a natural color and up in a bun, stay out of the woodlands and practice strict abstinence until marriage. She is smart and stubborn and has no plans of screwing up, anxiously awaiting her upcoming eighteenth birthday when she can finally leave Blackbrooke behind her and travel the world with her boyfriend, Gabriel.

Things don't turn out as planned when Liberty finds that Gabriel has suddenly 'walked out'. Walking out is suicide and Gabriel gave no indications of doing such. Gabriel was sweet, stable, understanding and seemed to be willing to do anything for the girl he loves.

Liberty becomes increasingly suspicious of not only Gabriel's walk out but of Blackbrooke in general. She teams up with a few very entertaining characters in a race to unearth the creepy towns history and hopefully save the lives of it's dwindling teen population.

I am really thankful that there seem to be a handful of writers that are willing to take a big step into grotesque, creepy horror while still keeping it in the YA genre. I loved horror as a teenager and with the bombardment of paranormal romance in the genre as of late, these bits of creep-tastic wonderfulness are refreshing! Emma Silver delivers whole-heartedly in this arena and I look forward to more from her and more on Blackbrooke. Yes my lovelies, this is just the first trip to this mysterious destination and I hope you will all come along for the ride!

*A copy of this title was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away. I haven't stopped thinking about it for days. Blackbrooke, population 10,000, is not your typical town by any means. It surrounded by walls with gates, guards, and guns, but Blackbrooke is far from your typical "gated community" by any means. The question is, are the walls really to keep the those living outside safe, or to trap those living within the walls inside? Tourists flock in by the droves to visit, but by sundown everyone, and I mean everyone, is inside with doors locked and blinds drawn, that is if they want to make it till morning. The town of Blackbrooke is a little like stepping back in time to another era. Relationships between boys and girls before they are 18 are forbidden, the girls must wear their hair up all the time, even classes are separate, with the exception of the Blackbrooke history class. Of course, teenagers are going to be teenagers and rules are sometimes made to be broken, only in Blackbrooke, the consequences are often deadly.

Liberty Connor has everything planned, she is waiting until she turns 18 and can leave Blackbrooke to live on the outside with her boyfriend Gabriel, then Liberty's world falls apart. Despite her grief, can Liberty find out the answers to the mysteries and secrets of Blackbrooke that have been hidden for years, and if she does, can she survive long enough to make a difference?

I typically do not read horror, but this book intrigued me and I have to say that I found it absolutely thrilling. I loved Liberty, she is quite the heroine. The story did focus around the Crits, the creatures that ruled the night and threatened the humans, but it also encompassed so much more. It is a story of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. The other characters in the book were incredible. I loved Gemma, Liberty's audacious best friend, and Noah, Gemma's boyfriend, who seems shallow, but proves himself brave beyond measure before the story ends. Then there is Cassius. I especially loved Cassius, who was Liberty's best friend as a child, but they had grown apart. Cassius has a disorder with his skin which has always made him out to be the brunt of jokes and bullying. As children, Liberty always stood up for Cassius and protected him. Circumstances draw Liberty and Cassius together again, and she discovers that he has grown into quite the man and no longer needs her protection. In fact, she discovers that the feelings she has for Cassius go much deeper than she knew, giving the story that romantic edge that in my opinion, helps make the book.

The paranormal aspect of this book was amazing, and the world Emma Silver has created in Blackbrooke is both brilliant and frightening. There is mystery, intrigue, and romance, which makes this story so much more than your typical horror story. Blackbrooke keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book, with twists and turns that you never see coming. I could not put it down. If you are a horror fan, you will love this book, and if you're not, then after reading Blackbrooke, you just might be.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blackbrooke, England. Population 10,000 and dwindling. Centuries ago, an agreement was made. Humans rule the day, but when the klaxon bell rings, its time to lock up tight. The nighttime is ruled by the Crits. Four different types of monsters make up the Crits. There are Lurkers, Watchers, Hunters and the Queens. Each playing a different role and each horrible and terrifying in description. Rules were put in place to keep the peace and to prevent any temptations to the Crits.

This story is written in the POV of Libby Connor. Libby is 17, a full time student and lives at home with her parents and four year old brother Oscar. The mother is mostly out of the picture so Libby has been helping her father raise him. She also works part time at a tourist shop called Tales from the Crits with her kooky/hippie boss Denzil. Other important characters are her boyfriend Gabriel, her best friend Gemma and Gemma's boyfriend, Noah. We also have Cassius, her childhood friend. Cassius and Libby's friendship became estranged though as the years went by. Cassius is pale as can be. White hair, pale skin that's nearly translucent, two different colored eyes. All of that making him easy pickings to be the brunt of many a joke, being made fun of relentlessly.

At school, the girls and boys only intermingle during Blackbrooke history class, at the cafeteria and when they are all called to assembly. Which happens way too often considering they are announcing the most recent students to have 'walked out'. That term is used when someone 'walks out' during the night, knowing full well the Crits will get them.

There is a slight triangle, if I can really call it that. Gabriel is sweet and very caring. Cassius is just, so much more in my opinion. I just don't know how to explain it. He's just so different and suits Libby a lot differently then Gabriel. Maybe it was the skinny jeans with skinny tie and wool coat that got me. Who knows.

Libby is soon entrenched in a mystery involving recent 'walk outs'. Finding an ally in Cassius, we are taken on a terrifying journey of death and betrayal, forbidden secrets and finding out who she can really trust.

This book really is a hell of a story. So many things happen. We are taken from one clue to the next as the frightening answers are revealed. My thoughts on this book are jumbled, it is not a comforting story. The end was a huge shock and left me wanting more. Yes, it is a cliffhanger. Even if most of the questions are answered, the last chapter leaves us with new ones. I enjoyed every minute of it and even cried at one point.

A terrifying yet captivating debut... Miss Silver, may your creative forces continue to crank out such enthralling works. Everyone will be thirsty for more after reading this one.

Review posted at Sinfully Delicious Book Reviews

[Rebecca Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those top-notch reads that have you wide awake at daft o'clock glued to the text and elated that you're a bookworm! Hooked from the opening description of "the rules" to the nail biting twist of an ending - well worth the read and can't wait for the trilogy to be completed

[Lee (Rally the Readers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also posted on Rally The Readers.

3.5 Stars

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.

[Allison (Rally the Readers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also posted on Rally The Readers.

3.5 Stars

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!

[Atmika Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!
I don't really read horror, but after this I want to read more of this genre. Any suggestions?
Though, to be honest, it's not all horror. There is a little of everything in the book. Mystery, romance, fantasy you name it!
Blackbrooke is a place which is haunted by monsters called Crits and people have to follow certain rules to keep themselves safe. The crits are described so well that I could almost imagine them. And, believe me it's not pleasant. They are creepy and disgusting and really scared me.

The book is unpredictable. I had a lot of theories about what's going to happen next but I was wrong every single time. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Every chapter in the book ends on a note that you can't help but turn the page and read on. It's really difficult to put the book down.

CHARACTERS:
All the characters are like-able and make a great team.
Liberty is the female protagonist. She is smart, brave and kick-ass. I really liked her. She reminded me of Katniss from Hunger Games. She is loyal and self-less.
Gabriel, her boyfriend, is cute and the scene where they make plans for their future is so romantic.
Cassius, is swoon-worthy. He was best friends with liberty when they were both young but with years they drifted apart. He is not your regular hero but he is everything that a guy need to be and more.
I didn't like Noah at first. I though he was shallow and rude but he turned out to be great.
Gemma was fun and vivacious. She and Noah were perfect for each other.
Denzil is my favorite of them all. He is funny and interesting.
“Bloody hell.” I pulled out the glass cleaner from the cupboard at my feet along with a cloth. “Denzil, are you high?” He grinned stupidly, “Might be.”

I liked all of them. They are all different and well developed characters. The writing is fast paced and plot is really interesting. I would suggest that you go ahead and buy this book, you won't regret it!

[David Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading Blackbrooke a few months ago, but my own writing got in the way of my finishing it until now, but, I'm delighted to say, I've spent the last 2 days avidly devouring this fantastic first volume in Emma Silver's trilogy, and I can't wait to get hold of volume 2.
The premise of a town populated by both humans and monsters that is an attraction to the outside world, rather like a theme park is great, but Emma Silver goes much deeper than this in her mythology, and there are a whole lot of other goings on that become apparent right from the beginning of the book, as The Rules that residents of Blackbrooke have to live by are outlined right at the beginning.
It's a fantastic read, and set in a fictional town here in the United Kingdom, which is rather unusual in itself, seeing as books tend to be either set generally in the USA or in a completely fictionalized world, so it's great that I can relate to the book more closely, because I'm a UK resident myself.
This is a YA book that has a smattering of language (only one f-bomb towards the end of the book), but it is quite visceral when it comes to describing just how the monsters of Blackbrooke, particularly the Hunters and the Queens, treat their victims, so if the reader has a delicate stomach, you have been warned!
Liberty Connor and her friends will take you on a journey that will have your heart pounding in your chest, and like me, you will be dying to read the next volume, because the ending is a wonderful cliffhanger, something which I didn't see coming.
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of Blackbrooke, and I did notice some glaring grammatical errors, which I hope have been corrected in the retail version. Still, Emma Silver has written a book that promises to be a gripping and very entertaining trilogy, and I look forward to reading and reviewing each book as they are released.
Recommended, and very worthy of 5 stars.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Blackbrooke by Emma Silver
5 stars

I quickly became totally engrossed in this book, and by the midpoint I was turning pages almost faster than my e-reader could handle. “Fast-paced” has become a trite cliché, but believe me, if you’re looking for that, “Blackbrooke” most definitely has it, along with plotting that twists around like a cobra’s coil and an unforgettable cliffhanger ending. So thankful this is only the first of a set!

“Blackbrooke” is not post-apocalyptic, it is fully Apocalyptic, and the Apocalypse has been ongoing for centuries, and what a horrible situation it is. I kept pondering, Why doesn’t the British Government step in, why keep throwing money at the Village, why not do something to protect the inhabitants? Instead, the Village is a daytime tourist infestation; and at dusk, everyone remains inside, locked in behind electronic steel shutters operating on a timer, according to the time of year and the length of the days.

Everyone above the age of eighteen has agreed to a set of Rules; but no one under that age even knows what the rules are, except for a few minor rules involving hair, hair colour, and so forth. The dangers are the “Crits” or Creatures, the four classes of almost Supernatural animals which live surrounding the Village, and which rule the night. Humans certainly don’t, because humans are fair prey.

If you love urban fantasy (or semi-urban fantasy), paranormal (and yes, plenty of romance here too!), don’t wait to grab “Blackbrooke.” It’s a winner!

[Suzanne Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something strange is going on in Blackbrooke, a modern version of an isolated Amish-styled town. Seventeen year old Liberty has religiously followed the Rules that maintain the balance between Crits and humans all of her life, until the day her seemingly happy friends start an inexplicable pattern of “walking out” to their deaths.

Liberty is determined to find out what is going on, all the while immersed in the middle of a dysfunctional family, tortured by the loss of her peers, and examining her broken relationship with her childhood best friend.

Liberty lives up to her name as a heroine and successfully steps outside the box created for her by the community. Blackbrooke is an engaging and nicely paced read that keeps you turning to pages to uncover new clues. Horror fans will enjoy the almost Stephen King- like creepiness infusing the story.

My biggest dislike (mild spoiler alert) is the fact that the novel blatantly ends with a “to be continued” right in the middle of a big reveal for two of the storylines, leaving you without any clear explanation or sense of closure. Although clearly designed to be a series, more concise plot work would make this a book that better stands on its own. That being said, most teen readers will eagerly look forward to the sequel without issue to find out “what happens next”.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so blasted good I am all but harassing people to read it.

The way the story builds keeps you on the edge of your seat. It completely captivated me from the first page when the 'Rules' were listed. I automatically wanted to know more and couldn't put the book down.
The characters were entertaining, one of my favorites being Denzil, he brought comedy to it, while the book was getting intense.
The ending is a complete cliff hanger that left me screaming for more.
Honestly, one of the best books I have read so far in 2013 and I am waiting on pins and needles for the next one.

For a full rundown on my thoughts, here is the link to my blog review.

http://reeniediva.blogspot.ca/2013/03...

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! From start to finish, Emma Silver had me hooked!

The story is intriguing and I was constantly guessing (quite wrongly) what would happen next, which I liked.

If the story itself isn’t enough, there are the characters. Possibly the most lovable characters I’ve ever read! One minute they’d have me laughing and 5 minutes later I’d be crying.

This is a well-rounded book with lots to offer, so if you’re looking for something that will entertain and keep you gripped throughout then you have to read Blackbrooke!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across Blackbrooke via my friend who recommended it to me. I have to admit I was gripped from the start. It had that quality in a book that I love- the need to race through it to determine what happens next, yet did not want to reach the end because I didn't want it to be over. Can't wait for number 2!

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely blown away! Read from cover to cover and then started all over again! The characters have stayed with me for days! Can't wait for the next installment- no, really, GET THAT BAD BOY PUBLISHED NOW! What a cliff-hanger ending!

[Shani Struthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I brought this for my teenager daughter as this is exactly the kind of book she loves. She read it, loved it and insisted I read it. I did and enjoyed it thoroughly. Liberty is exactly the sort of hero I want my daughter reading about, kind, honest, brave and strong. Bring on the next one!

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy for review in exchange for an honest review.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is mind blowing! i really loved it.it has just the right combination of horror and romance. if you're looking for something different to read blackbrooke is the perfect choice.

[Will Wortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interview with Author Emma Silver
http://zero2fiction.wordpress.com/201...

4.5 Stars


The short:

Blackbrooke had me on the edge of my seat and kept my heart racing. Emma Silver filled Blackbrooke with vivid emotion and suspense. I found myself surprised at every turn as the plot did not do what I anticipated or expected. Emma Silver writes emotions so well they explode off the page and into your heart.

As a male reader, I half expected something along the lines of Twilight and City of Bones- This was a very wrong assumption. Blackbrooke is a very suspenseful horror. It has a great blend of thrills, mystery, gruesomeness, love, and excitement.

A read that will appeal most to 13-18 year old girls, but an exciting read for anyone who loves fiction and suspense. I think some male readers will not connect with the story, especially in the beginning. My advice is to read it; you will not want to put it down as the mystery heightens in Blackbrooke.

The Long:

I thought I knew what to expect at certain points along the storyline (I was Wrong!)I consistently found myself surprised when the plot went in a different direction than I anticipated. It created a lot of excitement to read the unexpected events and character decisions that unfolded throughout the story, especially in the middle chapters.

The suspense, oh my god, the suspense was amazing. My jaw dropped a couple of times as I was reading. There was some gruesomeness, but not overdone. The book did not scare me while I read it; it did thrill me beyond belief! The horror aspect of Blackbrooke would transfer well to a theatrical horror film.

The story came to its first climax about three quarters of the way through when Lib put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Blackbrooke was a rush of excitement and anticipation up until this point. Afterwards, I felt like the books excitement settled down a bit (until the very end where the plot turned unexpectedly yet again and threw me for another loop.) Emma wrote a couple of chapters to develop the character relationships while they prepared for the end. These chapters did a good job with the character development, but they were a little too off pace to the rest of the story. I think Emma’s intended audience (mid-teen girls) will find these chapters more enjoyable than I did.

Emma wrote a fantastic, cliffhanging end to Blackbrooke. I again found myself not knowing what to expect as I read the final 2 chapters. The end blew my mind and left me dying to read part II.

Pros:

Emma Silver writes emotions you can really feel as you read.

Super thrilling and shocking plot twists

Foreshadowing that made Blackbrooke super suspenseful and not-at-all expected.

Does not use typical supernatural beings. Original supernatural beings called Crits

Cons:

The book did not hook me from in the very beginning, (just kept me curious to keep going until the story exploded.)

Uneven pace at times.

A couple sections where I felt a little more editing would have cleared some of my confusion.

The Story:

Blackbrooke, the town where everyone know monsters exist, but they only exist here. Avoiding them is just part of life for the residents of Blackbrooke. The monsters, called crits, only roam at night. Blackbrooke has a pact with the monsters that lets humans live by day, and crits by night; anyone who breaks these rules is fair game.

Liberty Connor is planning to leave Blackbrooke when she turns 18. Everyone gets one chance to leave and never return at that age. You just have to survive until then, and not “walk out.” Lib is suspicious when her friends begin to “walk out” in the middle of the night to be eaten by crits. She goes on a hunt to find the truth behind Blackbrooke, the Crits, and the secrets that the local hide from the kids.

The Writing:

Blackbrooke is set in the first person view of Liberty Connor. This is the first YA fiction novel that I have read in first person that I can recall. Emma does an excellent job writing in this point of view. It took me 2-3 chapters to adjust to this POV, and then I found myself racing through the pages to see what happens next.

Emma expresses her characters’ emotions so they jump out of the pages. I felt very engaged, as if I was experiencing the joy, anxiety, anger, curiosity, etc. of Libby as she narrated her story. I think one of the marks of a strong and talented writer is the ability to turn characters’ emotions into something real. Emma did an amazing job.

The structure of the writing was good overall. There were a few places where I did not understand what a sentence or paragraph was portraying. I believe part of this might be the differences in colloquialisms between The UK and America.

The Characters:

Liberty “Libby” Connor- Libby is a rule abiding good student. She is safe, boring, and blends in in the beginning of the book. She has jock and popular friends, but does not fit that stereotype herself. Through the course of the story she develops rebelliousness in her spurred by the loss of her friends. She is very clever, but sometimes headstrong.

Cassius- Lib’s childhood friend. He is a tall and skinny albino. Lib was very protective of him when they were children. The roles get reversed now that they are in their teens. Lib abandoned their friendship for several years when she started hanging out with Gemma, Noah, and Gabriel. Cassius is a very well written character and stands out from others in Emma’s writing.

Gemma Jones- An attractive and flirtatious rule breaker. She is the best friend of Libby and girlfriend of Noah. Gemma and Lib are practically sisters. She is the daughter of the school’s head master.

Gabriel- Libby’s boyfriend. He is a very athletic football player. He and Lib plan to leave Blackbrooke to travel the world.

Noah- Gabriel’s best friend and Gemma’s boyfriend. He is also an athletic football player. He dislikes Cassius, who is one of Lib’s childhood friends.

Conclusion:

Blackbrooke is a powerful start to an original trilogy. This is a book you will want to read no matter what genre you prefer. I am excited to read the second installment of the Blackbrooke series.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author, Emma Silver, for providing me with a copy of her book to read and give an honest review.

I will admit that I read the blurb for this book a long time ago. So, I didn't remember exactly what it was about, I just knew it had a paranormal/thriller type element to it. I often don't like to read blurbs or reviews prior to reading a book for an author or publisher as I don't want to skew what I might think. That being said, I am happy that I didn't go back to read the blurb again and Silver's book really took me by surprise. I was sucked right into the book immediately and really didn't want to put it down once I started.

Blurb from Goodreads:
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?

So the first thing that drew me right into this book was the cover. After having read the book I'm not 100% sure how it fits the theme, however, it is still so cool. I love the eye shot of the girl. I do understand the color of her hair (and I won't go into that because I don't want to give things away). And I also see that there is something actually in the cover model's eye, although I can't make out what it is (but I have to assume it's meant to be one of the creatures we are introduced to during the course of the book). In any case, it's certainly is an intriguing cover, and intriguing covers are almost always the first thing that draws me into reading a book.

Next, the characters. I will say they are very well developed. We really get to know each of their personalities throughout the book, even those that are more minor. I can clearly picture them all in my mind.
I really like Liberty. She's smart and sassy, and very witty at times. She's very loyal and loves her family with her whole heart. She's also a typical teenager, breaking the rules at times despite knowing the consequences this may hold. She also has a stubborn streak that just won't quit. And she's quite the detective when it comes to figuring out what is going on in her little town of Blackbrooke.
Cassius is certainly an unusual lead male role. He certainly does not fit the mold of your typical book boyfriend. He looks different and acts differently than the usual male leads I see in most YA books. With his white hair, pale skin, multicolored eyes and lanky appearance, I had no intentions of "falling" for him during the course of the book. And, yet, there I was laughing at him, feeling for him and crying for him in all the right spots. Why, you ask? Because he's is just that likeable it's impossible not to feel this way!
The other supporting characters really fit all their roles. Gemma is Lib's best friend. She's a rule breaker (as we learn right from the start) and has no fear of what the consequences may bring. Gabriel is Lib's boyfriend. Your typcial YA lead male who is good looking, sporty and smart. Noah is Gemma's boyfriend. Also sporty and good looking, and certainly protective of those he is drawn to. Denzil is an unusual addition to the cast. He is an adult who has befriended Lib through her employment at his store. He is different from all the other adults in the book, certainly leaning more towards the childish in his actions and also "bending" the rules when it suits. The other characters: Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Lib's Dad, brother and mother, Mr. Fuller and of course the Crits round out the story that is Blackbrooke with incredible accuracy.

The storyline is really unlike anything I have ever read. It has a true paranormal element to it: The Crits. But at the same time, there is a thriller element and some mystery tied in. The mystery really keeps you intrigued guiding you to continue reading so that you can know the outcome of the story. And while you think you know how things are in Blackbrooke, you have no idea and are completely surprised by what happens, especially at the end. Silver leaves you with a cliffhanger that certainly invites you to come back for more with the release of the second book (I had no idea this was a trilogy when I was asked to read it, but I am certainly excited to see where this story leads). I am not usually one for creepy story lines, but Silver does it in a way that didn't scare me enough to make me want to run away; it was certainly a refreshing change.

As for the writing, I really think Silver has tons of potential. Despite the numerous editing errors and mistakes in language (and I am usually a a huge stickler for grammar and editing mistakes), I kept reading, because the storyline just wrapped me up and would not let me go.

Silver does a wonderful job wrapping several elements into her novel: mystery, horror, suspense, creepiness, humor, and, yes, even a bit of romance. I was surprisingly blown away by this book and, despite any issues I may have had with the writing, I would highly recommend it as a new and different read for those who enjoy the YA Genre.

4 out of 5 stars from me!

Review also posted to:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Library Thing

And will be published on The Cover Contessa's blog in November 2012.

[Moonlight Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot has holes. But I'm still tempted to continue reading the trilogy

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come. I'm a bit upset atm. Will come back to review tonight.
******
4.75 stars; I'm taking away a quarter star because dammit cliffhanger, now have to wait for the rest of the trilogy. DAMMIT.

I am kidding. 5 full stars because dammit this was...just wow. I've been thinking about it all night.

First the disclosure - I received this book from the author/publisher after seeing an offer for it. All they asked was that I review it when I'm finished, completely and honestly.

As you can see above, I finished this book earlier tonight. I've had it for over a month, sitting in my kindle, but hadn't gotten a chance to read it yet. I am mentally kicking myself for not having read it earlier.

I wasn't expecting it to be so...thorough and gruesome (not gory, but rather the ACQUIESCENCE...ARGH) and edge-of-the-seat-don't-talk-to-me-I'm-reading. Other horror books I've read have been scary, but they fizzle in the gore. Ms. Silver keeps the suspense up throughout, fully grasping my attention, inciting that little flare of anger when real life interrupts me from my reading.

Blackbrooke, indeed, is like that movie The Village in that it is a sequestered little town surrounded by creepy, dark woods which house horrifying creatures. Blackbrooke citizens live by rules. Emma Silver opens the novel with the rules. There are 10 basic rules that all children learn.

1. No one is permitted outdoors after sunset.
2. All blinds must be shut at nightfall, and not opened until the morning klaxon is heard.
3. Triple glazing is required in all rooms.
4. No one should be invited into your home that you do not know.
5. When outdoors, children should be supervised at all times.
6. Dark woodland areas are strictly out of bounds.
7. Long hair must be worn in a tight bun at all times.
8. Young people are not permitted to fornicate until they have been sworn in all of the Rules at age 18.
9. Visitors to Blackbrooke must apply for a Vistor Pass and check in at the town border and check out upon exit.
10. Any Blackbrooke residents wishing to leave cannot, under any circumstances, return.

And after these 10 imposing rules, there are more they will discover at their swearing in day. And that's how the novel begins...

I was nervous for Liberty in the flashback to when she was a little girl playing hide and go seek with her best friend, Cassius, hiding on the very edge of the woods. I gasped as she came face to face with a Crit, a Hunter. My brow furrowed in confusion as she wasn't harmed. And the ups and downs of this book began.

Liberty, Gemma, Noah, and Gabriel are a tight group of friends, all 17, nearly 18. They've paired off into couples despite the Rules, although Liberty adheres to #8, the fear of breaking the Rules ingrained in her deeply. Her boyfriend, Gabriel, is understanding of this. They talk of their future, of leaving Blackbrooke and of seeing the world together. Gemma & Noah dream of the same, talking about their future, their marriage, and hope.

And then the first assembly is called (first for us readers, anyway); a classmate, Cassius's good friend Xiang Li, has "walked out." They don't call it suicide in Blackbrooke; it's just "walking out." After dark, when you are supposed to be behind locked doors, people just "walk out." Yeah, that's creepy. There's sadness, but this horrifying kind of acceptance about it, too.

It is SO hard to write this review without giving anything away. I think I must leave it at this: the book is a pageturner, bite your nails, shut up and let me read page turner. The suspense is wonderful, the horror top notch, the gore - well, it's really gross but there isn't an overabundance of it. There are moments of tenderness that just hit you. Moments of pure heartbreak. Just the right, perfect mix of everything.

And the ending...holy shiitake the ending. Gabriel may be hot, but I'm totally on Team Cassius.

This is Emma Silver's debut novel and part one of a trilogy? Ms. Silver...please, write faster. FASTER. I need to follow this to the end!

P.S. If you're on goodreads and read my status update at 74%? Yeah, I totally did.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Ms. Silver, for providing me a copy in exchange for a review.

*Acutally rating: 4.5 stars*

Horror story is correct. It's not too gruesome, but graphic enough that I was grossed out and shocked. This book was awesome.

Blackbrooke has a plot that feels like it's been done before but somehow it's unique and refreshing. Definitely something new and innovative and I loved every minute of it. A small town surrounded by monsters - Crits - that keep them locked in their "home" for as long as they live. And these people are completely separated from the outside that matters, like help and reinforcements. I've never seem a town so alone before and it makes matters seem much more important.

The people of Blackbrooke have been prisoners in their own town for centuries. The Crits - bizarre creatures that look nothing like normal - are bloodthirsty and are basically savages. Liberty "Lib" Connor tries her best to figure out the mysterious disappearances of her classmates when it becomes personal.

The plot line is ingenius. Even though I mentioned that it feels like it's been done before, it's definitely not giving me a case of deja vu. I don't think I've read anything like Blackbrooke yet at the same time I have. I think my favourite parts revolves around the Crits and their behaviour. These creatures are blood-thirsty carnivores, so how is it that they haven't killed the entire population in Blackbrooke? The Crits definitely have the ferocity to do so, but don't? That's my real plot hole because none of the characters have realized this, but have hinted at it.

A lot of the characters go through rough periods or their names are associated with sad moments. I felt bad for all of them, every single person, even Gemma. She was a bit mean and an airheard in the beginning cough, cough, beating up Cassius. But the consequences she faced are not worth what she dished out. It was horrible and I really wanted the Crits to die. Isn't that a good thing that I've become emotional attached to majority of the characters?

The writing was easy to follow, although a bit slow in the beginning. For me, I find lots of stories to go slow and then pick up speed quickly. Almost like the authors are tentative about their writing, idea, and characters. But Ms. Silver is definitely confident with her novel, idea, and characters. It was easy to follow the plot of the story and connect with the characters.

Even though this book has a warning about being gruesome and graphic, I didn't really feel like it was. I'm actually on the fence about this because the parts that do seem disgusting made me nauseous. I have goosebumps thinking about the descriptions even though they are brief. And due to the brief descriptions I feel like it's not that horrible, when in reality it is. The last lines describing Cassius's marvelous return aren't written graphic but when you picture it, you realize that it's disturbing.

I was a bit squeamish with certain scenes in the book and the wild ability of the Crits. However, I've never read horror books before so I can understand my beginner jitters. Other than the horror aspect of the novel, Blackbrooke can easily become one of my favourite books. Now it's time to see what the second installment and the overrall trilogy has in store for us.

[Soumia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from the author for review but I didn't get the chance to read it sooner so I'm so sorry about that.

Blackbrooke is a secluded town where humans have to abide by some really bizzare rules in order to survive the Creatures (the Crits) that live with them. The story follows Liberty Connor, a seventeen-year-old girl who is obssessed with the Rules. Not only does she have to deal with her mother's condition at home but her friends start walking-out: going out at night which is the time the Crits start roaming the streets to get food. But something is just not right. Those very friends didn't present any warning signs for suicide. So she teams up with her remaining friends to try and uncover the truth.
The story is fast-paced and well written. It had me on the edge of my seat and every time I thought I figured out what was happening it turned out I was wrong. And the cliffhanger at the end was just amazing. But for a horror book I didn't find it scary at all. Maybe because we didn't get to know a lot about the crits so hopefully we'll get more in the sequels. Also the explanation they gave at the end was not logical. Seriously, they're so obssessed with the rules but they broke them for Gabriel because he's good at maths? c'mooooon!!!! He can't be the only math genious in a town of 10000 people!

The characters:
The characters were well written. But see, when the character is a bad person or says or does mean stuff to others, I hate them. Unless maybe if they had a backstory that more or less justifies their actions. I don't care if they're well written and well developed or not. I just hate them. And this is sadly the case for a lot of the characters in this book.
Liberty Connor
The main character. I loved that she takes care of her little brother and tries to be the mother figure that he doesn't have. I also liked that she cared for her friends a lot.
But what I didn't like was her attitude towards Cassius, her estranged childhood best friend. I understand that some friends grow apart. It happens to everyone. But to stop even talking to him and to let her new friends mock him and bully him without so much as scolding them is going too far. I also didn't like it when she got all the credit at the end. Yes she did figure out what was happening but she wouldn't have known how to stop it on her own so having everyone practically say that she's the smartest person on the face of Earth is too much.
Cassius
Poor baby. He's been bullied all his life for having heterochromia ;) He's so smart because he was one of the few that questioned the rules... He's also brave and caring but unfortunately we didn't get to know more about his personality.
Gemma and Noah
The lovely couple (I'm being sarcastic here). Two peas in the bullying pod. I hated those two especially Gemma. I did change my mind a bit about Noah at the end though.

The other characters were okay. Gabriel, Libby's boyfriend, we didn't see much of him but he's clearly a good guy. And the owner of the shop (I forgot his name) was a good character too.

Overall, I really liked this book. I can say that it's one of the best YA books I've ever read which makes me sad to see that it doesn't have much ratings on Goodreads. It certainly diserves more attention.

[Annette M Guerriero Nishimoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today's review is on Blackbrook by Emma Silver

When I first read the description of Blackbrooke I thought it was going to be a knock off of Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series. Once I began reading however, I found that it was very different. In fact, there are absolutely no vampires to speak of. There are Crits though, and they are much much worse.

Seventeen year old Liberty Connor saw her first Crit when she was just seven. She was playing hide and seek with her best friend Cassius and ventured to close to the border between the humans and the Crits. Scared out of her wits, Liberty (Lib) runs to safety.

Life in Blackbrooke isn't very enjoyable. Humans can only be out during the day because the Crits come out at night. The Crits are horrible creatures. Some are Watchers, some are Hunters, some are Lurkers, and then there are the Queens, the very worst of them all. If any humans are wandering around when the sun goes down and the Crits come out searching for food, they become fair game. Especially those that "walk out."

Liberty is virtually devastated when her boyfriend Gabriel "walks out." And when her now best friend Gemma is found dead on Noah's doorstep, she can barely go on. But there is something going on besides the Crits in Blackbrooke. Something that even Liberty's own parents are aware of, and she is determined to find out exactly what it is.

With the help of Noah, who is, or rather was Gemma's boyfriend, and her own childhood best friend Cassius, Liberty sets out to strike a deal with the Queens of the Crits. A deal that will cost her dearly.

I couldn't stop reading Blackbrooke. I fell in love with Cassius almost instantly and needed to find out what was going to happen to him in the next chapter. And Liberty? Who couldn't love her determination and tenacity?

I cannot begin to describe how touched I was by this book. I even found myself crying during many of the chapters because the pain of my beloved characters was so strong. And though I rather enjoyed the English vocabulary, there were some times when I questioned the sentence structure. If you are from the US and read Blackbrooke you'll understand. In the end however, you'll simply love it.

4 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon

[Katie Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Blackbrooke is a town where Creatures, or Crits, roam the streets at night and if you are out after dark, they can catch you and eat you. Some are Hunters, Lurkers, and Queens. To not attract the creatures you must wear certain clothes, woman must wear their hair in a bun at all times, and woman may also not be able to color their hair. They are also so secluded that they can’t usually get any internet connection. By the time the residents turn 18 they have a choice to be able to leave but if they leave they can never come back. If the people leave before they turn 18 it’s considered a “walk out” and are taken by the Crits. All Liberty Conner seems to want is to move far away and travel the world with her boyfriend Gabriel after she turns 18 which is in a couple months. However after two of her best friends “walk out” before they are 18 Liberty starts to get curious about the town. Her friends weren’t the type to walk out and there is never any mention of them in any newspaper. In fact there is no mention of anyone at all mentioned as a walk out. The more Liberty finds out about the town the more she wants to change her fate, and everyone else’s fate in the town.

This story was honestly nothing I’ve read before. It was so original and so good. The secrets that Liberty finds out are so shocking. I tried to figure it out ahead of time but couldn’t. There were also a lot of really sad moments too depending on a characters fate and I was hoping that certain characters didn’t do certain actions that they did, but it added to the story in a big way. I was just a little disappointed in the ending because you think it’s going to end one way but then there is a big surprise but I know it’s just setting it up for book two which I will defiantly be reading also.
Defiantly give this great story 5 out of 5.

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***

[Mikila Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackbrooke is about a 17 year old girl named Liberty. Well mannered, Well behaved Liberty, that always abides by Blackbrooke's absurd Rules. Rules that will keep them alive. No one goes out at night because the Crits will get them. So, teaming together with her friend's. They set off an an unforgettable adventure to find out the truth about their town's secrets.
Wow! Where to start? I was absolutely thrilled to be able to review Blackbrooke. So, after a 100 pages in, I was absolutely mortified when my Charger broke on me. I had to wait several days for another one to be delivered. Finally!!! I could get back into the amazing story!
Over the last year or so, I have been so used to reading about Vampires, Ghosts, Werewolves and Faeries. It was really nice and refreshing to take a break from them and get stuck in to something completely new and different.
The characters are all loveable. Even though there was one or two I hated in parts. My favourite being Denzil and my worst being Mr. Jones. Where you find out what is going on, I found it really hard to trust people. I could imagine it happening to me and my family turn on me for no reason after so many years. I ended up crying and laughing all the way through it. I like this kind of book as they play like a movie in my mind and it feel's like I'm part of it and reality fizzles away around me.
As I'm from the UK, it was nice to read an English book as I could relate to the swear words better and I knew what the Author was talking about.
Apart from a little bit of language here and there I would recommend this to anyone and everyone! It has adventure, action, romance and horror! The perfect book. Definitely a 5* from me!

[Super Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started reading Blackbrooke I was a bit bored with it. I figured out relatively early on that things weren't as they seemed and continued to read so I could prove myself right. Boy was I wrong. What I thought was going on wasn't and what was happening was a shocker.

Liberty (Lib) is your typical strong leading character. She lives in a town full of crits (terrible human killing creatures) and frequent walk outs among mostly 17-year-old kids (the towns own personal version of suicide). The question is, why do SO many people walk out in Blackbrooke? Why don't they simply leave when they are 18? The answer to those questions is how the book hooks you. It's crazy to say the very least. I'm trying to explain this as best I can without giving everything away, so bare with me. What Liberty Connor had to do in order to save Blackbrooke and be free is amazing, brave, and selfless. What her friend Cassius does to save her is even more so. I kept thinking no way this is happening, they'll find another way. And just when you think it's over, you get the shock of all shocks, the WHAT THE HECK?? moment. Then it's over. Complete cliff hanger. I finished this book with my eyebrows raised and my mouth hung open, thinking wait, what? Is that it? Now I simply must read the next one. There's no way around it.

In this book you have a decent combination of supernatural, action, friendship, love, loyalty, bad guys, good guys, misguided guys, and fear. Sounds interesting? It is.

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Overall Rating: Good

Favorite Quote: "You can forge a happy life without me in it, but take you out of my life...it's not worth living." Cassius