Library of Congress Control Number: 2023525949
“Shibles masterfully balances the familiar with the unfamiliar in this sci-fi tale. For fans of science fiction, this book is a must-read.”
—Literary Titan
Weird Q&A
Q: Counterblow Clemency follows Bjorn Bear, a privileged teen who leads a group of misfits as they leverage their criminal tendencies to outsmart a mysterious killer. Isn’t it a strange choice to make teens antiheroes?
A: Who doesn’t love rebellious teens outsmarting villains? I grew up on The Goonies, The Breakfast Club, and Red Dawn. Adolescents aren’t adults, but they are powerful in so many ways—of course they can save the day.
Q: If your characters read Counterblow Clemency, which one would be the most mortified?
A: Murgatroyd would be embarrassed because apparently he’s a heartthrob—everyone who reads Counterblow Clemency falls in love with him. I don’t see it.
Q: What is the darkest thing you wrote for Counterblow Clemency that you had to cut?
A: Before Claudette was a race car, she was a girl—a tragic girl who drained the fun out of the story, so she had to go.
Q: What’s next for Bjorn, Doodle, Murgatroyd, and Carter Lock?
A: I think the world needs to know more about their smuggling operation. But then, they do a lot of good work with what they make, so maybe their secrets should be kept…
“Fast-paced and action-packed, Counterblow Clemency is an adrenaline-pumping thriller that never lets its foot off the gas. Naomi Shibles wastes no time in putting the reader into the midst of the action, and, from the first page to the last, it's a wild rollercoaster of a ride you don't want to end. If young adult dystopian stories are your jam, you won't regret reading this one!”
—Readers’ Favorite
“Like a painter, the talented author Naomi Shibles uses words as if it were her palette to create a kaleidoscope of richly detailed imagery so vivid you can practically see the story unfolding in your head as you read it.”
—Iris Dorbian, Award-Winning Author of Next Stop, Boston
“Shibles invites you to join a thrilling journey filled with heart-pounding action and characters that will resonate in your soul.”
—Midwest Book Review
Influences
“A fun romp of nitty gritty adventures! It takes you to this wonderful journey filled with antiheroes and their morally challenging dilemmas…leaving no spaces to be bored.”
—Instagram Review
“Loved the story, loved the main character Bjorn and the ensemble of characters. And I loved the pace. The author’s writing style is witty and compelling and I finished this book within a week. I highly recommend Counterblow Clemency.”
—Amazon Review
