Today we talk about Michael The Brave and The Silver Apple, a book by Takezo Art and Susan Ogden Benting published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the authors, Takezo Art and Susan Ogden Benting, to get to know them better, where they found the inspiration to write their book Michael The Brave and The Silver Apple, as well as how they felt to see their book published.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this book?
Constantin Mircea Rosu, couldn’t say precisely where the inspiration for Michael and the Apple Series of books: Michael the Brave and the Silver Apple, The Golden Apple: Michael and Jennifer’s Return, and The Platinum Apple came from. Perhaps inspiration rose from the depths of my memory, where the thousands of books I’ve read over my lifetime have quietly settled. I don’t recall any specific work that served as the foundation for this novel. As I began to write, the chapters flowed naturally, one after another, as the story unfolded on its own. I must also mention Susan Ogden Benting’s essential role in this book, as in all our collaborations. We are a team that, in my view, creates stories that resonate with readers and invite them into a unique world. From Susan, now, writing with Takezo, as I first came to know him through Bridge Base Online, has been an other-worldly experience. I find his futuristic cosmic awareness of the possibilities of life on other planets and in other galaxies to be truly enchanting. Michael the Brave and the Silver Apple is set on the planet of Leloo 47 in the Andromeda Galaxy, as are the other books in the Apple Trilogy. The eras of Michael and Jennifer are similar to those of our Medieval period, with Kings, Queens, Knights, and Princesses, and a fire-breathing dragon.
- What are the crucial themes of your work?
Several essential themes lie at the heart of these books, giving the story depth and meaning. First is the theme of courage, reflected in both the fight against injustice and the characters’ willingness to face their destiny. Closely tied to courage is the theme of sacrifice, as seen in those who place others’ well-being above their own safety. The stories also explore love as a regenerative force, capable not only of healing but of restoring life itself, as seen when Jennifer’s tear brings Michael back from the dead. Equally important is the theme of unity, since the entire journey leads to the reunification of the four kingdoms and the restoration of balance on planet Leloo 47. Finally, the books address the struggle between light and darkness, both externally—through war, betrayal, and tyranny—and internally, in the characters’ confrontations with their fears, choices, and responsibilities. Woven together, these themes create a narrative of adventure, magic, and profound humanity.
- What do you want to communicate to readers with this work?
With the first book, Michael the Brave and the Silver Apple, I (Takezo) wanted, above all, to share a message of hope. In any world, real or imagined, there are moments of darkness, but there are always people capable of bringing back the light. Courage, kindness, and faith in what is right can change destinies and overcome even the most significant dangers. I also want readers to feel the power of authentic love, a love unafraid of sacrifice, a love that can heal, save, and restore. Jennifer’s tear, which brings Michael back to life, symbolizes the idea that true love is not just an emotion but a force that can transform the world. Another important message is the value of unity: only together, rising above pride and old conflicts, can people build peace and create a world worth living in. In the end, I hope this story carries readers into a magical adventure, while reminding them that, no matter the times, goodness, courage, and love remain our most potent weapons.
- How did it feel to see your book published?
I believe I speak for both Susan and me when I say that seeing this book published has been and will be a feeling difficult to put into words. It was a mix of joy, overwhelming emotion, and deep gratitude. It felt as if the entire journey, from the first idea to the final revision, had gathered into a single moment in which our story finally came to life beyond ourselves. We feel proud, but also profoundly responsible. Every published book is a bridge between the author and the world. The moment that the bridge becomes real is one of true fulfilment. For us, it is and has been a genuinely exceptional experience.
- Are you planning to write more books? Can you tell us something about it?
Yes, we definitely plan to continue writing. At the moment, Susan and I have been working on a new book titled Nothing. It is, in many ways, an ode to the absurd, a satire about the modern world, about the illusion of miracle products, and about how easily people can come to believe, with complete sincerity, in… nothing. Although the story is filled with humor, it carries a more profound message about human vulnerability, our longing for hope, and the ease with which our perceptions can be shaped or manipulated. For both Susan and me, Nothing is a bold and different step. We genuinely believe it is one of the most vivid and timely stories we have worked on in recent years.
Europe Books thanks the authors, Takezo Art and Susan Ogden Benting, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside them on the editorial path that led to the publication of their book Michael The Brave and The Silver Apple. We wish them the best of luck for their future works.
To you, my readers, may this book capture you with its magic and allow you to perceive the power of love in all its forms and expressions.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!