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Blight #1
Blight
“Blight” is the story of Rebecca “Beck” Lewis as she struggles with trying to keep her mind together long enough to take out as many Blights as the fates will allow. She is the perfect Blight-killing machine: quick, precise, relentless, merciless. She revels in the kill even as the world around her falls apart; even as she falls apart.
“Blight” is an Urban Fantasy that contains strong language and sexual situations.
“Blight” is an Urban Fantasy that contains strong language and sexual situations.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2012
2 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Warneke
18 books150 followersLike most writers, I spend most of my time telling myself stories and occasionally writing them down when they get too loud to remain in my head. The characters are also very demanding, wanting to go out into the world to be discovered by millions of adoring readers, though they are most satisfied with having only a few readers that truly love them. From the gargoyles that sit on top of the roofs to the Siren who lures her wolf astray to the Aradians and Apocritae to those who battle evil, the characters are everything.
Instead of going through the traditional gatekeepers of the publishing world I have leapt over the walls with the help of digital catapults (kindle direct, smashwords, and createspace) and messenger e-birds (goodreads, facebook, twitter, RNC, etc), going directly to the public. It has been a year and while my strong hold is small it grows larger every day as I connect with other rebels throughout the lands and the readers who support our work. It is a glorious day to be a writer.
When it comes to the actual writing I have discovered that every single one of my books likes to be created in a different way, which makes establishing an environment that is most conducive to my writing is not likely, though it occasionally involves chocolate covered raisins, music, minesweeper, occasionally Mahjong, lots of solitaire, notebooks and scraps of paper, doodling and day dreaming, and fruity, sugar-free bubble gum, not necessarily in that order and not always at the same time.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the love and support of my very loving and very tolerant family: my husband who encourages me to keep writing even when I act a little insane in regards to the worlds in my head, and my three kids who help out so much when I get lost in those same, darn worlds. They politely listen as I go on and on about my characters' motivations and back stories, their connections within the worlds created and how they fight to gain control of their destinies. But I am a cruel writer and make them earn their happy endings.
Since I am also a Romantic at heart, they are all happy endings.
Available books:
Darkness Comes (February 2012 – PNR)
Blight (March 2012 – UF)
Stone Lover (March 2012 – PNR, romantica)
Siren Song (May 2012 – PNR)
Stone Romance (September 2012 – PNR, romantica)
Blind Attraction (Jan. 31, 2013 – Contemporary)
Coming soon-ish:
Awakening (PNR/UF)
Stone Destiny (PNR)
After Blight (UF)
Darkness Comes book 2 (PNR – title to be determined)
http://www.amazon.com/author/awarneke
http://www.facebook.com/ACWarneke
http://acwarneke.wordpress.com
Instead of going through the traditional gatekeepers of the publishing world I have leapt over the walls with the help of digital catapults (kindle direct, smashwords, and createspace) and messenger e-birds (goodreads, facebook, twitter, RNC, etc), going directly to the public. It has been a year and while my strong hold is small it grows larger every day as I connect with other rebels throughout the lands and the readers who support our work. It is a glorious day to be a writer.
When it comes to the actual writing I have discovered that every single one of my books likes to be created in a different way, which makes establishing an environment that is most conducive to my writing is not likely, though it occasionally involves chocolate covered raisins, music, minesweeper, occasionally Mahjong, lots of solitaire, notebooks and scraps of paper, doodling and day dreaming, and fruity, sugar-free bubble gum, not necessarily in that order and not always at the same time.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the love and support of my very loving and very tolerant family: my husband who encourages me to keep writing even when I act a little insane in regards to the worlds in my head, and my three kids who help out so much when I get lost in those same, darn worlds. They politely listen as I go on and on about my characters' motivations and back stories, their connections within the worlds created and how they fight to gain control of their destinies. But I am a cruel writer and make them earn their happy endings.
Since I am also a Romantic at heart, they are all happy endings.
Available books:
Darkness Comes (February 2012 – PNR)
Blight (March 2012 – UF)
Stone Lover (March 2012 – PNR, romantica)
Siren Song (May 2012 – PNR)
Stone Romance (September 2012 – PNR, romantica)
Blind Attraction (Jan. 31, 2013 – Contemporary)
Coming soon-ish:
Awakening (PNR/UF)
Stone Destiny (PNR)
After Blight (UF)
Darkness Comes book 2 (PNR – title to be determined)
http://www.amazon.com/author/awarneke
http://www.facebook.com/ACWarneke
http://acwarneke.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 5, 2013
Favourite Character: Rebecca, I guess
Rebecca 'Beck' Lewis is an Elite Blight Fighter for a company called the Academy. Blights are pretty much Zombies and Beck is the best of the best when it comes to dispatching the Blights. However, Beck doesn't really have many friends and spends most of her time alone dreaming about a purple-eyed handsome man, who seems to be more than he appears. Beck thinks she's losing her mind, but is it really that simple?
The writing is solid and keeps you interested, because if you're anything like me. You're reading through because you want to figure out what's going on with Beck and the purple-eyed dude and ultimately you also want to know who Beck is going to choose. Wilson or insanity, as Beck puts it.
I thought I was going to like this book better than I did... And then I got to the end and realized I didn't know anymore than what I started with and that just pissed me off. The writing kept me reading, but once I got to the end... I just felt disappointed.
Yup, 'cause I read through that entire book in less than 2 days, hoping to find something out... What Rebecca was, who was the purple-eyed man who haunted her and I get to the end and still these questions are not answered.
If it's going to be a series, which obviously it is... Great, but the author could have at least explained SOMETHING, ANYTHING, but now that I'm finished reading, I'm not sure if I would want to continue with the series even if the author continues to write them, not if they are going to be anything like the first book and barely explain anything at all. Overall, I would like to know what happens with the characters in general.
Rebecca 'Beck' Lewis is an Elite Blight Fighter for a company called the Academy. Blights are pretty much Zombies and Beck is the best of the best when it comes to dispatching the Blights. However, Beck doesn't really have many friends and spends most of her time alone dreaming about a purple-eyed handsome man, who seems to be more than he appears. Beck thinks she's losing her mind, but is it really that simple?
The writing is solid and keeps you interested, because if you're anything like me. You're reading through because you want to figure out what's going on with Beck and the purple-eyed dude and ultimately you also want to know who Beck is going to choose. Wilson or insanity, as Beck puts it.
I thought I was going to like this book better than I did... And then I got to the end and realized I didn't know anymore than what I started with and that just pissed me off. The writing kept me reading, but once I got to the end... I just felt disappointed.
Yup, 'cause I read through that entire book in less than 2 days, hoping to find something out... What Rebecca was, who was the purple-eyed man who haunted her and I get to the end and still these questions are not answered.
If it's going to be a series, which obviously it is... Great, but the author could have at least explained SOMETHING, ANYTHING, but now that I'm finished reading, I'm not sure if I would want to continue with the series even if the author continues to write them, not if they are going to be anything like the first book and barely explain anything at all. Overall, I would like to know what happens with the characters in general.
May 18, 2012
Of this book, I am not sure what to say. I would have given it three stars but for the ending. since I don't want to give any spoilers...
Warneke has a pretty decent book, with the exception of the constant use of the "F" word. It is not neccessary most of the time. The became distractions that did not add to the story, but seemed "added" to shock or perhaps emphasize a situation that would have been better seen through discription (and often already had been better described.)
It is nearly impossible for me to describe without giving spoilers, but I will try.
Rebecca is a young woman trapped in a world being ravaged by a plague. The result of which is something between a "zombie" and a "vampire." Those infected are referred to as "Blight."
Rebecca has been one of the "elite" fighters of the blight. And she is very good at her job. However, the constant act of killing is taking its toll on her and she is having nightmarish dreams. I found these dreams to be very disturbing, and did not feel the need for the explicit descriptions, especially considering the nature given to Rebecca.
In addition to the nightmares, Rebecca has developed a type of Narcolepsy. The dreams are spilling into her days as she falls asleep at every avenue. This is not entirely surprising considering her job and the sleepless nights avoiding the nightmares, which refuse to be ignored. Then, to make things worse, Rebecca is falling in love with another elite, which is against the rules.
If Warneke's intentions were to get us worked up by the foreplay and sexual tension between Rebecca and Wilson, it worked - at least for me. If the nightmares were supposed to do the same, it did not work - at least for me. Like Rebecca, I felt a little tainted.
The writing was good, the plot had terrific potential, and the setting was great. I had difficulty determining the theme(s) because there were so many possibilities and none seem to stand out. This may have been deliberate, which is fine, but I like a clearer theme. The story is told first person, which gives a clear picture of Rebecca's thoughts as well as actions.
Perhaps, I find this book too jaded. While I don't expect a happily-ever-after for my characters -in fact those can be down right obnoxious- I expect to feel some kind of closure. I am not referring to those books that leave an opening for a sequel, because those usually have a sense of "everything it finished for the day, but next week is another issue." Instead, I felt like the last chapter was missing.
Warneke has a pretty decent book, with the exception of the constant use of the "F" word. It is not neccessary most of the time. The became distractions that did not add to the story, but seemed "added" to shock or perhaps emphasize a situation that would have been better seen through discription (and often already had been better described.)
It is nearly impossible for me to describe without giving spoilers, but I will try.
Rebecca is a young woman trapped in a world being ravaged by a plague. The result of which is something between a "zombie" and a "vampire." Those infected are referred to as "Blight."
Rebecca has been one of the "elite" fighters of the blight. And she is very good at her job. However, the constant act of killing is taking its toll on her and she is having nightmarish dreams. I found these dreams to be very disturbing, and did not feel the need for the explicit descriptions, especially considering the nature given to Rebecca.
In addition to the nightmares, Rebecca has developed a type of Narcolepsy. The dreams are spilling into her days as she falls asleep at every avenue. This is not entirely surprising considering her job and the sleepless nights avoiding the nightmares, which refuse to be ignored. Then, to make things worse, Rebecca is falling in love with another elite, which is against the rules.
If Warneke's intentions were to get us worked up by the foreplay and sexual tension between Rebecca and Wilson, it worked - at least for me. If the nightmares were supposed to do the same, it did not work - at least for me. Like Rebecca, I felt a little tainted.
The writing was good, the plot had terrific potential, and the setting was great. I had difficulty determining the theme(s) because there were so many possibilities and none seem to stand out. This may have been deliberate, which is fine, but I like a clearer theme. The story is told first person, which gives a clear picture of Rebecca's thoughts as well as actions.
Perhaps, I find this book too jaded. While I don't expect a happily-ever-after for my characters -in fact those can be down right obnoxious- I expect to feel some kind of closure. I am not referring to those books that leave an opening for a sequel, because those usually have a sense of "everything it finished for the day, but next week is another issue." Instead, I felt like the last chapter was missing.
February 16, 2013
I won this e-book through a series of fun events from Bookie Nookie, a GREAT Goodreads member. (Thanks again, BN!)
I honestly don't know how to describe this book; I don't know what to make of it. "Blight" was all over the place; yet, I couldn't stop reading it. I'm still shaking my head...
Rebecca (better known as "Beck") is a Blight killer. Blights are similar to vampires, but not quite. Beck's the best at what she does, but she has some inner demons that she really needs to tackle before she completely loses her mind. Also, she's deathly afraid of becoming a "Blight-biter," one who has been bitten by a blight and turns into one of them. Because of that fear, she has trained herself into becoming a lean, mean, Blight-killing machine. No one can surpass her skill in that aspect. However...
Beck has one "imaginary friend" in particular who comes to her at the weirdest times, and does things to her no imaginary friend should do. The friend hinders Beck's attempts at socializing with others, which causes her to believe she's not likable, not lovable, and cannot be around anyone for any long period of time. Even so, Beck still has people in her life who believe in her and want to be close to her, in spite of her shortcomings and misgivings. Her brother Michael tries to protect her because of the incidents that happened when they were both younger; Wilson, who also wants to be around her and wants to become intimate with Beck, but holds back for some reason that isn't quite explained in the book. It's frustrating to see so many chances get squandered away, but there is a grand scheme developing, and although Wilson and Beck are aware of it, they find it extremely difficult to stay away from each other.
Childhood experiences have caused Beck to become who she is and why she is the WAY she is. Again, it's very hard to explain, but the tale itself is gripping. Beck isn't even sure WHAT she is, so I'm left trying to figure out will she ever discover her true destiny? What is this extra "power" she has that no one else has? Is that why she's the best Blight killer around? What is the deal with her "intimacy issues?" And what's up with her "imaginary friend?"
Even the epilogue confused me. I'm still wondering what has Beck evolved into, if anything. God, I just can't figure this book out. I'm still shaking my head as I type this...when is the second book coming out? The author can't leave the ending like that, and not have something in the works!
I honestly don't know how to describe this book; I don't know what to make of it. "Blight" was all over the place; yet, I couldn't stop reading it. I'm still shaking my head...
Rebecca (better known as "Beck") is a Blight killer. Blights are similar to vampires, but not quite. Beck's the best at what she does, but she has some inner demons that she really needs to tackle before she completely loses her mind. Also, she's deathly afraid of becoming a "Blight-biter," one who has been bitten by a blight and turns into one of them. Because of that fear, she has trained herself into becoming a lean, mean, Blight-killing machine. No one can surpass her skill in that aspect. However...
Beck has one "imaginary friend" in particular who comes to her at the weirdest times, and does things to her no imaginary friend should do. The friend hinders Beck's attempts at socializing with others, which causes her to believe she's not likable, not lovable, and cannot be around anyone for any long period of time. Even so, Beck still has people in her life who believe in her and want to be close to her, in spite of her shortcomings and misgivings. Her brother Michael tries to protect her because of the incidents that happened when they were both younger; Wilson, who also wants to be around her and wants to become intimate with Beck, but holds back for some reason that isn't quite explained in the book. It's frustrating to see so many chances get squandered away, but there is a grand scheme developing, and although Wilson and Beck are aware of it, they find it extremely difficult to stay away from each other.
Childhood experiences have caused Beck to become who she is and why she is the WAY she is. Again, it's very hard to explain, but the tale itself is gripping. Beck isn't even sure WHAT she is, so I'm left trying to figure out will she ever discover her true destiny? What is this extra "power" she has that no one else has? Is that why she's the best Blight killer around? What is the deal with her "intimacy issues?" And what's up with her "imaginary friend?"
Even the epilogue confused me. I'm still wondering what has Beck evolved into, if anything. God, I just can't figure this book out. I'm still shaking my head as I type this...when is the second book coming out? The author can't leave the ending like that, and not have something in the works!
June 8, 2012
This is a goodreads first reads.
Blight by A. C. Warneke was amazing! I loved it!
'Beck' is a Blight Fighter, one of the Elite. She is the best.
If the print had been a little larger I would have been finished much sooner!
Summary: Rebecca “Beck” Lewis has always known she was destined for an early grave. Ever since her parents became monsters and tore her perfect world apart she has been shattered, unable to put the pieces together again. But she doesn’t care because her goal in what is left of her life is to take out as many Blights as possible before they take her out or she finally gives in to madness. She likes being able to kill the monsters without mercy, without doubts, and she is very good at what she does.
It doesn’t matter that the amethyst-eyed demon who haunts her dreams is slipping into her reality and is stealing pieces of her soul. It doesn’t matter that he is destroying whatever remnants of humanity she has left and fashioning her into something new. It doesn’t matter that he is taking everything she loves away from her.
She never had much use for her soul anyway.
Told from Beck's POV, Blight is the story of Beck as she struggles with trying to keep her mind together long enough to take out as many Blights as the fates will allow. She is the perfect Blight-killing machine: quick, precise,relentless, merciless. She revels in the kill even as the world around her falls apart; even as she falls apart.
March 17, 2013
This was a book I loved and hated all at the same time...I felt so bad for Beck, was she really slipping into madness, or was she unknowingly transitioning into her true form?
The supporting cast played complex roles in this story, none of them really had simple straight forward purposes, they were like threads, weaving the tapestry of the story together, supporting, confusing, misleading, protecting & loving our heroine Beck, as she questions the events of every new day.
The story had humor, all of Becks weapons had names great one liners, sarcasm, Hot sex, violence, lack of sleep and big bad creatures.
A.C. Warneke has a very vivid and complex imagination, and she does a nice job sharing it. I would have liked a bit more world building info as I really don't know if it was like a post apocalyptic environment, or a completely new environment, or just like we know the world to be...but at the same time i'm not sure that this info was vital to the story line.
In closing... long live Beck and I hope she gets some sleep & more time in print, to actually finish her story
The supporting cast played complex roles in this story, none of them really had simple straight forward purposes, they were like threads, weaving the tapestry of the story together, supporting, confusing, misleading, protecting & loving our heroine Beck, as she questions the events of every new day.
The story had humor, all of Becks weapons had names great one liners, sarcasm, Hot sex, violence, lack of sleep and big bad creatures.
A.C. Warneke has a very vivid and complex imagination, and she does a nice job sharing it. I would have liked a bit more world building info as I really don't know if it was like a post apocalyptic environment, or a completely new environment, or just like we know the world to be...but at the same time i'm not sure that this info was vital to the story line.
In closing... long live Beck and I hope she gets some sleep & more time in print, to actually finish her story
July 11, 2013
Hmmm....This is not a genre that I would particularly go for, however, seeing as I love everything else from this author, I gave it a go.
I have to say, even though I found it a bit gory and confusing, I have been hardly able to put it down. I feel like I have to relate to the female lead to enjoy a story, and while I haven't quite yet got that with Beck (mainly because all has not yet been revealed and still yet to unfurl in the sequel), I still want to invest reading time with her and see the rest of her story evolve.
So while this is a genre I'm not familiar with, and would not expect to enjoy, I still fell in love with this epic story and can't wait for it to continue in After Blight.
With all of the indie authors now, anything can get published, but every time I read one of this author's books I come up with the same reaction - this is a REAL writer. There is just something about her writing that takes it to the next level and drags you into the story with your descriptions that make them stick with you and find a secure place on your favourites list.
I have to say, even though I found it a bit gory and confusing, I have been hardly able to put it down. I feel like I have to relate to the female lead to enjoy a story, and while I haven't quite yet got that with Beck (mainly because all has not yet been revealed and still yet to unfurl in the sequel), I still want to invest reading time with her and see the rest of her story evolve.
So while this is a genre I'm not familiar with, and would not expect to enjoy, I still fell in love with this epic story and can't wait for it to continue in After Blight.
With all of the indie authors now, anything can get published, but every time I read one of this author's books I come up with the same reaction - this is a REAL writer. There is just something about her writing that takes it to the next level and drags you into the story with your descriptions that make them stick with you and find a secure place on your favourites list.
February 17, 2013
Loved this book!! I couldn't put it down & can't wait for the next book. Beck is a great heroine & Shaw is yummy! "He" is dark & mysterious. Action packed & fast paced, Beck's apparent demise into insanity is epic. A.C.Warneke is a wonderful writer & takes you along for the ride. Brilliant book, hopefully a long series planned, as I loved the blight-filled world!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews