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Behold Darkness
Never let a crisis go to waste. Carpe jugulum.
That’s the credo of haunted but ambitious New York businessman Nathan Serebus, a man content to consider himself anything but a hero. His motto will be put to the test, though, when a trip to San Francisco lands him and his attorney Albin Conrad in the middle of a multiple-target terrorist attack.
Worse, the strikes are a cover for the extremists' true purpose: to release a contagion that transforms people into savage, unthinking cannibals.
As the cannibals turn on civilians and terrorists alike, and San Francisco descends into monstrous violence, Nathan and his friends fight with the brutality and ferocity of wolves to survive—and not only against the infected flesh-eaters.
Despite Nathan's tenacity, the terrorist mastermind Cheel takes him and his people hostage. But Nathan has always thrived on chaos. As he matches wits with Cheel—a man whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—he finds himself left with a decision: fight his demons or embrace them?
His choice will have grave consequences—for him and for all civilization.
Behold Darkness is the first book of LC Champlin’s gritty Wolves of the Apocalypse series.
That’s the credo of haunted but ambitious New York businessman Nathan Serebus, a man content to consider himself anything but a hero. His motto will be put to the test, though, when a trip to San Francisco lands him and his attorney Albin Conrad in the middle of a multiple-target terrorist attack.
Worse, the strikes are a cover for the extremists' true purpose: to release a contagion that transforms people into savage, unthinking cannibals.
As the cannibals turn on civilians and terrorists alike, and San Francisco descends into monstrous violence, Nathan and his friends fight with the brutality and ferocity of wolves to survive—and not only against the infected flesh-eaters.
Despite Nathan's tenacity, the terrorist mastermind Cheel takes him and his people hostage. But Nathan has always thrived on chaos. As he matches wits with Cheel—a man whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—he finds himself left with a decision: fight his demons or embrace them?
His choice will have grave consequences—for him and for all civilization.
Behold Darkness is the first book of LC Champlin’s gritty Wolves of the Apocalypse series.
398 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
24 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
L.C. Champlin
9 books41 followersWriter, traveler, adventurer. Lover of all things Geek and Dark. I admire villains, antagonists, and rogues more than a little. They really do have more fun, and they can teach us important life lessons.
I write fiction because the characters in my head have too much attitude to stay in my skull, I want to see the world through different eyes, and I want to live life through different souls.
I write zombie apocalypse/horror/thriller books because it's in the dark that we see a person's true character. Plus, who doesn't like shooting zombies?
Check out my site lcchamplin.com for book updates, and blog posts about villains, weird science, and more.
I write fiction because the characters in my head have too much attitude to stay in my skull, I want to see the world through different eyes, and I want to live life through different souls.
I write zombie apocalypse/horror/thriller books because it's in the dark that we see a person's true character. Plus, who doesn't like shooting zombies?
Check out my site lcchamplin.com for book updates, and blog posts about villains, weird science, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 31, 2017
Fast paced PA thriller, this is non-stop action. Felt like I couldn't catch my breath, it was continuous fast forward. One thing though, I am still a bit confused about the werewolves! but I still have about 50 pages to read! Recommended!
October 14, 2017
This book gives different side of zombie outbreak. We get different point of view on the why and how it all started and by who. Most zombie Apocalypse we don't get that this book you do. I liked that. Even with all the action at the start of the book it was little slow
Maybe all that going up and down stair's at the hotel once they got out on the street's to the very end it was awesome!
With all the action it's nicely developed and detailed.
Characters developed great. Also liked how it didn't just stay focus only on the main character Nathan . the Author allowed us see what the others was thinking and feeling during it.
I can't wait to read more of Nathan and Albin ,the little band of group they started.
"I voluntarily read and reviewed this book "
Maybe all that going up and down stair's at the hotel once they got out on the street's to the very end it was awesome!
With all the action it's nicely developed and detailed.
Characters developed great. Also liked how it didn't just stay focus only on the main character Nathan . the Author allowed us see what the others was thinking and feeling during it.
I can't wait to read more of Nathan and Albin ,the little band of group they started.
"I voluntarily read and reviewed this book "
December 27, 2017
‘It is a human. Behind, he braced the pipe’s end against the fence wire.’
Georgia author LC Champlin, currently on assignment in North Carolina, is a freelance medical professional. As a traveler and adventurer she consumes concepts for her rich imagination she is a fan of villains, and antiheroes, stating ‘As a writer interested in antagonists and the dark side of humanity, I enjoy writing stories that force us to face the darkness in ourselves.’ Her genres – zombie, apocalypse, horror, and thriller books.
For a new writer LC understands the importance of plunging the reader into a credible space before the bizarre events of her book unfold. She sets her scene well – ‘“NIGHTMAAAAAAAR—” RIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNGGG! The St. Regis San Francisco Hotel fire alarm overpowered Avenged Sevenfold’s fury. Nathan Serebus’s ropy muscles locked his elbows, twenty-five pounds of dumbbell in each hand above him. He lowered them to his chest, sat up from the bench and set the weights aside before pulling the Bose buds from his ears. “What in the—” he muttered, voice lost in the din. Fire alarm lights strobed across the fitness center’s weight cage and multi-function gym. He sighed as he hit pause on his phone’s music. A voice over the loudspeakers announced: “A fire has been reported. It may affect your floor. Please proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevators.” Probably some millionaire playboy lit a cigarette in the residence levels while drunk off his a**—no, rear. No profanity, he’d promised Janine six years ago . . . but old shipboard habits died hard. He swung off the bench and onto his feet, grabbed his water bottle and shoved it into a pocket of his black gym shorts. The alarm paused again to replay the warning message. Nathan wiped his tanned face and tar-black goatee with the bottom of his University of Alaska Anchorage tank top. “Better get a move on.” His Skype call with Janine would have to wait, as would Davie’s bedtime story. The little wolverine would be {upset] about not hearing the end of Ragnar and the Wolves, his favorite (but his dad’s least favorite) story. Janine . . . Janine was already displeased with Nathan because he’d missed her presentation to the Manhattan Borough Board. She didn’t need him to be there, she simply believed that as CEO of Arete Technologies, he should make an appearance. Skill, not marriage, had earned her the PR and Marketing Liaison title: she could convince the board to buy Arete Tech’s dust bunnies, much less the company’s surplus servers.’
The book is long and well carved and the provided synopsis serves the story well: ‘ Never let a crisis go to waste. Carpe jugulum. That’s the credo of ambitious New York businessman Nathan Serebus, a man content to consider himself more villain than hero. But that’s before a San Francisco business trip with his attorney Albin Conrad lands them both in the middle of a multiple-target terrorist attack. And before a plague unleashed upon the city transforms its people into monstrous, unthinking cannibals. As the cannibals turn on civilian and terrorist alike, and San Francisco descends into apocalyptic violence, Nathan and his friends must fight with all the brutality and ferocity of wolves in order to survive. Despite Nathan’s tenacity, the terrorist mastermind Cheel takes him and his people hostage. But Nathan is a man who thrives on chaos. As he matches wits with Cheel—a man whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—he finds himself left with a decision: fight his demons or embrace them? Must a villain become a hero to save lives, or is a villain exactly what the apocalypse needs? His choice will have grave consequences—for him and for all civilization.’
A very solid start for a projected series. LC Champlin has her teeth in this and it is a feast!
Georgia author LC Champlin, currently on assignment in North Carolina, is a freelance medical professional. As a traveler and adventurer she consumes concepts for her rich imagination she is a fan of villains, and antiheroes, stating ‘As a writer interested in antagonists and the dark side of humanity, I enjoy writing stories that force us to face the darkness in ourselves.’ Her genres – zombie, apocalypse, horror, and thriller books.
For a new writer LC understands the importance of plunging the reader into a credible space before the bizarre events of her book unfold. She sets her scene well – ‘“NIGHTMAAAAAAAR—” RIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNGGG! The St. Regis San Francisco Hotel fire alarm overpowered Avenged Sevenfold’s fury. Nathan Serebus’s ropy muscles locked his elbows, twenty-five pounds of dumbbell in each hand above him. He lowered them to his chest, sat up from the bench and set the weights aside before pulling the Bose buds from his ears. “What in the—” he muttered, voice lost in the din. Fire alarm lights strobed across the fitness center’s weight cage and multi-function gym. He sighed as he hit pause on his phone’s music. A voice over the loudspeakers announced: “A fire has been reported. It may affect your floor. Please proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevators.” Probably some millionaire playboy lit a cigarette in the residence levels while drunk off his a**—no, rear. No profanity, he’d promised Janine six years ago . . . but old shipboard habits died hard. He swung off the bench and onto his feet, grabbed his water bottle and shoved it into a pocket of his black gym shorts. The alarm paused again to replay the warning message. Nathan wiped his tanned face and tar-black goatee with the bottom of his University of Alaska Anchorage tank top. “Better get a move on.” His Skype call with Janine would have to wait, as would Davie’s bedtime story. The little wolverine would be {upset] about not hearing the end of Ragnar and the Wolves, his favorite (but his dad’s least favorite) story. Janine . . . Janine was already displeased with Nathan because he’d missed her presentation to the Manhattan Borough Board. She didn’t need him to be there, she simply believed that as CEO of Arete Technologies, he should make an appearance. Skill, not marriage, had earned her the PR and Marketing Liaison title: she could convince the board to buy Arete Tech’s dust bunnies, much less the company’s surplus servers.’
The book is long and well carved and the provided synopsis serves the story well: ‘ Never let a crisis go to waste. Carpe jugulum. That’s the credo of ambitious New York businessman Nathan Serebus, a man content to consider himself more villain than hero. But that’s before a San Francisco business trip with his attorney Albin Conrad lands them both in the middle of a multiple-target terrorist attack. And before a plague unleashed upon the city transforms its people into monstrous, unthinking cannibals. As the cannibals turn on civilian and terrorist alike, and San Francisco descends into apocalyptic violence, Nathan and his friends must fight with all the brutality and ferocity of wolves in order to survive. Despite Nathan’s tenacity, the terrorist mastermind Cheel takes him and his people hostage. But Nathan is a man who thrives on chaos. As he matches wits with Cheel—a man whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—he finds himself left with a decision: fight his demons or embrace them? Must a villain become a hero to save lives, or is a villain exactly what the apocalypse needs? His choice will have grave consequences—for him and for all civilization.’
A very solid start for a projected series. LC Champlin has her teeth in this and it is a feast!
June 14, 2018
Behold Darkness - Unclean Evolution Bk 1 - Written by LC Champlin
Is the end of the world insight? What would you DO?
Terrorists unleash a violence-inducing virus. Now the struggle to master it rages. The problem? There are no heroes in the apocalypse. A trip to San Francisco lands ambitious businessman Nathan Serebus and his attorney Albin Conrad in the center of a terrorist attack. Worse, the strike unleashes a contagion that transforms its victims into savage, unreasoning killers. More rogue than the hero, Nathan uses his ruthless skill and cunning to ensure he and his friends survive the chaos.
As Nathan matches wits with the plot's mastermind—whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—the manipulation and intrigue force him to make a decision: fight the darkness within or evolve to embrace it? His choice will have grave consequences for all of civilization.
Behold Darkness is the first book of LC Champlin’s gritty action-adventure series Unclean Evolution. If you appreciate the dark and the dangerous, prefer the antihero over the angel, and want non-stop action and complex intrigue, this book is for you. Get your copy today to dive into the heart-pounding, thought-provoking series.
WARNING: This book is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES due to...blood and gore, strong language, intense situations, extreme violence, mature humor, and sexual themes.
*NOTE: series formerly called Wolves of the Apocalypse
What did I like? Unbelieve, I could not put this down…. Come, 4 am, I had to close my eyes for a few minutes but couldn’t sleep so I got up and finished the book. Wow, the action, gruesome, extreme and mindblowing!
What will you like? The storyline will suck you in on the first page and you watch it grow and develop right before your eyes. The characters are amazing, believable, shocking, startling, and surprising. With all that happen in this the first book of the series and there are three more to go, there is no way that this will only get better with each book. I can’t wait for the next one! I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Is the end of the world insight? What would you DO?
Terrorists unleash a violence-inducing virus. Now the struggle to master it rages. The problem? There are no heroes in the apocalypse. A trip to San Francisco lands ambitious businessman Nathan Serebus and his attorney Albin Conrad in the center of a terrorist attack. Worse, the strike unleashes a contagion that transforms its victims into savage, unreasoning killers. More rogue than the hero, Nathan uses his ruthless skill and cunning to ensure he and his friends survive the chaos.
As Nathan matches wits with the plot's mastermind—whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—the manipulation and intrigue force him to make a decision: fight the darkness within or evolve to embrace it? His choice will have grave consequences for all of civilization.
Behold Darkness is the first book of LC Champlin’s gritty action-adventure series Unclean Evolution. If you appreciate the dark and the dangerous, prefer the antihero over the angel, and want non-stop action and complex intrigue, this book is for you. Get your copy today to dive into the heart-pounding, thought-provoking series.
WARNING: This book is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES due to...blood and gore, strong language, intense situations, extreme violence, mature humor, and sexual themes.
*NOTE: series formerly called Wolves of the Apocalypse
What did I like? Unbelieve, I could not put this down…. Come, 4 am, I had to close my eyes for a few minutes but couldn’t sleep so I got up and finished the book. Wow, the action, gruesome, extreme and mindblowing!
What will you like? The storyline will suck you in on the first page and you watch it grow and develop right before your eyes. The characters are amazing, believable, shocking, startling, and surprising. With all that happen in this the first book of the series and there are three more to go, there is no way that this will only get better with each book. I can’t wait for the next one! I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
January 14, 2018
Businessman Nathan Serebus and his friend and attorney, Albin Conrad, while on a business trip to San Francisco, find themselves in the middle of a terrorist attack. But, this is no ordinary, garden variety terrorist attack; in this attack a contagion has been released that turns people into cannibals. In order to survive, and help humanity survive, Nathan must surrender part of his own humanity.
Behold Darkness by L.C. Champlin is not just another zombie apocalypse story, it’s more like a zombie apocalypse story on steroids. Filled with danger, dirty language, and dire situations, it has no heroes, just people doing what they have to do to survive. If you’re offended by off-color language and uncensored violence, you might want to give this book a pass. It’s definitely not for anyone with a weak constitution.
The characters, as unlovable as they are, are interesting, and the situations are intense. A good book for action junkies.
I received a free copy of this book. I give it three and a half stars for concept.
Behold Darkness by L.C. Champlin is not just another zombie apocalypse story, it’s more like a zombie apocalypse story on steroids. Filled with danger, dirty language, and dire situations, it has no heroes, just people doing what they have to do to survive. If you’re offended by off-color language and uncensored violence, you might want to give this book a pass. It’s definitely not for anyone with a weak constitution.
The characters, as unlovable as they are, are interesting, and the situations are intense. A good book for action junkies.
I received a free copy of this book. I give it three and a half stars for concept.
January 27, 2020
This book starts off as a thriller, and boy does it go off with a bang! Then it transitions into more of a horror story, but never giving up that thriller aspect. What you get is a well, written survival book with more than one enemy (terrorists, kidnappers, betrayals, zombies). The action is fast, the tension is excellent and the characters are a fascinating combination of steely resolve and sheer will to live. This is survival horror at it's best and I didn't want to put this down.
I received a free copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book.
May 17, 2018
Weapons of War or Peace
This book is very well written. This author certainly has a wild imagination😀. The characters, the plot and the way they are presented gives the reader a good view the weapons of War and the extent to which man will go. Great Read!
This book is very well written. This author certainly has a wild imagination😀. The characters, the plot and the way they are presented gives the reader a good view the weapons of War and the extent to which man will go. Great Read!
March 11, 2019
I tried, but just could not get past the spelling errors, grammar errors and poor editing; plus I did not enjoy the writing style.
Not a bad story, but, i had a REALLY hard time finishing it.
Not a bad story, but, i had a REALLY hard time finishing it.
September 26, 2017
Behold Darkness starts in the midst of action, which helps to set the tone for this fast-paced story.
While I liked all of the main characters, I felt that the author told readers what a villain Nathan Serebus is, more than actually showing readers. Nathan starts out by going out of his way to save a stranger when he could have escaped by himself. That’s an action that a true villain wouldn’t consider if it meant lessening the chance of his own survival. At the end of the book, we find out why he chooses to help this woman, but until then, I didn’t see him as that man who’s "content to consider himself more villain than hero."
Albin was my favorite character. I found his aloofness, wisdom, and cunning weapons skills intriguing, and his loyalty to Nathan endearing.
From an editor’s standpoint, this book could have used another round of copy editing or proofreading. It is plagued by punctuation errors, such as missing and incorrect closing punctuation and em dashes, hyphens used instead of em dashes, and incorrect punctuation in dialog tags. Also making an appearance is strange wording like "under the two’s steps," "you" instead of "your," and even an instance of "chestl."
Normally, I wouldn’t deduct stars for inadequate editing, but with at least forty marked in my Kindle, I couldn’t ignore them, as they were extremely distracting, and I deducted a star.
I stuck with it because I liked Behold Darkness’s plot and characters, and found it to be a good effort for Champlin’s first book. It was action-packed, fast paced, and I especially enjoyed the mashup of thriller and zombies. I am interested in reading about what happens with Nathan, Albin, the terrorists, and the "cannibal" virus that was unleashed. I will consider purchasing Book 2 in 2018 if it is better edited.
Read this collection if you:
• Enjoy thrillers with terrorist plots.
• Like zombies (but know it’s not filled with zombie kills, if that’s what you enjoy).
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
While I liked all of the main characters, I felt that the author told readers what a villain Nathan Serebus is, more than actually showing readers. Nathan starts out by going out of his way to save a stranger when he could have escaped by himself. That’s an action that a true villain wouldn’t consider if it meant lessening the chance of his own survival. At the end of the book, we find out why he chooses to help this woman, but until then, I didn’t see him as that man who’s "content to consider himself more villain than hero."
Albin was my favorite character. I found his aloofness, wisdom, and cunning weapons skills intriguing, and his loyalty to Nathan endearing.
From an editor’s standpoint, this book could have used another round of copy editing or proofreading. It is plagued by punctuation errors, such as missing and incorrect closing punctuation and em dashes, hyphens used instead of em dashes, and incorrect punctuation in dialog tags. Also making an appearance is strange wording like "under the two’s steps," "you" instead of "your," and even an instance of "chestl."
Normally, I wouldn’t deduct stars for inadequate editing, but with at least forty marked in my Kindle, I couldn’t ignore them, as they were extremely distracting, and I deducted a star.
I stuck with it because I liked Behold Darkness’s plot and characters, and found it to be a good effort for Champlin’s first book. It was action-packed, fast paced, and I especially enjoyed the mashup of thriller and zombies. I am interested in reading about what happens with Nathan, Albin, the terrorists, and the "cannibal" virus that was unleashed. I will consider purchasing Book 2 in 2018 if it is better edited.
Read this collection if you:
• Enjoy thrillers with terrorist plots.
• Like zombies (but know it’s not filled with zombie kills, if that’s what you enjoy).
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews