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Tainted Earth #1
Afflicted
The world is changing...
Change carries on the wind, flows through the rivers and grows in the heart of the storm. Once it is set free, nothing can stop it from spreading like poison through the Earth and all its creatures. The planet is evolving and anything that wants to remain will have to adapt. The animals are learning to fight back while the plants grow beyond control. Kaitlyn and her friends must find a way to survive while everything around them becomes stronger and stranger. They can't trust anything they thought they knew about the world. They can't even trust each other. Rage and violence twists its way into the hearts of the contaminated: shaping them into something new. Something which cannot feel pity, mercy or love. Kaitlyn’s heart draws her towards the one person she knows can help them but can she find him in time? Safety lies just out of reach and they must find the strength to achieve it.
Seventy years before Maya discovered the Cage of Lies, Kaitlyn’s world is about to change forever. Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga, an action packed dystopian romance filled with love, uncertainty and danger on every page.
Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga and can be read as a stand alone series. Follow Kaitlyn in this heart-stopping dystopian romance filled with suspense, mystery and action. If you love Dystopian fiction best sellers like The Hunger Games, Divergent or The Gender Game then this series is for you!
Change carries on the wind, flows through the rivers and grows in the heart of the storm. Once it is set free, nothing can stop it from spreading like poison through the Earth and all its creatures. The planet is evolving and anything that wants to remain will have to adapt. The animals are learning to fight back while the plants grow beyond control. Kaitlyn and her friends must find a way to survive while everything around them becomes stronger and stranger. They can't trust anything they thought they knew about the world. They can't even trust each other. Rage and violence twists its way into the hearts of the contaminated: shaping them into something new. Something which cannot feel pity, mercy or love. Kaitlyn’s heart draws her towards the one person she knows can help them but can she find him in time? Safety lies just out of reach and they must find the strength to achieve it.
Seventy years before Maya discovered the Cage of Lies, Kaitlyn’s world is about to change forever. Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga, an action packed dystopian romance filled with love, uncertainty and danger on every page.
Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga and can be read as a stand alone series. Follow Kaitlyn in this heart-stopping dystopian romance filled with suspense, mystery and action. If you love Dystopian fiction best sellers like The Hunger Games, Divergent or The Gender Game then this series is for you!
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2017
239 people are currently reading
1194 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Valenti
110 books9,575 followersHey!
We are Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, sisters and best selling co-authors of all things dark romance - fantasy and contemporary, M/F and RHs, there’s something for everyone, as long as you love characters who will break your heart, stomp on it and laugh over the pieces before putting them all back together in the end. We live in the South East of England, kinda near London but far enough out to be able to look at fields all wistfully and shit if the mood takes us. We work together from our countryside office through the week, writing down most of the madness that exists in our heads on paper, so that you can come and escape to our imaginary worlds for a little bit too. We don’t shy away from twisted cliffhangers, and love an Alpha asshole, but our leading women are of the badass, take no shit lying down variety, so it’s always a rollercoaster of a ride. We can’t wait for you to buckle up with us!
We are Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, sisters and best selling co-authors of all things dark romance - fantasy and contemporary, M/F and RHs, there’s something for everyone, as long as you love characters who will break your heart, stomp on it and laugh over the pieces before putting them all back together in the end. We live in the South East of England, kinda near London but far enough out to be able to look at fields all wistfully and shit if the mood takes us. We work together from our countryside office through the week, writing down most of the madness that exists in our heads on paper, so that you can come and escape to our imaginary worlds for a little bit too. We don’t shy away from twisted cliffhangers, and love an Alpha asshole, but our leading women are of the badass, take no shit lying down variety, so it’s always a rollercoaster of a ride. We can’t wait for you to buckle up with us!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 26, 2023
pooled ink Reviews:
Ooo Valenti, you've done it again!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Cage of Lies series and this one is showing plenty of promise to be just as good! It's really fantastic getting to find out how the world we read about in Cage of Lies actually came to be. And that ending! I absolutely cannot wait to read what happens next!
A heart-pounding start to this dystopian saga, Afflicted rears back and shows the first strikes as earth fights back. Fast-paced, twisted, and igniting the series with everything lost, follow along as wind whispers doom and the animals promise "soon."
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/12/11/affl...
Ooo Valenti, you've done it again!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Cage of Lies series and this one is showing plenty of promise to be just as good! It's really fantastic getting to find out how the world we read about in Cage of Lies actually came to be. And that ending! I absolutely cannot wait to read what happens next!
A heart-pounding start to this dystopian saga, Afflicted rears back and shows the first strikes as earth fights back. Fast-paced, twisted, and igniting the series with everything lost, follow along as wind whispers doom and the animals promise "soon."
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/12/11/affl...
May 3, 2023
A special thank you goes out to the author, Susanne Valenti, for allowing me to read this early! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: child abuse
This book was terrifying! It wasn't terrifying in the sense that there were monsters and such. Well there kind of was but that didn't make it terrifying. I was terrified because everything that happened in this book is entirely plausible. The speed at which technology is advancing in our society is ridiculous. And because of that, the things that happened in this book could totally happen.
Course, I'm not going to share everything that happened because nobody likes books to be spoiled. But like the synopsis said, there is a poison spreading amongst the Earth and there is nothing that can be done about it. So it's up to Kaitlyn and Lincoln to try and survive in this new world.
Lincoln and Kaitlyn were excellent characters and narrators. Both had incredibly distinctive personalities so even if I hadn't paid attention the chapter heading, I knew who was talking. Right away I was drawn to Lincoln. He didn't have a great life and it made him incredibly jaded about life. I instantly wanted to protect him and hurt whoever hurt him. I also really appreciated Kaitlyn. She sounded like everyday teenager, which is something I look for in YA. She also didn't make dumb decisions that some female leads tend to make. She ruled with her head and not her heart.
Overall, this was a great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series. The lack of information surrounding what was going on made me want to keep reading to the end. In fact, it's going to suck having to wait until whenever the next book drops because I want to know what happens next!
TW: child abuse
This book was terrifying! It wasn't terrifying in the sense that there were monsters and such. Well there kind of was but that didn't make it terrifying. I was terrified because everything that happened in this book is entirely plausible. The speed at which technology is advancing in our society is ridiculous. And because of that, the things that happened in this book could totally happen.
Course, I'm not going to share everything that happened because nobody likes books to be spoiled. But like the synopsis said, there is a poison spreading amongst the Earth and there is nothing that can be done about it. So it's up to Kaitlyn and Lincoln to try and survive in this new world.
Lincoln and Kaitlyn were excellent characters and narrators. Both had incredibly distinctive personalities so even if I hadn't paid attention the chapter heading, I knew who was talking. Right away I was drawn to Lincoln. He didn't have a great life and it made him incredibly jaded about life. I instantly wanted to protect him and hurt whoever hurt him. I also really appreciated Kaitlyn. She sounded like everyday teenager, which is something I look for in YA. She also didn't make dumb decisions that some female leads tend to make. She ruled with her head and not her heart.
Overall, this was a great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series. The lack of information surrounding what was going on made me want to keep reading to the end. In fact, it's going to suck having to wait until whenever the next book drops because I want to know what happens next!
January 15, 2018
Book synopsis: Change carries on the wind, flows through the rivers and grows in the heart of the storm. Once it is set free, nothing can stop it from spreading like poison through the Earth and all its creatures. The planet is evolving and anything that wants to remain will have to adapt. The animals are learning to fight back while the plants grow beyond control. Kaitlyn and her friends must find a way to survive while everything around them becomes stronger and stranger. They can't trust anything they thought they knew about the world. They can't even trust each other. Rage and violence twists its way into the hearts of the contaminated: shaping them into something new. Something which cannot feel pity, mercy or love. Kaitlyn’s heart draws her towards the one person she knows can help them but can she find him in time? Safety lies just out of reach and they must find the strength to achieve it.
Seventy years before Maya discovered the Cage of Lies, Kaitlyn’s world is about to change forever. Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga, an action packed dystopian romance filled with love, uncertainty and danger on every page.
Throughout most of the book, I wanted to walk away from reading it. Kaitlyn seemed to be a two diminsional character for the better part of the book. It really wasn't until close to the end that I found a person in her shell that I could root for. The book did end in a cliffhanger, but overall it was a very good plot, exciting ending. I cannot wait to read more!!
I received this copy and have VOLUNTARILY decided to review it.
Seventy years before Maya discovered the Cage of Lies, Kaitlyn’s world is about to change forever. Afflicted is the first book in the Tainted Earth Saga, an action packed dystopian romance filled with love, uncertainty and danger on every page.
Throughout most of the book, I wanted to walk away from reading it. Kaitlyn seemed to be a two diminsional character for the better part of the book. It really wasn't until close to the end that I found a person in her shell that I could root for. The book did end in a cliffhanger, but overall it was a very good plot, exciting ending. I cannot wait to read more!!
I received this copy and have VOLUNTARILY decided to review it.
January 8, 2018
★||Actual Rating: 3.5 stars||★
Review to come soon.
Review to come soon.
December 21, 2017
Whoa
Whoa, just... Whoa. What a wild ride. The summary does nothing to describe this book. Forget the three suggestions of dystopian books listed above. This book is more like a combination of "The Happening", " The Mist", and "World War Z" told from a teenager's perspective. You start in a world that is mostly normal and much like our own with some character development peppered in as you follow them in their mundane lives wondering along with them why things are getting strange. About halfway through the pace really kicks up and you are racing alongside them trying to guess what's going to happen next.
This is my first time with this author and I must say, the only real complaint I have is that I didn't get a heads up that the writing isn't American English. Initially I thought the story carried tons grammatical errors before I realized that there were colloquial phrases I recognized from overseas. E.g. torch=flashlight, or "get in a row" = "argument/fight/disagreement" Once I realized that, I was able to get more into the story. I HIGHLY recommend this book and can't wait to read the following book(s).
Whoa, just... Whoa. What a wild ride. The summary does nothing to describe this book. Forget the three suggestions of dystopian books listed above. This book is more like a combination of "The Happening", " The Mist", and "World War Z" told from a teenager's perspective. You start in a world that is mostly normal and much like our own with some character development peppered in as you follow them in their mundane lives wondering along with them why things are getting strange. About halfway through the pace really kicks up and you are racing alongside them trying to guess what's going to happen next.
This is my first time with this author and I must say, the only real complaint I have is that I didn't get a heads up that the writing isn't American English. Initially I thought the story carried tons grammatical errors before I realized that there were colloquial phrases I recognized from overseas. E.g. torch=flashlight, or "get in a row" = "argument/fight/disagreement" Once I realized that, I was able to get more into the story. I HIGHLY recommend this book and can't wait to read the following book(s).
April 9, 2020
Awesome story!
This is a great YA, love the characters and I definitely felt as if their reactions were believable. When I read stories like this I often find that the characters don’t react the way a normal person would and it makes the story a whole lot less engaging. But as usual this author has created a world that I easily fell into. The only reason why I gave it four stars instead of five was because there were a few grammatical errors that definitely stuttered my reading progress. Other than that this was a great start!
This is a great YA, love the characters and I definitely felt as if their reactions were believable. When I read stories like this I often find that the characters don’t react the way a normal person would and it makes the story a whole lot less engaging. But as usual this author has created a world that I easily fell into. The only reason why I gave it four stars instead of five was because there were a few grammatical errors that definitely stuttered my reading progress. Other than that this was a great start!
March 10, 2024
Not what I expected
Not what I expected but definitely a good read. Some of the characters I could do without like Demi. But I can see the need for someone like her (villain) to make you develop a strong dislike towards them. However, with the current state of the world and the recent failure of cellular service, the technology being involved with food production, over populated areas, and secrecy of the government my anxiety got the best of me. Hard to put down. Great page turner.
Not what I expected but definitely a good read. Some of the characters I could do without like Demi. But I can see the need for someone like her (villain) to make you develop a strong dislike towards them. However, with the current state of the world and the recent failure of cellular service, the technology being involved with food production, over populated areas, and secrecy of the government my anxiety got the best of me. Hard to put down. Great page turner.
September 23, 2024
Afflicted
This was my first book by just one of the Twisted Sisters and pleasantly surprised. The story builds suspense fairly rapidly, and I found myself invested in the characters after only a few chapters. I'm ever the hater of MFC as a rule, but I took to Kaitlyn in a short space of time. Demi is the typically bitchy head cheerleader, they must do an examination in condescension. The book and tale was over very quickly. I'm already aware that the series isn't finished so I'm pleading, Susanne please finish book 5.
This was my first book by just one of the Twisted Sisters and pleasantly surprised. The story builds suspense fairly rapidly, and I found myself invested in the characters after only a few chapters. I'm ever the hater of MFC as a rule, but I took to Kaitlyn in a short space of time. Demi is the typically bitchy head cheerleader, they must do an examination in condescension. The book and tale was over very quickly. I'm already aware that the series isn't finished so I'm pleading, Susanne please finish book 5.
August 31, 2019
Katy and Linc
Holy wow. This book has a futuristic edge and quickly moves into a dystopian/apocalyptic world. Yesterday Katy was a cheerleader at the
local high school football game and today she's fighting for her life and running from raging crazies and wild wild animals. Kind left home along time ago and hasn't been back in six year...This reunion is nothing he ever saw coming! Fast paced and action packed, intense and thrilling!
Holy wow. This book has a futuristic edge and quickly moves into a dystopian/apocalyptic world. Yesterday Katy was a cheerleader at the
local high school football game and today she's fighting for her life and running from raging crazies and wild wild animals. Kind left home along time ago and hasn't been back in six year...This reunion is nothing he ever saw coming! Fast paced and action packed, intense and thrilling!
June 14, 2020
A real page Turner!
For anyone looking to get lost in a whole new world, this is definitely the book for you! The characters are written in such a way you feel like you're experiencing everything they do. The world building is done with enough detail to make it feel real but not so much that you get bored reading about it, a very fine line few authors are able to staddle but Susanne has done perfectly! Could not put this book down and cannot wait to read the next!
For anyone looking to get lost in a whole new world, this is definitely the book for you! The characters are written in such a way you feel like you're experiencing everything they do. The world building is done with enough detail to make it feel real but not so much that you get bored reading about it, a very fine line few authors are able to staddle but Susanne has done perfectly! Could not put this book down and cannot wait to read the next!
January 8, 2023
The protagonist didn't get developed until the very end. I found myself finding her friends far more interesting than her. I'm going to attempt to read the sequel to see if I like it because this first book didn't really do it for me. I was bored reading the first half but the second half was slightly more interesting. I think the reason for this is because I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and for the stakes to be made clear.
January 1, 2026
I really loved the dystopian storyline. My only issue with this is as the fmc is trying to escape after the cinema; the friend group just keeps multiplying. It seemed like every time a character spoke it was some new random name I hadn’t heard of. In my mind there’s a small group of friends at the cinema, not this massive group that keeps expanding to have plenty of cannon fodder. I think limiting the group in size and focusing on fewer characters would make the loss of any more impactful.
January 28, 2021
I shouldn’t have waited...😂
I’ve been putting this book on the back burner for a while now - no magic, no shifters, no dragon or phenixes... wasn’t high on the list.. What an idiot I was! This book is awsome! I got sucked in from the first word n taken on an epic adventure just to jump head first off a cliff ... time to find book 2 to see if I survive the fall x
I’ve been putting this book on the back burner for a while now - no magic, no shifters, no dragon or phenixes... wasn’t high on the list.. What an idiot I was! This book is awsome! I got sucked in from the first word n taken on an epic adventure just to jump head first off a cliff ... time to find book 2 to see if I survive the fall x
January 3, 2018
Great Read
Really enjoyed this action packed book. It had everything from romance to action to infected animals. I devoured this book and am really looking forward to reading what happens next.
Really enjoyed this action packed book. It had everything from romance to action to infected animals. I devoured this book and am really looking forward to reading what happens next.
January 18, 2018
Interesring!
This reminds me of a couple other books I've read, I found it to be very exciting, I got lost a couple of times, but I found it very intriging, I can't wait for book 2 . I am on the edge of my seat, and omg is her friends and brother ok!
This reminds me of a couple other books I've read, I found it to be very exciting, I got lost a couple of times, but I found it very intriging, I can't wait for book 2 . I am on the edge of my seat, and omg is her friends and brother ok!
March 8, 2018
Wow
Tons of action and danger in this book. The characters are great and I really liked most of them. I hope that the sequel comes out soon because I want to read more of this story.
Tons of action and danger in this book. The characters are great and I really liked most of them. I hope that the sequel comes out soon because I want to read more of this story.
March 17, 2022
Phenomenal
If you love a good dystopian book this is an Amazing series to read!!! It is also not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Absolutely wonderful book!!! Fell in love with all the characters and am jumping into book 2 in just a few minutes!!
If you love a good dystopian book this is an Amazing series to read!!! It is also not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Absolutely wonderful book!!! Fell in love with all the characters and am jumping into book 2 in just a few minutes!!
August 12, 2022
Surprisingly good
I usually don't like teen books, but this one was really good. I like end of the world type scenarios, so that's probably why I enjoyed it. I liked that the universe was similar to ours as well.
I usually don't like teen books, but this one was really good. I like end of the world type scenarios, so that's probably why I enjoyed it. I liked that the universe was similar to ours as well.
January 24, 2023
this was an exciting start to the series, filled with mystery surrounding the city and how everything is evolving. plus the tension between katy and linc, and all the drama brought on by katys classmates. getting ready to start the next one!
August 21, 2020
2.5
I enjoyed this, it wasn't hurried and it set the scene well. I just got a bit bored after a while.
I enjoyed this, it wasn't hurried and it set the scene well. I just got a bit bored after a while.
November 14, 2022
Wow what a heart stopper. Great book.
Amazing, if you haven't read any of her books yet check them all out. I have not found 1 book from her and her sister that I haven't liked.
Amazing, if you haven't read any of her books yet check them all out. I have not found 1 book from her and her sister that I haven't liked.
February 5, 2023
loved
This story is so addictive that I couldn’t put it down. The story is so well written and I’m so excited for the next book
This story is so addictive that I couldn’t put it down. The story is so well written and I’m so excited for the next book
July 14, 2023
The premise isn’t super original, but there isn’t a lot not to like about this book. The characters seem decent, and I wanted to read more.
August 11, 2023
I actually really enjoyed this book, the characters of Lincoln and Kaitlyn were awesome.
August 31, 2025
Ok. Y/A. 17 year old Katy & her brother Reece meet up with 24yr old Lincoln from next door and experience the start of the Affliction of the Harbour City area.
October 8, 2025
This deserved negative stars
October 12, 2025
This is such a good incomplete series. It’s so irritating when series end so abruptly!
Read
January 19, 2026loved
March 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this series and couldn't wait to see how it ended. BUT it seems as if it's not going to be finished since this book came out in 2018. and it's now 2024. To bad.
August 27, 2022
I went into this already loving Susanne's writing. This book was a little slow to get into, but it also had some character and scene set up. By the end of it, I loved it. Knowing Susanne, I thought there'd be some spice in this book. There isn't, but I didn't even miss it! The story was unique and fun. Onto book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews