Whispers in the Dark

Echoes of the Flare #1

by Courtney Konstantin

Whispers in the Dark
A Ravaged Skies Novel

When the world goes dark, survival becomes a whisper away from death.

Marlowe never wanted to spend her week locked in a courthouse serving jury duty. But on the second day, a catastrophic EMP strikes, shutting down power, communication, and society as she knows it. Trapped in a city unraveling into chaos, Marlowe’s only ally is Cristian, a hardened sheriff’s deputy with a past as fractured as the streets they now walk.

Cristian has one get Marlowe to safety and find a way to survive in a world stripped bare. But as fires rage, violent gangs emerge, and desperation becomes the only currency, the pair face dangers far worse than the loss of technology. When Marlowe is injured, her already fragile trust is put to the ultimate test.

To make matters worse, Marlowe isn’t just trying to survive—she’s on a race against time to reach her mother, who’s battling cancer hundreds of miles away. Every step forward feels like a whisper in the dark, and every wrong turn could mean no one is left to hear her scream.

Whispers in the Dark is a heart-pounding, post-apocalyptic story about survival, sacrifice, and the fragile humanity we cling to when the lights go out.

Whispers in the Dark is a Ravaged Skies shared world novel.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Survival, Fiction, Horror

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2025

About the author

As a child, Courtney always had aspirations of being a writer. She participated in journalism in school. At home, she wrote short stories, poetry and filled diary pages. Somewhere along the line becoming an adult took priority over her writing and she went to work in business operations.

Now as a mother to three beautiful children, she tells them all the time to follow their dreams, be whatever they want. Those lessons reminded her how much she loved writing. She finally opened the door to making writing a real priority in her life.

Living outside of Portland, Oregon she loves the green and beauty Oregon offers. When she’s not matching wits with her children, her crazy Siberian Husky or her bi-polar cats, she enjoys binge reading, hikes and touring wineries. Courtney and her husband, the love of her life, enjoy traveling the world whenever they can get a free moment. And cruises….she loves cruising. She’s especially fond of life, laughter and sarcasm – and she’s excited to share all of that and more with her readers!

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHISPERS IN THE DARK Is the first book in the Echoes of the Flare series within the Ravaged Skies shared world where 14 authors have banded together.

I’d only just read this authors sundown series, so she was a new to me author at that stage, inhaled that series which kind of left me in limbo until I’d seen that this one had just been released, jumped in yesterday and the rest is history, I inhaled this one, loved the characters, the chaos, their strength and struggles, the never ending fear, this author threw everything at me and I lapped it up like I was dying of thirst.

Marlowe was sitting on jury duty which should've been a cut and dry case, pointing towards guilty, all agreed on the verdict other than one man Don, making the day drag on longer than was necessary. That was the least of Marlowes worries though because her mother is at her latest cancer treatment after beating it once before, when all of a sudden the power goes out, and a plane literally fell out of the sky into the building erupting into flames and chaos as everyone tried to flee the scene in one piece. As she's fleeing down a staircase with other like minded people trying to get out of the building to safety, she's shoved from behind and would've been trampled if not for strong arms catching her.

That man was Cristian, a Washington County Sheriff's Deputy who was awaiting his time on the stand to testify when shit hit the fan and mayhem ensued. Due to it nearing dark he makes it his mission to get Marlowe, Don, and another to safety whilst they are still able, because outside the world was on fire he suggested they trek to the safety of his house which was over twenty miles away, a two day walk in the best of times, but this wasn't one of those times.

I can’t wait to dive back into these characters world again..

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn’t surprise me with new ideas but it’s good with strong characters and a lot of action.
It’s worth reading.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
Whispers in the Dark is a thrilling tale in the Ravaged Skies shared world and the first book in the Echoes of the Flare series.
In a world gone dark and in ruin humanity becomes about survival, sacrifice, in this post-apocalyptic story. There are characters that you love to hate and hate to love as each one struggles to adjust to a new reality, a dark reality where the world will never be the same again.
This is a brilliant tale with action and danger, drama and twists and turns and the intensity had me on edge and my heart pumping with my fight or flight instincts ready to go.
Her superb narrative and vivid writing style is very descriptive and makes it seem like you have been immersed in the story and fighting to survive. I was so engrossing I read it in one sitting because I had to know what was going on.
If you love a thrilling apocalyptic tale with a gripping, well-written plot, then this book is a must.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by this author. I have loved everything she has written so far. I knew this one was gonna be a good one when I wished violence on characters I didn't like at all 😆 though one of them did grow on me. This book follows relatable characters taking on the collapse of society after the world goes dark.

[Karleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc

[David Mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there is more to come

Really enjoyed this book great characters good story. Definitely left me wanting more. I do hope there are more books to come

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Stephanie Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlowe is serving jury duty. Everyone felt the man was guilty, except for Don. During their deliberations, Marlowe received a call from her mother and a bailiff escorted her to a private room. Her mother stated that her cancer treatment was harder than last time, but the doctors were hopeful. This was the second time she had to face the deadly disease and Marlowe tried not to worry. When she rejoined the other jurors, Colleen, the foreperson, announced that they were a hung jury because someone wouldn't agree with the majority. Marlowe was looking out the window when the electricity went out. She watched as a plane nose dived into a large building. The windows shattered, and the building shook as the plane erupted into flames. Fleeing the courtroom, Marlowe saw the mayhem in the lobby. She hid behind the wall of an office as gunshots rang out. She followed a group to another exit down a flight of stairs, but Marlowe was shoved in the back. A man in a suit caught her and helped her outside.


Cristian, the man who helped Marlowe, was a sheriff's deputy waiting to testify when the plane crash happened. He informed the group that last night, the news had mentioned a solar storm was possible. Since all power and communication systems were down, he thought a flare could have caused an EMP effect. Since it was getting dark, Cristian led Marlowe, Colleen, and Don away from the chaos. Inside a sandwich shop, he was able to get enough food to last them at least 24 hours. The group took refuge inside a bookstore to wait the night out away from the chaos. Cristian offered to take the group to his home in Tualatin for safety. The following day, Cristian found a bicycle for Colleen. Later that morning, Cristian and Marlowe felt something about Don was off. His angry stare followed Marlowe as they did their best to avoid strangers. Upon reaching a church that evening, Don attempted to sexually assault Marlowe. Cristian tied Don to a tree overnight. The following morning, Don had been freed from the rope. Marlowe and Cristian became extremely cautious as they continued their trek. Don wasn't the only threat they would encounter on their journey. Would they stay together and find safety? Will Marlowe be able to travel from Oregon to California to see her mother?
A dystopian novel with a setting depicting an apocalyptic Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) caused by storms caused by solar flares is plausible. I liked how relatable the reactions of the characters were. Instead of being fully prepared, Marlowe and Cristian had to survive within their realistic limitations. Every negative encounter was dealt with within human limitations. The alternating views between Marlowe and Cristian transition seamlessly. The vivid details made it easy to envision each event. The brutal reality of humanity’s proclivity to panic made the unpredictable plot take several turns. I found the supporting characters also added depth to the story. I look forward to reading the sequel. Whispers In The Dark deserves a full five stars.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

‘ We weren’t in a normal scenario. We didn’t meet on a social media site or run into each other in a coffee shop. No. We were surviving …. the apocalypse. ’

Whispers in the Dark is A Ravaged Skies shared world novel by Courtney Konstantin. This is an action-packed post-apocalyptic survival adventure story with heart-pounding developments, danger, tension, intrigue, family, friendship, sacrifice, drama, a race against time, connection in a ravaged world, challenges, humanity under pressure, and more.
A massive solar flare causes cataclysmic destruction with an EMP blast that immediately shuts down the world. Planes fall from the skies. Cars, trucks, trains, and other modern mechanical devices don’t work. Phones and electronic devices are left useless. Not to mention people become savages overnight- looting, violence, and vandalism are rampant as people turn on each other in the quest for survival. Marlowe and Cristian are thrown together- two strangers with one driving purpose-----and so the adventure begins.
As expected from Ms. Konstantin, the story is intense- pulling me into an adventure I won’t soon forget. I know Ms. Konstantin for her zombie apocalypse stories which I love and have gorged every one - so this is a little different as there are no zombies- but the story still kept me on a page-flipping frenzy, as I devoured every page to find out what would lay in store for the characters. I was completely absorbed by the story, finishing it in one sitting.
Ms. Konstantin has a vividly descriptive style that brought every scene to life. I was right there, in-amongst the action, fighting for survival! The story is so gripping, tense, and intriguing- but at the same time there is depth to the story as well as the multi-dimensional characters, which set this book apart from others in the same genre.
If you love a thrilling story, post-apocalypse survival stories with a gripping, well-written plot, romance, and incredibly interesting characters- then this book should on your TBR!
Can’t wait for more!

Thank you, Courtney Konstantin!

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark is a tense, emotional, and action-packed post-apocalyptic thriller that grabs you by the throat from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Courtney Konstantin delivers a gripping survival story set in a world plunged into chaos by an EMP disaster—where trust is fragile, danger is everywhere, and every step toward hope is shrouded in darkness.

Marlowe is an everyday woman thrust into the unthinkable. What starts as a mundane week of jury duty quickly spirals into a nightmare when the power grid fails and society crumbles in real time. Trapped in a collapsing city with no way to reach her ailing mother, Marlowe’s desperation is raw and relatable. She’s no superhero—just a daughter with a mission, forced to navigate a world that’s turned predatory overnight.

Enter Cristian, a stoic sheriff’s deputy with his own haunted past. He’s the reluctant protector type, but there’s more to him than a badge and a gun. The chemistry between Marlowe and Cristian is built on tension, trauma, and slow-earned trust, making their bond feel authentic and deeply human. As they fight their way through a landscape teeming with fires, ruthless gangs, and decaying order, their evolving relationship adds a powerful emotional layer to the non-stop action.

Konstantin excels at pacing and atmosphere. The world feels eerily real, and the stakes never stop climbing. But what sets Whispers in the Dark apart is its heart. Amid the ruin, the story explores what it means to hold on to hope, loyalty, and love when everything else is falling apart. Marlowe’s drive to reunite with her mother adds urgency and vulnerability to every decision, making her journey all the more compelling.

For fans of The Road, Station Eleven, or The Walking Dead, Whispers in the Dark offers a gritty, emotional, and ultimately empowering tale of survival. It’s a reminder that in the darkest moments, the quietest voices—and the strongest hearts—can still make all the difference.

[Yvonne Derrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apocalyptic Event That Leaves Humanity Trying To Survive

Before I could even write this review, I had to go find Courtney Konstantin on Amazon… For two reasons. First, I needed to see if there was any more books written in the Echoes of the Flare series because this completely changed me and I need more. Second, I had to follow her so I know exactly when the next book comes out so I can read it. I also found a few more series that Konstantin has written that I will be checking out in the meantime. Whispers in the Dark utterly captivated me… I can’t even begin to explain it, what this story did to me, how it changed me, but I was tense with a heart palpitations and clenching my teeth and jaw the whole time I was reading this book. I felt like I was a part of the small group trying to make sense of everything that happened, trying to survive and hold onto hope even when there didn’t seem to be anything to hope for. The plot revolves around how the “apocalypse” starts and how humanity responds to it, including how our small group of “friends” comes together. There’s even the possibility of a slow burn romance between the two MC’s, Marlowe and Cristian. The cliffhanger at the end has me dying though because I want to see/be with them, see how they fare, what comes next, and it’s just not fair… Ugh! The talent Konstantin has jumps off that page and carries you through the whole narrative. There’s no break, no pause… It captured my attention from the first page and I’m still in its grip. I got to the last page and kept swiping to turn the page expecting more and it took me a solid minute to realize that was it, that I now have to wait for the next book… I don’t have, or can’t think of, the words to explain, express, describe what this book has done to me. All I can say is, go read this book, then you can see why I feel like I’m grasping at straws trying to figure out what I feel, or at least how to say it.

[Jude Samson]

Nope. Gave up barely more than 20 mins into the audio book.

Female narrator sounds like she just woke up and is still groggy. I don’t know if she’s trying to be sexy with her voice during times that are just generic scenes and don’t require sexiness or just actually woke up and rolled from bed to her sound booth.

What a weird interaction to have with mom during jury duty right in the middle of a case and there was absolutely zero purpose to the conversation other than to point out mom is sick. There wasn’t even a medical update. Absolutely pointless interruption to the existing scene.

Big deal, marlow has weight on her. She also doesn’t know how much weight everyone else on the jury is carrying. The writer is trying to force feed us a reason to be sympathetic to marlow and make it happen instantly instead of just letting it develop naturally through storytelling. Right now she seems more like an egotistical, self-entitled, selfish brat.

Uproot the life she built for herself? Not even yet a manager at a chain store that in reality we’ve been boycotting for over a year already. If you’re going to put a real store/business/entity into a fictional book it’s going to have to handle being thought of in reality and picking target was a bad choice. Regardless of that issue not even yet a manager or even if she was a manager it’s hardly a life goal or foundation for building an adult life.

He isn’t disagreeing without explanation. So far he’s explained each of his reasons.

Lol cops do NOT sign up to protect people or be helpful. Most sign up because they’re toxic, dangerous, ego-maniacal lunatics. Now we went from the boo hoo woe is me shoveled down our throat to having the boo hoo woe is me copaganda bs shoved in our faces.

At this point I’m rooting for an apocalypse just to get rid of these characters as fast as possible and zero interest in caring if they survive.

dnf

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping, heart-pounding tale that masterfully blends the raw elements of survival with the deep emotional struggles that come with a world suddenly thrust into chaos. This was my first time venturing into this author’s work, and it did not disappoint. From the very first page, the flow of the story captured my attention, pulling me into its tense, unpredictable world where every moment is a battle for survival. The chemistry between Marlowe and Cristian is the heart of the narrative. Their relationship, which begins with mutual distrust, gradually evolves as they rely on each other to survive. Cristian is determined to protect Marlowe, but his own struggles and emotional baggage make him a complex and compelling character. Meanwhile, Marlowe’s desperation to reach her mother, who is fighting cancer miles away, adds a deeply personal layer to her journey, fueling her every decision. What truly sets this book apart is the way it paints a vivid and unsettling picture of the post-apocalyptic world. The author does an exceptional job of illustrating the breakdown of society, from the rise of violent gangs to the ever-present fear that one wrong move could mean death. The tension is palpable, and there’s a constant undercurrent of dread as the characters face the unknown. Even in their darkest moments, the fragility of humanity shines through, making the reader question what they would do in a similar situation. The pacing of the novel is superb, with each chapter intensifying the stakes and pulling you deeper into the narrative. As the characters encounter increasingly dangerous situations, their personal growth and the evolution of their trust in one another adds emotional weight to the high-octane survival story. If you’re looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat while tugging at your heartstrings, this book is an unforgettable read.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlowe is a woman who is in a state of flux, she is currently serving jury duty and because of this is stuck hundreds of miles away from her mum who is in hospital receiving treatment for cancer and the guilt is eating her from the inside, but until this jury comes to a unanimous verdict, they are stuck in one tiny room. Cristian is also stuck in court, but he is waiting to testify instead of on jury duty and as usual, the day is crawling past as he waits for his turn on the stand, especially when the proceedings are delayed by changes to the charges, so he hides his time until his turn arrives.

Meanwhile, as Marlowe turns to look out of the window, she sees a plane just drop from the sky onto the building next door and at the same time, all the electronics go out, but what happens next is the more worrying thing when she hears gunshots and the sounds of people panicking to get out. This, however is only the beginning of a terrifying EMP strike where the whole world has gone dark, fortunately for Marlowe, she runs into Cristian and immediately knows that she will be safe with him, even if the others in the group don't inspire the same trust.

Cristian is all the while trying to work out a plan which will benefit everyone and that isn't easy when the whole world turns desperate and crime becomes currency, especially when food and supplies are in high demand and low stock, but the true nature of the world will be revealed in how people treat others in the aftermath. The answer is badly as the group try and find their way to their homes while avoiding the roaming violence which seems to surround them, but danger lies within the group as well and it soon rears it's ugly head and Marlowe bears the brunt of it.

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark is a dystopian sci fi full of action, adventure, drama, danger, tension, mystery, intrigue, friendship, family and the fight for survival. The story centers around the MC of Marlowe who is doing jury duty when suddenly the power goes out, the building bursts into flames, and a plane falls out of the sky. She finds herself fleeing out of the building and trying to find someplace safe. As she is fleeing the building with several other individuals, she becomes nearly trampled but is saved by a man named Cristian, a Washington County Sheriff's Deputy who had been waiting to testify on the stand. The two find themselves thrust into a world that suddenly shuts down after a massive solar flare causes cataclysmic destruction with an EMP blast. Vehicles and trains don't work; computers, electronic devices, and phones don't work. The blast brings out the worst in humanity as they turn on each other and begin to turn to violence, vandalism and looting overnight. As darkness starts to enclose on them, Cristian suggests that they go to the safety of his house that is twenty miles away but with no working vehicles this requires them walking there. A challenge under normal circumstances but with destruction, chaos, and violence all around them, it becomes the ultimate fight for survival. This was an amazing read with an intense plot line and intriguing characters. The author's vivid writing style immerses you fully into the story line along with the characters as they fight for survival in a post apocalyptic world.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. This is a story of two strangers coming together in order to survive in a world that gets turned upside down. It is the first book in the Echoes Of The Flares series and I have to admit I was gripped from the beginning. It is full of twists and turns, danger, family, friends and a race against time.
How would you respond if one normal day your whole world turned upside down and turned into an end of the world nightmare.
That is what happened to Marlowe and Cristian. They find themselves thrown together in an attempt to survive the new world around them.
With the whole world shut down, no way of communication, and looting and violence gangs running rampant the pair need to find a way to survive in this new world. Things are made even more complicated when Marlowe also has to try and find a way to reach her mother who is dying with cancer who lives miles away.
Can the pair survive? Can Marlowe reach her mother in time? And will the world ever return to the way it used to be before it all changed?
This was a very gripping read. The authors writing really makes the reader feel that they are experiencing the events along with the characters. There are characters that you will hate and characters that you will love. When a author makes me feel so strongly about a character then I find myself more invested in the story.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark is the first book in the Echos of the Flare series and I am already anticipating reading the next book. Marlowe is sitting at a mundane jury room at a court hearing when the power suddenly goes out. Then, a plane slams into the ground, nearly hitting the building. Suddenly, planes are falling from the sky, cars are shutting down, and the everything is turning into chaos. Panic quickly sets in and everyone starts fleeing for safety. In the confusion, she is pushed and before she can plummet down the dark stairs, a friendly hand pulls her to safety. Cristian was the deputy at the trial and now her rescuer. Together, they escape the courthouse and into the madness. Now they must figure out how to survive in a world without technology, surrounded by maniacs that are fueled by desperation and crime. Everyone is turning on each other and merely living is a challenge. This book kept me turning the pages and it gave a twist on the post-apocalyptic genre - EMP by solar flares. The idea that this could actually happen made the tension high. The dialogue and scenarios are believable and relatable. This is the first book I have read from this author and I enjoyed it quite alot and will be reading the continuing books.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark: A Ravaged Skies EMP Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Echoes of the Flare Book 1) by Courtney Konstantin. This was an amazing first book in this apocalyptic dystopian tale. It's the story of Marlowe who is serving in Jury Duty and Christian who is a deputy waiting to testify in the case. While the Jury is hung and Marlowe is worrying about her mother who is at her latest cancer treatment all power goes out, places are crashing, people are acting crazy and mass chaos occurs. Marlowe and Christian decide to stick together to try to make it thru the throng of people without getting trampled. Everything that works on power is not working such as trains falling off tracks, subways shutting down and planes falling out of the sky. As Marlowe and Christian try to make it thru all the chaos, people turning into crazy people trying to get food and water, mass hysteria and just trying to survive and make it to Marlowe's mom. While sticking together they spend so much time together that that feelings get involved. I can't wait to read more of this amazing series and see where these characters go!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new-to-me author and I am already looking for more of her books! This is one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far! It's been awhile since I read a dystopian style read so this was a nice break for me.

No one really enjoys jury duty and after today, Marlowe is really ready to just go back to work at Target. During a rather confrontational vote in the jury room, she moves to the window and that's when her whole world changes. In fact, it changes for everyone in the blink of an eye.

Cristian isn't thrilled about having to testify in another trial but it's the nature of his job as a deputy sheriff. Attorneys are trying to sway his testimony without asking him outright to amend what he's going to say on the stand. There's a large commotion and everyone starts running around the courtroom and the defendant is going after law enforcement. Cristian does what he can but then realizes he needs to get out of dodge.

During the courthouse stampede, Cristian spots Marlowe and sees someone about to do something horrible to her so he grabs her and runs. From that moment on, Cristian sees an opportunity to save Marlowe and finds himself doing that over an extended period of time. Can they both survive this "new world" and get back to some semblance of life before the EMP blast?

I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping post-apocalyptic thriller novel had me hooked from page one. Marlowe is spending a week serving jury duty when a catastrophic EMP strike shuts down power. This results in the loss of technology and stops all communications. Finding herself trapped in a city in chaos Marlowe’s only ally is sheriff’s deputy Cristian. For Cristian his only goal is to get Marlowe to safety and survive. However, this becomes increasingly difficult as fires rage and violent gangs emerge.
Marlowe is desperate to reach her mother who is hundreds of miles away and battling cancer. Survival becomes even more difficult when Marlowe is injured and her trust is put to the ultimate test. The fast paced storyline and drama filled plot made this novel a real page turner. The descriptive narrative really brought the dark and dangerous post-apocalyptic world vividly to life, making me feel fully immersed in the story. I found myself invested in the likeable and relatable Marlowe and Cristian’s journey through this new world and their fight to survive in it.

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlowe is doing her duty sitting in court as
juror. Even though she didn't want to spend her week holed up with a bunch of strangers deciding someones fate she was not expecting the chaos that erupted. On day two an EMP knocked out all the power and all forms of communication. While taking a dark staircase trying to get out of the building she is pushed from behind
Deputy Cristian saves her from what could have been a fatal accident. They each have goals: his is to get her to safety and hers is to make it to her mother who is fighting cancers thousands of miles away. Will they survive? Whispers in the Dark was a great story. It takes us on a journey of what the world could possibly be like if we were hit with an EMP. Of course we hear about solar flares quite often but will one ever be big enough to knock out power and all forms of communication? I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book and whether it picks up where this one ends or if we are several years down the road.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by Courtney Konstantin, but it will certainly not be the last! Whispers in the Dark is a Ravaged Skies shared universe novel and also the first book in The Echoes of the Flare Series. The book begins with Marlowe serving jury duty at her local courthouse. After a series of disastrous events, all caused by a solar flare from the sun, Marlowe is saved by Christian and they embark, together, on a journey of survival. In my opinion, this book was more terrifying than any horror novel in its realism. The world-building takes the reader through the perils of a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger, heartbreak, pain, and the unfathomable lengths one must go to in order to survive. The characters are realistically flawed, believable, and thoroughly lovable (although some you may love to hate). Whispers in the Dark had me hooked from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see where the journey takes Marlowe, Christian, and their “friends.”

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first book in a series. The main characters are Marlowe Reed and Cristian Reyes. When a massive solar storm causes basically an EMP, both Marlowe and Cristian are at the courthouse. Marlowe is there as a juror, and Cristian is a Sheriff’s deputy there to testify. As they are evacuating, Cristian saves Marlowe from being trampled to death. They decide to stay together to get to safety. Along the way, they must navigate injuries, hostile even murderous people, hunger, thirst, as well as life without cars, computers, or electricity. They meet good people along the way who they want to help and save. They have to decide if it is worth the risk to their lives. What would you be willing to do to be safe? I really enjoyed the story and the way they navigated such an unexpected time. They began to develop feelings for each other which felt right in a time where they could only trust each other. I can’t wait to read more of this series! Fantastic book!

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark is the first book in the Echoes of the Flare series. I’m often in the mood for a post-apocalyptic story, and I particularly enjoyed the found family themes in this book. It’s very much part of a series, the ending is satisfying enough but feels more like a pause than the end of the story.

There’s a good amount of detail around the survival side of things, which I like. It helps make the story immersive and believable. It also allows plenty of moments for different side characters to come into their own as they gather resources, look after each other and solve problems.

I’m looking forward to reading more of this series! I’m keen to see how everyone approaches longer-term survival and what challenges come up in the next leg of their journey.

This book gets four stars from me. I’d recommend it to fans of post-apocalyptic fiction with strong found family themes as well as romance.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story that pulls a lot of feelings out of me. I was shocked, saddened, appalled, thrilled and amazing at all the different things that happen in this story. My favorite is the storyline between the two MC and how they change and grow closer. I almost feel like they *need* each other to breathe by the tine the story was over. I like the dystopian genre since they all basically have the same baseline but they become different with the different people (good and bad) and the possible end goal. In here we meet Marlowe, who really has amazing growth throughout the story, and Cristian who as well has self realization that makes him become a better person. Strays are picked up along the way, as with any good dystopian, but some are good and some are bad. They end up with a nice rag tag group and I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning!

Imagine sitting in a jury room in your downtown courthouse. You’re looking out the window when the power suddenly goes off and as you stand there trying to figure out what’s going on an airplane slams into the street, almost into the building. That’s how Marlowe’s day started off. While fleeing the building down a dark staircase she’s pushed from behind. As she is about to take a header or get trampled, an arm snakes around her waist and she’s hauled into a solid wall of flesh. A deputy there to testify at a trial happens to be right behind her and becomes her savior.
This is the beginning of what looks to be another great series by Courtney. Writing in the Ravaged Skies universe, this is her offering. I’m really looking forward to following Marlowe and Cristian to see how they fare.

[Tammy Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers In The Dark by Courtney Konstantin is book 1 in The Echoes of The Flare series. The book focuses on Marlowe and Christian. Marlowe is on jury duty with a jury that seems to be deadlocked. Christian is a police officer testifying at the courthouse. Suddenly, the world stops. A plane falls from the sky, no electricity, no cell phone service, no internet. The Apocalypse has started. Christian rescues Marlowe from the courthouse, and they set off together with a plan to get to Christian’s house. Between the lack of needed supplies and the lawless civilians who will kill you for what little you have, they make their way to a warehouse where other people have sheltered. Trouble and misfortune find them at every turn, and they have to be quick-witted and beyond brave to survive. I love, love, love this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great window into the Ravaged Skies universe!

Whispers In The Dark is an excellent window into the apocalyptic Ravaged Skies universe. The writing is every bit as well constructed as one should expect from a great author like Konstantin, with every facet of the writing crisp and vivid. Christian and Marlowe are the best defined characters, being the primary protagonists, but even secondary and tertiary characters are dynamic. The descriptions of the world pre and post-CME are vivid, and the fact that none of the characters are preppers/survivalists makes the story all the more compelling. 5/5 stars! Recommended for anyone interested in survival thrillers or the fascinating Ravaged Skies universe!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is by a newer author for me which I enjoyed reading. I enjoyed their writing style and realistic details that made the story come to life. This is a well written story about Marlowe. On her second day of jury duty an EMP strikes, losing all communication to the outside. She is locked in the courthouse and her only friend is Cristian. Their story turns into a race for survival and sacrifice. There is alot going on in this story but the author did a great job of keeping me engaged. There is great growth of the characters as well as being relatable. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story that you don’t want to miss. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the moment I started reading. It is an absolutely thrilling story. It is faced paced and so exciting to read. I found myself easily engaging with the stories, willing them to survive the dangers they now faced. They had to navigate so much, while also establishing a trust and partnership between themselves.
For me, this book really hit home as something that could be more realistic than we like to admit. With everything going on in the world, it isn’t too hard to imagine something like this happening. The author did such a good job at portraying the new world the characters faced, it was easy to imagine everything being described. I really enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it.