Prelude to Darkness

Book 1

By: Michael Ault

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

When the lights go out, humanity’s darkest instincts take over.

An unthinkable electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack has crippled the United States, erasing the conveniences of modern life in an instant. Phones go silent, engines fail, and cities descend into chaos. For Frank and Katie Lowman, survival means making impossible choices in a shattered world.

Separated by hundreds of miles, Frank fights to escape the ruins of New York, where desperation breeds violence at every corner. Meanwhile, Katie must fortify their Georgia home, battling both external threats and the creeping realization that help may never come. With society unravelling, every interaction becomes a high-stakes gamble, and every resource is worth killing for.

As the Lowmans face fanatical neighbors, ruthless scavengers, and the raw fury of nature, one question looms: can they reunite before the darkness consumes them—and the fragile humanity of those around them?
Prelude to Darkness is a pulse-pounding, thought-provoking survival thriller that explores the best and worst of human nature under extreme circumstances. Michael R. Ault delivers relentless tension, complex characters, and a vivid depiction of life on the brink of collapse.

For fans of apocalyptic fiction, survival drama, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this novel is a must-read.