Whispers in the Dark

Echoes of the Flare, Book 1

By: Courtney Konstantin

Narrated by: Paige Reisenfeld, Kenneth Fuentes

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 goal: 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.

©2025 Courtney Konstantin (P)2025 Podium Audio

Bland and cliche

It had the potential to be interesting and the premise was sound but it felt like a book of cliches and forced romance. The characters lacked depth and the male lead was kind of a ridiculous “typical man.” I really enjoyed one of her other series, but this one kind of missed the mark.

Realistic, Interesting, & Satisfying

I really enjoyed this book! It seemed realistic from how it all went down, what the main characters when through and how they reacted, and how other people treated each other. Only downside is it ended and I'm impatient and want more!

Realistic & fast-paced

The story pulls you in quickly with its intense post-apocalyptic setting and keeps the tension high the entire time. Marlowe is a strong and relatable main character, and her determination to survive and reach her mother adds real emotional depth to the plot. The relationship between Marlowe and Cristian develops in a way that feels believable while they face constant danger. I especially liked how the author balanced action with moments that showed the characters’ vulnerability and humanity. The world after the EMP feels vivid and realistic, making it easy to imagine how quickly society could unravel. Overall, it’s a gripping and suspenseful read that’s hard to put down. 📚✨
Pro-tip: Listen to this at a faster pace (1.5 or higher) for an enjoyable performance.

Lacking SHTF Storyline

I wanted to like this one, especially with the opportunity of a romance mixed into the end of days idea, but it disappointed. I’ve got about two hours left and will likely not finish this one. Additionally, the male narrators voice was obnoxious with over-pronunciation and it just did not fit the written male leads mentality. The storyline could have been good, but it was rushed and felt forced and the female lead was almost constantly found crying.