Cheryl Campbell – författare

A fast-paced, militaristic sci-fi thriller centered on a complex female protagonist and set in war torn but still recognizable New England, ‘Echoes of Darkness’ is the second installment in author Cheryl Campbell’s critically acclaimed “Echoes” trilogy -- a must-read for fans of Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries and Robert D. Armstrong’s World Apart series.

The decades-long conflict with the Wardens, the genocidal faction of alien Echoes that started the war on Earth in 2069, rages on. Dani, an Echo, fights alongside humans and other aliens against the Wardens. As the bond of her newfound family strengthens, she continues to struggle to find a viable solution to retake Boston from the Wardens.

Maine’s civilian and Commonwealth military alliance against the enemy remains intact, but Dani’s relationship with Colonel Houston becomes more strained with rogue Warden attacks, unreliable intelligence reports, and the high casualty counts that will come when they move on the enemy stronghold in the city.

Rowan’s unwavering ambition to eliminate all humans from Earth, rise within Warden ranks, and capture Dani drives him to commit treason. When Dani learns that Rowan is behind an assault in Maine that wounds and kills several people on the Commonwealth base, her well-orchestrated plan against Boston is replaced with one focused only on rescue … and revenge. 

Dani''s return home to Maine after three years of diplomatic missions overseas lands her in jail and within Colonel Houston''s crosshairs. Maine''s civilian and Commonwealth forces continue to work together against the Wardens-the genocidal faction of alien Echoes-but Dani''s relationship with Colonel Houston deteriorates into a personal conflict, putting others'' lives at risk. When Houston has sixteen-year-old Oliver whisked away to become a Commonwealth soldier, Dani''s primary ally in getting him back, General Ramos, is declared missing in action.

Though she knows it is a trap, Dani heads into Warden territory to retrieve General Ramos. The mission takes her into Canada and surrounding New England, where she and Rowan, a Warden, once again cross paths. Setbacks do not deter Rowan, but his increasingly reckless resolve to defeat the Commonwealth and destroy all humans on Earth jeopardize Dani''s life and the Commonwealth''s plan to win the war.