Whispers in the Dark: Vol. 1

by Kalista Neith

Take a deeper look into the realms Of Chaos and Darkness with Whispers in the Dark-a companion anthology best enjoyed after reading Invoking the Blood.

Twelve spicy short stories featuring your favorite characters, lore, and spice...

Stories include

Sparrow’s immortality

A look into Chaos

The second Hunter’s Moon

Voshki’s pov with Faye

Morbid and his queen

An Anarian wedding tradition

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Romantasy, Vampires, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Adult

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2024

Reviews

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well now that the drenched panties are washed, the empty tissue box has been replaced and new batteries are on the grocery list I just wanted to say that this book was worth the hype!!!! Kalista gave us a book of some of the hottest and filthiest short stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading!!
All the couples we know from her Invoking The Blood & Trail of Lace and Bone got their freak on! And they weren't shy about it!!! I love each of the couples and all their private and public displays! This is a collection of moments from both books and kind of like back scenes and stolen moments. Kalista promised us a selection of dirty smut and she didn't let us down. And the cover was beautiful too!
Fast paced and awesome writing will have you blowing ( No Pun intended😂) through this read in no time at all. This book is voyeurism at its best,and no one will catch you watching!😉
Until next time Luv's💕💋

[Perci Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

So smutty yet so comfy at the same time. The Vashien/Sparrow chapters are my favorite. Read this if you want a cerebral embrace of what love feels like while getting to also feel a *certain type of way.*

[V • NotAStringOnMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⁝⁝ ARC REVIEW ⁝⁝

"Whispers in the Dark" served as my introduction to Kalista's writing, sparking my interest in exploring the rest of her work. Despite some initial confusion due to not having read the previous books, I found the experience enjoyable. Kalista's captivating writing style, coupled with a focus on the spicy side of the narrative, kept me engaged throughout. Although there were some descriptions that I found confusing, I didn't feel like they overshadowed the reading experience. However, I strongly recommend reading "Invoking the Blood" and "A Trial of Lace and Bone" first since these short stories complement the main plot and are intertwined with the events of the preceding books.

If you still decide to read "Whispers in the Dark" without diving into the prior books, be cautious of spoilers, minimal plot explanations, and the high levels of spicy content. Despite these considerations, the book was an entertaining read, leaving me curious to explore more about these characters. Even as a newcomer to this author's work, I look forward to delving into her storytelling and rest of this series.

✦ DETAILS & TWs

🔞 18+ read due to explicit content. Trigger warning can be found at the beginning of the book.

◈ Fantasy Romance
◈ Multicouple Story
◈ Hand Necklace
◈ Handsome, Dominant, & Brat Tamer MMCs
◈ Fingering
◈ Mild Praise & Degradation Kink
◈ Shadow Play / Shadow Daddy
◈ Sharing
◈ Pierced MMC
◈ BDSM
◈ Use Your Words
◈ Fangs Play
◈ Vampires
◈ Wings Play
◈ Primal Kink
◈ "Hold onto the bars"

✦ SCORES

Spice & Heat Content: 5/5
Spicy Quality: 4/5
Overall Score: 4/5

Thank you for the ARC.

[FloofyMooseReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a companion anthology of scenes and short stories within the Of Chaos and Darkness series, a dark vampire x human fantasy romance. Tropes and themes include vampires, enemies to lovers, fated mates, and a Shadow daddy. As this is a dark, and spicy, book, please pay close attention to content warnings.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Flames

The anthology contains stories about Sparrow and Vashien, Morbid and Angelique, Alister and Prinia, Sadi and Damian, and Rune, Faye and Voshki. I loved the pieces about Faye, Rune and Voshki the most (I love their relationship). I also enjoyed reading the story about Morbid and Angelique. We get more in-depth time with the characters and see them in different ways. I’m excited for more books in this series and from this author.

[Misao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to author Kalista Neith for the opportunity to be an advance reader(ARC). I received an email on Christmas Day and absolutely devoured it. If you are looking for an all smut, spicy book in a fantasy realm, Whispers in the Dark is the book to go to.

I really enjoyed reading the short stories and smut from the couples and throuples in this series. And it may be confusing if you haven’t read the first two since this read is a collection of smut between the characters and looks like it’s having some subtle plot building for the next book.

[Haley Babin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy and smutty short stories that lead you wanting more from the Of Chaos and Darkness series🖤 Not that you need to read the series prior but it would be helpful if you did and make this collective of stories even better. This book makes you devour it so quickly and leaving you wanting more between the couples within the stories. Thank you to the author for letting me be an arc reader and adding a new world and characters to my book world📚

[Rebecca Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I loved all these stories! I'm so to get more of them and other great things included. I couldn't stop reading. Kalista's writing is awesome and I can't wait to read more by her!

[PajamaMom Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore these spicy lil stories of this novella. I love when authors give us these sneak peeks into the lives of the characters we adore!

[coolpagu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and accidentally spent my whole day reading it!! After reading Invoking the Blood and A Trial of Lace and Bone, all I wanted was more of the incredible world that Kalista Neith has created…. and also more spice ;) aside from the INCREDIBLY HOT scenes that we got in this book, we got to learn more about each of the characters and got to see more of their individual personalities that we might not have gotten to see in the other books.

Overall, this is a fun and SPICY book that I couldn’t put down. Not to mention the huge list of chapters I have marked for my husband to read later for … research purposes

Favorite quote: “She made her bed, and he intended to fuck her in it” -Vashien (Sunshine)

[Michelle Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for spicy smut lovers who are obsessed with A trial of Lace and Bone and Invoking the Blood. It spicy short stories so you get to see more of the characters you love in some crazy spicy ways.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heeeellllooo spicy stories.
If you're looking for plot, you won't find any written here and that's the point. Whispers in the Dark consists of many very spicy short stories that allow the reader to explore the extra curricular activities the characters from the Of Chaos and Darkness series like to partake in. A short, fun, wild ride.

[KP · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 short stories full of spiiiiicce. If you haven't read books 1 and 2 definitely do before reading this because it has characters from both making appearances. I loved it so much.

[J.D. Ronan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rune who? I'm trying to get with his brother

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kalista Neith, our fantastic and feral familiar leader, escorts us to the darkness in Whispers in the Dark: Vol. 1.

She gives us what we didn't even know we desired; six chapters focusing on supporting characters who have not been given point of view chapters up until this point i.e. Sparrow and Vashien get three chapters, Alister and Prinia get one chapter, Damian and Sadi get one chapter, Morbid and Angelique get one chapter.

These six vignettes give the reader a unique vantage point from which to better understand key supporting characters. It enables the reader to learn the internal desires, fears, and issues these characters are dealing with, and also witness the behind closed doors couple interactions which are partially or fully hidden from Faye and Rune.

In Chapter 1. A Night In Bedlam, you find out how Sadi and Damien met.
In Chapter 2. Kismet, you learn more about Angelique's memory issues.
In Chapter 3. Blood and Whiskey, you see Alister improvise based upon his wife's new abilities.
In Chapter 5. Ice Cream and Waffles, you see Sparrow without her "self-assured confidence".

Sparrow is my favorite character, so I was ecstatic Kalista chose to give us three chapters with Sparrow and Vashien (AND a Sparrow cameo in one of the Faye/Voshki/Rune chapters). Chapter 6. A Cat In The Kitchen, was absolutely exquisite and my favorite dialog in the book! It will live rent free in my mind forever. I hope Kalista writes more Sparrow and Vashien scenes at Lost and Found in Whispers in the Dark Vol. 2,3, etc!

Readers still get six Faye, Rune, and Voshki point of view chapters; some happen during the first two books and some happen after A Trial of Lace and Bone but before the next upcoming book in the series. Voshki's and Rune's personalities are on display in the best way! Going from Voshki impersonating Rune about "strangling his vampiric urges" in Chapter 9 to Rune going feral beneath the hunter's moon and having insanely violent internal thoughts about 'rending Morbid into bloody strips' when Faye is asking whether the kids have been dropped off or not in Chapter 10 is such a sweet and sour style literary pairing.

For the most part this book is full of spice. However, Chapter 11. Inscriptions is a decadently sweet chapter that successfully transitions the reader back to focusing on our beloved main characters' upcoming wedding and gets you excited for the next book! BUT, Kalista knows how to end a book; with an explosive bang with Chapter 12. A Red Room.

Thank you to author Kalista Neith for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy (ARC). And thank you to Tonyviento and Zoe Holland for the beautiful character art!!!!!

[arley_starkreadingmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.

Now that’s out of the way now on to the review.

When Kalista said the plot is the spice, oh boy did she mean it. While yes these are 12 separate scenes that mainly feature spice, Kalista was able to weave some very interesting pieces of information/lore of the world we already know and love from Invoking the Blood and A Trial of Lace and Bone.

I believe the best time to read this is after the first 2 books, since the 12 scenes span from before and during invoking the blood, and during and after a trial of lace and bone. Although I can help but think I might read them in chronological order during my next reread. I feel like that could be fun.

Anyway, what I loved about this is being able to get into a lot of the character’s heads that we already know. We are so used to Faye/Rune/Voski being the leads, it’s very interesting to being in the heads of Morbid, Damian, my girl Sadie, Vash, Sparrow, Alister, and Prinia. I think these scenes help being able to round these characters out because we see the depth of their characters in both main installments of the series but they’re so much more individual once you have their own POVs.

All in all this was so much fun and I can see that this must have been fun for Kalista to write because there’s a lot of, um topics 👀, covered.

[rizisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Kalista Neith for giving me the opportunity to read this as an advanced reader (ARC). I enjoyed reading smut on the holidays. If you are looking for a purely smut/spicy (with a few chapters that aren’t) book in a fantasy realm with hot vampires and familiars then I would suggest this book.

This book is a compilation of short stories that take place within the fantasy realm she has already created in A Trial of Lace and Bone and her other book Invoking the Blood. I absolutely adore her work and just her in general.

In Whispers in the Dark, it was really exciting to get to read more about all the relationships like the throuples (cause we all love a good why choose) and the different couples within the realm. Like I said, there’s a lot of smut. No one got left out, let’s just say that! She also put some light plot building for her next book. So keep an eye out for that as well!
I engulfed myself into all these relationships and I need more already.

If you haven’t read the first two in the series, I believe it may be difficult to follow along in this book. So on that note, Kalista Neith is an amazing author and all of her books should be read.

[RBN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thank you to Kalista for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC! This review is about my honest experience reading this book and are my own opinions.

Two things you need to know right off the bat:
1. Highly recommend reading Invoking the Blood and A Trial of Lace and Bone since these short stories happen intermixed during those two books and it may spoil some of the plot.
2. This is pure spice so if you are expecting plot…read her books!

Ok, now that I’ve set other readers straight, I loved these 12 short stories! Kalista warned her readers that this was pure “smoot” and by gods she was right! However, she was still able to intersperse aspects of the world into these stories in an effortless way. We got to see Sadie/Damien, Morbid, and Alister stories but I definitely preferred the Sparrow/Vashien and Faye/Rune/Voshki stories as those are the characters I connected with the most.

If you’ve read Kalista’s other books in the Of Chaos and Darkness series and don’t have delicate senses then give this book a whirl. It will definitely get you fired up! 🔥

[Joyce Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to the author for allowing me to be an advanced reading copy reader for Whispers in the Dark.
This Novella contains 12 SPICY🌶️ short stories for adults only. These stories are based on characters from her 2 previous novels in this series.
Since this was my first introduction into this authors works, was slightly disorienting , but this was easily remedied by her very intriguing characters, which quite frankly left me with a desire for MORE. ☺️ The intimate interactions between each set of characters set in different sensual/sexually 🌶️explicit scenarios were satisfying and made for a quick read.
Can’t wait for more Damian and Sadi!! Loved the artwork helping to spark my imagination and give life to these characters!
I must confess that my curiosity has definitely been piqued, and I am eager to read the first two books of this series, Invoking The Blood and A Trial Of Lace And Bone!

[Natalie Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first experience being invited to join an *ARC team so a big thank you to author Kalista for allowing me the opportunity. Now onto my honest review…

I did elect to read the first book in the universe, Invoking the Blood, as prep for receiving my arc copy which definitely helped me get through Whispers in the Dark. Make no mistake this book is a stone’s throw away from being porn without a plot.

Whispers in the Dark can definitely be read without having read the two previously published novels in the universe- Invoking the Blood & A Trail of Lace and Bone- if spice is your motivation, however the reading experience is enhanced if you have previous knowledge of the characters' quirks as well as the world’s lingo/anatomy.

Whispers in the Dark is a quick fun read if you enter into it expecting little more than straight spice. Having said that, although I am a fan of smut I find that I did wish there was more substance as a heathy cushion to space out the spice.

[Natreadstoomuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers in the Dark 🩸🐈‍⬛🍪🪞KALISTA GIIIIIIIRL this one was straight up pure 🌶️🔥 spiiiiiiiicy😏 This is a spicy add on style novella that pairs beautifully with book 1 and 2 in the of Chaos and Darkness series. Getting to see little snippets of some of the side characters was really amazing. It helped paint a bigger picture of who they are when some were a complete mystery to us when reading book 1 and 2. Like Morbid?! Never would’ve thought OOF. Definitely not what I pictured in my first round of reading. When I do my reread, I will 100% be reading this book in tandem with book 1 and 2 where they go throughout the books 🥰 Also absolutely LOVE the art included at the start of each chapter😭 it really helps my imagination soar when I can see how beautiful everyone is😍

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying how much fun I had with these stories. I have not read the other books they take place within, and I already felt as if I knew the characters. I honestly love Sparrow. She kept making me laugh with the shenanigans she was in. And with me not knowing the books, it truly peaked my interest and I want to read them all. The world Kalista created is super unique and the characters are all so different from one another, it is everything I love from stories. It is a nice short story, and it was a quick easy reading. The amount of spice that is in it is great, and seeing just how different each couple is, it just adds more depth to it all. Thank you so much for allowing me to read an arc, and I really am looking forwarding to reading the novels.

[Nicole Hu · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who hasn’t read Kalista’s prior works, this spicy novella was a decent introduction into her writing style and world building. Though I didn’t understand some of the finer nuances, that did not detract from the ability to read the spice within. I thought some of the scenes were well described, however other scenes fell a bit flat and at times felt like fan fiction with some of the choice of words to describe the spice happening. Overall, now I want to read the other books to of course get myself more familiar with Kalista’s writing style. However, as someone who was in it “just for the spice”, it was alright, but nothing mind blowing.

[Julianne Aspenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First - Thank you Kalista Neith for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this novella.

Second - WOW OH WOW HOLY SMUT. If you are not looking for smut this is not for you. But if you do enjoy smut and are looking for a quick easy read this one is 100% for you.

The first half of this novella dives into the side characters and their relationships, and the second half is of the main characters. While this is full of smut, I will say that you still get some insight into these characters and their relationships that is kissing in the main two books of this series.

Overall I enjoyed it and if you are a fan of Kalista Neith, you will enjoy it too.

[Vanessa Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thanks to Kalista for allowing me to read this as part of her ARC team in exchange for my honest review!!

First, you need to have read both books before you read this because it has bonus scenes from each book included in it and would be kind of confusing if you haven’t read them yet!

Second, you might(ok, you most definitely) just wanna love and live for some amazing,kinky, dirty, fantasy smutty 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ interactions. Loved how she added in character insights and more back stories. Absolutely loved ever minute of these short stories. As always Kalista is an amazing author!
Overall a great, quick read!

[Trisha Whitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a book with smut upon smut, then read this book! I was lucky to have the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
This book contains 12 short stories relating to Kalista other novels.
It would help if you have read Invoking the Blood and A Trail of Lace and Bone to get more background on the MMCs and FMCs. I have not read any of her previous novels, but I am hooked. The smut is very graphic, so definitely 18 and older. I was blushing, TBH!!

I just need to get her other books because I need to know more about Damian and Sadi!!!

Thank you, Kalista Neith, for the opportunity! You did not disappoint 😍😍

[Kim (Your Book Bestie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review* Kalista Neith quickly became an author that I will automatically read after diving into the first book in the Of Chaos and Darkness Series. Whispers in the Dark did not disappoint! The 12 short stories were a fun & spicy read, providing “behind the scenes” to chapters in the first two books in the series; I’d highly recommend reading Invoking the Blood and A Trial of Lace and Bone before reading this book.

I loved that we got a glimpse into the relationships of our favorite characters and into their lives after A Trial of Lace and Bone! I cannot wait for the next book in the Of Chaos and Darkness Series!!

[Paige Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful for Kalista Neith for letting me be an ARC reader for this gem!

This book was hot hot hot! 😍 The spice written in this was 10/10 for me. If you have read her other two books before this, then these short stories are such an amazing peak into all of the main and side characters’ lives. This book made me fall in love even more with the characters in the previous books. Without giving a spoiler, the Inscriptions had me 😭😍.

Absolutely loved the fact that this book was broken up into shorter stories, it made it easy to finish one and then start a new one when I picked the book back up! If you are okay with a seriously spicy book, I would definitely recommend! 😋

[RaeAnne Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has been reading all of Kalista's work, this was like the cherry on top of everything! I absolutely LOVED every story we got! I would suggest reading her other books first as there may be a bit of spoilers and such within these stories. But if you decide to read this first, just keep that in mind!

Every couple we got, I loved to read about they were all so amazing!! I completely devoured this book. There is so much fun and spice in these stories!! I do suggest checking CW before reading this book, but I highly recommend this and all of Kalista's work!

I received this book for free as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Nikita Maslen · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 spicy bite size, tantalising extras to round off previous storylines.
Having not read the authors previous works, this was an eye opening insight to what I can only assume is more spicy stories awaiting me 🥰

The ‘familiar’ world is something new to me, which I found to be super sweet. The BDSM stories seemed genuine, with the author having done her research into the kinks played out on the pages of her book.

Each story being super short it doesn’t leave much room for plot but I’m not complaining *fans self*

Thank you Kalista Neith, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Erica G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kalista Neith is the Queen of Spice!
I absolutely LOVED getting to experience the other couples' POVs from the Invoking The Blood universe. Not only does it give us an insight to the more intimate moments of their relationships, but also gives us a glimpse into each of the characters mindset and identities that we didn't see in the first two books. I LOVED every story in this book, but I must say I think getting a peak behind the curtain at Sparrow and Vash was my favorite 🔥
Now to our MCs, these stories are hotter than ever! Rune, Faye and Voshki bring the heat!
If you loved the first two books in the series, this is a must read!