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Helios: Whisper Ridge: After the Pulse: Book 1
High in the mountains east of Klamath Falls, the secluded community of Whisper Ridge watches as the sky ignites. When a catastrophic 2027 Carrington Event tears through the Earth’s magnetic shield, the grid collapses, and civilization vanishes swiftly.
Mason Ashford, a solar analyst and the last person who ever wanted to be in a leadership position, finds himself thrust into the middle of a crisis no one is ready for. At his side is longtime friend, Lisa Taylor, a sharp-minded and unflinching individual, the only person who understands the science as deeply as he does.
But survival takes more than knowledge.
Elijah Rourke, a retired Army officer with the calm precision of a man who’s seen too much, becomes the backbone of Whisper Ridge’s defense. Tessa Vaughn, a battle-hardened Navy Corpsman with scars she doesn’t talk about, brings grit, skill, and a quiet strength Mason can’t ignore.
As chaos spreads beyond the mountains, Whisper Ridge must transform from a peaceful gated community into a united front against a world in turmoil. In the aftermath of the storm, loyalty is tested, and ordinary people become the only heroes left.
Mason Ashford, a solar analyst and the last person who ever wanted to be in a leadership position, finds himself thrust into the middle of a crisis no one is ready for. At his side is longtime friend, Lisa Taylor, a sharp-minded and unflinching individual, the only person who understands the science as deeply as he does.
But survival takes more than knowledge.
Elijah Rourke, a retired Army officer with the calm precision of a man who’s seen too much, becomes the backbone of Whisper Ridge’s defense. Tessa Vaughn, a battle-hardened Navy Corpsman with scars she doesn’t talk about, brings grit, skill, and a quiet strength Mason can’t ignore.
As chaos spreads beyond the mountains, Whisper Ridge must transform from a peaceful gated community into a united front against a world in turmoil. In the aftermath of the storm, loyalty is tested, and ordinary people become the only heroes left.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 20, 2026
This was one of those stories that grabbed me and never let go.
“The drop-off is accelerating. The planet’s natural shield, the thing that’s kept us safe from the sun’s temper tantrums for millennia, is barely holding together.”
When a catastrophic Carrington Event in 2027 wipes out the power grid and sends civilization into collapse, the quiet mountain community of Whisper Ridge suddenly becomes ground zero for survival. The author does a fantastic job showing how quickly normal life can disappear and how fragile our systems really are.
“That’s what we do now. We survive. We hold the line. We protect what’s ours, and we don’t wait for someone else to fix it.”
What really makes the story shine are the characters. Mason Ashford is a fascinating, but reluctant leader. He’s brilliant when it comes to the science but uncomfortable with the responsibility suddenly placed on his shoulders.
Lisa Taylor is sharp, capable, and every bit his intellectual equal. I also loved the addition of Elijah and Tessa. Elijah’s calm, strategic military mindset balances the chaos, while Tessa is an absolute standout, battle-hardened, skilled, and quietly formidable.
Although this is not a romance, there is a small budding connection throughout the story.
The cast feels realistic, no one magically has all the answers, but everyone brings something essential to the table.
Tropes/themes:
Apocalyptic
Natural disaster
Science/survival
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Human resilience
Tiny romantic element
Cliffhanger ending
This is my favorite of Liscom’s work so far. He’s learning to write women in a realistic way rather than the caricature we get from so many other male authors in this genre. These women have strong roles in the community, and are important to the plot. How refreshing!
I am still perplexed at how none of these characters seem to have a pet. Nor does anyone in the neighborhood, how is this possible?
This is an intense, character-driven survival story with strong male and female leads, high stakes, and a frighteningly plausible scenario. I’ve already downloaded the second book.
“The drop-off is accelerating. The planet’s natural shield, the thing that’s kept us safe from the sun’s temper tantrums for millennia, is barely holding together.”
When a catastrophic Carrington Event in 2027 wipes out the power grid and sends civilization into collapse, the quiet mountain community of Whisper Ridge suddenly becomes ground zero for survival. The author does a fantastic job showing how quickly normal life can disappear and how fragile our systems really are.
“That’s what we do now. We survive. We hold the line. We protect what’s ours, and we don’t wait for someone else to fix it.”
What really makes the story shine are the characters. Mason Ashford is a fascinating, but reluctant leader. He’s brilliant when it comes to the science but uncomfortable with the responsibility suddenly placed on his shoulders.
Lisa Taylor is sharp, capable, and every bit his intellectual equal. I also loved the addition of Elijah and Tessa. Elijah’s calm, strategic military mindset balances the chaos, while Tessa is an absolute standout, battle-hardened, skilled, and quietly formidable.
Although this is not a romance, there is a small budding connection throughout the story.
The cast feels realistic, no one magically has all the answers, but everyone brings something essential to the table.
Tropes/themes:
Apocalyptic
Natural disaster
Science/survival
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Human resilience
Tiny romantic element
Cliffhanger ending
This is my favorite of Liscom’s work so far. He’s learning to write women in a realistic way rather than the caricature we get from so many other male authors in this genre. These women have strong roles in the community, and are important to the plot. How refreshing!
I am still perplexed at how none of these characters seem to have a pet. Nor does anyone in the neighborhood, how is this possible?
This is an intense, character-driven survival story with strong male and female leads, high stakes, and a frighteningly plausible scenario. I’ve already downloaded the second book.
August 26, 2026
DON'T DISCOUNT YOUR NEIGHBORS DUE TO THEIR AGE AND THAT MOST ARE RETIRED IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC EVENT
8/26/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Helios: Whisper Ridge: After the Pulse: Book 1 by Sean Liscom is the first opportunity that I have taken to read anything that he has written even though I have looked into his 'The Ranch' series a few times but just never got around to reading them. What a mistake on my part if his 'Whisper Ridge' series has any indication of his talent. This first book in this series is really a great book, only leaving me with the impression that the other three books in this series will be just as good of a read, if not better.
The characters are down to earth men and women that are easy to follow, though I will say tha with all the cast of characters in Whisper Ridge housing development it's kinda hard at times to track who's who until you get into the book a little ways. The main cast are easy enough to follow and you'll have no problems relating to what challenges they face in the afttermath of solar flare that hits earth taking down the grid and infrastructure leaving everyone on their own to either band together to survive or parish on their own. The residents of Whisper Ridge, a gated community outside of Kalama Falls, Oregon, are mostly a group of retired individuals just triying t live their lives in peace a short ways from the hussle and bussle of the city.
The main character in this tale is Mason Ashford, a widower and a satellite repairman. Okay that's a little bit of an insult. He's a employee of a major contractor who deals with DARPA and the Department of Energy repairing satellite relays throughout the northern hemisphere in addition to tracking EMP, CME, the Earth's poler shifting, and magnetosphere. Mason is one of the best in his field but you really think that matters when he finds out all hell is headed your way? Our government being what it is, having their head so far up their ass, don't want to even take the time to hear what's coming.
Mason bands with his neighbors in Whisper Ridge to try to prepare with a short notice that a CME is going to hit Earth that makes Carrington Event of 1859 look like a mild storm. Stepping into the role of HOA board member to get the attention of the development, get them to start to prepare for what's coming as a team, and to offer himself for help to his neighbors. In doing so, he not only becomes a key player but a resource that is one of the most needed among their group.
Like I started above, this is a great start to what I can only say is going to be a great series. You'll find yourself drawn into the action, the relationships between the group of residents, the family values of Mason and his family. The strength of what a group can accomplish if they work together, and it's even humorous at times.
The only issue I had was with the mess of characters introduced in Whisper Ridge Community itself, it would have been nice if Sean Liscom would have included a list of cast with a brief description of who they were. This being just the first book, it's going to be a challenge to keep track of all of them throughout the four book series. Of course, only having read this first book, I could be totally surprised if Sean does have a list of characters going into the additional books.
I can honestly say that I really enjoyed reading this book and will start the second book as soon as I post this review and have all intentions of moving through each of these books in order and also plan to start his 'The Ranch' series shortly there after. I hope you too will find yourself enjoying this book as much as I have.
Quotes:
"I learned early on that grit and patience could fix almost anything."
"You shot him?" "Yes ma'am, I did. He had a choice, and he chose poorly. His poor decision-making skills killed him."
"Survival without empathy isn't strength. It's rot.
"Fear's not the enemy. False comfort is."
8/26/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Helios: Whisper Ridge: After the Pulse: Book 1 by Sean Liscom is the first opportunity that I have taken to read anything that he has written even though I have looked into his 'The Ranch' series a few times but just never got around to reading them. What a mistake on my part if his 'Whisper Ridge' series has any indication of his talent. This first book in this series is really a great book, only leaving me with the impression that the other three books in this series will be just as good of a read, if not better.
The characters are down to earth men and women that are easy to follow, though I will say tha with all the cast of characters in Whisper Ridge housing development it's kinda hard at times to track who's who until you get into the book a little ways. The main cast are easy enough to follow and you'll have no problems relating to what challenges they face in the afttermath of solar flare that hits earth taking down the grid and infrastructure leaving everyone on their own to either band together to survive or parish on their own. The residents of Whisper Ridge, a gated community outside of Kalama Falls, Oregon, are mostly a group of retired individuals just triying t live their lives in peace a short ways from the hussle and bussle of the city.
The main character in this tale is Mason Ashford, a widower and a satellite repairman. Okay that's a little bit of an insult. He's a employee of a major contractor who deals with DARPA and the Department of Energy repairing satellite relays throughout the northern hemisphere in addition to tracking EMP, CME, the Earth's poler shifting, and magnetosphere. Mason is one of the best in his field but you really think that matters when he finds out all hell is headed your way? Our government being what it is, having their head so far up their ass, don't want to even take the time to hear what's coming.
Mason bands with his neighbors in Whisper Ridge to try to prepare with a short notice that a CME is going to hit Earth that makes Carrington Event of 1859 look like a mild storm. Stepping into the role of HOA board member to get the attention of the development, get them to start to prepare for what's coming as a team, and to offer himself for help to his neighbors. In doing so, he not only becomes a key player but a resource that is one of the most needed among their group.
Like I started above, this is a great start to what I can only say is going to be a great series. You'll find yourself drawn into the action, the relationships between the group of residents, the family values of Mason and his family. The strength of what a group can accomplish if they work together, and it's even humorous at times.
The only issue I had was with the mess of characters introduced in Whisper Ridge Community itself, it would have been nice if Sean Liscom would have included a list of cast with a brief description of who they were. This being just the first book, it's going to be a challenge to keep track of all of them throughout the four book series. Of course, only having read this first book, I could be totally surprised if Sean does have a list of characters going into the additional books.
I can honestly say that I really enjoyed reading this book and will start the second book as soon as I post this review and have all intentions of moving through each of these books in order and also plan to start his 'The Ranch' series shortly there after. I hope you too will find yourself enjoying this book as much as I have.
Quotes:
"I learned early on that grit and patience could fix almost anything."
"You shot him?" "Yes ma'am, I did. He had a choice, and he chose poorly. His poor decision-making skills killed him."
"Survival without empathy isn't strength. It's rot.
"Fear's not the enemy. False comfort is."
January 25, 2026
so tired of the ordinary…
Never expected the extraordinary from another apocalyptic tale, but here it was, and it captured me and captivated me til the end.
Never expected the extraordinary from another apocalyptic tale, but here it was, and it captured me and captivated me til the end.
January 29, 2026
solar flare disaster changes everything
Right from the start, the premise s excellent, the backstory fascinating, & the main character unforgettable.
It’s realistic enough, in that I do believe the government has been bought out, & knowledge would not be shared with the average citizen.
Right from the start, the premise s excellent, the backstory fascinating, & the main character unforgettable.
It’s realistic enough, in that I do believe the government has been bought out, & knowledge would not be shared with the average citizen.
June 4, 2026
Good folk make more and win A GREAT READ
Another great read kept me engrossed especially because ther is so much evil in todays world. If a community like those in Whisper Ridge can make life better so could other communities and too often we forget that….loved the book and look forward to book 2.
Another great read kept me engrossed especially because ther is so much evil in todays world. If a community like those in Whisper Ridge can make life better so could other communities and too often we forget that….loved the book and look forward to book 2.
March 9, 2026
Excellent story
March 31, 2026
I loved the characters you have created
I enjoy several genre of books: historical novel, political drama, sci-fi, time travel, post apocalypse, EMP, CMP like this one, anything by Robert J Crane Epic Fantasy, Adventures, Girl in a Box families with super powers, time travel and many more with over 1,000 books in my Kindle. This story has people with specialized knowledge to help in time of great trials brought about by mother nature. As with all EMP & CMP stories you have those who want to control their area and those who will work for the benefit of the small town. Romance included.
I feel the story could be cleaned a bit by having the date stamp include time stamps for events.
I enjoy several genre of books: historical novel, political drama, sci-fi, time travel, post apocalypse, EMP, CMP like this one, anything by Robert J Crane Epic Fantasy, Adventures, Girl in a Box families with super powers, time travel and many more with over 1,000 books in my Kindle. This story has people with specialized knowledge to help in time of great trials brought about by mother nature. As with all EMP & CMP stories you have those who want to control their area and those who will work for the benefit of the small town. Romance included.
I feel the story could be cleaned a bit by having the date stamp include time stamps for events.
April 29, 2026
Dnf- 12%
REALLY boring!
REALLY boring!
August 28, 2026
Another solid offering from Sean
This is the second series from Sean I've started. I've read all of The Ranch books. I have a hard time finding authors that can get me interested and keep me there. There is a lot of drivel in this market but Sean's books are ones I know will always be a good read. When people ask me for recommendations in the Apoc and Zombpoc arena, I always give the same names...DJ Molles, James N. Cook, Joshua Guess, William Allen (Walking in the Rain only, for me) JT Sawyer has some good stuff too, and of course Sean Liscom. I've download and read dozens upon dozens upon scores of excerpts from a lot of authors but the ones named above are the ones I will always be glad to see has a new book because I know they won't disappoint.
This is the second series from Sean I've started. I've read all of The Ranch books. I have a hard time finding authors that can get me interested and keep me there. There is a lot of drivel in this market but Sean's books are ones I know will always be a good read. When people ask me for recommendations in the Apoc and Zombpoc arena, I always give the same names...DJ Molles, James N. Cook, Joshua Guess, William Allen (Walking in the Rain only, for me) JT Sawyer has some good stuff too, and of course Sean Liscom. I've download and read dozens upon dozens upon scores of excerpts from a lot of authors but the ones named above are the ones I will always be glad to see has a new book because I know they won't disappoint.
January 17, 2026
Phenomenal start to post-CME survival series!
Helios: Whisper Ridge, After The Pulse book 1 is an outstanding start to a new post-CME survival thriller series. It begins in the days leading up to the CME, through the disaster and in the weeks immediately following it. It starts with a bit of a slow burn, introducing us to all the major characters and how they think under normal circumstances and, subsequently, in the worst of circumstances. This is an absolutely fantastic start! Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended to any reader who enjoys survival thrillers and especially post-CME survival series!!
Helios: Whisper Ridge, After The Pulse book 1 is an outstanding start to a new post-CME survival thriller series. It begins in the days leading up to the CME, through the disaster and in the weeks immediately following it. It starts with a bit of a slow burn, introducing us to all the major characters and how they think under normal circumstances and, subsequently, in the worst of circumstances. This is an absolutely fantastic start! Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended to any reader who enjoys survival thrillers and especially post-CME survival series!!
January 26, 2026
This was pretty decent. It did a step by step build up to getting ready for an event which seems a little too far fetched considering most will never know an event is coming let alone have time to make list and purchase months worth of food and necessities but for the purposes of this book it was very interesting. Rarely do we see the build up or get an idea of what it might take to actually survive it. Some good points are made and information that can be helpful. The storyline is interesting and you can like some of the characters which always helps. I think this is to be a series? If so I will happily read the next one out.
March 29, 2026
Mostly reasonable.
Unusually for the genre, I found myself nodding, 'Yes, this is plausible'.
There aren't page after page with unending weapons' porn. Or other porn...
There are lots of descriptions of all kinds of things, and sometimes I found myself thinking 'You already said that. Three or four times...'
The fighting and killing isn't (mostly) unbelievably gory.
The EMT nurse mostly doesn't pull off medical miracles senior surgeons in university hospitals wouldn't brag about, because knowledgable colleages wouldn't believe them...
And the catastrophe that ends the world is reasonable too!
Unusually for the genre, I found myself nodding, 'Yes, this is plausible'.
There aren't page after page with unending weapons' porn. Or other porn...
There are lots of descriptions of all kinds of things, and sometimes I found myself thinking 'You already said that. Three or four times...'
The fighting and killing isn't (mostly) unbelievably gory.
The EMT nurse mostly doesn't pull off medical miracles senior surgeons in university hospitals wouldn't brag about, because knowledgable colleages wouldn't believe them...
And the catastrophe that ends the world is reasonable too!
March 18, 2026
Excellent!
This is one of the best post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read in recent years and I read a LOT. Great characters, especially the story-teller and I really appreciate that the book didn’t start out in the typical fashion. I am tired of the lights going out, cars don’t work, everyone is checking their dead phones as planes fall out of the sky. This beginning had a much more authentic feel
This is one of the best post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read in recent years and I read a LOT. Great characters, especially the story-teller and I really appreciate that the book didn’t start out in the typical fashion. I am tired of the lights going out, cars don’t work, everyone is checking their dead phones as planes fall out of the sky. This beginning had a much more authentic feel
March 28, 2026
Great Story!
I read a lot of Apocalyptic fiction and this was a slightly different and enjoyable twist on the usual plot. I enjoyed the characters and their development. They feel like real people. The book reads fast with lots of interplay and action. The story is well written and I couldn't put it down until I finished. It's now 4 am. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
I read a lot of Apocalyptic fiction and this was a slightly different and enjoyable twist on the usual plot. I enjoyed the characters and their development. They feel like real people. The book reads fast with lots of interplay and action. The story is well written and I couldn't put it down until I finished. It's now 4 am. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
January 24, 2026
I am a huge fan of the Ranch series, so I eagerly dove into Whisper Ridge. I was not disappointed! This is a very well written, taut, exciting work. Very highly recommended....Sean Liscom does not disappoint!
January 28, 2026
Whisper Ridge was a fantastic start to this series. It had everything I want in a story, good people making the hard and dangerous decisions to keep everyone safe and not afraid to take action when needed. I am really looking forward to the next book.
February 12, 2026
Solid read
This book was not a difficult read, but tough to put down. Mr Liscom keeps the story flowing, with satisfying twists and turns. Good character development.
Looking forward to continuing the Saga
This book was not a difficult read, but tough to put down. Mr Liscom keeps the story flowing, with satisfying twists and turns. Good character development.
Looking forward to continuing the Saga
March 18, 2026
Just as superb as The Ranch Series!
New resourceful characters. Should be a movie! Plot is beautifully unfolded. True strength of this book is I have already got book 2. Please write fast. Thank you.
New resourceful characters. Should be a movie! Plot is beautifully unfolded. True strength of this book is I have already got book 2. Please write fast. Thank you.
April 29, 2026
A New Take on Topic
Enjoyed reading this apocalypse story as it was different from others. As all novels, I question some of the content but enjoyed reading it. Easy and a recommended read.
Enjoyed reading this apocalypse story as it was different from others. As all novels, I question some of the content but enjoyed reading it. Easy and a recommended read.
May 31, 2026
FINALLY…a decent post apocalyptic fiction
I’ve started so many series in this genre lately and been turned off because it was so unrealistic. This one actually had some guts, and was good. About bloody time.
I’ve started so many series in this genre lately and been turned off because it was so unrealistic. This one actually had some guts, and was good. About bloody time.
July 4, 2026
Great, well written book
I enjoyed the plot of this book. Its more realistic and brought out the elements of older people, as valued assets because of their past experiences and wisdom. That was refreshing to see.
I enjoyed the plot of this book. Its more realistic and brought out the elements of older people, as valued assets because of their past experiences and wisdom. That was refreshing to see.
July 4, 2026
great book. can’t wait to read the rest of the series
This is my first Sean Liscom book and it won’t be the last. I liked the way the people in Whisper Ridge were all normal fallible people.
This is my first Sean Liscom book and it won’t be the last. I liked the way the people in Whisper Ridge were all normal fallible people.
August 1, 2026
Well written
Overall i am enjoying the series. The only issue i have are the military references. It's obvious the author never served and does not understand the difference between the branches. I skip over the mistakes.
Overall i am enjoying the series. The only issue i have are the military references. It's obvious the author never served and does not understand the difference between the branches. I skip over the mistakes.
August 18, 2026
Solar Flare
Excellent book about what would happen if a solar flare actually took out our power grid. Basically, people realize pretty quick that no one is coming to save them and others realize the law is not coming either. So scary that this is actually a possibility.
Excellent book about what would happen if a solar flare actually took out our power grid. Basically, people realize pretty quick that no one is coming to save them and others realize the law is not coming either. So scary that this is actually a possibility.
January 17, 2026
Good tale of a remote community dealing with a CME and the resulting damages. Liscom is a good storyteller and always develops likeable characters.
January 18, 2026
Excellent read
I am a fan from The Ranch series. Helios is just as good. Can't wait for the next installment of this series
I am a fan from The Ranch series. Helios is just as good. Can't wait for the next installment of this series
February 4, 2026
Very good read
Hated to see the end of this book. The character building, the plot, the twists and turns all make this story shine. Found a new author I'm going to !ove.
Hated to see the end of this book. The character building, the plot, the twists and turns all make this story shine. Found a new author I'm going to !ove.
February 5, 2026
Good plot
I liked it. Written well. Not exceptionally different from other books in this niche but I enjoyed it. K k
I liked it. Written well. Not exceptionally different from other books in this niche but I enjoyed it. K k
February 8, 2026
Page Turner !
Enjoyed the book. Definitely gives you thoughts on what to expect in trying times. Hope it never happens. Pray hard.
Enjoyed the book. Definitely gives you thoughts on what to expect in trying times. Hope it never happens. Pray hard.
February 21, 2026
Best book
I loved the book,it kept me on edge, I couldn't wait to read the next page. I can't wait for book two.
I loved the book,it kept me on edge, I couldn't wait to read the next page. I can't wait for book two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews