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A review by iam
Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adore SciFi horror, and already loved Dead Silence by SA Barnes as well, so I was thrilled for Ghost Station - and it did not disappoint.
With an estranged psychologist who's just had a patient commit suicide right after a session with her and set in a corporate ruled world, this already had the perfect setup. Add said psychologist to a crew that also just lost a member, sent to recover an abandoned station on a planet with an extinct alien civilisation, and you have an even better start for your plot. Add in the claustrophobic feel of the abandoned station, a big mystery around why its abandoned, and a healthy dose of mistrust between the limited cast of characters, and you have a perfect SciFi horror.
Ghost Station shines with its atmosphere and feelings of paranoia and oppression. Phe, the main character, could never feel safe, could never rely on anyone to help her, and couldn't even trust herself due to her own secrets.
I loved the various mysteries and secrets that help appearing. Some had mundane answers, others horrifying ones, and yet others... well, I guess that's my biggest gripe with the book. Some of the mysteries, the whys and hows and what even really is happening, aren't explained.
While the ending felt nice, there was no sense of satisfaction because some really important questions were unanswered. That was a bit of a bummer, but I still really enjoyed the book, and I'm happy for all additions to the subgenre.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
With an estranged psychologist who's just had a patient commit suicide right after a session with her and set in a corporate ruled world, this already had the perfect setup. Add said psychologist to a crew that also just lost a member, sent to recover an abandoned station on a planet with an extinct alien civilisation, and you have an even better start for your plot. Add in the claustrophobic feel of the abandoned station, a big mystery around why its abandoned, and a healthy dose of mistrust between the limited cast of characters, and you have a perfect SciFi horror.
Ghost Station shines with its atmosphere and feelings of paranoia and oppression. Phe, the main character, could never feel safe, could never rely on anyone to help her, and couldn't even trust herself due to her own secrets.
I loved the various mysteries and secrets that help appearing. Some had mundane answers, others horrifying ones, and yet others... well, I guess that's my biggest gripe with the book. Some of the mysteries, the whys and hows and what even really is happening, aren't explained.
While the ending felt nice, there was no sense of satisfaction because some really important questions were unanswered. That was a bit of a bummer, but I still really enjoyed the book, and I'm happy for all additions to the subgenre.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.