Three and a half stars for this space thriller. Dr. Ophelia Bray travels with a small expedition to an isolated planet. She is there to observe the crew members and make sure they do not suffer from a condition that can lead to PTSD like systems and quickly turn into psychotic tendencies, even leading to murder and suicide.
Ophelia was not very likeable, and I didn't feel any connection to the other crew members. However, there was enough simmering tension and unease to keep me interested. The space hub they occupy looks like it has been deserted in a hurry and things don't seem to be right. Eventually more sinister events occur.
The ending was pretty quick, and I wish there had been a longer epilogue to help explain some things. However, I enjoyed this slow burn of a sci-fy thriller. I received a complimentary eBook from the publisher in exchange for a review.

I love, love, love sci-fi horror and S.A. Barnes is killing it!

Ghost Station follows a psychologist with a shady past on a scouting ship full of people who don't want her there. When the crew makes landfall on an abandoned planet, they are immediately drawn to the inexplicable evacuation of the previous researchers. Barnes incorporates the unreliable narrator in this book and it shines as a psychological thrill ride.

Ghost Station and Dead Silence are some of my absolute favorite Sci-Fi Horror books!

When Dr. Ophelia Bray, a psychologist who specializes in the little-understood disorder Elkhart-Reiser Syndrome, joins a crew ((who recently suffered a crewmate death) on their next exploration mission, she is prepared for the team to be a little resistant to her help. Despite this she tries her best to be helpful upon arrival to the planet as the team begins to take samples and explore the ancient alien ruins. Until the pilot starts to act a bit weird…and then is found dead, mutilated, and assumed to be murdered. Trying to balance her own raising dread that she might be affected with ERS herself, as paranoia starts to set in, Ophelia must try to figure out the mystery surrounding the abandoned station and the brutal death of their pilot. Before more people die.

I was really excited to get a chance to read this book early. I was (and still am) completely obsessed with Branes’ prior space horror novel Dead Silence so when I saw she was putting out another book in a similar vein, I jumped at a chance to read it. This took me a while to get into to be fully honest but, once I got into it, I couldn’t stop. The first few chapters were slow, the rest were definitely not. While psychological, shadows in the snow, what’s happening? horror is not really my favorite horror genre, Barnes does a great job of building suspense and dread. I thing Ophelia is a compelling main character and really enjoyed her relationship with Severin growing throughout the book as the pair learn to trust each other as things get progressively more dire.

While I was a bigger fan of Dead Silence (I love a Bioshockey vibe), Ghost Station will easily scratch that same space horror itch and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Ghost Station in exchange for my honest review.

Ghost Station is another amazing space horror from S.A. Barnes! I love how Barnes sets up her main characters and alludes to things that they are hiding from the reader. I also love how it feels like sci-fi without it being overly complex, and the backdrop of a snowy, stormy, dark planet. I was HOOKED from the very beginning and I haven't been able to think about reading anything else. I also appreciate how this book is more psychological rather than jump-scare horror. I feel like that makes everything way more creepy! I loved this book and I can't wait for more from S.A. Barnes!

I was so excited to see S. A. Barnes was writing another space horror because I love the genre so dearly and it's just so under-represented, and she knocked it out of the park with this one again. Things don't REALLY get going with this book until almost 50% in but it doesn't feel like that because there's still tension and an unnerving sense of wrongness that seeps from the pages starting at chapter 2. I also appreciated the backstory given to our main character, I think it really enhanced not only the mystery, but the psychological (hehe) tension of the story. I always wish I could write a space horror story but I worry that it would be too much like Alien - Kade has managed to create something that has that same feel to it but is different enough I can't imagine anyone complaining that it's just a rip-off (although there are similarities. But that's to be expected for space horror). I also have to say that I really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters here. I didn't have any problems keeping them straight, and they were all enjoyable. They added a great dynamic to the story, and I was honestly sad to see some of them go (because inevitably people will die). I think my one main complaint here is that I would have liked a little more of an explanation as to what everything really was, and maybe where it came from. Although I suppose that in a situation like that one it would probably be more realistic not to know. I'm just the kind of person who wants that information though, while I'm sure there will be many others that don't are either way. Despite that I will happily hand-sell this to anyone I can, and I'll certainly be writing a shelf-talker for it when it hits shelves. Fingers crossed Barnes writes more space-horror, because it's a niche I love and she's very good at it. Another slam dunk for Tor Nightfire.

Well, that was a book.

It is eerily similar in plot and tone to We Have Always Been Here, which I was not quite expecting based on that blurb.

After feeling meh about Dead Silence and meh about this one, I think I can say that SA Barnes is not for me.

Despite my own meh-ness on this one, I really think that it'll resonate (heh) with other readers.

S.A. Barnes is quickly establishing herself as an iconic space horror author and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

So…yeah 👀 I’m gonna go ahead and shelf this one for later. I think I’m going to enjoy it eventually but at 30% in it’s still really slow with some odd subplots. The insta jealousy thing was also really distracting.

My big side eye tho is reserved for the almost painfully blatant ‘there’s-something-in-my-past-that-is-going-to-blow-your-mind-and-drop-your-jaw’, foreshadowing.

Well, until later when I decide to finish this *wave awkwardly*

This book merges the eerie vastness of space with the depth of human psychology, creating a novel that is both a psychological thriller and a science fiction horror. Following Dr. Ophelia Bray, a psychologist with a unique interest in ERS—a deadly condition tied to space travel—the story sets a chilling stage for exploration and survival on an alien planet.

Barnes's commitment to a slow-paced narrative serves as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it meticulously constructs an atmosphere thick with tension and foreboding, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the haunting setting and complex themes of guilt, accountability, and the impacts of capitalism in dire circumstances. On the other, it tests the reader's patience, requiring breaks to refocus due to its demanding rhythm and occasionally frustrating character decisions.

Despite these challenges, "Ghost Station" shines in its atmospheric tension and dark undertones. The novel's strength lies in its ability to transport readers alongside Bray and her crew, making them witnesses to the unsettling mysteries and horrors of their mission. The depiction of Bray as a flawed yet compelling protagonist, struggling with her past and the weight of her decisions, adds layers to the narrative, engaging with themes of vulnerability and redemption.

Nevertheless, "Ghost Station" is a testament to Barnes's ability to weave together the existential dread of space with the intricate facets of human nature. It is a book that will appeal to fans of space-based horror and those intrigued by the psychological depths of its characters. While not without its flaws, it stands as an engaging entry into the genre, offering a narrative that is both chilling and thought-provoking.

I would recommend Dead Silence over Ghost Station. Despite my feelings, I did appreciate the ARC opportunity to read this book thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and S.A Barnes.

From the author who wrote the awesome book called Dead Silence. GHOST STATION . This book is as good as its predecessor. I loved every moment. I did not wanna put it down but sadly I had to sleep. But id pick it back up when I had free time. I loved this book. Thank You Netgalley.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

So excited to get this one - I loved Dead Silence. I enjoyed the story and setting of this one, but I felt that the main character was unlikeable and derailed the story a bit. Despite that, I nearly read it all in one sitting. Completely pulled me in. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book!

I was so excited to get and ARC copy of Ghost Station because Dead Silence was such an amazing story. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I did her debut. The horror aspect was fine, I like the isolated setting of space in horror.

My only issue was the MC but because the whole book is from her perspective she ruined all my enjoyment. I hated reading from her perspective. Her inner monologue grated on me to the point I couldn't enjoy the story. She is self centered, always caring what other people think about her and prone to saying things that make her more unlikable. She's a therapist, a shit therapist, she needs to deal with her own trauma and get a new job.

It took me forever to get through the first half so I switched to the audio book. I don't recommend the audio book only because part of the horror is hallucinations and its very hard to tell when they're happening in the audio book.

I will definitely read whatever S.A Barnes puts out next, and I don't think this book will bother most readers like it did me.

This was kind of a letdown after how phenomenal Dead Silence was. The romance subplot seemed to come out of nowhere and really just took away from the tension and development of the other characters. I liked the plot threads separately, but I don't think they were tied together satisfactorily. I did love the alien design, though.

I received a ARC copy of this book through NetGally.

S.A. Barnes is one of my favorite authors. She is able to captivate a reader by placing them in space and provide the dread and emptiness that space must actually feel like. With that, she also is very good at making you feel the emotions that her main characters feel.

Her most recent book, Ghost Station, was just as phenomenal as Dead Silence, her first novel with space as a main theme. The main character, Ophelia, had quite the backstory when we meet her and it was interesting to find out more about why she was so keen on leaving earth and going on a mission in space.

The plot was great, the writing flowed well, and I enjoyed the ending.

Space novels are always hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this one a lot.

Do you like creepy space horror? Did you like Barnes's first book, Dead Silence? Then you're really going to like her newest book, Ghost Station.

Dr. Ophelia Bray is a psychologist specializing in ERS, a space induced psychosis that can turn anyone into a raving murderer. She joins a small band of explorers on a mission to study a planet with alien ruins, hoping to help them avoid ERS. Despite her good intentions the crew resents her and her ties to her megacorp, ultra rich family. Amid the tensions she begins to notice that things don't quite seem right on this supposedly lifeless planet. What happened to the crew that was here before them? What secrets are the crew keeping, and can she hide her own? Is there really something going on, or is it all in her head?

This book was a fast read for me, because I couldn't put it down. It's very atmospheric; we have the backdrop of a universe filled with planets with alien ruins, but no aliens. What happened to them all? Points for mentions of the Great Filter and the Fermi Paradox! We have an eerie, storm lashed planet, isolated from any chance of help or escape. And a tight knit team that is clearly hiding something from Ophelia. The story builds tension and pacing to an explosive finale.

Ophelia is a mixed bag. She's here out of a sincere desire to help these people, but she's also assuaging her own guilt at the excesses and actions of her family. She tries to remain calm and patient, but also has to fight the urge (sometimes unsuccessfully) to pop off whenever the team smartass makes a cutting remark. She comes across very young and a touch naive, quite vulnerable, but sincere. She feels more like a grad student than a full doctor; does she really have enough experience to be out here in space on her own yet? She mentions previous patients so we know she's been practicing for a while, but some of her decisions and reactions feel like a much more inexperienced doctor.

We get some flashback action, alternating between the horrors of the current dilemma and the past in a way that gives us a greater insight into her character. Poor Ophelia, she's had a rough time of it. We get nail biting suspense, the fear of not being alone in the house, body horror, alien horror, space horror.

Part of me wishes this was a series instead of a standalone, so we could explore this universe more, learn more about the dead civilizations, really delve into that wider world... but I also recognize that's not what this story is about. It's about this woman, and this team, and this planet. The tight focus really keeps the narrative moving and keeps us focused on what matters.

I loved how Ghost Station dropped small creepy things here and there. A tooth all by itself. How random! Wait, what are those long scratch marks there? I'm sure that's fine. Who moved my shoe in the middle of the night away from my bed? Ok, that's weird... Building up the horror drip by drip. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it will appeal to anyone looking for a creepy, one-off space thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

If The Happening and Contagion had a baby it would be this.

We follow Ophelia a psychologist who is assigned to a team that is heading out to a newly acquired planet. Upon arrival they are met with basically a ghost town (station). From there the story takes a bit to get moving. I would say the pacing is a little rough as it is quite slow in the beginning and pretty rushed in the ending. This is a little disheartening as this is the really good part.

Would I class this as a horror? Probably not. Mystery/thriller, probably. However, space (and the ocean) scare the heck out of me. I wasn't scared while reading this book but I was trying to solve the issue at hand: WHAT IS GOING ON?! I kept picturing Jenova from FF7 Advent Children.

I appreciate the spotlight on mental health issues and the stigma that comes along with them. The idea of ERS is terrifying in itself. The play on the inability to trust your senses is also very well thought out. The depiction of corrupt greedy companies and how citizens must risk it all to make ends meet sometimes, does well in mimicking real life. "Some of us are broken enough that we don't get to be fixed."

I enjoyed it overall but it wasn't as "horror" as expected.




Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Tor Nightfire and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC of this novel.

I think I am going to settle on a 3.5 for this one. It took a little bit for me to get into it, but once I did, it was a fun time. I love thrillers/horror novels set in space. This one kind of made me think of that movie Life. There was a lot of action. I loved the creepy, claustrophobic vibes. Just the thought of having to survive on an abandoned planet is terrifying to me. I really enjoyed this book for the most part. I did think the main character, Ophelia, was pretty annoying. I don't know that I completely understood what was going on with her. At times, this novel got a little disorienting, but that was probably intentional. Overall, I thought this was a pretty solid space horror/thriller and I had a fun time reading it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SA Barnes for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Ghost Station coming out April 9, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was excited to get it because it seemed like a fun sci-fi mystery. I thought the first half of the book was really fun. It was dark and claustrophobic. The mystery of space is definitely fascinating. The book never felt scary to me though. I was thinking there would be a little more horror based on the title and description. I think Ophelia had a complicated relationship with her father. I wonder if this book was somewhat based on Hamlet. There was a ton about Ophelia and all her decisions and thought process, but there was hardly anything about other characters. I think Ophelia got slightly annoying by the end with all of her obsessions. I would’ve liked to see more from other characters and more horror.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi mysteries.

Barnes remains a skillful architect of atmospheric horror. she is so exceptional at building suspense, at providing little glimpses of atrocities that you're not sure you've read right. sci-fi horror naturally lends itself to the overwhelming fear of being alone; S.A. Barnes makes you think that maybe that would be preferable, over the ghosts slinking by in the background.

"So many corners, so many shadows. Where are you hiding, little bird?"

our mc is Ophelia, "Phe" to her little sister and inner voice. Dr. Ophelia Bray is a psychologist who probably should have stayed out of the psych field and definitely found some better support for her own immense trauma. unfortunately, she is instead going into space to join a research team, so she can help them tackle their trauma over the terrible death of a squad mate. Ophelia is expecting some pushback from the team; she is not expecting what she gets, which is arguably a lot worse than just being disliked.


I knocked a star off for a few reasons. I fully believe that a very rich family could buy anybody's silence, especially if they're not above some careful assassinations or dumping people on hillbilly planets where they can't access a comm. I do not fully believe that anybody could possibly be as naïve as Dr. Ophelia Bray.

also, I hate ill-timed romances, and I dead-ass was foaming at the mouth when Ophelia and Ethan started making eyes at each other.

that being said, I did like this book even more than the author's previous one, and I'm such a sucker for unreliable narrators and questionable hallucinations, so I'm happy about giving it a four star rating. I think this is a solid sci-fi horror, so long as the reader isn't too picky about their protagonists lol.


queer rep - side sapphic character
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨