This is my first book from the author, but my expectations were too high after hearing a lot of praise for Dead Silence. And unfortunately, this didn't work for me. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator, Zura Johnson. She has range and a pleasant voice to listen to (for me). But it felt like it took forever to get through the first half, and it could have benefited from being condensed to make it feel less slow. Despite this, I kept going for the narrator, the premise of the book, and the atmosphere and sense of foreboding. Even though this wasn't the book for me I found reasons to keep reading it, and I'm definitely more interested in trying out Dead Silence now.

This was a pretty good space horror. The premise reminded me a lot of Solaris, the Stanislaw Lem classic, but much more accessible and less literary.

This story follows a team of 5 people on an exploratory mission to another planet. Ophelia is there to assess the mental health of the team after they lost one of their original members. That’s not going especially well, and then weird stuff starts happening on their mission.

The characters are often annoying, so be warned if that’s a no-go for you. It’s not always easy to root for Ophelia. I wish we’d gotten a scene or two of her effectively being a psychologist before she started sucking at it with this team. I get why she sucks because of the strain of the situation, but it makes her look pretty incompetent without something to balance it out.

There’s a lot of effective creepiness in what starts to go down with the team. Nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a formula that works! I liked the horror a lot. The scene at the “towers” was great.

My main complaint is that this was too long. There’s a good bit of ho-hum making the story drag in the beginning and middle. Even in the end, when they are trying to leave, it felt like it went on and on too much.

There’s also a reveal somewhere in the middle that I thought was pointless as a reveal. I think we’re falling in love with twists too much, throwing them in when it’s not necessary. I’d rather have known the info from the start. It would just add to the characterization.

Finally, there are hints of a romance that are extra pointless. Not enough was done with it to warrant it being there at all. But because there was so little of it, it didn’t ruin my reading experience. I just didn’t care about it.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised because some folks I follow didn’t seem to like this one much. You’ll have more success if you go into it 1) okay with annoying characters - which feels pretty standard for horror imo - and 2) expecting a genre space horror good time, nothing spectacular. I feel like that sounds mean, but I’m trying to say this was really solid entertainment!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an amazing follow up to Barney’s debut. It shares the same genre twisting excitement as well as intriguing interpersonal relationships, but the concept was fresh and interesting. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and will definitely be recommending this book to everyone!

Delving into the psychology of what an isolated crew might experience during space exploration, Ghost Station takes the psychological thriller to space, and it was so good.

The quick pace kept me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Sci-Fi can sometimes be overwhelming, but this is a human story told in the context of space and is very relatable,





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S.A. Barnes does it again not only with the story but this cover is fantastic!

This was very well written with excellent plat and the cast of characters were very interesting. I will read anything S.A. Barnes writes. The author definitely knows how to write horror and this book did not disappoint.

Narration was fantastic as well kept you wanting to listen to the story and find out what was going to happen next.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Claustrophobic Chills in Ghost Station: A Review
S.A. Barnes delivers another dose of space horror with Ghost Station, a gripping novel that will leave you both terrified and wanting more.

The story centers around Dr. Ophelia Bray, a psychologist haunted by a past tragedy involving a phenomenon known as ERS (Extreme Reality Syndrome). When she joins a crew tasked with investigating an abandoned research station on a desolate planet, she finds herself facing not only the harsh alien environment but also a crew harboring secrets and a sense of unease.

What keeps you turning the pages:

Masterful Atmosphere: Barnes excels at creating a sense of claustrophobia and dread. The abandoned station, with its decaying structures and chilling secrets, feels like a character itself.
Unreliable Narrator: Ophelia's past trauma and the ever-present threat of ERS make you question her perceptions, adding another layer of suspense.
Exploration of Trauma & Fear: The novel delves into the psychological effects of isolation and the constant battle against inner demons.
Points to Consider:

Slow Burn: The pacing can be deliberate at times, focusing on building tension rather than fast-paced action.
Familiar Tropes: Some horror elements might feel like familiar territory for seasoned sci-fi horror readers.
Overall:

Ghost Station is a chilling and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of space horror and psychological thrillers. Barnes's masterful worldbuilding and exploration of human fear create an immersive and unsettling experience. While the plot might not break new ground, the execution is sure to send shivers down your spine.

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.

Space horror is the genre of my dreams (Alien is in my top 5 fave movies) and I’ve been itching for more (a pun I had to make- IYKYK) since I read her book Dead Silence. I’ve been anticipating this one since the cover reveal and was so excited to get an early copy! I gotta say- this book is really good and did not disappoint.

The year is 2199 and, spoiler alert, the world still sucks. Space exploration is common with many humans settling on other planets, moons, and space stations. Jobs in space are extremely common, too. Whether that’s R&E teams, mining communities, or exploration. Big corporations haven’t gone anywhere either. Enter Dr. Ophelia Brey. A psychologist trying to right past wrongs and prove to everyone and herself that she’s not like her family. Things go from bad to worse when she joins a space team and realizes she’s surrounded by secrets, her own included.

Barnes sure knows how to write an unsettling slow burn while also starting a story at the beginning of all the action. The first half of the book takes its time with some excellent world-building, character development, mystery, and just enough suspense to build some dread in the reader. The second half really ramps up as it becomes blindingly clear that things just aren’t right. I literally couldn’t put the last 30% down if I tried. I’m still trying to decide if I loved the ending or hated it. While I was reading it I couldn’t help but think ‘how cool!’ but now that I’m thinking about it, it felt a bit easy and unsatisfying. And so many of my questions went unanswered! BUT it did read like a movie, lending a very cinematic quality. I felt completely immersed in the story and could envision each scene vividly. Especially the horrific parts. So I can’t deny it was well written. Overall, highly recommend to any fan of sci-fi, space horror, slow burns, and isolated settings.

Narrator/Audiobook Review: Zara Johnson killed it with this one! She kept me 100% invested in the story and made it easy to follow along. Can’t go wrong with this one on audio if you like the format.

The story follows Ophelia Bray, a psychologist with a haunted past, who embarks on a mission fraught with uncertainty and foreboding. As she and her fellow crewmates set foot on the enigmatic planet, tasked with retrieving artifacts, they are immediately met with an unsettling atmosphere.
As this is a slow-paced narrative, I did find my attention waning quite a bit at times forcing me drop it and pick it back up a couple of times. My break in listening did help me refocus.
With its eerie setting and dark undertones, this novel is sure to captivate fans of science fiction and psychological thrillers alike. It's a journey into the unknown that will leave readers haunted long after the final page is turned.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this Audiobook ARC.

A very good novel with excellent themes and an intriguing cast of characters. S.A. Barnes knows how to write brooding claustrophobic space horror and Ghost Station is no exception. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

Wow, SA Barnes does it again. I found this book fascinating, even if the pacing was really weird and seemed to make the book go on forever. The thing is, though, I feel like that made it better. Barnes strings you along, adding in a bunch of weird stuff here and there, making you question where this book is going, who is involved, who is safe, etc. I finished this 15 hour audiobook in two sittings just because I could not get enough of this. I loved the characters, loved how distinct they were and how their personalities both clashed and fit together perfectly. This book is the epitome of sci-fi horror, right behind classics like Alien and 2001. This book had me on the edge of my seat, absolutely riveted, for hours on end. I wish it was longer. I wish there was more. But at the same time, this book was perfect.

Ghost station was a fun listen! Felt like a doctor who episode at times. I liked the characters and thought most of the characters were fleshed out and had real
motivations. I would recommend!

I love the sci fi horror genre so I have to try every novel in this brilliant subgenre.

However I went into this novel with subdued expectations because I had such a mixed experience with Dead Silence, I was curious what this author would do with their sophomore novel, but knew this one could suffer from the same mistakes.

Once again, this novel felt like a thriller hiding inside horror marketing. The narrative style and the meat of the story leaned too heavily into a tropey thriller narrative.

I would mind less if it was an engaging thriller but it was pretty forgettable without a lot of punch. I hoped to love this one and am ultimately disappointed that it turned out to be only fine.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

S.A Barnes had a hit book release a couple years ago called Dead Silence that I really enjoyed so I was looking forward to this new release. This is another scary scifi story about an abandoned crew who must try to survive on an old planet. Fans of this authors storytelling we are in for another creepy claustrophobic feeling story that will definitly scare the pants off you so maybe have an extra pair on hand if you read this.

This is was my first book by SA Barnes and I absolutely love how they created a very creepy and claustrophobic environment in space .
Fans of Alien and Life ( movie) will absolutely love this !
thank you for the audiobook arc .

Isolation in space may just be the biggest horror/fear of all. An exploration crew is on an abandoned planet, joined by new member, psychologist Dr Ophelia Bray. When a number of people start succumbing to grisly deaths, with all signs pointing to a space-related condition that results in violence and mental breakdowns, the question remains as to who is responsible…and who is next at risk of a gruesome death.
Much of the book left me confused in parts but by the last half, the suspense definitely took off. The narrator was also great at bringing that pure fear to life through the audiobook.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you very much to Netgalley for an early release audiobook of Ghost Station. The narrator was just fine and made the listening experience very easy.

Now, for the novel itself…..oh my! What a wonderful psychological horror! I thoroughly enjoy more cerebral reads and this novel gives it to you through psychology and the metaphysical. I had such a great time with this read. If you love horror…obviously…and love the insidious build of creepy inner and outer struggles of characters, you’re going to eat this up! Also, body horror!!!

Ophelia comes from a background of wealth and entitlement that everyone around her reminds her with relentless ridicule. Thing is, these luxuries weren’t necessarily shared with her but often used against her. Now she has something to prove to others and mostly to herself. She places herself in the most dangerous situation of all. A perfect storm if conditions align. You will be thrust into a journey of sheer will for survival against an unknown alien entity with the most mind bending dangers, and survival against herself. Isolation, fear, and the deep black of cold space are your backdrops. I shuddered and cringed with anticipation as I listened to some of these wonderfully vivid scenes unfold. Never in my wildest nightmares would I want to be in this situation.

Audiobook file didn't work. This seems to be a NetGalley issue and not the author/publisher. Disappointed. Rating is reflection of the experience, not author's ability.

Dr. Ophelia Bray has tagged along with a crew setting up shop on an abandoned planet. Her goal is to treat the crew members to prevent any future cases of ERS, a disease caused by long periods of time in space. But not long into her journey Dr. Bray starts finding strange items that seem oddly out of place, and then the pilot is brutally murdered. Pretty soon some secrets come to light that would have been better stayed buried.

I did not have the same experience with Ghost Station as I did with Barnes's first endeavor, Dead Silence. For the most part Dead Silence was an enjoyable read, and I liked the main character. I wish I could say the same for Ghost Station. I could not stand Ophelia, and we spend the majority of the book with her. I felt that her history came much too late for the reader to develop any sympathy for her. By the time the truth came out, I was already way beyond over her as a character. I thought the writing was okay, but this book was not at all scary. In fact, it read more like a mystery than a horror. There wasn't a single moment in the book that I recall being scared. Not one unfortunately. Also, this book was far too long for my tastes. So much so that I felt the length of it more than once.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Zura Johnson was a good narrator, but ultimately this book just was not for me.

Another 5 star Book by SA Barnes.
After Dead Silence, which I loved, I was hoping Ghost Station was as good, I was wrong, it was even better!
Great storyline, Great characters…. Just Great all around.