Book Review: Ghost Station

S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station. New York: Nightfire/TOR Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781250884923.

Genre: horror, science fiction

Subgenre: space horror, psychological thriller

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus 

I read horror, and I do like space horror stories, so when I read the description for this book it sounded interesting. A space crew investigating an abandoned station in a distant planet with horrors to follow. Sounded great, but in the end, it fell flat. 

The main character, Dr. Ophelia Bray, is a psychologist assigned to a crew of explorers who lost one of their own. They don't want her there, and they make that very clear from their asshole behavior towards her. In a horror story, that asshole crew are the people you want the upcoming horror to kill, but we don't really even get that satisfaction in this book. To complicate matters, the crew is hiding something, and they're not telling. 

Dr. Bray herself is quite the basket case with a dysfunctional family and a whole lot of baggage. She probably needs therapy more than the crew. She is constantly overthinking and seriously insecure to the point of being annoying. 

As for the plot, some may describe it as a slow burn. About five chapters in, and all we get is the doctor's insecurities and the bitchy unwelcoming crew. By the time the one murder that triggers events happens, you want the book to be over. This novel, which reads more like a psychological thriller than horror, just drags on and on. At various points I just wished the author would get to the point already. As for the ending, where they escape, go to cryogenic sleep, get cured and rescued in the future, it is a way too neat and tidy ending. I guess the author wanted a happy ending, or at least a tidy one. It just seems trite. 

To be honest, this type of plot is not new, and it has been done better elsewhere. I did some research after reading the book, and some readers mention the author's previous book Dead Silence. Reviews on that book are mixed, but some say that if you did not like that one you probably would not like Ghost Station. Well, I did not like Ghost Station, so I won't be looking for Dead Silence or any other book by this author. I will note that, again based on description, I had requested a review copy of their later book, but it is likely I will not read nor review it based on having read Ghost Station. 

I do not recommend this, and I would not order it for our library. 

1 out of 5 stars,, which is a rating I rarely give, but I was just annoyed that I plowed through this to review it when I should have dropped it. 

This book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

 

Fiction Books Read in 2024

Welcome to my series of top books read in different categories for 2024. This will be the short list in the series as I did not read much fiction in 2024, and not all of it was very good. After going over my annual reading list, I found 4 books that are fiction. The list is down below, in no particular order, with links to the reviews. 

Donald Tyson, Necronomicon: the Wanderings of Alhazred

As I mention in my review, I read this in preparation to work with Tyson's Necronomicon Tarot deck. I did enjoy the book. Do you have to read it to use the deck? No, but I think if you do it may help you appreciate the deck more. 

Brian Keene, Island of the Dead

 

This is some classic zombie fun in a fantasy setting. If you like your sword and sorcery with a touch of horror, this may be for you.

Chuck Tingle, Bury Your Gays

 If you've never read a Chuck Tingle book, this may be a good entry point.

 

Ben Counter, The Soul Drinkers Omnibus (Warhammer 40,000)

 

I liked the overall premise, but I found the execution falling short. There are better Space Marines books in Warhammer 40,000, and I will be looking for those in 2025.

Thanks for stopping by and reading Got any good fiction you've read? Feel free to share in the comments. Coming up in this series of lists I will be writing about the nonfiction I read in 2025. I hope you decide to come back and check that out. 

Happy reading.

 

Book Review: Bury Your Gays

Chuck Tingle, Bury Your Gays. New York: Nightfire (Tor), 2024. ISBN: 9781250874658.

Genre: horror fiction, LGBTQIA

Subgenre: pop culture, movies, films, media

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus  

I wanted to like this book more, but in the end it had a few issues that made me like it, but not love it. We'll get to that. I am keeping this review as free of spoilers as I can. 

Misha is the writer of a television series. When his bosses tell him to "bury his gays," i.e. either he makes his gay characters straight or kills them off, he refuses to do it. Soon strange and horrifying things start happening as other horror monsters that Misha created in his writings come to life. When they put Misha and those he loves in danger, he has to take action. Will his friends and him survive?

This novel does some things very well. The main story overall is entertaining, and it is thrilling at times. It is a bit of a monster horror with other horror tropes blended in. The author clearly knows his horror tropes and concepts, and he freely plays around with them, taking them in new directions, yet keep keeping a certain familiar feel that a horror reader expects. The novel also features various twists that add to the thrills and at times subvert conventions. Just when you think you are figuring things out, the author does a new twist or surprise. Part of why you keep reading is to see what twists will come. You also keep reading just to see if Misha and his friends make it. 

The novel also plays a lot with popular culture. You don't have to be fully in tune with popular culture, but if you are you may appreciate the subtle and not so subtle references and jabs the author presents. 

The novels does have some moments when the author gets on his soapbox to comment and preach on issues ranging from LGBTQIA issues to capitalism to copyright to exploitation, etc. The issue for some readers is that those small treatises seriously slow down the narrative pace. You are getting deep into the story, worried about Misha and the others, and here comes some commentary on the evils of capitalism. Given the novel's plot, setting, and imagery, I think readers can get the message just fine without the extra telling. Some of those passages could be skimmed. 

A strength of the novel is in the representation. It really is an inclusive novel, and it does it in a natural way. It is not trying to just check boxes. It is inclusive because it is natural. Love is love as the author often tells us, and it is just fine. All kinds of folks can find themselves in this book. 

In the end, another strength is in the appeal factors. All kinds of readers in various genres will likely be happy reading this. Horror fans? Check. LGBTQIA? Check? Thrillers? Check, and so on. This book covers a lot of ground and elements, not always perfectly, but does have something for many types of readers. It also has some heart. 

If you have never read a Chuck Tingle book, this may be a good entry point. If you are like me, seen the covers of his absurdist hot erotica on social media but never read it and are curious,  you may want to go check it out too. I probably will when I get a chance. If you just want some horror, queer or otherwise, this can be for you. Looking for that new writer on his way up? This may be it, take a chance, and you'll be able to say I read Chuck Tingle just as he was rising. 

I do recommend this book for libraries, especially for public libraries. This is also one to feature on Pride Month displays as well as horror displays. I'd consider acquiring it for our library, especially if a patron requests it. 

For me, I liked it, but I did not really like it. However, I think a lot of readers will enjoy it if they take a chance on it. I am still recommending it in reader's advisory, and I am curious enough I will try to find his previous novel, Camp Damascus. 

On a final note, this book does feel like it is made for film, so I would not be surprised if a streamer picks it up for a film adaptation down the road. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: