In the Ghost's Shadow (Campfire edition with extra content)
About
From the hallowed halls of academia to the shadowy corners of covert organizations, Mason
"Brick" Redstone and Latisha "Tish" Owusu's love/hate partnership is about to unlock a Pandora's box of cosmic proportions.
Thrust together by the manipulative hands of their science professor, who harbors secrets as dark as the genetic mutations coursing through Brick's veins, they must navigate a labyrinth of love, betrayal, and the haunting legacy of a family torn apart by supernatural abilities forced upon them against their will.
As they edge closer to a groundbreaking scientific revelation, they unwittingly become pawns in a diabolical scheme orchestrated by the enigmatic Zindriya. With powers that blur the lines between science, mysticism, and magic, Brick and Tish battle against forces seeking to harness the Akashic Field—an ethereal plane binding the threads of creation and chaos.
From Antarctic labs haunted by ghostly whispers to clashes with entities that defy the laws of nature, "In The Ghost's Shadow" is a gripping saga where dark urban fantasy meets sci-fi, threaded with rigorous science and ignited by a pulsating romantic core. Will Brick and Tish's newfound abilities be enough to thwart a celestial apocalypse?
Praise for this book
Intelligently delicious! This story may live rent-free in my head. Brick is 'book boyfriend' material.
Mason “Brick” Redstone is a nerdy, Black, mathematical genius just trying to quietly get through college under the radar. But when Brick is unexpectedly thrust into a partnership with the stunningly intelligent Latisha “Tish” Owusu, under the guise of a joint science experiment, the threads of his shadowed past and uncertain future start unraveling his very soul.The character development is phenomenal. I've never been a big romance fan, but watching the organic growth of the relationship between Brick and Tish was pure magic. Brick's chivalry is refreshing and authentic, a breath of fresh air in their dynamic.
“But Brick does, and he’s the first person I’ve been with who has shown me that I’m more than just an assortment of desirable body parts.”
One of the most refreshing aspects of this story is witnessing the character evolutions. Clifton Brown masterfully depicts Brick’s descent into madness while maintaining his core identity. As Brick endures harrowing moments, he’s forced to grapple with who he is, who he must become, and how this transformation will affect him permanently. Each character undergoes their own compelling metamorphosis, leaving readers to reflect on their own emotions and perspectives. The whole cast of characters felt real and believable.
The worldbuilding is extraordinary. Even a familiar setting, like a mansion in the West, comes alive with vivid imagery as Brick slips in and out of the Akashic Field—an ethereal plane connecting creation and chaos. You can almost feel the pain of tortured souls and smell the lingering garlic and grime around certain characters. The descriptions of his use of power resonate deeply. And every time Brick experienced the whump of his power, the reader felt the crackling pain that Brick endured.
This story is as riveting as it is poetic, thought-provoking, and immersive. I recommend this to anyone seeking an intelligently delicious read. Honestly, I’m looking forward to the next installment (Dear Clifton Brown, PLEASE write another one… sincerely, a new fan).