In the Ghost’s Shadow (The Shadow Core Saga Book 1)

Must read 🏆

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).

In the Ghost’s Shadow by Clifton Brown kicks off The Shadow Core Saga with a genre-blending fusion of urban fantasy, cosmic mystery, and intense romantic drama.

We’re with Brick and Tish, two college students drawn together by fate and fractured by ancient powers. This dual perspective novel explores the clash between human vulnerability and supernatural inheritance through their eyes. As a web of secrets, curses, and dangerous cosmic forces unfurls around them, Brick and Tish must confront not only external threats but the terrifying power they each hold within. With its scientific underpinnings, mythic scope, and emotionally rich narrative, this is a story of love tested by destiny and a universe hanging in the balance.

Author Clifton Brown has a gentle way of letting the threads of his storytelling gradually come together in interesting and disparate ways, and this makes for a refreshingly smart blend of dark fantasy and science fiction that doesn’t skimp on heart either. There’s a lot of feeling and a clear love for the central characters in their tender narration, and this sharp focus in prose and dialogue makes Brick and Tish compelling leads whose chemistry ignites even more than the otherworldly moments that are happening around them. This emphasizes that sense of power building, which mirrors the great pacing of the plot and raises the stakes so that we as readers are more and more invested with every twist.

And there are certainly twists aplenty, as Brown builds a complex universe that feels both mythic and modern for a gripping, high-stakes debut that leaves you eager for the next installment in the saga. Overall, I would certainly recommend In the Ghost’s Shadow for sci-fi fans seeking a
new series to start, and I can’t wait for more.

Great book with a very interesting concept. I found the premises unique and the characters likeable. It was a very fun read, especially if you're just getting started in sci-fi reads. The romance and found family subplots added a depth to the story that balanced it well.

Clifton Brown's In the Ghost's Shadow entwines the lives of two college students, Mason Redstone (Brick) and Latisha Owusu (Tish), in unexpected ways.

The teens are partnered by their lecturer, Professor Sandra Brennan, and tasked with completing a scientific class project together. This seemingly innocent act sends Brick and Tish on an enigmatic journey, which forces them to harness unknown superhuman abilities, access a powerful otherworldly universe, confront old ghosts and covert forces, and even cross paths with beings beyond their comprehension.

Throughout this riveting adventure, Brick and Tish encounter Zindriya, who, similar to Professor Brennan, has her ulterior motives for using Brick and his superhuman abilities. Will the teens give in to the mayhem they encounter? Or will they emerge as heroes in this daring journey?

In the Ghost's Shadow by Clifton Brown is a pulsating sci-fi story meticulously blended with romance and action. Filled with themes of familial closeness, buried secrets, betrayal, conspiracy, and genetic manipulation, this novel will grip your full attention from beginning to end. Brick's and Trish's personas are realistic and identifiable! Readers will get an explicit understanding of each character's motivations, flaws, and fears.

As Brick and Trish rush to decode a mindblowing mystery that affects their lives and Earth's existence, their budding relationship and character development, which mature in response to their heartfelt moments of self-discovery, are two standout elements that make this novel a page-turner.

If you're searching for a unique story that combines scientific curiosity, superhuman abilities, and intriguing world-building, this novel is the ideal book to add to your literarycollection today.