Ghost Squad: A Fantasy Adventure - Book 1 of Evolution Trials

Evolution Trials #1

by Sean Kennedy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Readers who enjoy fantasy will find Ghost Squad to be a captivating read." - Readers' Favorite

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥
Kavi Stonecrest carries a heavy legacy. His mother, the awe-inspiring Lioness, turned the tide of the Battle of Valun with her strategic genius and swordsmanship. His father challenged the foundation of magic and sorcery with visionary clockwork technology. Kavi stands in their formidable shadows, searching for his own path.

Destiny is never content with silence, and the call to adventure roars when Kavi meets a young woman with unyielding spirit who's embarked on an age-old quest, one that has mystified the world for centuries. He's pressed into service where he's thrust into a whirlwind of trials pushing the boundaries of life and death. Together with his comrades, the enigmatic Ghost Squad, Kavi must find a way to stay alive and learn his true purpose.

Uncover the secrets - who are the puppet masters behind the Ghost Squad Trials?
How will Kavi be remembered - his swordsmanship, his brilliance, or something nobody expected?

"I would recommend this to any fan of the Mistborn, Game of Thrones or Hunger Games Series" - Amazon Reviewer
"Fast-paced adventure wrapped in imaginative storytelling." - Amazon Reviewer

Genres: Fantasy

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2023

Reviews

[John Mackey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different than most fantasy books I have read over the years I'll have to admit that there. And when he menttioned Flintlocks and clockwork I almost called it on the book. But the more I read the more my curiosity got me wondering what would happen next. It was just a bunch of quest against different teams so far but it isn't bad. Will read the last one in the series and give my full opinion.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book but my attention was hooked from the very first page. The story pace moves steadily through the first novel in the Evolution Trials. I love the character development and the world building. Imagery descriptions paint a picture such that one feels they are in the story with the other characters. Other reviewers talk about how it feels like the reader is in a video game. I don't know about that because I am not a gamer but you feel right along with the characters. When they lose a team member/friend you feel the loss almost as if they are your team member or friend.
Kavi Stonecrest is following in the footsteps of his mother, the awe-inspiring Lioness, but he would like to make a name for himself rather than be known as the Lioness's son. He sets out on a journey to help a woman on her quest when they are ambushed and taken. They are thrust into a world where they have to learn to fight to stay alive; where the higher ups are striving to make these people evolve and gain new skills. They are the ghost squad and most of the ghost squad do not make it to season two quests. The higher ups don't care about these people but they learn to care about and fight for each other. I am looking forward to uncovering more mysteries in the sequels. This is an action packed novel, lots of fight scenes but nothing too gory. I look forward to learning more about the ach-su and what they represent.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building is really well done. The characters are well built and relatable. The characters interact with one another very well. The story itself follows a little bit of others in its genre but makes itself unique with different magic/skills/creatures and ideas in general. What I really liked about the book is that it covers feelings and trauma in a therapeutic way. What I found a bit off putting is the story didn’t flow seamlessly throughout and some parts were a bit dark. The ending I would have preferred a bit more of a change from where things sort of started off. I feel like there wasn’t as much growth as I would have liked, but it was still good.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zachary M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Squad is a super fun and fast paced read. If you have played video games, particularly RPG or RTS games, then you will likely become immersed in what feels like a novel set inside a game framework. At least that's my guess based on reading only the first part of the trilogy. I would compare this first novel to "The Three-Body Problem" for its patient unraveling of a larger overarching and complex plot. As well as to the "Iron Age" series for its lovable character development, tongue in cheek humor and witty banter. I couldn't put this book down and I am very excited to see what book two holds in store.

[Carol Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. Kavi, Grims, Nettie and Carlin are trying to solve a quest when they are kidnapped by slavers and sold at a auction. They are all separated and they don't know who has survived. This book follows Kavi as he navigates his way through the training to find what he believes in and what his purpose is as he forms connections with the other teammates. This book is full of drama, danger, high emotions and a sense of pride as the team learns to work together against the enemy. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

His parents has made their names and now he needs to find his own path. He worries he will not be as good as his parents and this scares him. What will he do? How will he get on? Will he prove himself? See how he gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character interaction is lovely, the world is being built is a well paced not too gruesome kind of way so if you like fantasy that has action but isnt really violent about it this is for you. It is
Comparable to other popular things in the genre but it can stand alone and be memorable.

[Kathleen (itpdx) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing plot, interesting fantasy world. Main character fleshed out. Most of the other characters less so. Interestingly most of the story happens by dialog. Almost ready for a film script.

[Mik Wasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy With good characters and world building I really enjoyed the details in this fantasy story

[Darcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

A not so typical story of greed. The author does a great job of exposing the layers to the story.