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Ghosts of the Future
A strange anomaly lured them off course with the promise of profit and discovery!
An impossible planetoid challenged them with mysteries -- from a derelict starship with a tragic history to alien structures with a baffling origin!
A deadly enemy plunged them into a confrontation on the edge of a dangerous cosmic maelstrom!
The crew of the freighter starship Tabitha could not have known that what they thought would be a simple investigation of an interesting and unusual anomaly in space would turn into a collision of the past, the present, and the future . . . and a conflict with one inevitable outcome.
One of them WILL die.
Ghosts of the Future is the first entry in the Slipstream Universe, featuring the adventures of the working class crew of the Tabitha :
Ma - captain of the ship, who leads with a cool head and a thirst for discovery
Edgar - the rookie crew member with a head for navigating the slipstream
Nash - a wartime hero who is more than happy to just be a freighter ship's pilot
Pop - Ma's husband and chief engineer
Taur - an ex-soldier who found a family on the Tabitha
Red - an old timer with very little time for his newer crewmates
Ben Avery's first novel Ghosts of the Future has the flare of old-school pulp sci-fi, with modern sci-fi ideas and flavor. For fans of science fiction with wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff thrown in . . .
An impossible planetoid challenged them with mysteries -- from a derelict starship with a tragic history to alien structures with a baffling origin!
A deadly enemy plunged them into a confrontation on the edge of a dangerous cosmic maelstrom!
The crew of the freighter starship Tabitha could not have known that what they thought would be a simple investigation of an interesting and unusual anomaly in space would turn into a collision of the past, the present, and the future . . . and a conflict with one inevitable outcome.
One of them WILL die.
Ghosts of the Future is the first entry in the Slipstream Universe, featuring the adventures of the working class crew of the Tabitha :
Ma - captain of the ship, who leads with a cool head and a thirst for discovery
Edgar - the rookie crew member with a head for navigating the slipstream
Nash - a wartime hero who is more than happy to just be a freighter ship's pilot
Pop - Ma's husband and chief engineer
Taur - an ex-soldier who found a family on the Tabitha
Red - an old timer with very little time for his newer crewmates
Ben Avery's first novel Ghosts of the Future has the flare of old-school pulp sci-fi, with modern sci-fi ideas and flavor. For fans of science fiction with wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff thrown in . . .
- GenresFiction
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2023
11 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Ben Avery
124 books55 followersA believer in the need for positive, all-ages entertainment, Ben Avery created and wrote Zondervan’s graphic novel series TimeFlyz and the comic book miniseries ArmorQuest to entertain readers with an exciting story, but also inspire and encourage readers to stand up and make a difference in their world. Avery’s comic book career began when he was selected by George R.R. Martin to work as the script adaptor of the comic book fantasy mini-series The Hedge Knight, based on novellas by the New York Times bestselling author. After that, Avery went on to co-write/co-create the critically acclaimed Lullaby and The Imaginaries for Image Comics, co-create and write the children’s literature inspired fantasy The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles, develop and write the historical epic Kingdoms for Zondervan, and the sequel mini-series The Hedge Knight II, published by Marvel Comics. In addition to writing, he has been an English teacher, a college resident director, and a youth treatment specialist for sexually abused children. Avery lives in Indiana with his wife and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2023
Nice quick read. Well written so much so I didn’t want to stop reading. Great character development.
June 20, 2023
Ghosts of the Future represents everything I love about science fiction. A crew of ordinary people living on a spaceship encounter a strange anomaly in space and stop to investigate. There, they find a mysterious planet, mysteries to uncover, ruins to explore, and enough timey-wimey shenanigans to keep The Doctor occupied for days.
The time-travel aspect was expertly handled These types of plot require a lot of thought and planning to make everything line up. In Ghosts of The Future, it all worked very well, fitting together like pieces of lego. And you don't need a Ph.D. in temporal mechanics to understand it all, either.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I definitely experienced the paradox of wanting to breeze through the book quickly to find out what would happen next, but at the same time, not wanting the fun to end.
Through all of this, the book takes the time to explore some philosophical ideas.
Highly recommended for lovers of space exploration and time-travel.
The time-travel aspect was expertly handled These types of plot require a lot of thought and planning to make everything line up. In Ghosts of The Future, it all worked very well, fitting together like pieces of lego. And you don't need a Ph.D. in temporal mechanics to understand it all, either.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I definitely experienced the paradox of wanting to breeze through the book quickly to find out what would happen next, but at the same time, not wanting the fun to end.
Through all of this, the book takes the time to explore some philosophical ideas.
Highly recommended for lovers of space exploration and time-travel.
July 17, 2023
Most engaging book I've read in a very long time!
I'm not even exaggerating when I say this is one of the best examples of good storytelling I've encountered recently in my novel reading. And I read many different genres from authors of varied expertise.
Ben Avery presents a story that is so vivid (I felt like I was there on the ship), works so well (a hard feat with time-travel), contains not only strong but believable dialog (also tough), and does it all with fun and intrigue.
It was a page turner for me. I never once felt myself skimming details or plot as each word was so carefully and expertly executed on the page.
Three author mentions that he wrote this story because it was a book he would want to read, but I have to say he succeeded to writing a book that I wanted to read. Can't wait for the next novel!
I'm not even exaggerating when I say this is one of the best examples of good storytelling I've encountered recently in my novel reading. And I read many different genres from authors of varied expertise.
Ben Avery presents a story that is so vivid (I felt like I was there on the ship), works so well (a hard feat with time-travel), contains not only strong but believable dialog (also tough), and does it all with fun and intrigue.
It was a page turner for me. I never once felt myself skimming details or plot as each word was so carefully and expertly executed on the page.
Three author mentions that he wrote this story because it was a book he would want to read, but I have to say he succeeded to writing a book that I wanted to read. Can't wait for the next novel!
August 22, 2023
I haven't read sci-fi in ages, but the premise of this book was just so intriguing. The characters were engaging right off the bat, and the action started from the first chapter and never let up. The whole time thing threw me a bit (it ALWAYS does just 'cause my brain can't keep up, haha), but the big question—Who's in the suit???—kept me flipping pages to find out the answer. And when it was revealed...not gonna lie...my heart broke a little. (Man, I loved that character!)
I really enjoyed the author's writing style; it had a good rhythm and was easy to read. For fans of series like Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, and The Expanse, this book will feel like slipping into your favorite pair of pj's. I've recommended it to all my book-loving friends, whether they're sci-fi fans or not, because I think the characters are compelling enough to appeal to all readers.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style; it had a good rhythm and was easy to read. For fans of series like Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, and The Expanse, this book will feel like slipping into your favorite pair of pj's. I've recommended it to all my book-loving friends, whether they're sci-fi fans or not, because I think the characters are compelling enough to appeal to all readers.
May 23, 2025
I freaking loved this book! I normally don't read Si-Fi because it is really hard to find that perfect Si-Fi book (Si-Fi to me means it must include Time Travel.) This book cheeked off every box on my "Should I read it" list. (Good story, no confusing language, Good Character development, Not supper short, Not supper long, and Doesn't make me confused with the end.) This book is probably in second place in my list of books that I love. (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my all time favorite). It has been a long time since a book has even gotten close to Harry Potter #3... yet this book is up there. It kept me wanting to read more and twice I lost track of time from reading it.
Even if you don't tend to like Si-Fi you should still give this book a chance... you might just find something you love.
Even if you don't tend to like Si-Fi you should still give this book a chance... you might just find something you love.
July 7, 2023
Ben’s slipstream sci-fi left me reeling wondering what, or when, might happen next! Reminiscent of the genre I haven’t enjoyed since high school, it spun me past, present, future in a vertigo of satisfying moments with great characters. I can’t wait for the Tabitha to return… or maybe I am already reading in the future…
July 28, 2023
This is a fascinating read! You'll really feel like you are there, even though "there" is in the future in outer space! Mystery unfolds on mystery in this fun, compelling sci-fi adventure. Highly recommend.
March 21, 2024
Fun and engaging. I couldn’t put it down.
I LOVED Ghosts of the Future and I am eagerly awaiting the upcoming sequels. I loved the story, the characters, the mind-blowing ideas, and the writing style. Keep it up, Ben Avery.
I LOVED Ghosts of the Future and I am eagerly awaiting the upcoming sequels. I loved the story, the characters, the mind-blowing ideas, and the writing style. Keep it up, Ben Avery.
December 2, 2023
Ticks all the boxes.
I'd really like this to be the first of many in the series.
I'd really like this to be the first of many in the series.
September 26, 2023
Can I make a confession? This was the first science fiction novel I've ever read. It was so intriguing!!! I love a good puzzle and the mind boggling time paradox had me guessing until the end. It was such a fun read, and I can't wait for the next adventure of the Tabitha crew! I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews