Ghost Aria

The Ghosts #1.5

by Jonathan Moeller

Sixteen years old, Caina is a student of the Ghosts, the spies and agents of the Emperor of Nighmar, and from them she learns the arts of stealth and infiltration, of disguise and intrigue.
But when a man dies of a mysterious poison, Caina faces a deadly test.
Because if she doesn't solve the murder, she might die next...

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Young Adult

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2013

About the author

Standing over six feet tall, USA Today bestselling author Jonathan Moeller has the piercing blue eyes of a Conan of Cimmeria, the bronze-colored hair of a Visigothic warrior-king, and the stern visage of a captain of men, none of which are useful in his career as a computer repairman, alas.

He has written the DEMONSOULED series of sword-and-sorcery novels, and continues to write THE GHOSTS sequence about assassin and spy Caina Amalas, the COMPUTER BEGINNER'S GUIDE series of computer books, and numerous other works. His books have sold over one million copies worldwide.

Reviews

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I certainly didn't read the synopsis because I did think this was about ghosts (ha!)... Ghosts are a group of Assassins and although we don't read much about who or what they stand for, you do know they are agents of the Emperor.

Caina is 16 and I am wondering if I am looking at another Gin Blanco (Elemental Assassin) or maybe an up and coming Celaena (Throne of Glass)... either way, I enjoy these kinds of books so I am looking forward to seeing what Caina is made of and what she will be tasked to do.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice short story, even though it is quite simple, there are a few twists that keep it interesting.
I noticed that one reviewer says it fits nicely between books 1 and 2 of the Ghost series. It doesn’t, it is set right in the middle of the first book Child of the Ghosts, which I found a little strange.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with another reviewer that this story occurs in the middle of Child of the Ghost, not subsequent to it. At that time Caina was so focused on Maglarion that I'm surprised she was assigned to investigate a death by poison. I'm only giving it three stars as the story was so short that it really didn't have an intricate plot. In fact, if you hadn't read Child of the Ghost first, you might not appreciate the nuances that weren't explored.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't think short stories are as good as their longer siblings, but this one was really good. You have to have read at least book 1 of course to really feel comfortable in this little act, but given that, it flows, there is action, and enough detail you can visualize the world. No character development other than the MC in her ongoing training, but that would be hard to expect in this format. A good read.

[Servel Nixa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short story.

Nice short story. I'm gonna keep reading the rest of the saga in future along with the others of the author books

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[H.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the stories about Caina.

[Siddharth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick short story set in the middle of the first book.
Gives us a bit more insight into Caina's time at the opera house and her evolution as a character.

[Joan Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and the female protagonist is a gem

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early story in Caina's history, while she's still training to be a Ghost. Still, she stumbles on a crime, and solves it.

[Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining novella in the ghost series.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minor Moeller in his good "Ghosts" series. Our heroine is working at the Imperial Opera, learning acting skills from Theodora, the Ghosts' expert in such things. A murder during a performance leads Caina to investigate. More would be spoilers, it's short.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story set during Caina's training with Theodosia at the Imperial Opera - if you enjoyed Child of the Ghosts, you'll enjoy this as well.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little short story that fleshes out the time spent in the Oprah House in book one. Showing how she was growing even then.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, neat short story that slots neatly between #1 and #2 in the Ghosts series. Thoroughly enjoyed!