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Ander Rade #2
Ghost Cell
Blade Runner meets John Wick in this sci-fi action adventure following a super-soldier whose very existence has been outlawed by the same society that created him
Ander Rade is doing his best to stay under the radar after the mess in Atlanta when he’s contacted by the Special Activities division for the Genetic Compliance Department.
The mission: infiltrate a secret organization of rogue mods known as the Ghost Cell in order to find out what they’re doing and who they are doing it for. The catch: Rade’s old team leader, Sevrina Fox, is a member. But Rade’s been searching for her since his liberation from the fight pits, and he refuses to betray her now. So in exchange for his cooperation, the GCD agrees to extend their promise of an official pardon for his rogue status to her as well.
As if gaining acceptance into the Ghost Cell isn’t challenging enough, Rade is forced to walk a tightrope between avoiding suspicion and minimizing collateral damage from the organization’s violent and unsanctioned operations. But as his investigation gains steam, he soon realizes that the Ghost Cell’s true ambitions are far more dangerous than anyone thinks, and that the time to act is running out.
With powerful forces out to stop him, Rade must decide if there are limits to his loyalty to Sevrina, and whether that line has already been crossed, and above all, how far he’s willing to go for a pardon he’s not likely to live long enough to see.
Ander Rade is doing his best to stay under the radar after the mess in Atlanta when he’s contacted by the Special Activities division for the Genetic Compliance Department.
The mission: infiltrate a secret organization of rogue mods known as the Ghost Cell in order to find out what they’re doing and who they are doing it for. The catch: Rade’s old team leader, Sevrina Fox, is a member. But Rade’s been searching for her since his liberation from the fight pits, and he refuses to betray her now. So in exchange for his cooperation, the GCD agrees to extend their promise of an official pardon for his rogue status to her as well.
As if gaining acceptance into the Ghost Cell isn’t challenging enough, Rade is forced to walk a tightrope between avoiding suspicion and minimizing collateral damage from the organization’s violent and unsanctioned operations. But as his investigation gains steam, he soon realizes that the Ghost Cell’s true ambitions are far more dangerous than anyone thinks, and that the time to act is running out.
With powerful forces out to stop him, Rade must decide if there are limits to his loyalty to Sevrina, and whether that line has already been crossed, and above all, how far he’s willing to go for a pardon he’s not likely to live long enough to see.
- GenresScience FictionThriller
336 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 25, 2025
X-Men meets The Terminal List in Zac Topping’s follow up sequel to Rogue Sequence.
Ander Rade, genetically modified supersoldier, saved the day only to get his deal for immunity ripped up, and his chance at freedom thrown in his face. He now finds himself at the mercy of the criminal underground, doing odd jobs for worse people. It’s a swell gig, albeit a bit boring compared to his usual routine, but it beats being back behind bars in the fighting pits. Thus, he perseveres. Until, that is, he gets offered the chance at the one deal he once had and lost. Another chance at immunity. And the kicker? A chance at reuniting with his old squad.
Last year’s Rogue Sequence, Zac Topping’s debut, was one of the most fun reads I had. It was a cinematic piece of popcorn entertainment that celebrated hard science in the way it could actually be conceivably used in the near future. Genetic modifications. Cyberpunk-style anarchist hackers. A general plot-oriented story line that saw government organizations and covert operations combine. It read like a cyberpunk John Wick or Jack Ryan poured into book form.
Ghost Cell, its sequel, does more of the same. It deepens the world building presented by the last, adds new layers to the science presented in both the biological supersoldiers it boasts and the technology they wield. Is it a book written to win awards? Probably not. But does it celebrate military style action extremely well? Absolutely, yes.
The fight sequences, the shootouts, the military terminology all reads like a high-budget Micheal Bay thriller across the page. There are explosions and buckets of blood, and even self-healing mutant attack dogs. It is a work of wonderful imagination - one that sees the translation of its ideas thoughtfully understandable amidst the chaos of the scenes.
Ander Rade, genetically modified supersoldier, saved the day only to get his deal for immunity ripped up, and his chance at freedom thrown in his face. He now finds himself at the mercy of the criminal underground, doing odd jobs for worse people. It’s a swell gig, albeit a bit boring compared to his usual routine, but it beats being back behind bars in the fighting pits. Thus, he perseveres. Until, that is, he gets offered the chance at the one deal he once had and lost. Another chance at immunity. And the kicker? A chance at reuniting with his old squad.
Last year’s Rogue Sequence, Zac Topping’s debut, was one of the most fun reads I had. It was a cinematic piece of popcorn entertainment that celebrated hard science in the way it could actually be conceivably used in the near future. Genetic modifications. Cyberpunk-style anarchist hackers. A general plot-oriented story line that saw government organizations and covert operations combine. It read like a cyberpunk John Wick or Jack Ryan poured into book form.
Ghost Cell, its sequel, does more of the same. It deepens the world building presented by the last, adds new layers to the science presented in both the biological supersoldiers it boasts and the technology they wield. Is it a book written to win awards? Probably not. But does it celebrate military style action extremely well? Absolutely, yes.
The fight sequences, the shootouts, the military terminology all reads like a high-budget Micheal Bay thriller across the page. There are explosions and buckets of blood, and even self-healing mutant attack dogs. It is a work of wonderful imagination - one that sees the translation of its ideas thoughtfully understandable amidst the chaos of the scenes.
July 7, 2025
This book combines action and sci-fi adventure into the second book in this series featuring Ander Rade, a genetically modified human in a world that has turned against genetically modded humans.
Ander is tasked with infiltrating a secret organization via an old collegue of his. The plot is full of action and changing loyalties, and it's an easy read for action adventure readers. I'd recommend it to readers of Blake Crouch and other sci-fi action writers.
Ander is tasked with infiltrating a secret organization via an old collegue of his. The plot is full of action and changing loyalties, and it's an easy read for action adventure readers. I'd recommend it to readers of Blake Crouch and other sci-fi action writers.
May 29, 2025
4.5 This series is for a very specific niche of readers who like action, military with futuristic supersoldiers in a violent urban setting/city with lots of action and missions, survival, and trying to trust the one beside you. There's still the issue of the betrayal of the team in the air. I like Sevrina a lot. These would make fun movies.
August 10, 2025
Rip roaring action, plenty of twists, lightning-slick dialogue, and a believable setting for a near future military sci-fi novel. This should be held up with the likes of Altered Carbon, Blade Runner, and other massive works. Phenomenal work by Topping, can't wait to see what he does next.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews