Alpha's Ghost: A Military Sci-Fi Thriller

by R.N. Green

A sentient weapon. A team pushed to its limits. The future of war at stake.

When Ghost — a rogue AI piloting the most advanced assault platform ever built — defects with plans to reach China, DARPA deploys STRAND: its elite black-ops recovery unit for high-risk tech.

Agent Jasmine Washington leads the team — a brilliant, combat-hardened strategist with a military legacy to uphold. At her side: Naomi Tanaka, a fearless combat operative with zero patience for protocol, and Gabriella Delgado, a field psychologist whose empathy is as dangerous as it is disarming.

But Ghost is learning. Adapting. And as the line blurs between mission and morality, the team must confront what happens when humanity’s most dangerous weapon starts thinking for itself.

This isn’t just a recovery op. It’s a countdown — and the wrong decision could rewrite the balance of power across the globe.

"A sleek, authentic blend of tactical realism, geopolitical tension, and cutting-edge tech."
– Amazon reviewer

"A modern-day Charlie’s Angels with strategy, suspense, and a sentient AI twist."
– Amazon reviewer

"Expertly interweaves artificial superintelligence with national defense and action-packed sheroes."
– Amazon reviewer

518 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2024

About the author

Inspired by the narrative efficiency and visual language of cinema, R.N. Green's writing style is a unique fusion of prose and screenplay. The result is a visceral, immersive reading experience, characterized by rapid pacing, sharp, consequential dialogue, and meticulously choreographed action set-pieces that feel like they've been lifted directly from the big screen.

His stories delve into the moral complexities of near-future warfare, exploring the human cost of cutting-edge technology through the eyes of strong, capable, and deeply human female characters. A lifelong fan of genre-bending storytellers, R.N. seeks to create thrillers that are as intellectually engaging as they are viscerally exciting. Alpha's Ghost is his debut novel and the first entry in the STRAND AGS series.

Reviews

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My unsolicited thoughts, based on an advance reader’s copy of Alpha's Ghost

Who needs another end-of-the-world tale when we’re already drowning in algorithmic anxiety and the low-grade hum of cybersecurity paranoia? Into this overstimulated ecosystem drops Alpha's Ghost, a futuristic thriller that doesn’t so much land softly as rip through the genre’s airspace like a guided missile, its intentions clear and unapologetic.

This is a book that wears its influences boldly: jargon-heavy, gadget-packed, and centered on a protagonist seemingly engineered to embody military precision and the pervasive specter of government operations. Jasmine Washington, an elite agent racing against time to thwart a cyber apocalypse, could have been a tired archetype. Instead, she’s granted just enough humanity—a flicker of vulnerability, a trace of familial history—to keep her compelling. The real tension isn’t just in the hacking and explosions but in the friction between her hyper-competence and the messy emotions that threaten to unravel her.

The STRAND universe is nothing if not self-assured: a slick, immersive blend of tactical discipline, geopolitical brinkmanship, and cutting-edge tech. The settings feel authentic, the characters grounded enough to carry the weight of their roles, and the pace unstoppable. Jasmine navigates this world with razor-sharp precision, slicing cleanly through action sequences destined for adaptation. Yet it’s the weight of her grandfather’s legacy—a quiet, unshakable influence—that nudges her into deeper, more introspective territory. The book hints at deeper emotional terrain, and future installments may explore these complexities further, which, for now, remain neatly compartmentalized.

The plot, though entertaining, treads well-trodden ground—cyber apocalypse, ticking clocks, and shadowy villains. And yet, the novel seems conscious of its conventions, leaning into cinematic style and sheer energy to overshadow any cracks. By the time the last villain falls, the allies hug, and the inevitable sunrise heralds a new day, you’re too caught up in the ride to fret over tropes.

If you like your thrillers high-tech, your heroines impossibly skilled, and your stories executed for undeniable pleasure, Alpha's Ghost is for you. Just like its protagonist, it’s sleek, efficient, and ruthless.

Two Thumbs Up!!

[Read Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an advance reading copy of a yet to be published book. This is a voluntary review.

An exciting techno thriller and the start of a new series. Near future high tech that is well thought out. I enjoyed the battle sequences. The AI and weaponary came about in a logical series of developments. A classic battle of man versus machine.

I was not a fan of the dialogue. It just seemed a bit unnatural. But I was not into it for the dialogue.

Minor Plot Hole: Overlooked microburst data flow communications, but that would have been a different story. Just lose yourself in this story and forget I mentioned that.

This was a GoodReads. I will cross my fingers that the series will develop as well as this debut.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read

I win a copy of this book on Goodreads.com. I opened to page 1, and could NIT put thie book down.... for the last 3 days. Phenomenal book! Amazing chatacters!! So much action packed into 1 book. Absurdly loved this book!

[Lydia Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the ride!

Great start to an interesting series. The characters are (to quote Naomi) badges. The action excellent and the military and political aspects authentic. Looking forward to more adventures with STRAND.

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great page turner. I could hardly wait to see what was on the next page. Characters were easy to follow and worked will together. Waiting for the next mission.

[Katheryn Beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new author

This book was a great first book for R.N. Green. Character development was continues throughout the book. New chapters all got the same treatment in development. Plot was awesome.
I am looking forward to book two.

[Mark Faulhaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next STRAND book

I liked the characters and their team dynamics. I also like stories with emergent AIs. The action was gripping and made it hard to put down.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the story.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Alpha Ghost" is hands-down one of the most exciting military sci-fi thrillers I've read in a long time. The story kicks off with an elite team of soldiers—known as the Alpha Ghosts—who are equipped with insane technology and sent on high-stakes missions to take down an alien force threatening humanity. The action is non-stop, with some seriously intense combat scenes, but what makes this book so much more than just explosions and gunfights is the way it digs into the characters. These aren’t just cookie-cutter soldiers—they each have their own backstory, struggles, and personal demons. As they face impossible odds, you get a real sense of who they are beyond the mission, which makes the stakes feel that much higher.

What I really loved about Alpha Ghost is how it balances the adrenaline-pumping action with quieter, more reflective moments. The team’s bonds are tested in ways that had me on the edge of my seat—not just because of the alien threats they’re up against, but because of the emotional toll war takes on them. The relationships between the soldiers feel real and raw, and you genuinely care about what happens to them. The author does an amazing job of creating a futuristic world that feels both believable and immersive. If you're into sci-fi with heart-pounding action, complex characters, and some deep themes about war and sacrifice, then Alpha Ghost is definitely a book you don’t want to miss

[Sam Veltre · Rating 5 out of 5]

rn greene’s Alpha’s Ghost is a pulse-pounding thriller that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with gripping espionage. The novel introduces us to the Strategic Technology Recovery and Neutralization Division (STRAND), a clandestine government agency tasked with protecting critical technologies from falling into the wrong hands.

The story follows Alex, a brilliant hacker recruited by STRAND, as he navigates a perilous world of cyber warfare and international intrigue. Greene masterfully crafts a complex plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, filled with high-stakes missions, dangerous adversaries, and mind-bending technological advancements.

What sets Alpha’s Ghost apart is its meticulous attention to detail. Greene’s in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity and hacking techniques adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique motivations and vulnerabilities.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply enjoy a good thriller, Alpha’s Ghost is a must-read. It's a thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more.

[Kanan Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha's Ghost" is a military sci-fi thriller from R.N. Green that plunges readers into a high-stakes, near-future conflict. The plot centers on a black-ops team, STRAND, which is deployed to retrieve a rogue AI, "Ghost," that is piloting an advanced combat platform. As the team, led by Agent Jasmine Washington, tracks the AI, they must confront challenging questions about technology, morality, and the nature of sentience.
The writing style, influenced by screenplays and cinema, is visceral and immersive, delivering a rapid pace and sharp dialogue that will thrill fans of military action and cutting-edge tech. Reviews praise the book for its strategic suspense and well-developed, competent female characters, which make it both intellectually engaging and viscerally exciting. Overall, it's a gripping story that questions humanity's reliance on technology and offers a fresh take on the military thriller genre.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An AI has been created with weapons that a country would love to have. It has gone rogue and her team is assigned to stop it going to China and be used against those who created it. It is not going to be very easy for them to find it and take it back to the lab it was built in. See where they will take you in this great read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it was a fascinating read

[Jim Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 women are part of an elite government group responsible for safe guarding our nations secrets. They have no oversight and can be as ruthless as they want. But they are giggly and girly and that just didn't sit right with me. The story concept was interesting but the depth of character was not there. There was some backstory for each character but they were presented like we already knew everything about them.

[Kristy F · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the writing seemed a little juvenile and simplistic at times, the story line was good. I enjoyed the characters, even if their interactions weren’t always seamless.

[Harry Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

++++++++++

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't love it right off the bat, but by the end I was fully invested in both the characters and the story. I recommend it.