Ghost in the Winds

Ghost Exile #9

by Jonathan Moeller

The Apotheosis has come at last, and it will shatter the world. CAINA is trapped in the ruins of an ancient necromancer's tomb. Unless she escapes the lethal trap, there will be no one to stop Grand Master Callatas from unleashing the Apotheosis. KYLON is desperate to save Caina's life. The deadly Red Huntress is coming for Caina, and only by the sacrifice of his own life can Kylon save Caina from the Huntress's blade. Or the Red Huntress might simply kill them both. CALLATAS is ready to call the Apotheosis and create a new humanity to replace the old. Of course, the old humanity will have to die first...every last man, woman, and child. And he will start with Caina Amalas. 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 a half million copies worldwide.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Demons, Ghosts, High Fantasy

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2016

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

[Emiliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully grand finale to a sensational storey arc...
If only Caina would have the power of flight forever, how happy I would be!

[Susan1566 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great finish to the series. Basically no stop action, almost defeat, surprise ending, this book had it all. I loved it

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed awake until 5 a.m. to finish this. That rarely happens as I usually fall asleep while reading. This should give an idea of how exciting I found the conclusion.

(Question: Did the Elixir Restorata repair the damage done to Caina that prevents her from having children? Is she going to get pregnant down the line?)

Caina, Morgant and Annarah are stranded on Pyramid Isle. They are terrorized by zombie baboons and undead warriors. Callatas and Kalgri have managed to escape. Callatas begins the Apotheosis.

Meanwhile, Kylon, Nasser, Laertes, Sulaman and the others have joined the rebels and prepare to storm the battlements. Kylon recruits the Ghosts of Istarinmul. Samnirdamnus makes an appearance.

The final battle ensues. The meaning of "The star is the key to the crystal" finally becomes clear. There is a very satisfactory conclusion. Kylon's nemesis, The Surge, commands his return to New Kyre, sans Caina.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Exile book 9. And conclusion. spoilers ahead for earlier works

Callastas has what he needs to cast his great spell, which will destroy the world. The army has Sulaman, the prince, and so is no longer the rebellious force, but it still must face the Grand Vizier's. Caina is trapped on Pyramid Island with Morgant and Annarah and entirely too many undead for the three of them to fight.

It involves a necromancer's trophies, a magical elixir that heals with great force, fighting a battle with an alchemist, predicting death, the secret of why the djinni thinks Caina is the one he waits for, opening and jamming open a gate, and more.

[Mealias · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is more of a consolidation of my thoughts on the entire Ghost series thus far (all 18 books) than an actual review of Ghost in the Winds. Nonetheless, SPOLIERS for all 18 books abound.

First, on Caina and Kylon.

Let me just say, I LOVE KYLON + CAINA!


Ever since the fourth book, Ghost in the Storm, (where Kylon was first introduced) I felt the connection between Caina and Kylon even while they were yet enemies. In fact, that they started out as enemies made me want them all the more to end up together. It was in the midst of reading the Chapter Ice Dance, in Ghost in the Storm, when my belief that they'd be good together was cemented. At the end of the book, I was so excited to see where the author would take Kylon’s character, that I almost skipped next book, Ghost in the Stone, since Kylon was not present in that novel. But thankfully, I did not.


In Ghost in the Stone, Corvalis enters Caina's life. At the beginning of Caina’s relationship with Corvalis, they hit a few bumps because of Claudia, but after Ghost in the Forge, their relationship becomes smooth sailing from there on. In a way, Corvalis was perfect for Caina - if not "too perfect". Her “happily ever after” with him would have been so easy to achieve. He had the same skillset as she did as a former assassin, and was the perfect partner for a spy and nightfighter. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain by being with her. He also became a Ghost Nightfighter himself, and they always went on missions together. There was rarely any occasion for them to be apart. Caina’s dream of a life with Corvalis was simple, easy, and straightforward: retire as a Ghost Nightfighter with Corvalis and run the House of Kulaurus with him while serving the Empire and the Ghosts as an informant – a simple, happy, and yet purposeful life.


For Kylon's part, Thalastre was also a perfect match for him. And like Corvalis, she was also "too perfect" for Kylon, in my honest opinion. As the High Seat of his house, Thalastre made an excellent Nobleman's wife. She was beautiful and gracious and she and Kylon kept no secrets from each other. She supported her husband in everything and counselled him well even as he navigated through the politics of the Assembly. She was also powerful and though not a hand-to-hand fighter, she was no less formidable in a battle with her stormsinger abilities. Though it was briefly mentioned in the novella, Ghost in the Sword, that Thalastre used to be a little jealous of Caina, she never let that jealousy show (at least to us, readers) and trusted Kylon wholeheartedly.

With Corvalis and Thalastre being perfect for both Caina and Kylon, for the most part of the 1st Ghost series, I did not mind that Kylon and Caina were not together. As a fan of both characters, a huge part of me really wanted them to have their happy endings with their significant others.

But of course, Kylon’s and Caina’s journeys through life were never meant to be simple. In Ghost in the Surge, what Caina had to sacrifice to save the world was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. I keenly felt her loss over Corvalis’ death as I read Ghost in the Cowl.

Then Kylon lost Thalastre, and he and Caina met up again – and from there, one of my favorite part of the Ghost in Exile series, began to unfold – Kylon and Caina’s love story.


Though Kylon and Caina have many similarities (like their unwavering loyalty and patriotism to their respective nations) and have gone through so much together, there also are in many ways, still very different. And that is where I find them more interesting then when they were with their former lovers.

Unlike Corvalis, Kylon is man without cunning or guile. He was smart enough (despite what Morgant thought of him from time to time) to manage his House and become an Archon of the Assembly, but was not good at the spy business. He was a good solider, a good commander and military strategist even, and probably would have been a good ruler had he more of a political mind. But in a somewhat (but not entirely) reminiscent likeness to Jon Snow/Robb Stark, his lack of craftiness made him a bad politician. Even at acting, Corvalis was better at than he was. (Caina thought his acting in Ghost in the Razor was a bit comical while Corvalis pulled of playing Anton the merchant with ease).

Caina, on the other hand as she admitted herself – though being an actual Noble woman, knew really nothing of how to be one and has nothing to offer someone of standing. And this is where we find ourselves at the end of Ghost in the Winds. Two people with vastly different backgrounds have decided they were in it together for the long haul.

And as happy as I am to see them finally together and totally committed to one another, I am also excited to see how they will navigate their current standings in the world as a couple.
It cannot be a simple straightforward solution as it was for them when they were with Corvalis and Thalastre.



With that, so many possibilities and questions come to mind!

What does Caina’s standing in the Padisha’s court mean for them now?

What does the Surge want with Kylon and why did she not want him to bring Caina?

As a descendant of Rykon, will Kylon further play a part in New Kyre’s history and how will that affect Caina?

What if House Kardamnos falls and it is up to Kylon to save it, what will they do then?

As the Empire battles the Umbarian order, will Kylon and Caina be a part of that and how so?

And after all is said and done what will Kylon and Caina be doing with their lives (if they get to live through their next adventures that is)? Will they just retire to some province in Istrainmul and run a quiet noble house with farm lands?

As the Padishah’s adoptive sister, if he does not sire an heir, does that mean Caina and Kylon will have to rule when he dies?

When the emperor of Nighmar dies without an heir, what will happen to the Empire, and the Ghosts in the empire and will Caina and Kylon play a role in the Empire after his death?


Second, on Caina and her supernatural abilities.
One thing I loved about Caina was the fact that she was just an ordinary person with no special powers save for the ability to detect them. With Caina as a valikarion and a sword she can call at will, with a little bit of healing power Samdirmanus left her, she is no longer “ordinary”. The sword she can call at will was a bit much for me, it didn’t feel like her, but I get it. All her abilities were hard earned, but I hope in the future, she doesn’t have to develop a new power in Dios Ex Machina type of scenario.

I really like it when her greatest power remains her mind.

Third, on Caina and Callatas and Kylon and the Red Huntress.

I found it amusing and creepy that when Callatas regenerated he began lusting after Caina. Even at the end, he wanted her to join the “new humanity” as his consort. It was unexpected and I did not foresee those kind of effects of the Elixir. But Callatas did have some respect for Caina despite the fact he hated her, so it did make some sense, since Callatas was always an idealist.

What I actually expected was the Red Huntress lusting after Kylon instead – like some twisted form of sadistic lust, in her obsession to kill Caina in front of him or reminding him again and again how he failed his wife, or her constant replaying in her mind how he screamed when she killed Thalastre. I thought she’d use her new face – that looked like Caina – against Kylon in some way. It would have been another interesting hurdle for Kylon and Caina to face.

But all is well that ends well and it is fitting that Kylon had that final duel with her and was the one to kill her.

All in all, a most enjoyable series. I love the world created by Jonathan Moeller and I can’t wait for the next Ghost series!

[Francis Chamberland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost in the Winds (Ghost Exile Book 9) Review

Dear Jonathan, what an excellent story with a different ending. Talk about luck, and an excellent supporting cast. And now we're off on another entertaining and wonderful story. I highly recommend reading this book and series to adults interested in reading an interesting and imaginative story. Thanks for the entertainment and exciting action throughout the series.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a love / hate relationship
but OMG has it been worth it!!

I think Jonathan Moeller has become my favorite author. He doesn't always make me happy but damn, he makes me feel and I've never been on adventure quite like this one.

The first series, The Ghosts, devastated me, but it was all a set up for the best series ever, Ghost Exile.

I can't wait to see what highs and lows Ghost Night will bring.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series started slow but picked up throughout the series. This is the last book and it will continue to another series. The final book in this series was not a let down and finishes the story very well. The strong main character and the great story telling keeps you reading, the pages turning easily. Great Reading Everyone!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting end to the Ghost Exile series, only one star down due to the sheer amount of battles which got a bit tiring by the end - I'd personally have liked a bit more storyline as well rather than endless fighting.

Looking forward to moving onto the next Ghost series!

[Robbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice serie i red first clock and games serie after that i read clack and ghost after that i read ghost exile because ilike to know how the clock and ghost are to getter

[Barbara Buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

Mr. Moeller continues the story in his wonderful, high-ranking way. Many twists & turns, some laughs, a few tears. can't wait for the next!

[Bill Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GreatTale Pauses to Take a Breath!

The story comes to a stopping point … but I suspect ( and hope) that there will be more tales for Caina to share with us.

[Tracy H Liddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the rest!

I've read all of the Ghost books. This one is a page turner and best so far! I loved it.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about caina

[Lisa York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Loved the entire series. I would recommend this series of books to everyone I know. I hate to see this chapter end but I look forward to the next adventure.

[Earl D Vass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

I did not think the series could get any better! It was brought full circle and I loved it! I loved it! I can't wait for the next series to start!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite heroine!

[Roy Bost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Moeller does it again, grabs Caina and throws her into the pot and makes sure that she gets to burn something to the ground. Gotta love that little lady, but would hate to have her upset with me. Now to find the next in the series.