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Ghost Star
When his father and crewmates are attacked and killed by a ruthless alien commander, young Galen Bray becomes the new captain of the GHOST STAR, a notorious smuggling vessel. Barely escaping capture, Galen sets out to rescue the only other survivor of the vicious attack, his sister Trem. Along the way, he discovers a mysterious people thought wiped out long ago, his family's surprising origins, and a destiny he never imagined...
- GenresScience Fiction
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
126 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Roger Eschbacher
14 books132 followersRoger Eschbacher lives in Los Angeles with his awesome family and a sweet little Russian tortoise.
In addition to writing fantasy and sci-fi adventure novels, he writes TV animation for Warner Bros., Netflix, Cartoon Network, Hasbro Studios and more.
Roger’s YA space opera Ghost Star is a winner of the Kindle Scout competition and received a publishing contract from Amazon’s Kindle Press imprint.
Ghost Star and other books by Roger are listed on his Amazon Author Page.
In addition to writing fantasy and sci-fi adventure novels, he writes TV animation for Warner Bros., Netflix, Cartoon Network, Hasbro Studios and more.
Roger’s YA space opera Ghost Star is a winner of the Kindle Scout competition and received a publishing contract from Amazon’s Kindle Press imprint.
Ghost Star and other books by Roger are listed on his Amazon Author Page.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 8, 2018
Good science fiction
Ghost Star by Roger Eschbacher is a fast paced science fiction book that was appealing from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and the unusual plot, fresh and new.
Ghost Star by Roger Eschbacher is a fast paced science fiction book that was appealing from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and the unusual plot, fresh and new.
December 2, 2017
Eschbacher mainlines Heinlein in Ghost Star, delivering a dizzying adventure with well-constructed characters and perils galore. I'm a sucker for a great villain and Ghost Star has that in its sinister big baddie. This science fiction yarn has pluck and bops along at a delightful pace. And who can say no to massive black holes, really? Fans of Star Wars and Firefly will love Eschbacher's latest!
March 18, 2018
A great start to a new series. Love the characters and story line. Couldn't put it down. Well worth the time to read and enjoy. The characters are well developed and tell the story very well. Just wish the shipped stayed. Oh Well. Can't wait for the next one. You'll love it. Great Reading Everyone!
December 5, 2017
So, Ghost Star, yeah… I really enjoyed this book. It’s tough to nail down why exactly. The story isn’t original in any way. The villain is so clichéd – let’s kill all the people different from us because they might give us cooties and I’m just a really scary individual. Every single part of the story has been done before. Some have done it worse, and some have done it better.
I know, I know, it sounds like I’m bagging on Eschbacher’s first book in the Ghost Star Adventures trilogy, and I am, kind of, but I really liked Ghost Star. It’s a short read – three or four hours. Makes sense since it was a Kindle Scout entry. Probably just above 50k words. Nothing pulls you out of the story, and there are no complex political or socioeconomical themes that you need to understand: The bad guy wants to kill Galen Bray, and exterminate his people. Bray wants to save his sister and their people from the megalomaniacal villain. We cheer for Bray, and jeer the villain.
I think that the best thing about Ghost Star is that it’s an utterly simple story with a straightforward telling that doesn’t require a lot of deep thinking. In today’s politically charged climate, we’re inundated with hate and malice, and have to wade through levels of crap to find the truth. It’s nice to just get lost in the narrative. And Eschbacher does a great job leading the reader from point A to B to C, etc. The ending is satisfying, and sets up more adventures, more books in the trilogy. I love it.
Roger Eschbacher writes in a varied spectrum of genres and even has a children’s book. This has no bearing on this story, but as a multi-genre author, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that hasn’t figured it all out. Anyway, Ghost Star is an easy read. It’s a four-star read. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. Since he’s a Kindle Scout winner, and published by Kindle Press, I expect Ghost Star to be included in Kindle Unlimited when it comes out in a month. Get it. Read it. Preorder it if you want. However you get it, turn you brain off for a few hours and enjoy this popcorn sci-fi romp.
I know, I know, it sounds like I’m bagging on Eschbacher’s first book in the Ghost Star Adventures trilogy, and I am, kind of, but I really liked Ghost Star. It’s a short read – three or four hours. Makes sense since it was a Kindle Scout entry. Probably just above 50k words. Nothing pulls you out of the story, and there are no complex political or socioeconomical themes that you need to understand: The bad guy wants to kill Galen Bray, and exterminate his people. Bray wants to save his sister and their people from the megalomaniacal villain. We cheer for Bray, and jeer the villain.
I think that the best thing about Ghost Star is that it’s an utterly simple story with a straightforward telling that doesn’t require a lot of deep thinking. In today’s politically charged climate, we’re inundated with hate and malice, and have to wade through levels of crap to find the truth. It’s nice to just get lost in the narrative. And Eschbacher does a great job leading the reader from point A to B to C, etc. The ending is satisfying, and sets up more adventures, more books in the trilogy. I love it.
Roger Eschbacher writes in a varied spectrum of genres and even has a children’s book. This has no bearing on this story, but as a multi-genre author, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that hasn’t figured it all out. Anyway, Ghost Star is an easy read. It’s a four-star read. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. Since he’s a Kindle Scout winner, and published by Kindle Press, I expect Ghost Star to be included in Kindle Unlimited when it comes out in a month. Get it. Read it. Preorder it if you want. However you get it, turn you brain off for a few hours and enjoy this popcorn sci-fi romp.
December 27, 2017
Ghost Star is an entertaining story, although it's been done before. Well written but a little simplistic compared to most stories of this genre. For that reason, and the youth of the main character, Galen, and Trem, his little sister, I would recommend this for junior high sci-fi fans, say Grades 6-9.
November 28, 2017
Highly reccomend this book
Outstanding plot and characters. You really feel for the characters and situations. A must read for any scifi reader i say.
Outstanding plot and characters. You really feel for the characters and situations. A must read for any scifi reader i say.
January 16, 2018
Young Galen Bray faces trouble by the gross. Pursued by the murderous alien Mohk, he pilots his space craft down an interstellar rabbit hole only to discover a lost civilization, his past and his destiny.
This book seemed designed for younger readers, with some of the characters a tad thin. Also, the familiar archetypes peopling this thriller might've been tweaked to separate them out from the usual space opera tropes of warrior women, clever robots, and evil-for-evil's-sake villians.
Nevertheless, the story's alien characters and locations are well-handled by the author who keeps his world accessible to the reader. In addition, there's action aplenty, a likable protagonist, droll humor and enough twists to keep the narrative speeding along. A fun, enjoyable read.
This book seemed designed for younger readers, with some of the characters a tad thin. Also, the familiar archetypes peopling this thriller might've been tweaked to separate them out from the usual space opera tropes of warrior women, clever robots, and evil-for-evil's-sake villians.
Nevertheless, the story's alien characters and locations are well-handled by the author who keeps his world accessible to the reader. In addition, there's action aplenty, a likable protagonist, droll humor and enough twists to keep the narrative speeding along. A fun, enjoyable read.
December 11, 2018
Hope more are coming
Great universe, cool tech Special powers and hidden ancient civilizations in and great villains who could ask for more.Good read
Great universe, cool tech Special powers and hidden ancient civilizations in and great villains who could ask for more.Good read
January 14, 2018
Eschbacher did it again! Humor and wit rolled into a super plot and great characters equals an enjoyable book. Liked this one a lot, good names, enough spacey tech for the science fiction fans, and a strong telling of the story. Again, a tale of the underdog besting the evilest of tyrants with wit and sheer stupid courage. I look forward to more of this storyline. A Luke Skywalker like sequence of the young captain discovering he and his family are special and so are his skills which he never took seriously. Losing his father and kidnapped sister thrusts the young man into danger and at times something he’d rather run from.
Good job, Roger!
Good job, Roger!
August 23, 2018
What a enjoyable read
I have enjoyed reading this first book of what I hope will be a interesting series. The last few remaining members of the Ruam people are facing the possible invading forces of the Imperium. Can young Lord Bray and the few members of his family save them. Book two will be a interesting read.
I have enjoyed reading this first book of what I hope will be a interesting series. The last few remaining members of the Ruam people are facing the possible invading forces of the Imperium. Can young Lord Bray and the few members of his family save them. Book two will be a interesting read.
April 18, 2018
I hope there will be a second book!!!! An endangered race their fight for survival and love for family.
April 16, 2018
This book is very well written. Set in an alternate universe, this is the story of a young man and his fight to free his sister and his people from a tyrannical empire.
Read
October 28, 2018Ghost Star is a rollicking good space opera for young readers. Anyone from reading age to mid-teens will enjoy it.
Plot
Nolo Bray, a member of the Ruam race from the planet Tac, is the most elusive smuggler the galaxy. The book opens as his ship, the Ghost Star is finally caught and boarded by the Lingering Death, a moon-sized cruiser of the Imperium, which is ruled by the monstrous Nell. The Nell are humanoid, but much bigger than Terrans and equipped with blade-like foreclaws on their wrists.
Only one crew member remains hidden in a locker. Galen Bray, Captain Nolo’s teenaged son, watches on video as Mohk kills his father and orders the execution of the rest of the crew. But he decides to keep Bray’s young daughter, Trem, alive as a prize to deliver to his commanders in the Nell home world.
Teenaged Galen waits until the Imperium marines leave the ship, then manages to frees the smuggler ship from its tether to the Lingering Death. He’s helped by one last robot, Hex, and by the AI of the Ghost Star, which has the personality of his long-deceased mother, Bartrice — something that he doesn’t appreciate at first.
But in escaping the Imperium, Galen flies too close to a real ghost star, or black hole. There, he finds an ability he didn’t know he had. Time slows for him, allowing him to guide the ship down a plasma tube, where he discovers a planet inhabited by the last remnant of his race, the Ruam.
Surprise follows surprise. His father was the last living Ruam lord, making Galen now a lord. The smuggler Ghost Star is actually a Ruam battle cruiser disguised with scarred outer plating. It was the Nell who started a war against the Ruam, killed their home world of Tac and wiped out almost the whole species.
The pace never lets up. Galen gathers a crew of Ruam on a mission to rescue his sister. However, they first have to find a device to keep their planet from falling into the black hole. Along the way, they visit the Ruam homeworld of Tac, and an artificial moon called Zed that’s a smugglers’ haven. Think the island of Tortuga from Pirates of the Caribbean, in space. It’s there that Galen finds his long-lost aunt, Eria.
Characters
This book has everything you want in a science-fiction adventure: lots of action, a fast-moving plot, hairsbreadth escapes and lovable characters. I have to admit, Hex is my favourite. Eschbacher manages to create a personality with the perfect combination of modesty, eagerness to help, and a bit of dry humour that keeps him from being obsequious.
Eria is a badass warrior intent on killing as many Nell as she can in order to save her niece. And Burr, the Ruam’s chief scientist, is a blast. I can absolutely picture him as my high-school physics teacher.
As the villain, Lord Mohk is perfect. Evil oozes out of his every word. He kills for pleasure, maims for discipline, sends thousands of his own soldiers into almost certain death in the hopes that some of them might be able to carry out his will.
The author
Eschbacher is a professional writer with a long career in children’s television. His style shows it: snappy dialogue, lots of humour, the right amount of sadness and a dash of teenaged hormones allow young readers to identify with the main character. Get to know more about Roger on his website and blog.
If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure, or know a young reader who is, get this book.
5*
Plot
Nolo Bray, a member of the Ruam race from the planet Tac, is the most elusive smuggler the galaxy. The book opens as his ship, the Ghost Star is finally caught and boarded by the Lingering Death, a moon-sized cruiser of the Imperium, which is ruled by the monstrous Nell. The Nell are humanoid, but much bigger than Terrans and equipped with blade-like foreclaws on their wrists.
Only one crew member remains hidden in a locker. Galen Bray, Captain Nolo’s teenaged son, watches on video as Mohk kills his father and orders the execution of the rest of the crew. But he decides to keep Bray’s young daughter, Trem, alive as a prize to deliver to his commanders in the Nell home world.
Teenaged Galen waits until the Imperium marines leave the ship, then manages to frees the smuggler ship from its tether to the Lingering Death. He’s helped by one last robot, Hex, and by the AI of the Ghost Star, which has the personality of his long-deceased mother, Bartrice — something that he doesn’t appreciate at first.
But in escaping the Imperium, Galen flies too close to a real ghost star, or black hole. There, he finds an ability he didn’t know he had. Time slows for him, allowing him to guide the ship down a plasma tube, where he discovers a planet inhabited by the last remnant of his race, the Ruam.
Surprise follows surprise. His father was the last living Ruam lord, making Galen now a lord. The smuggler Ghost Star is actually a Ruam battle cruiser disguised with scarred outer plating. It was the Nell who started a war against the Ruam, killed their home world of Tac and wiped out almost the whole species.
The pace never lets up. Galen gathers a crew of Ruam on a mission to rescue his sister. However, they first have to find a device to keep their planet from falling into the black hole. Along the way, they visit the Ruam homeworld of Tac, and an artificial moon called Zed that’s a smugglers’ haven. Think the island of Tortuga from Pirates of the Caribbean, in space. It’s there that Galen finds his long-lost aunt, Eria.
Characters
This book has everything you want in a science-fiction adventure: lots of action, a fast-moving plot, hairsbreadth escapes and lovable characters. I have to admit, Hex is my favourite. Eschbacher manages to create a personality with the perfect combination of modesty, eagerness to help, and a bit of dry humour that keeps him from being obsequious.
Eria is a badass warrior intent on killing as many Nell as she can in order to save her niece. And Burr, the Ruam’s chief scientist, is a blast. I can absolutely picture him as my high-school physics teacher.
As the villain, Lord Mohk is perfect. Evil oozes out of his every word. He kills for pleasure, maims for discipline, sends thousands of his own soldiers into almost certain death in the hopes that some of them might be able to carry out his will.
The author
Eschbacher is a professional writer with a long career in children’s television. His style shows it: snappy dialogue, lots of humour, the right amount of sadness and a dash of teenaged hormones allow young readers to identify with the main character. Get to know more about Roger on his website and blog.
If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure, or know a young reader who is, get this book.
5*
December 7, 2017
This sci-fi book has less world-building than most books of this genre that I've read, but it has enough to keep the story interesting. This isn't necessarily a problem because the worlds of sci-fi novels can sometimes be so complex they are difficult to understand. This one is straightforward and more of a fast-paced adventure than it is a discovery of the world beyond ours. Even most of the species are human-like. I found it humorous, although at times humor didn't seem to fit the tense, serious situations the characters found themselves in. It's a quick read and entertaining. Although the story is complete in itself, it does end on a cliff-hanger to whet your appetite for the next book.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
March 14, 2018
Excellent ride through hyperspace
I found myself quickly drawn into the story and characters in the Ghost Star. The story is easy to follow even with the multiple species and lifeforms. Not my typical genre, but well worth the reading.
I found myself quickly drawn into the story and characters in the Ghost Star. The story is easy to follow even with the multiple species and lifeforms. Not my typical genre, but well worth the reading.
May 14, 2018
Fun story
Fast and furious little space opera. I don't know where the series goes from here but it should be fun. I wouldn't expect any real character development and the background is about as complete as it will be, I imagine.
I may look for the series when I'm in the mood for a fun, fast read.
Fast and furious little space opera. I don't know where the series goes from here but it should be fun. I wouldn't expect any real character development and the background is about as complete as it will be, I imagine.
I may look for the series when I'm in the mood for a fun, fast read.
February 21, 2020
Great Sci-Fi Book
LOVED this book. The writing was exceptional, the world and concept unique, the chapters reasonable and the length was perfect. I am hoping for a second book to dive deeper into the story, history and world. This book earned five stars for sure! You MUST read this book of you are a sci-fi fan, hands down!
LOVED this book. The writing was exceptional, the world and concept unique, the chapters reasonable and the length was perfect. I am hoping for a second book to dive deeper into the story, history and world. This book earned five stars for sure! You MUST read this book of you are a sci-fi fan, hands down!
November 20, 2019
A truly enjoyable read
A truly enjoyable book, not filled with foul language and/or sex. A great plot filled with family, loyalty, tech and creative aliens. I highly recommend this author.
A truly enjoyable book, not filled with foul language and/or sex. A great plot filled with family, loyalty, tech and creative aliens. I highly recommend this author.
January 23, 2018
Entertaining Read
It took time to get use to the author’s rapid fire style of writing and near infinite story twists but overall it was well written and entertaining story.
It took time to get use to the author’s rapid fire style of writing and near infinite story twists but overall it was well written and entertaining story.
February 27, 2018
Different
Not my normal read. I will look for and download the next chapter if I can find it. Onward to the next book.
Not my normal read. I will look for and download the next chapter if I can find it. Onward to the next book.
August 7, 2019
Good adventure
Ghost Star was a good adventure, a few plot twists and a lot of character development. I will be picking up more in the series for sure!
Ghost Star was a good adventure, a few plot twists and a lot of character development. I will be picking up more in the series for sure!
September 7, 2019
Good book
Very good book it was very enjoyable keeps you looking forward to the next chapter I think it was a good book
Very good book it was very enjoyable keeps you looking forward to the next chapter I think it was a good book
September 16, 2019
Starr55
I really liked your book! Will you be writing a sequel to it. I hope so. When I started reading I couldn't put it down!
I really liked your book! Will you be writing a sequel to it. I hope so. When I started reading I couldn't put it down!
September 21, 2019
A fun read.
Well written fun read. The bad guy is pure evil with no redeeming values! Lots of good guys and a few in-between.
Well written fun read. The bad guy is pure evil with no redeeming values! Lots of good guys and a few in-between.
March 3, 2020
Good story but seemed a bit underdeveloped in some instances.
April 16, 2020
A fun read. Good characters.
A very good, well written story. Very enjoyable. If there's a sequel to this one I expect it to be equally well written and a good read
A very good, well written story. Very enjoyable. If there's a sequel to this one I expect it to be equally well written and a good read
November 22, 2020
Should Have Been Better
The storyline blends mysticism, paranormal and sci-fi into a loosely written, fast action tale. As far as that part goes, it’s OK. The ending was not as well done as the rest of the story. It felt rushed, as though the author suddenly needed to finish so ... snap ... crash .... massive slaughter of hundreds ... unrealistic fight sequence ... sudden mystic influence ... and it’s over. Then the epilogue tries to set the tone for a probable sequel. As much as I enjoyed the developing story, I was vastly underwhelmed by the flat ending and I doubt I’ll follow into the next book.
The storyline blends mysticism, paranormal and sci-fi into a loosely written, fast action tale. As far as that part goes, it’s OK. The ending was not as well done as the rest of the story. It felt rushed, as though the author suddenly needed to finish so ... snap ... crash .... massive slaughter of hundreds ... unrealistic fight sequence ... sudden mystic influence ... and it’s over. Then the epilogue tries to set the tone for a probable sequel. As much as I enjoyed the developing story, I was vastly underwhelmed by the flat ending and I doubt I’ll follow into the next book.
July 1, 2020
Not alot of backstory in this read and not a tremendous amount of detail about the characters, makes it hard to commit and visualize. The story itself had merit, as the author knew all to well not to stretch this one out. I may read another in this series should it come across my screen, time will tell. Guessing I was not the intended audience for this read.
August 1, 2020
I read this book with my kids and we all enjoyed it. The kids loved it. It was fun and engaging! This isn't the type of book I would normally read, but did so to read with my kids and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. We'll definitely be reading some more like this and we'll start with whatever else Eschbacher has written!
January 6, 2023
A good read.
I was skeptical when I downloaded Ghost Star, I was figuring more kindle pablum ...I got a great surprise this Roger Each backed could write, he knew about basic sci-fi, understood plot,story,character. Pace and tempo. It was a fun read. Buy it,read it... lets push him to write a sequel.
I was skeptical when I downloaded Ghost Star, I was figuring more kindle pablum ...I got a great surprise this Roger Each backed could write, he knew about basic sci-fi, understood plot,story,character. Pace and tempo. It was a fun read. Buy it,read it... lets push him to write a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews