Ghost Towns

The Child Thief #5

by Bella Forrest

Continue the journey in the thrilling penultimate book of The Child Thief series (as we move toward the grand finale in Book 6!)

Now that Robin has discovered a lead on her daughter, all she can think about is tracking her down. And her birth parents—whom Robin never dreamed she’d have the opportunity to meet.

But when Robin and Jace return to the outside world, after gaining permission from Nathan, there have been worrying developments. Townships housing the poor are being emptied at an alarming rate, seemingly faster than ever before, and they have no idea why, or where the residents are being taken.

A personal mission quickly turns into something much greater as Robin and Jace follow the clues... leading to answers neither of them is prepared for.

Buy now!

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts*

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Adventure, Audiobook

388 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2018

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Empress Reece (Hooked on Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin still annoys the shit out of me but I keep coming back for more. I've seen the story through this far- I've got to stick around for the ending. The story itself is actually good. It's just Robin that drives me nuts. I get so tired of her contemplating and analyzing everything - all of the 'what if this' and 'what if that' and on and on and on. It totally feels like the author wrote her character that way solely just to fill up space which is such waste. There's so much more to the story that could be told without using Robin's incessant ramblings to drag out the storyline.

[Melissa Dinwiddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Writing is “Meh,” But Hey, I Keep Reading!

Bella Forrest writes a lot of books, and I have no doubt she’s a better fiction writer than I could hope to be, but it does seem that some of her series get more of her energy than others.

Her Harley Merlin series, for example, is one of her better efforts.

The Child Thief series, on the other hand, feels like an “I gotta meet my word count so I have more books to sell” afterthought.

Not that there’s anything wrong with the premise, or the characters—all of which are actually quite compelling, and have all the makings of a great Hollywood epic.

But the writing. Oh, the writing. For the most part, it plods along to this basic formula:

“I did ABC. I felt XYZ.”

Or my favorite:

“I did ABC [adverb]. I felt XYZ.”

In other words, bland.

Or rather, painfully bland.

Add to this, painfully predictable plot points. (Character A and Character B go on a dangerous mission, and you just KNOW which one of them is going to be killed. Foreshadowing, foreshadowing, foreshadowing... and yep, sure enough, that character is killed. What a shocker. And oh, what a coincidence—the person who our hero just happens to run into on said mission is the person she is hoping against hope to find! Amazing!)

And add to this, the weirdly bizarre way in which the laws of physics don’t seem to apply in this world—which is basically the US, but in a dystopian future, when a dictator has taken over.

(Sorry, that’s a pet peeve of mine. I’m a fan of fantasy and magical realism, but this book establishes a tone of realism from the start, and yet the laws of physics don’t apply. And little things, like characters not needing to bring a spare change of clothes on a multi-day trip on an airship. *Eye roll* and major fail in disbelief suspension. You might be able to get away with this lack of attention to detail in a movie, but it doesn’t work in a novel where you’ve paid exquisite attention to detail a few scenes earlier.)

Anyway, the world is divided mostly into the very rich, and the very poor, all of whom work in generic factories (which somehow pollute only the air around said factories). And the main plot point is that the dictatorship has decided that poor people are not worthy of bringing up children, so babies are “redistributed” to rich families, leaving poor parents with no future and no hope.

In this, the 5th book in the series, Robin, our hero, has finally found a line on her own daughter, stripped from her at birth two years ago. Naturally, she’s antsy to go find her, but the needs of the rebel group she’s a part of compete with her individual desires to reclaim her daughter.

Which brings up another question: how does Little John, the rebel group, have so much money/resources anyway? I mean, they seem as well funded as a James Bond super villain. What gives??? Again, it feels like lazy writing to me. “It is because I say it is,” not because it actually makes rational sense. With the Harley Merlin series, Forrest can get away with more of these kinds of irrational choices, because that series is set in a world of magic, so anything she makes up can be explained away as magic. In the Child Thief series, though, Forrest can’t get away with her choices quite so easily. They have to make logical sense.

This is, ultimately, why I’m continually unsatisfied by this series: Forrest doesn’t seem to care that Robin’s world is *not* a world of magic, where the laws of physics apply. I keep reading, because Forrest has crafted a good enough story that I want to find out what happens, even though it irritates me.

If you’re looking for good prose, try Barbara Kingsolver or Elizabeth Gilbert. This series might inspire you to try writing something yourself, though. Because hey, if she can do it, why not you?

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, adventure and tragedy fill the pages of “Ghost Towns” the fifth book in Bella Forrest’s “The Child Thief” series. Opening in Edgewood, one of the Little John hideouts Robin discovers a couple of leads to tracking down her daughter Hope and her birth parents but her personal mission must take a backseat when Nathan sends her with Jace to look into the connection between the mysterious disappearance of poor workers in factory towns and an organization called the “Helping Hands”.

Knowing the strength of their bond, instead of choosing Jace to accompany Robin on a suicide mission into the enemy's camp Nathan picks his friend Kory. Armed with details about the government's sinister scheme Robin and Kory race to escape only to face tragedy and a devastating betrayal that leaves their home base in ruins.

Emotionally charged Robin is torn between searching for Hope and her natural parents, and the continuing importance of Operation Hood to reunite families and their stolen children. Fueled by Henry’s need to be a part of the mission to find their daughter, tension builds and anger erupts with her decision to put her personal need on hold. Well-written and action-packed, as emotions flare intensity and suspense escalate when Robin and Jace make a harrowing escape from the Authority Agents patrolling Millfield as Nathan and his hackers search for information on Helping Hands in the government systems. Yet amid all the conflict, Robin and Jace’s feelings deepen to the point that Nathan picks Kory to go on the suicide mission. With plot twists and the hostilities between government and rebel forces growing, the plot progresses quickly and smoothly to a sorrowful ending that buzzes with tragedy and betrayal while promising a thrilling conclusion to the series.

Breathing life into this story the characters continue to change and develop like Robin who puts the interests of the rebel group before her own desire to find Hope and her birth parents. She’s determined, smart, independent but caring. Jace haunted by the loss of his family is patient, easy-going, supportive and understanding until a tragic death has him hungering for vengeance. Henry Stone the other teen in Robin’s life continues to be stubborn, brash and impulsive, although he’s trying to adapt to his new life in Edgewood. Yet it’s the commitment, loyalty and often the humor within her team of misfits and the wise, charismatic leadership of Nathan that keeps Robin grounded and putting the needs of Little John before her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Ghost Towns” and can’t wait to read the conclusion to this captivating series.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The last rays of the sun spilled into the room and over our forms as we intertwined, his hands gently roaming the backs of my thighs, his mouth making love to mine. Enjoy yourself today, I thought to myself, with Jace’s name still on my lips, because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed."

So many questions for the last book in this series and I am on the edge of my seat until the release date on March 7th! Thankfully, I started this series late, so I only have a few weeks left. My biggest thing is the mole in Edgewood. I have a theory that it is either going to be Henry, who I have never trusted, Robert, who I just hate with everything, or Piper, who creeps me the hell out. I am pretty sure that Piper is relatively pissed off that Robin seems to get special treatment from Nathan and you can see that when he shows her out by slamming the door in her face of Nathan's office. Then again when she is asked to interrogate the female executive. When he is seen being aggressive with Robert, I became suspicious once again, but not just of Piper, of Robert too. It does seem odd someone would put the entire city in danger considering they would be there when the attack happened. But who else but Piper would be able to take the shield down to allow the government access?

Then there is the fact that the government is creating a working class by lobotomizing them. Not very surprising, considering they already have low regards for the poor. I am very excited to find out who is behind The Helping Hands initiative and if the person who adopted Robins daughter is the lead in all of this. I do hope that all of the relatives of the Hood Team are rescued safely and that Bella doesn't add it as a short recap at the ending. It is always so disappointing when family reunions are rushed. Jace and Robin deserve to become a small family and while I am suspicious of Henry, I hope I am wrong and they can co-parent Hope together.

Now, can we just hype up the romance between Robin and Jace a little, Bella? Jeez. Five books before there's anything and they were even left on a mission alone together and nothing happened...come on.

[Megan Amaral · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

Honestly, this book took me a while to get through and it was...not memorable. It was another bridge book, that took me months to finish reading because it was a lot of filler training information. Necessary filler information, but nonetheless forgettable. I think this book was...Little John hacking the government system, Nelson and Robin finding out the names of their kids and where they were at, Robin finding out who her parents were and where, the Hood Team training (Jace finding out he had a knack for piloting,) Jace and Robin going on a mission to one of the Ghost Towns to get any information, and then Robin going undercover to find out where the towns people were going. Things always go to shit in the final chapters, as to be expected, which are always the best chapters, but not enough to carry the whole book.

We did though get some moments between Jace and Robin as well as some moments between Robin and Henry, her baby daddy. Robin is...less irritating in this book, but literally homegirl's train of though is literally everywhere. She questions and overthinks everything. I understand that they are in the middle of this war where they are labeled terrorists, but even when she is dealing with her personal feelings about people and events, her mind thinks of 50 different things and it gets old.

After reading this, I am not sure how they are going to solve anything or find their kids by the end of the the next book which is the finale. I am here for it to see how they do it. After so much fluff in the other books, including this one, I am curious to see the final book wrap everything up. It will have to be action throughout in order to solve everything as the government seems to be always on top of everything.

[Elizabeth✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This book was definitely my favorite book out of the series. It had just the right amount of romance, action, and cliff hangers throughout the book. The ending of the book was very intense, which I loved! I had a feeling of how the book would finish with a few of the characters. I’m happy and also sad about it, but I expected it.

The only thing I have a critique on is the constant questions in the book. Robin thinks a lot and talks to herself a lot, which i understand. But every time she talked to herself there would be a paragraph of just questions (4 or more). I feel like it was a little too much because it happened on almost EVERY page.

But other than that minor critique, I lovedddd this book! I can’t wait for the ending! I’m sad that it’s gonna be over soon, but I’m excited to read it! ☺️

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child thief 5

Wow oh wow I love this story so much. Glad that have and robin seal their relationship. A lot going on in this book. The mission were very dangerous. Robin finds out who has her daughter, and she may have saved her mother. The ending is so so sad . It breaks my heart that Jody passed. Now with the revenge so high jace and robin wants to destroy the government. I can't wait for finally. I hope it has a great ending because this one was so full of sadness . Again this author is such a rising star i really hope that people will read this entire series as a person can see this might happen one day ,if we don't get our crooked government to stop eating up our country

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, love and heartache!

I don’t know where to start. Robin getting information on her parents and her daughter. Her and Jace finally moving forward in their relationship. Robin and Jace’s mission in finding out more about helping hands. Robin and Kory’s mission and the sad aftermath and the traitor within Edgewood. So much has went on in this book, lots of action, love, and heartache. I can’t wait for the finale book.

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking!!! 🤯😳

OMG!!!... I can't believe all that happened in this book!!!... Finally Robin and Jace confessed their love and got together... And then Robin went on a suicidal mission to gather intel, with a terrible outcome, the lost of a Team Hood member 💔😭... And then they had to go to another L. J. base because... You have to read the book to find out... What will happen now, OMG!!! 🤔😰

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Wow! This has to be the most exciting book in the series so far. Missions in top of missions. Team Hood is getting a lot of action plus the most dangerous mission yet. Little John being betrayed from inside. I have a strong felling I know who betrayed them. A little of a cliff hanger ... Makes since this is the next to last book.

[Don Oberg-Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be the final book in the series but realized that the plot wasn't moving fast enough to finish. Ah well, the next book is supposed to finish. Robin has a chance to find her parents while continuing to scout for Little John. Also pursues the question of what has happened to the towns that were emptied.

[Chelsy Lyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good series but I struggled through this book

I started and quit, started and quit and finally finished this book. I’ve enjoyed this series but for some reason this book was repetitive and predictable there fore hard for me to read, but I wanted to continue to see how things end. The ending wasn’t expected though so I look forward to book 6

[Kirsty Maule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

Good pace again although Julia and Marco just disappeared so I’m wondering if they will return in the next book as I can’t help but think about them.

Also I can’t help but wonder how robin was taken away from her month we but Henry wasn’t taken away. I hope these loose ends are tied up.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a great continuation in the child thief story

The love and fighting spirit to make things right is heartbreaking. And what an amazing twist at the end. Roll on the final book.

[Denise Esh · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Total Cliffhanger!

This series has been phenomenal and this penultimate was no different! High quality story telling! A few small laughs, some definite tears and the cliffhanger to keep me anxiously awaiting the finale! Another great book?

[Lydia Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues.

Knowing and careing for the characters makes this book seem short. Can't wait for next book, dad to know it's the final book of the serious.
Having read many of Bella's books In sure we may see more these characters. Great job.

[Dej4vu · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW

I have enjoyed reading this series, it's storyline is fantastic! Can't wait for the next book to see what happens with Robin & the other characters. Thanks Bella for another great read :)

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for book 6? Or is it 7

So many possibilities - can’t wait to see how it ends. Big fan of Bella Forrest. Should have waited to mull they were all out to start reading though- I cant handle the suspense.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed

I have to wait until March 7th!!! To find out what happens!! I don't think I'm going to go make it, the wait is going to kill me. It is such a good book, full of action

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wild journey for Robin

Why the government so evil, torturing the poor people
And taking their babies away from them.
I'm heart broken that Kory is dead.
And I hope there is survivors in edgebrook.

[Sarah Goins · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVEEEE this series! This book was the very best out of the 5 so far! I’m counting down til March 7th for Zero Hour! If you are reading this review and haven’t started the series yet... START IT! You won’t regret it!

[Scott Sammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A consistently solid tale from beginning to end from a reliable story teller. It is hard do do better. I have yet to be disappointed by any Bella Forrest book. It is commendable that she has placed all of her books on KU.

[Tina Oeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely Love this series

I can not wait to see what happens next. This series keeps you at the edge of your seat and and anticipating on what’s going to happen next. Bella does a great job at keeping it exciting and wanting more.

[Adriana Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this series is absolutely one of my favorites from bella, a little to short for my tastes but its pack with a lot action and a lot wise decision i can’t wait for the finale even though i don’t want it to end

[Mrs Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙌

Wow... what a good ending. I was waiting for that betrayal and I can guess who it was already ... on to book 6. I know I suck at reviews. This series has kept me hooked on so that should be enough lol

[Kelli Pizarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it's almost over

I am not ready for it to end, but I'm devastated to find that I've got to wait a month before the final book releases! This series is so freaking good.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rush!

I am loving these books and this one did not disappoint! Robin, Jace, Nelson, Gabby and the crew are trying to figure out what the Government is doin to the people of the factory towns.
Can’t wait to see how this all ends in the final book.

[Chasidy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is an attention grabber! A MUST read!! Probably my favorite series Bella has written so far!!

[lucy Pooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books!!! amazing

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story and can never put the books down!! I never want to do anything until I've read to the very last page! Can't wait to find out what happens next!