
Member Reviews

Aaaah the cover! This book is good for the fall season with its premise. Some parts are to be noted that perhaps would trigger many. Think modern Lolita maybe?

This was a VERY interesting book, you have to pay a lot of attention, it does go off a bit. I didn't realize that this was book 4 in a series, but that was ok! I think that I was able to pick up and run with it. The characters were interesting, but buckle up. The story is crazy from start to finish. And that ending? No spoilers. But I need to know what happens. (Pretty please) Thank you to NetGalley for access to the ARC so that I could get the opportunity to read this!

I think this is a good book for the fall/halloween. I really like how the story kept on giving and wasn't a drag at all. Its very intriguing and spooky at the same time that it just makes you want to know what's going to happen next keeping you at the edge of your seat; Apart from that, the only thing that put me a little bit off by the relationship with the students and teachers, I just didn't expect the book to have that in when I started. Overall I did enjoy the story and read fully on one day!

**Review of *The Ghosting Academy***
*The Ghosting Academy*, the fourth installment in The Limerent Series, dives deeper into the chilling and intricate world of elite operatives, where morality and consciousness are fluid concepts. The author has crafted a gripping narrative that challenges the boundaries of trust, identity, and reality itself.
At the heart of the story is Amelie, a dedicated agent whose unwavering loyalty to the Academy has defined her existence. The author skillfully portrays Amelie’s internal conflict as she transitions from a blindly obedient operative to a questioning individual grappling with the Academy’s true motives. This evolution is compelling, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the labyrinthine twists of the plot.
The setting of a remote island serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, creating an atmosphere of isolation and suspense. As Amelie and her team uncover dark secrets within the Academy, the stakes escalate dramatically. The introduction of Verité, a nightmarish virtual reality game, adds layers of complexity and intrigue. The concept of time being warped and consciousness treated as a commodity raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of reality and the human experience.
The pacing is tight, with each revelation leaving readers on the edge of their seats. The author expertly weaves tension throughout the narrative, balancing action with moments of introspection that delve into the psychological implications of the characters’ experiences. Amelie’s struggle to break free from the Academy’s grip resonates deeply, and her journey of self-discovery is both poignant and exhilarating.
Themes of betrayal and control are pervasive, making the reader reflect on the price of loyalty and the cost of blind obedience. The moral dilemmas faced by Amelie and her team add depth to the storyline, challenging them—and the audience—to consider what it means to be truly free.
*The Ghosting Academy* stands out not only for its thrilling plot but also for its rich character development and philosophical undercurrents. As Amelie confronts the haunting truths of her past and the Academy’s sinister objectives, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotion and suspense.
In conclusion, *The Ghosting Academy* is a masterful continuation of The Limerent Series that will captivate fans and newcomers alike. With its gripping narrative, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, this installment is a must-read for anyone who enjoys speculative fiction that pushes the boundaries of reality. Prepare for a haunting journey that will linger long after the last page is turned.

This is one wild ride! The story reminds me of a mashup of Ready Player One and a Panos Cosmatos movie. It feels hopeless and dystopian. But at the same time you can’t stop reading it.
Do know there is mention of a mental health issues, s.a., death

Overall I liked the story and the ghosts but...I could barely get through the sexual interactions between student and teacher. That trope is just a 'no thanks' for me and took away from really enjoying the story.

Amelie has spent her entire life as an elite agent of the Academy, a secretive institution that gave her stability and purpose in exchange for her loyalty and the use of her unique skills for control and destruction. She never questioned the Academy’s orders, trusting them implicitly. But when she and her team "graduate" to become full-fledged operatives, everything changes. They're taken to a remote island, where they uncover dark secrets and betrayals that challenge everything they’ve ever known.
At the centre of the mystery is Verité, a twisted virtual reality game where time is irrelevant, and your blood holds the key to your soul. In this world, the Ghosting Academy trades consciousness like currency, where morality is considered a weakness, and death is nothing more than an illusion. Now, Amelie faces an impossible choice: continue down the path the Academy has laid out for her, or fight to break free from its grip before it’s too late.
The book excels at building suspense and gradually revealing the layers of mystery that surround Amelie's world. The premise is intriguing from the outset, drawing readers in with its high-stakes and mind-bending twists. While the narrative could have benefited from more depth in some areas—particularly in fully exploring its intricate details—the central mystery and the tension around who to trust keep the story engaging.
The writing flows smoothly, with realistic dialogue and well-paced action sequences. The plot is compelling, with the concept of consciousness as currency and morality as a shackle adding a fresh and intriguing layer to the dystopian world. Even as a newcomer to the series, the book provides enough context to understand the characters and their motivations.
Overall, it’s an exciting read that delivers a unique, immersive experience, though some areas could have been more thoroughly explored. The suspense, world-building, and Amelie’s internal struggle make this a gripping addition to the series.
3.5/5.
http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Mysterious and spooky, this is a great spooky season read! Enter the academy where ghosts are real, consciousness is currency, and you never know what's going to happen next.

the premise was very interesting but unfortunately i was instantly put off by the relationship between student and teacher?? i have never been a fan of that trope, in ANY context, so it was instantly downhill from then on for me. it made me feel uber uncomfortable. i also was not the biggest fan of the pacing or the writing, so it was a little bit of a let-down overall

The premise sounded amazing for this one but I honestly just really didn't like it. I mainly want to know why on earth there were sexual situations between students and teachers?? Overall just really strange and I didn't love the writing or the pacing

Such a great story! Loved reading this just in time for halloween! Overall a cute and quick read for halloween

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book
First of all, I loved the premise--it immediately sounded cool to me, and I think that's a special quality in and of itself.
Second of all, I had never heard of the series going into this and had never read any of the other books before, which was definitely a mistake on my part. I think the book itself sufficiently explains a lot of the plot and the characters sufficiently well, so while it's a confusing reading experience it isn't unreadable. With that being said, take what I'm saying here with a grain of salt.
I think the pacing of the novel is weird, at times it overexplains and at others it underexplains. The actual plot of the novel starts pretty late within it, where it definitely could have started earlier to allow the ending more time to come together. It should slow down and allow the parts that need to breathe more time.
I was definitely uncomfortable with some of the parts, such as the heavily sexual interactions between the main protagonist and some of her former teachers--not sure why that was included. I like how it's open about sexuality, and I think it tries to develop some ideas on that topic, but where it misses for me is that it never has the time to actually go into it. I would have loved to see more though, since I think it adds to Amelie as a character.
The book is very good at building up suspense and hinting at the mystery behind it, which I liked. While it could have taken more time to delve into it, the whole mystery and twist around the protagonists deciding who to trust was nice, and it made sense in the context of the book. I think the book has a lot of strong points and the plot itself is interesting, my main issue is that it doesn't take enough time to fully delve into each of the finer details.
The writing itself is nice, and it flows well when read, and most of the dialogue is realistic. There are some parts, however, with awkward writing and clunky dialogue. While these aren't too distracting, they do sort of bring you out of the reading experience. And there is a huge amount of telling throughout the novel rather than showing, which does make it harder to get through, as there is a lot of just information dumping that can be hit or miss depending on the context.
Overall, I think it's a decent book with a strong premise, although I think it could have taken more time to delve into the action promised in the premise itself. It has a lot of promise and it does deliver on that promise to an extent.
I would give it 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up to 4 here.