"A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS - a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she's assigned to a small exploration crew, she's eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer's hasty departure than opening up to her. That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia's worst nightmare starting - a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what's happening. But trust is hard to come by...and the crew isn't the only one keeping secrets."

I love what amounts to haunted house stories in outer space.

I found this one to be significantly more enjoyable (though also significantly less scary / less “special”) than Barnes’s previous work DEAD SILENCE - I mean, let’s be real, nothing tops an ocean of frozen human corpses just floating near the ceiling of an abandoned shopping mall. I think again that Barnes spent way too long trying to make the MC “unreliable” and not letting the true terror of the situation speak for itself - however, I did really like the way the characters interacted with each other and the dynamic that Ophelia creates coming into the mix after a tragedy.

There are a lot of moments where the attention to detail that was present in Dead Silence could really have elevated Ghost Station if we weren’t being dragged along with Ophelia’s distractions: namely whenever we’re exploring a space or in a high-tension confrontation in what is essentially a pitch-black maze. Really settling into the details would have done so much for me personally to elevate the horror.

S.A. Barnes' next book after the thoroughly enjoyable Dead Silence is Ghost Station, which is about a group of people assigned to a desolate corner of the universe in an abandoned science lab that was built to study some fascinating alien architecture. When strange things begin to worry the crew's psychologist (the unwelcome latest addition to the team), it is up to her to diagnose herself and her colleagues and figure out just what is going on and what kind of danger they are all really in.

When it comes to atmosphere, this book seems to be doing everything right from the gate. This is a book that directly communicates to the reader the remoteness of the far-flung outpost of human science and ingenuity is from the nearest people who could offer aid. I felt the force of the wind when characters were forced to venture outside the lab station, and was along for the ride when it came to the confusion of the characters as things went wrong, By the time the horrifying revelations began to pour in one after another, well, things get very strange very quickly and if the reader is going to fall off the boat at any time it is going to be when the reveals start towards the latter end of the book.

Ghost Station starts off slow and doesn’t truly pick up until about halfway. The premise was right up my alley (ala Ice - xfiles meets space) I do wish it were a bit darker or scarier, it seemed to only scraped the surface on its potential. The epilogue was a nice touch for those who prefer a tidier ending.

The deep dive into Phes past and psyche was probably my favorite part.

3 stars. This book was ambitious, and had a lot of potential. Interplanetary travel, mysterious illnesses, checkered pasts, an alien planet...it had all the makings of a really good sci-fi horror novel. And yet, while I really enjoyed parts of this, it just didn't come together in the end. The build-up to the climax was good, creepy, mysterious. I was really interested to know how it was going to work out. And then...it really made no sense. The end was complicated (not in a good way), and I still don't know that I fully understand what happened. I will stick with 3 stars because I did really like about 2/3 of the book. It just fell flat for me in the end.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Ghost Station.
This is a science fiction horror story. This book reminded me of Aliens and other types of fantasy stories
A group of scientists and researchers are stranded on a planet where strange things happen including murder.
A good book Intriguing and scary at times
3 stars

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes has such an amazing premise. An abandoned research facility on an alien planet with crumbling civilization ruins nearby, the main character Ophelia Bray is a doctor with a mysterious past. She has her own personal reasons for joining this dangerous Research and Evaluation team. Family secrets, corporate politics and mental illness all gave the plotline unexpected depth. Frankly any science fiction novel that involves exploring alien worlds is a one-click auto buy for me.

S.A. Barnes also known as Stacey Kade writes atmospheric, creepy environments so well. Her previous book Dead Silence was a huge hit in my horror reader group. So when I heard about this book, I knew I needed to preorder a signed copy before even reading the synopsis. It did not disappoint and you don't need to have read her other books to start this one. I literally inhaled this book. I could not put it down. Ghost Station, for me was as good or better than Dead Silence and that's really saying something. Great work on this book. Everything from the prose to the cover art is fantastic. Go immediately and reserve a copy.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Tor Publishing Group- Nightfire for an advance copy of this novel dealing with space, madness, and secrets that can never be outrun, no matter how fast a spaceship travels.

I remember distinctly the first time that science fiction scared me. I was young, had an illegal cable box, and saw that a movie called Alien was going to be on. Oh Alien, I expected a romp sort of like Star Wars. Two hours later I was wrecked, and I had to sleep with my lights on, and cursed my parents for not paying attention to me. I think it was then that my interest in horror started. I know its when I started looking at film magazines, because I didn't want to be taken by surprise like that again. Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes, is one spooky tale, a perfect mix of both horror and science fiction, that might keep more than a few people up at night.

A small crew of explorers are travelling to a small planet, sent by a corporation to check out their new investment. This crew has recently had a loss of a member due to space psychosis, or ESR, a condition that effects people in different ways. Some harm themselves, some harm others, sometimes a lot of others. Accompanying the team is Dr. Ophelia Bray, a psychologist, who lost a patient to ESR, and who has some interesting new ways of helping space explores deal with the horrors of space. Bray is also the daughter of one of the richest families on Earth, who had previously owned the planet Bray and her team are traveling too. Bray also has some darker secrets, as does a lot of her new companions. They arrive at the planet and things don't seem right. A lot of personal belongings are still present, the station has not been shut down correctly, and things start to go wrong. Deadly wrong.

A real spooky tale, with a lot of familiar elements, but mixed together to create something new, scary and quite good. The universe the book takes place in is interesting, as is the added element of ESR, to explain what is going on. The characters are pretty distinct, with Bray being a person totally out of her element, yet at the same time with an inner toughness that comes to the surface. I like the idea in that there are a lot of possible explanations for what is going on, I won't list them, but it makes one wonder what is going on, until it becomes clear. Barnes also is quite good at using the fact they are on a distant, unfriendly planet to give the reader a sense of claustrophobia, knowing that one just can't get out of the house, if one can't breathe the air.

Recommended for people who like jump scares, in their books about jumping around space. This is the first book I have read by Barnes, but have read good things about Barnes' and can't wait to read more. I hope there are more books set in this universe.

In "Ghost Station" by S.A. Barnes, readers are transported into the chilling realm of space exploration, where loneliness and isolation serve as the backdrop for a gripping tale of mystery and horror.

Dr. Ophelia Bray, a dedicated psychologist focused on understanding and preventing the effects of ERS (space-based mental deterioration), finds herself thrust into a harrowing situation when assigned to a small exploration crew. As the crew sets foot on an abandoned planet, ominous secrets emerge, culminating in grisly murders and escalating paranoia.

Barnes masterfully crafts an atmosphere of tension and unease, enveloping readers in the eerie silence of the abandoned station. Despite a slow start, the narrative gradually builds momentum, plunging readers into a whirlwind of psychological terror and suspense.

Through Ophelia's perspective, readers are offered glimpses into her inner turmoil and the complex dynamics among the crew. While some may find it challenging to connect with the characters, the relentless pace and mounting dread keep the pages turning.

"Ghost Station" is a haunting exploration of the human psyche in the unforgiving vastness of space. Barnes delivers a chilling blend of mystery and horror that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the final, spine-tingling conclusion.

This had a lot of my favorite things: suspense, claustrophbic space, the creep-factor, can't tell whether the characters are losing their mind or not. I was engrossed from start to finish.

If you like to feel like you have no idea what's going on in the vacuum of space- this book is for you! It's suspenseful, there's tension, drama, a sense of dread: that "something isn't right" prickly skin feeling. Phe is running from something - but we don't know what, we don't know why, and we don't know if this mission is going to help or hurt her. She's got a serious savior complex, but can she still save everyone when she might be losing her mind?

I enjoyed the suspense, but where this book gets 4 stars is I wanted more history. I know that's not always possible, but I think this story needed it. That's one thing that this book didn't have that her last novel did- is a strong backstory. This backstory was weak, and added into the story in places it didn't always fit. I didn't have enough in the first chapter to immediately fall in love with Phe. I warmed up to her later, but not enough to really feel for her. I loved the rest of the crew and felt a closer connection to them than the main character.

I hope that S.A. Barnes writes more in this universe, and more with these characters, because the tech is fascinating - but still highly believable, I want to know more about the explored planets, and I need to know more information about that ending!!

Overall I give this a solid 4-stars. Thank you to Netgalley, S.A. Barnes, and Tor Nightfire.

Dr. Ophelia Bray, a psychologist specializing in a space-induced psychosis known as ERS (and who is also burdened by its looming specter in her family history) joins a small crew tasked with a seemingly routine exploration of an abandoned alien planet. However, beneath the mission's scientific veneer lurks a sinister agenda, and Ophelia soon finds herself entangled in a web of secrets held tight by her motley band of untrustworthy crewmates. As they investigate the mysteries of the derelict planet and its buried civilization, tensions rise, a crew member meets a gruesome end, and Ophelia's worst nightmare unfolds as she puzzles with whether this is the descent into madness she has long feared or is there something far more sinister at play? Ghost Station was a gripping sci-fi horror adventure much like the author's previous offering and what elevated it in my opinion was that though it skirted around a burgeoning romantic element, it thankfully did not involve as much of that sort of thing as Dead Silence did.

I loved Barnes' first Sci-Fi book-Dead Silence, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on an ARC of Ghost Station.
This book follows main character, Ophelia Bray-psychologist, who chooses to be assigned to a space ship mission with an exploration crew that "lost" a member on their last mission. She is basically there to make sure they do not lose another team member and that no one ends up with ERS-a mental condition that causes astronauts to become insane with long periods of space travel.
Her new crewmates do not like her and think she's a burden to the mission. But she puts on a brave face and goes to this hastily abandoned planet. It seems she, and everyone on the ship have some dark secrets, and even dark pasts, that unravel throughout the book. Especially when one of the crew members end up dead...or murdered?...

This one was not as eerie or spooky as her first space novel (that one was like Ghost Ship and space Titanic mixed in one). It did keep a steady pace, and I could not figure out the big plot twist until it was told. For the most part the non-main characters are stereotypical and unlikable. I was disappointed there were not more advanced technology for a future world that has accomplished space travel. I am excited to see what Barnes will come up with next though.

Ghost Station was a fantastic read following a small exploration crew as they investigate an abandoned planet.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to preventing Eckhart-Reiser syndrome, a PTSD-like condition that has proven deadly for space explorers. When she's assigned to a crew in the hope of treating the condition before it becomes fatal, she's eager to get started. But the crew doesn't trust her and as they begin their exploration of an abandoned planet, it becomes clear they're hiding something. After their pilot is found viciously murdered, Ophelia fears she's too late to help. Isolated on an ancient planet, Ophelia and the crew will have to figure out how to trust each other if they want to have any chance of making it back home.

Horror is not a genre I typically read but after really enjoying the author's first book, Dead Silence, I was excited to pick this one up. Ghost Station opens with Ophelia preparing for her journey to Lyria 393-C, an ancient planet that was previously abandoned as a research station, before the book jumps forward in time three months to the crew's arrival at the planet. Aside from Ophelia there are five members in the crew; Ethan Severin (mission commander), Birch Osgoode (pilot), Kate Wakefield (engineer), Suresh Patel (inventory specialist), and Liana Chong (scientific coordinator).

I was intrigued by the idea the crew were heading to a previously abandoned station and wondered what caused the last group to leave. It's clear right away that something went wrong on the last crew's mission based on the condition of the station when our group arrives. Soon after the group's arrival, strange things start happening which Ophelia initially fears is the onset of ERS symptoms in the crew. When Birch is found dead in a gruesome manner not long after, the group realize something is very wrong on this planet. The direction the plot goes was incredibly interesting and I found myself unable to put the book down as I was so engrossed in what was happening. The ending was very well done with the perfect mix of action and suspense to keep you guessing until the last page.

Overall Ghost Station was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a great sci-fi horror novel.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

You know movies like Aliens, Event Horizon, Pandorum? Yeah, this is the book version of those books. So pretty much you should read it RIGHT NOW. <em>Dead Silence</em> was one of my favorite books last year, and this is ranking up there for me for this year. This one didn't scare me as much as <em>Dead Silence</em> (for reals, y'all, I was leery about leaving my bed after a certain scene), but it was still up there with the creepy factor.

This was a great follow up to Dead Silence. It's a space horror so a lot of the "scare" is the emptiness and hollowness of space along with the dread of isolation with nowhere to run. This played with a lot of space elements in both sci-fi and somewhat of a fantasy way.

Having really liked Barnes’ 2022 novel “Dead Silence”, I was pretty pumped for this new sci-fi thriller and while I was pleased to get some of the same vibes, I unfortunately found it to be too much of a slow burn with an unrewarding ending. The characters were decent, however not very memorable. The premise of space travellers potentially contracting a mental illness that causes it's sufferers to severely harm themselves is pretty damn scary though and if you dig a claustrophobic type read, it certainly gets that box ticked.
Overall for me, it did not surpass ‘Dead Silence’ and I'll likely not remember the plot next week.

S.A. Barnes’ second space thriller, Ghost Station (a follow up to 2022’s Dead Silence), gives the exact vibes of an Alien movie, which is exactly what I was hoping for. We’ve got evil corporations, an isolated crew in an abandoned hab on a snow-swept planet with the eerie remains of an alien civilization. This is precisely what I wanted.
Dr. Ophelia Bray and the crew of the Resilience are tasked with fairly routine sample gathering and investigation of a far-off planet, Lyria 393-C. She is a psychologist with a hidden past who just wants to prevent a form of space psychosis, which is all too common now that humanity has taken to the stars. So she’s been tasked with trying to test a new tech and research how her crew is reacting to their situation. So, of course, dark hijinks and paranoia ensue! I really enjoyed this novel, though it was maybe 30 pages too long at times, for its worldbuilding. I want all of Barnes’ books to be in a shared spacefaring world!
I will always pick up an S.A. Barnes Book—she writes fast-paced, mind-bendy, suspenseful space thrillers that compel me to keep reading!

I really wanted to like it. I really did. I loved Dead Silence so I was really looking forward to this one. I have one word for Ghost Station: Boring. This is supposed to be a space horror and there wasn’t anything scary about this at all. The scene setting was over described. The characters were unlikable. It felt like slogging through a swamp to finish it. I felt ghosted by Ghost Station.

The story starts a little slow and I had a difficult time becoming invested in the characters. Some of the plot was easy to figure out regarding the abandoned station, but there was still some mystery to be had regarding the crew. The book was solid in the sci-fi category, but it didn’t strike the note of horror for me. Overall, not a bad way to spend a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Nightfire, and S.A. Barnes for the eARC.

I found Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes to be a pretty decent debut horror novel, perhaps with some plot holes, but the setting was atmospheric enough that I really enjoyed it. I quite looked forward to Ghost Station, because I wanted to see Barnes improve as an author, when their debut had so much potential. However, I found the two books to be rather similar in execution. Ghost Station was entertaining horror, but not so engaging and well-written that I'll pick it up again. The side characters weren't very memorable, emphasized by the fact that some of them weren't around for very long. I wish I found Ophelia, the main character to be more compelling, but her personality was buried under her flashbacks to her childhood trauma. I pitied her, but Barnes didn't really provide the reader with any reason to like her or root for her.

In the end, this was a bit forgettable, which was unfortunate considering that space horror/scifi-horror is a sub-genre that I'd love to see explored more.