In the Ghost's Shadow

The Shadow Core Saga Book 1

Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
334 Pages
Reviewed on 06/08/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

In the Ghost’s Shadow by Clifton Brown kicks off The Shadow Core Saga with a genre-blending fusion of urban fantasy, cosmic mystery, and intense romantic drama. We’re with Brick and Tish, two college students drawn together by fate and fractured by ancient powers. This dual perspective novel explores the clash between human vulnerability and supernatural inheritance through their eyes. As a web of secrets, curses, and dangerous cosmic forces unfurls around them, Brick and Tish must confront not only external threats but the terrifying power they each hold within. With its scientific underpinnings, mythic scope, and emotionally rich narrative, this is a story of love tested by destiny and a universe hanging in the balance.

Author Clifton Brown has a gentle way of letting the threads of his storytelling gradually come together in interesting and disparate ways, and this makes for a refreshingly smart blend of dark fantasy and science fiction that doesn’t skimp on heart either. There’s a lot of feeling and a clear love for the central characters in their tender narration, and this sharp focus in prose and dialogue makes Brick and Tish compelling leads whose chemistry ignites even more than the otherworldly moments that are happening around them. This emphasizes that sense of power building, which mirrors the great pacing of the plot and raises the stakes so that we as readers are more and more invested with every twist. And there are certainly twists aplenty, as Brown builds a complex universe that feels both mythic and modern for a gripping, high-stakes debut that leaves you eager for the next installment in the saga. Overall, I would certainly recommend In the Ghost’s Shadow for sci-fi fans seeking a new series to start, and I can’t wait for more.

David Jaggart

Clifton Brown's In the Ghost's Shadow entwines the lives of two college students, Mason Redstone (Brick) and Latisha Owusu (Tish), in unexpected ways. The teens are partnered by their lecturer, Professor Sandra Brennan, and tasked with completing a scientific class project together. This seemingly innocent act sends Brick and Tish on an enigmatic journey, which forces them to harness unknown superhuman abilities, access a powerful otherworldly universe, confront old ghosts and covert forces, and even cross paths with beings beyond their comprehension. Throughout this riveting adventure, Brick and Tish encounter Zindriya, who, similar to Professor Brennan, has her ulterior motives for using Brick and his superhuman abilities. Will the teens give in to the mayhem they encounter? Or will they emerge as heroes in this daring journey?

In the Ghost's Shadow by Clifton Brown is a pulsating sci-fi story meticulously blended with romance and action. Filled with themes of familial closeness, buried secrets, betrayal, conspiracy, and genetic manipulation, this novel will grip your full attention from beginning to end. Brick's and Trish's personas are realistic and identifiable! Readers will get an explicit understanding of each character's motivations, flaws, and fears. As Brick and Trish rush to decode a mindblowing mystery that affects their lives and Earth's existence, their budding relationship and character development, which mature in response to their heartfelt moments of self-discovery, are two standout elements that make this novel a page-turner. If you're searching for a unique story that combines scientific curiosity, superhuman abilities, and intriguing world-building, this novel is the ideal book to add to your literary collection today.

Makeda Cummings

In the Ghost's Shadow by Clifton Brown follows Brick and Tish, two college students who find love and solidarity while working on a life-changing project. Their united journeys bring them into contact with an unknown cosmic plane, the Akashic Field, a place that connects the very fabric of chaos and creation. Brick and Tish's adventures catapult them into the mysterious playing field of their teacher, Professor Brennan, and her overzealous twin sister, Zindriya, who are both determined to use Brick for different reasons. Along the way, Brick and Tish have to come to terms with newfound supernatural abilities, secret organizations, and startling revelations that will change their lives forever. Will they become the heroes the world desperately needs, or are they destined to become villains who usher in a new age of terror?

In the Ghost's Shadow by Clifton Brown is an exciting introduction to The Shadow Core Saga. Highly entertaining and addictively intriguing, this novel is the lavish literary feast that every romantic fantasy fan daydreams about. Danger, suspense, shocking enigmas, and romance abound within its chapters. Even long after completing this book, readers will be captivated by the resilience of the chivalrous Brick and his irresistible love interest, Tish. One of Brown’s greatest strengths is his capacity to evoke setting and mood with each vivid line he constructs. Brick and Tish's dynamic journey—and the ever-present sense of dread and secrecy they confront—are depicted in a way that feels genuine and immersive. The storyline is reflective and does a great job of illuminating their struggles and growth while keeping you on the edge of your seat as you traverse their world. There is no doubt in my mind that this novel will charm every romance fantasy lover.