Ghost in the Pact (Ghost Exile #8) (2024)

This has got to be some of the best battle sequences I've ever seen! The author really showed the strengths of all the major players in the game. This was intoxicatingly exciting to read.

Kylon the Stormdancer, weilder of the valikon, faces a demon possessed foe with armour no weapon can dent, and monsters born from the eternally twisted evil of the nagataaru spirits. He fights alongside Mazyan, an Oath Shadow, who draws power from the djinn of the Azure Sovereign’s Court... Can they possibly be victorious with all the odds stacked against them?

Kharnaces the Heretic seeks to unleash the dark power of the nagataaru and destroy all humanity... An abomination is wrought, a Conjurant Blood crystal, made from blood, and darker than the blackest shadow of death...

Callatas, Grandmaster of the Alchemists, and the Red Huntress fight the fiercest battle of their lives, for they must prevail against an undefeatable foe, if they are to use the Staff and the Seal of Iramis to complete the Apotheosis, and kill the world...

The Balariga fights for the fate of the world, aided by Morgant the Razor, and Annarah the Loremaster. What hope does she have against such vile and mindless hate?

And this book ended with a mind blowing cliffhanger that made me love it even more!

Excellent book with lots happening. Even though this is from 2 POV’s everything is clear. Some disasters overcome but more waiting to happen. No stop action basically.

Questions:

The Great Necromancers imprisoned Kharnaces on Pyramid Isle. Why did they allow him to keep his canopic jars? I can't believe they were squeamish about killing him. Why didn't they just destroy him? Where did the throne come from?

This may have been addressed in an earlier volume but how/where did Nasser and Laertes meet? Nasser has been alive for over 150 years but Laertes seems to be mortal. I assume Nasser has had other compatriots over the years that he has outlived.

Why is the embroidery on clothing almost always black? There are other colors, not to mention metallic thread. Just curious.

*****

Callatas gains possession of the Seal and Staff and is compelled to return to Pyramid Isle by a spell cast by Kharnaces. Caina is determined to ambush him and retrieve the objects by getting to the island before him. Not an easy task since almost all ships fled the harbors when Cassander attempted to wipe out Istarinmul.

She and Kylon must attend to separate crises. They believe that Kalgri will probably attack the rebels and he is the only one who can defeat her with the valikon. Caina, Annarah and Morgant will sail to Pyramid Isle.

Once at the Isle they are confronted by a projection spell of Kharnaces. He needs blood from Callatas to activate his bloodcrystal that will destroy the world. It's interesting that Kharnaces maintains that Callatas can't understand the big picture. Callatas' attitude towards Caina is much the same. Neither of them comprehend that their adversaries understand the consequences all too well.

The chapters for the most part go back and forth between our heroes on Pyramid Isle and the others (Tanzir, Kylon, Nasser, Laertes, Martin, Claudia, Sulaman, et al) who will fight the battle against the Grand Wazir's army. The Emissary of the Living Flame also has bestirred herself from Silent Ash Temple. Her prophesies irritate Kylon no end.

Tons of action n this book. I've just touched on some of the highlights.

I really enjoyed this and I have now bought #9. Like others say though, ending a book on such a direct cliffhanger is really irritating and if i wasn't so invested in the series as a whole I would be a bit annoying about having to buy the next book in such a blatant way.

That aside, I did enjoy this although on a personal note I'd rather have more chapters in Caina' perspective and less of nutty Callatas and whingy Kylon. I've started #9 now though and it's much the same so guess this will go on to the end of the Exile series. It was a quick read, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Ghost in the Pact (Ghost Exile Book 8) Review

Dear Jonathan, once again you have written another entertaining and wonderful story in the continuing series of adult entertainment. I highly recommend reading this book to adult interested in reading a great story. Thanks for the entertainment. I would suggest to everyone that they start at the beginning of the series and read to the end.

This series just keeps getting better. The first books were lacking but this one makes up for it. The strong main character and the great story telling keeps you reading, the pages turning easily. Great Reading Everyone!

A good page turner fantasy with a strong female protagonist. If you want some easily digested entertainment I highly recommend either of his series of books.

Jonathan does have some issues with editing, and the occasional inaccuracy for the sake of a "florid flourish", but they're minor.

Cliffhanger endings will now get 1 star removed. I also do not do 5 stars anymore. Four stars will be the max from here on.

Ghost Exile book 8. Serious spoilers for earlier books ahead.

It opens with a desperate attempt to get the magical Seal and Staff away from Callatas in a city where all the ships' captains have wisely fled the harbor. Caina and her friends remind each other that overland would also have been dangerous.

Then things go wrong. And the necromancer who had gotten his hands on them throws a twist into the course of events.

It involves an unlikely alliance, the revelation of who, exactly, the poet Sulaman is, a parting among Caina's company, legitimacy in revolt, a distraction, and more.

Love Caina

She is the epitome of a strong woman. She believes in the good of mankind and is willing to defend it no matter the cost. Love all the ghost characters. Hope this series lasts a long time!

Great story as usual

Super series! I have read every book about Caina and have loved each one. Keep them coming.