GHOSTING ACADEMY
LS Delorme
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GENRE: paranormal psychological thriller
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BLURB:
It’s been years since Amelie abandoned her home to become an elite agent of the Academy.
In its embrace she has found support and stability, but in return the Academy uses her gifts for destruction and control. For ten years, she has chosen to live only for the moment, neither questioning nor considering the motives of her employer. But when Amelie and her pod of fellow agents, “graduate” into becoming strategic operatives, they are spirited off to an isolated island. Here they uncover a labyrinth of deception and lies far more sinister than any they ever imagined, including Verite, a new virtual reality game, in which time has no meaning and your blood holds the keys to your soul.
In the Ghosting Academy, consciousness is currency, morality is shackles and there is no death.
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Excerpt:
Widget picked up a needle and motioned to Amelie. She grimaced and shook her head.
“I hate these things. Vaccinations are the worst,” she muttered.
“No, death is the worst. This is just a little prick in your arm,” Majo said.
“So can I assume you have already signed up for Evermore then?” James asked with a smirk.
“What’s Evermore?” Amelie asked.
“Do you never read the news?” James said.
“Not unless it’s pertinent to my job. Why?”
“It’s been all over the news lately,” Majo replied. “There is a company that claims to be able to move your consciousness from your body and into a virtual world that they have created.”
“Created to your specifications,” James added, getting up as Widget nodded to him.
“So they say that they can identify and isolate your actual soul, and move it?” Amelie turned to face James, who was stoically getting his vaccination.
“Oh, they don’t mention souls at all,” Majo said. “They only discuss consciousness.”
“And they know it works?” Amelie asked.
“The gamers who did the beta testing all came back singing its praises and wanting to go back in,” James replied. “Who knows, maybe the human race has finally found a way to cheat death.”
Review:
Ghosting Academy by L.S. Delorme offers readers an intriguing glimpse into a world where the lines between agency, morality, and reality blur dramatically. The story follows Amelie, a dedicated agent of the Academy who has spent a decade honing her gifts for the sake of her employer. Initially, the Academy provides her with a sense of belonging, support, and stability, yet this comes at a significant cost—her autonomy and ethical compass. As Amelie and her fellow agents transition into strategic operatives, they are thrust into an isolated environment filled with deception and darker truths than any of them had anticipated. Delorme's narrative is a compelling exploration of the consequences of blind allegiance to a powerful institution.
Throughout the first ten years of her tenure at the Academy, Amelie exemplifies the idea of living in the moment, casting aside questions of morality and the motives behind her assignments. This mindset reflects a broader theme in the novel—the seductive allure of power and the ease with which it can corrupt. The transformation from an elite agent to a strategic operative serves not only as a pivotal plot point but also as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the awakening to the complex realities of the world around her. The introduction of Verite, the sinister virtual reality game, serves as a crucial device within the narrative. It challenges the characters’ perceptions of time and consciousness, suggesting that one's very essence can be commodified. In this dystopian setting, consciousness becomes a form of currency, and the inherent value of human life is undermined. Delorme skillfully uses Verite to illustrate how technology can manipulate and control, raising questions about the ethical implications of such advancements. As Amelie navigates this labyrinth of deception, readers are compelled to ponder the extent to which society is willing to sacrifice its humanity for the sake of technological progress. However, the story is not without its issues.
The awkward sexual dynamics that permeate the plot can detract from the central themes, leaving some readers feeling uneasy. These elements may feel like an unnecessary distraction from the otherwise gripping narrative. Additionally, while having read earlier books in the series can enhance the depth of understanding and character backgrounds, the story does stand on its own, making it accessible to new readers. In conclusion, *Ghosting Academy* is a thought-provoking exploration of power, morality, and the human experience within a haunting landscape. L.S. Delorme crafts a narrative that is both engaging and cautionary, reminding us of the potential perils that lie within unchecked authority and the allure of technological escapism. As Amelie confronts the realities of her world, readers are invited to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make in the face of societal pressures and the complex web of morality. Ultimately, Delorme's work serves as a powerful reminder that while the pursuit of knowledge and advancement is essential, it must never come at the expense of our humanity.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lexy is the author of the “Limerent” novel series. She has also been a travel writer and author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Hong Kong and An Expat Mom’s unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris. She is an ex rock musician, ex science grad, recovering attorney and now an expat writer. Her love of writing stems from an eclectic life. As a navy “brat,” she grew up in various states across the US until her father retired to North Carolina when she was a teenager. As an adult, she has continued this “tumbleweed” life, having since lived in 3 countries, 9 US states, and 21 cities around the world. But, through all this change, her love of writing has been the one constant. Writing the Limerent Series allows her to use her unusual past to help create new worlds. Lexy now lives in Paris with her husband and two very cool sons.
Website: https://www.lsdelorme.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lexyshawdelorme
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsdelormeauthor
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexy-shaw-delorme-357830/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lsdelormeauthor
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Free to read on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Ghosting-Academy-Psychological-Thriller-Limerent-ebook/dp/B0DGF3C9M5
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
LS Delorme will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter here:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5058
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https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/11/review-tour-ghosting-academy-by-ls.html
