I loved this book so fresh and original. I recommended to my local book club so we all enjoy this book.

Thank you netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 rounded up; Goodreads review contains spoilers (and is marked) but this review has been edited to exclude them.

Wow. A really awesome debut book for cc ECK! A story of intergenerational racial trauma, Ghost Gun successfully weaves the individual stories of a family into one really great novel. I really loved the writing style of this author and how they handled the heavy themes.

Where they lost me a bit was the ending. Without giving spoilers, I will say I think if the author had actually left things a little less tied up, a little less twisting things around to try and surprise us, it would have made for a full five star for me.

Regardless, this is a really excellent debut novel and I definitely would read (will read!) their next !

First of all, thank you so much to Victory Editing for this ARC from the author, cc ECK. I’ll also be sharing a post on my Instagram (@bookishlunn) with more details and my honest thoughts.
Ghost Gun follows a family of four who are more than enough to keep you hooked. We get multiple points of view throughout the book, which makes the story even more engaging because we’re constantly getting a glimpse into this family’s deepest thoughts.
I really enjoyed this book because it touches on topics that many people don’t usually talk about. And while some of these experiences are not things I can personally relate to, the author gives us a glimpse into that side of life.
This book had me feeling confused about the father, worried about the mother, and genuinely anxious for the two teenagers. And even with all those emotions, I had such a great time reading it. (I appreciate when authors put me through the emotional wringer like this.)
I also think this book would be perfect for a book club because of all the topics it brings up, so definitely keep that in mind!
Congratulations for the debut!

Ghost Gun by cc ECK is a story told from multiple characters viewpoints, and explores a number of issues concerned with race, class, violence and place. The polyphonic tone of the novel means it is able to explore these issues from a number of angles without ever feeling like a polemic. It is well written and engaging and I enjoyed it very much.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC

Ghost Gun by cc ECK is a Literary Fiction (LitFic) debut novel that explores injustice faced in the viewpoint of color. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC, since I requested it long after it's release date on May 12th, 2026. It weaves together stories of all different types of genetic background comprised in one family, so that was interesting to see the close-knit bond of blood ties while also having completely different stories and viewpoints being shared. I couldn't fully connect with any of the characters however, because I haven't faced their struggles in life. But I could feel FOR them. 3.5 ⭐

Ghost Gun by CC Eck ★★★★★

I really enjoyed this novel and learnt so much from reading it. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to read this book.

The tension is gripping, but what makes this novel particularly profound is its insight into the biracial experience in America and, dare I say, the wider complexities of Black history and identity.

What struck me most was the true understanding of duality seen in these people. There is something deeply moving about the way these characters navigate their identities, carrying the weight of different worlds, histories and expectations. The novel captures the complexity of existing between identities and the experience of reconciling different parts of oneself in a world that does not always make room for that complexity.

This is a book that offers more than a story. It offers perspective, understanding and an invitation to think more deeply about identity, belonging and the histories that shape us.

A genuinely thought-provoking read that I am grateful to have encountered.