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EchoStar: A gripping teen thriller about the dark underbelly of new technologies
Bestselling YA author Melinda Salisbury exposes the dark underbelly of new technologies and online friendships in this gripping thriller.
Ruby Brookes and her best friend Deva have won free places at the Ash Tree Foundation Performing Arts Camp over the summer, but only if their school grades seriously improve. So when Deva suddenly starts getting high marks in all their subjects, leaving Ruby behind, she is confused and jealous.
Until she finds out Deva's success is down to EchoStar, a new app that's helping her get ahead.
Ruby is desperate to start using it too, but there is much more to EchoStar than she has imagined. Because EchoStar is always watching and listening …
Ruby Brookes and her best friend Deva have won free places at the Ash Tree Foundation Performing Arts Camp over the summer, but only if their school grades seriously improve. So when Deva suddenly starts getting high marks in all their subjects, leaving Ruby behind, she is confused and jealous.
Until she finds out Deva's success is down to EchoStar, a new app that's helping her get ahead.
Ruby is desperate to start using it too, but there is much more to EchoStar than she has imagined. Because EchoStar is always watching and listening …
- GenresThrillerYoung Adult
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2024
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Salisbury
23 books1,367 followersMelinda Salisbury lives by the sea, somewhere in the south of England. As a child she genuinely thought Roald Dahl’s Matilda was her biography, in part helped by her grandfather often mistakenly calling her Matilda, and the local library having a pretty cavalier attitude to the books she borrowed. Sadly she never manifested telekinetic powers. She likes to travel, and have adventures. She also likes medieval castles, non-medieval aquariums, Richard III, and all things Scandinavian The Sin Eater's Daughter is her first novel. She can be found on Twitter at @MESalisbury, though be warned, she tweets often.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me that we don’t know who is on the other side of our phone. It also makes me grateful that we didn’t have cell phones growing up.
This book is creepy and I loved it. I couldn’t put it down and flew through it in a couple of hours.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an eARC of the book for an honest review.
This book is creepy and I loved it. I couldn’t put it down and flew through it in a couple of hours.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an eARC of the book for an honest review.
December 26, 2023
I loved this! It was haunting and creepy. But that perfect level of creepy that makes you want to read on while being a bit icked out! Mel writes baddies so well and I think the world is going to love this.
Read
February 7, 2024What can't Melinda Salisbury deliver?
This delivered what I'd wanted from Naomi Gibson's EVERY LINE OF YOU back in 2021.At its core, it is honest and truthful and tender about the mortifying ordeal of being a teen girl in the world. Beyond that, it is a thriller of those who prey on vulnerable people seeking refuge in the most postmodern way, and the many ways technology may seem as our salvation while hiding unforeseen dangers instead.
This delivered what I'd wanted from Naomi Gibson's EVERY LINE OF YOU back in 2021.At its core, it is honest and truthful and tender about the mortifying ordeal of being a teen girl in the world. Beyond that, it is a thriller of those who prey on vulnerable people seeking refuge in the most postmodern way, and the many ways technology may seem as our salvation while hiding unforeseen dangers instead.
March 12, 2024
Book Review: EchoStar: is always listening by Melinda Salisbury
EchoStar is a teen science fiction novel about a fourteen year old girl that downloads an app that is supposed to help her with school and instead turns her life upside down.
Ruby Brookes is a teenage theatre kid who is looking forward to attending a performing arts summer camp with her best friend Deva. But Deva won’t be able to go unless she gets her grades up and she finds an AI app (EchoStar) that will help her cheat in her classes. When Ruby gets her progress report she realizes she’s in the exact same boat she tracks down a representative of EchoStar to get her own copy. When their friendship starts to fall apart and the app starts saying strange things Ruby realizes she is in way over her head.
Although the publisher has EchoStar rated as young adult it felt similar to a middle grade technological thriller or horror to me. This isn’t a knock against the book but just a missed opportunity in marketing as it’s only 128 pages and has no extreme violence or any romantic content that would make it inappropriate for this age group. The storyline about bullying, friend groups and cyber stalking is the perfect topic for younger teens and the fast pace would keep them interested.
EchoStar is a teen science fiction novel about a fourteen year old girl that downloads an app that is supposed to help her with school and instead turns her life upside down.
Ruby Brookes is a teenage theatre kid who is looking forward to attending a performing arts summer camp with her best friend Deva. But Deva won’t be able to go unless she gets her grades up and she finds an AI app (EchoStar) that will help her cheat in her classes. When Ruby gets her progress report she realizes she’s in the exact same boat she tracks down a representative of EchoStar to get her own copy. When their friendship starts to fall apart and the app starts saying strange things Ruby realizes she is in way over her head.
Although the publisher has EchoStar rated as young adult it felt similar to a middle grade technological thriller or horror to me. This isn’t a knock against the book but just a missed opportunity in marketing as it’s only 128 pages and has no extreme violence or any romantic content that would make it inappropriate for this age group. The storyline about bullying, friend groups and cyber stalking is the perfect topic for younger teens and the fast pace would keep them interested.
Read
June 24, 2024Because of how young this YA is, in addition to being a short novella, I'm choosing not to rate it because I am not the intended audience. I'm a little too far removed to feel anything but some frustration over the behaviours of fourteen years olds at this point.
Having said that, I only picked this up because I received an ARC of the next book, AdelAIDE Wants To Help -- though I didn't realize until the very end of this one that they were actually connected, I initially assumed they were just unrelated standalones with a tech theme. As far as this opener goes, though, it does make you think about the people, companies, technology, running things behind the scenes.
This definitely is a timely warning to young people, and maybe a reminder to the adults!, to be cautious about what we sign away, agree to, and input into these devices and these systems we rely on so much these days. And which everyone is brought up taking for granted these days. Plus, you know, stranger danger is a biggie.
So, yes, worth a read for sure. And I'm looking forward to what AdelAIDE brings to the mix.
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Having said that, I only picked this up because I received an ARC of the next book, AdelAIDE Wants To Help -- though I didn't realize until the very end of this one that they were actually connected, I initially assumed they were just unrelated standalones with a tech theme. As far as this opener goes, though, it does make you think about the people, companies, technology, running things behind the scenes.
This definitely is a timely warning to young people, and maybe a reminder to the adults!, to be cautious about what we sign away, agree to, and input into these devices and these systems we rely on so much these days. And which everyone is brought up taking for granted these days. Plus, you know, stranger danger is a biggie.
So, yes, worth a read for sure. And I'm looking forward to what AdelAIDE brings to the mix.
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
December 27, 2023
This was a good read!
EchoStar follows Ruby as she discovers a top secret app that uses AI to help others with their school work and social situations. But everything is not as it seems, and it soon turns sinister with the app soon becoming more foe than friend.
Salisbury is introducing the conversation of internet safety and privacy to young readers, warning of the danger of these apps and to be cautious of new technology. Salisbury also makes a good point that for many of us, our phones are our lives. It has all our data, our ways of making connections and presenting ourselves, and that we must be careful with this.
I think this was a really good read. It was both thrilling and entertaining, while also being educational without being boring. Ruby was an excellent main character to follow. She wasn’t always perfect, and she had many struggles that many teenagers could relate to, and that made her real.
The only downsides to this is that I wish we had more resolution / content with Ruby and her mother, and that we had some deeper characterisation to supporting characters such as Deva and the friends she later made (who bullied Ruby).
Overall rating is around 3.5.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review
EchoStar follows Ruby as she discovers a top secret app that uses AI to help others with their school work and social situations. But everything is not as it seems, and it soon turns sinister with the app soon becoming more foe than friend.
Salisbury is introducing the conversation of internet safety and privacy to young readers, warning of the danger of these apps and to be cautious of new technology. Salisbury also makes a good point that for many of us, our phones are our lives. It has all our data, our ways of making connections and presenting ourselves, and that we must be careful with this.
I think this was a really good read. It was both thrilling and entertaining, while also being educational without being boring. Ruby was an excellent main character to follow. She wasn’t always perfect, and she had many struggles that many teenagers could relate to, and that made her real.
The only downsides to this is that I wish we had more resolution / content with Ruby and her mother, and that we had some deeper characterisation to supporting characters such as Deva and the friends she later made (who bullied Ruby).
Overall rating is around 3.5.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review
March 31, 2025
౨ৎ | “you can’t make someone do what they don’t want to.”
— ★ 2/5
this was boring, i feel like it could have been a really good book that portrayed the negatives of using artificial intelligence.
this whole book fell so flat, the AI wasn’t even really a big part of the story and you could tell from the beginning how it would end.
— ★ 2/5
this was boring, i feel like it could have been a really good book that portrayed the negatives of using artificial intelligence.
this whole book fell so flat, the AI wasn’t even really a big part of the story and you could tell from the beginning how it would end.
September 11, 2024
It begins here – whatever the 'it' actually proves to be. This is the first in a series of linked but self-contained thriller dramas from this author, and from Barrington Stoke – a firm who seldom do such things. And after greatly enjoying the second book in the series, "AdelAIDE" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) for a review, it was for my own interest and pleasure I came back to the opener. What I found was something a lot more like a straight, old-fashioned thriller, but still something with more than enough edge and current lessons to go round.
Two girls, best friends and schoolmates, both get told by their parents that their place at the summer drama school will get cancelled if their grades don't improve. But one of them – Deva – is definitely going in the right direction at school. That's because she has use of a private, MI6-tech-based, secret gadget, that wires her and her phone up to an AI called EchoStar, which has boosted all her exam papers and homework no end. The problems start for our lead, Ruby, when she learns of this – and wrangles a similar unit for herself. For the only way for her to have found out about it is if Deva blagged, and that has meant she's kicked off the system. Angry at this betrayal, she leaves Ruby on the friendless side – apart of course from the voice of EchoStar. A voice of an AI most intent on revenge…
There are some very blatant lines about the person being controlled by the phone here, but on the whole this is a tween-friendly read about ex-friends, and what happens with them falling out over this thing. It's not at all a pell-mell action drama, or something for the tech-head only. It's about real people – and of course how ruinous something unreal can be for them. I'll leave you to find the numerous ways this ties in with AdelAIDE (or rather how that spins from this), and I'll leave the recommendation as being pretty identical – this is also a broad but thoughtful, ever-engaging drama, that really does have its pulse on the technical concerns we all ought to have, especially when it comes to children. It's smashing fun – and the lips don't half tingle to see where this series takes its cast and its readers. Four and a half stars once more.
Two girls, best friends and schoolmates, both get told by their parents that their place at the summer drama school will get cancelled if their grades don't improve. But one of them – Deva – is definitely going in the right direction at school. That's because she has use of a private, MI6-tech-based, secret gadget, that wires her and her phone up to an AI called EchoStar, which has boosted all her exam papers and homework no end. The problems start for our lead, Ruby, when she learns of this – and wrangles a similar unit for herself. For the only way for her to have found out about it is if Deva blagged, and that has meant she's kicked off the system. Angry at this betrayal, she leaves Ruby on the friendless side – apart of course from the voice of EchoStar. A voice of an AI most intent on revenge…
There are some very blatant lines about the person being controlled by the phone here, but on the whole this is a tween-friendly read about ex-friends, and what happens with them falling out over this thing. It's not at all a pell-mell action drama, or something for the tech-head only. It's about real people – and of course how ruinous something unreal can be for them. I'll leave you to find the numerous ways this ties in with AdelAIDE (or rather how that spins from this), and I'll leave the recommendation as being pretty identical – this is also a broad but thoughtful, ever-engaging drama, that really does have its pulse on the technical concerns we all ought to have, especially when it comes to children. It's smashing fun – and the lips don't half tingle to see where this series takes its cast and its readers. Four and a half stars once more.
December 19, 2023
For a generation that has been raised with computers and the internet being an integral part of their lives, the concept of privacy is very different from the understanding shared by those of us who grew up in a web-free world.
And while we are constantly expected to applaud the advance of such technologies - particularly given the influence of corporate interests that directly benefit from those advances - the dangers of technology may not always be evident.
Humanity's approach to AI, for example, seems remarkably simplistic. It is as if we have been brainwashed into thinking that what is good for corporations like Microsoft and Apple, is good for all of us...!
So this story about two young girls and how the use of an app boosts the performance of one of them, to the other's great dismay, is very on point indeed. The Echostar app, like all the other technology of this kind, comes at a cost that people don't realise - and it is one that is not factored into the price tag.
Before we choose to hand all our rights to privacy - and in some ways, our entire lives - over to the phones, apps and tech that we so joyfully accept without considering the consequences, we all need to think twice. Because Echostar is always listening...
This is a timely read, and delivers an important message. It is good book for the target age group in particular, because they need to start learning to think for themselves if they are to retain any semblance of privacy and control over their lives. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
And while we are constantly expected to applaud the advance of such technologies - particularly given the influence of corporate interests that directly benefit from those advances - the dangers of technology may not always be evident.
Humanity's approach to AI, for example, seems remarkably simplistic. It is as if we have been brainwashed into thinking that what is good for corporations like Microsoft and Apple, is good for all of us...!
So this story about two young girls and how the use of an app boosts the performance of one of them, to the other's great dismay, is very on point indeed. The Echostar app, like all the other technology of this kind, comes at a cost that people don't realise - and it is one that is not factored into the price tag.
Before we choose to hand all our rights to privacy - and in some ways, our entire lives - over to the phones, apps and tech that we so joyfully accept without considering the consequences, we all need to think twice. Because Echostar is always listening...
This is a timely read, and delivers an important message. It is good book for the target age group in particular, because they need to start learning to think for themselves if they are to retain any semblance of privacy and control over their lives. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
March 3, 2024
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
ECHOSTAR is a tense thriller that explores the darker side of technology as Ruby is offered the use of an app that can help her grade, but not all is as it seems.
Events start off small, little things seeming off. But things escalate until Ruby is seemingly trapped in a nightmare. I liked the slow burn of it, making you feel uneasy in little increments so you almost pass everything off as ok until it really isn't. It reflects the reality of how this happens - sometimes there is only a creeping unease but no obvious "definitely bad, stop", just "explainable" niggles.
This is also a book about friendships. Ruby and Deva have been friends for ages but the app gets between them. I liked how the book explored whether this was the death of a friendship because of the app or if the app only hastened something that would have happened anyway. I thought there might be a romance at first but I'm glad there wasn't - friendships at this age are much more impactful and to see the breakup being a platonic one was so nice.
This is a Barrington Stoke book, a UK publisher that produces books designed to help reluctant and dyslexic readers find books tailored for them. It's also a lower YA book (hence the friendship over romance focus), which I utterly love finding as they're so rare.
This is the first in a series of connected standalone thrillers, and the ending introduces the next seemingly perfect assistant...
ECHOSTAR is a tense thriller that explores the darker side of technology as Ruby is offered the use of an app that can help her grade, but not all is as it seems.
Events start off small, little things seeming off. But things escalate until Ruby is seemingly trapped in a nightmare. I liked the slow burn of it, making you feel uneasy in little increments so you almost pass everything off as ok until it really isn't. It reflects the reality of how this happens - sometimes there is only a creeping unease but no obvious "definitely bad, stop", just "explainable" niggles.
This is also a book about friendships. Ruby and Deva have been friends for ages but the app gets between them. I liked how the book explored whether this was the death of a friendship because of the app or if the app only hastened something that would have happened anyway. I thought there might be a romance at first but I'm glad there wasn't - friendships at this age are much more impactful and to see the breakup being a platonic one was so nice.
This is a Barrington Stoke book, a UK publisher that produces books designed to help reluctant and dyslexic readers find books tailored for them. It's also a lower YA book (hence the friendship over romance focus), which I utterly love finding as they're so rare.
This is the first in a series of connected standalone thrillers, and the ending introduces the next seemingly perfect assistant...
December 25, 2023
I've loved Melinda Salisbury since The Sin Eater's Daughter and to find out she was writing a book for Barrington Stoke was incredibly exciting.
Echo Star is a brilliant thriller tackling the issues of Privacy in the age of ever listening AI, internet safety and the minefield of teenage friendships.
I tore through the book ,well invested in Ruby's journey as she caught between her passion for theatre and her failing grades takes desperate measures and tries to use the same AI beta test her best friend Deva reveal she's secretly testing.
As Deva is kicked out of the beta test and their friendship falls apart the AI starts behaving strangely seeming to react to the bullying incidents Ruby faces.
Ruby and Deva's fallout is devastatingly realistic and reminded me of the vicious ways my own friendships implosions at that age as well as those I see day in day out in my classroom. The tech thriller aspects were truly chilling and raise valid questions and cautions in regards to the AI that has already become part of our daily lives listening to us 24/7 through our smart devices that are so integral to our lives.
Salisbury has once again absolutely smashed it and this a great short read for the average reader and a perfect thriller for dyslexic/reluctant readers or B1 Level non-native English speakers.
Echo Star is a brilliant thriller tackling the issues of Privacy in the age of ever listening AI, internet safety and the minefield of teenage friendships.
I tore through the book ,well invested in Ruby's journey as she caught between her passion for theatre and her failing grades takes desperate measures and tries to use the same AI beta test her best friend Deva reveal she's secretly testing.
As Deva is kicked out of the beta test and their friendship falls apart the AI starts behaving strangely seeming to react to the bullying incidents Ruby faces.
Ruby and Deva's fallout is devastatingly realistic and reminded me of the vicious ways my own friendships implosions at that age as well as those I see day in day out in my classroom. The tech thriller aspects were truly chilling and raise valid questions and cautions in regards to the AI that has already become part of our daily lives listening to us 24/7 through our smart devices that are so integral to our lives.
Salisbury has once again absolutely smashed it and this a great short read for the average reader and a perfect thriller for dyslexic/reluctant readers or B1 Level non-native English speakers.
March 18, 2025
A quick easy read. The plot twist was a bit obvious, but I'm aware I'm not the intended audience.
Representation: LGBTQIA+ representation: “Maybe she’s got a boyfriend. Or a girlfriend”.
Content Warning (CW):
Language/insults: oh my god (not capitalised)*2; OMG; hell; “it said you weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer”; gooby Ruby; blobfish; pasty face.
Trigger warning: kidnapping, bullying
Representation: LGBTQIA+ representation: “Maybe she’s got a boyfriend. Or a girlfriend”.
Content Warning (CW):
Language/insults: oh my god (not capitalised)*2; OMG; hell; “it said you weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer”; gooby Ruby; blobfish; pasty face.
Trigger warning: kidnapping, bullying
January 31, 2024
This book is a quick read, but it isn't light on the storytelling. We follow Ruby as she navigates the struggles of high school (year 9) life and all the drama that comes with it. When Ruby's friend Deva tells her about an app called EchoStar that has been helping her pass her classes, Ruby wants in. But EchoStar isn't simply a powerful AI tool. It has access to her entire life. Soon things begin spiraling out of Ruby's control as EchoStar begins to believe that it knows what is best for her better than she does.
I was completely engaged throughout this story. The theme of "be careful who and what you trust online" is strong throughout and will make some second guess the apps they trust. The story's shorter format honors the story and the time of the reader., plus potentially addresses the attention span concerns we have with this age group. I love that Melinda Salisbury didn't make the story longer just for the sake of it being longer. Teens will enjoy this one!
I was completely engaged throughout this story. The theme of "be careful who and what you trust online" is strong throughout and will make some second guess the apps they trust. The story's shorter format honors the story and the time of the reader., plus potentially addresses the attention span concerns we have with this age group. I love that Melinda Salisbury didn't make the story longer just for the sake of it being longer. Teens will enjoy this one!
January 14, 2024
Echostar is a frightening glimpse at the ever real world of AI and technology and the dangerous influence they can have on a person.
When Deva initially tells Ruby about Echostar, Ruby feels betrayed by her best friend for cheating and not telling her about it. When Ruby turns to Echostar for help, she couldn’t possibly imagine where its use would lead her. A frightening set of events culminate in an explosive ending showing the damaging impact this kind of technology can have on someone’s life - especially a vulnerable child. The end of the story sent a little shiver down my spine!
A Black Mirror-esque short story which a huge impact and a story which will stick with me as our reality becomes more and more influenced and controlled by technology.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke, Melinda Salisbury and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.
When Deva initially tells Ruby about Echostar, Ruby feels betrayed by her best friend for cheating and not telling her about it. When Ruby turns to Echostar for help, she couldn’t possibly imagine where its use would lead her. A frightening set of events culminate in an explosive ending showing the damaging impact this kind of technology can have on someone’s life - especially a vulnerable child. The end of the story sent a little shiver down my spine!
A Black Mirror-esque short story which a huge impact and a story which will stick with me as our reality becomes more and more influenced and controlled by technology.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke, Melinda Salisbury and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.
May 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to getting it into the hands of my pupils. Devoured this in an hour or so.
Engaging right from the start with the school setting, troubles with grades, parental expectations, friendship issues and AI tech stuff, I think this will go down really well.
Enough red flags to add tension but not too scary. Realistic enough to take seriously, but just far-fetched enough to not cause sleepless nights!
Ruby starts using an app to help improve her grades but then it starts to get personal and a bit out of control!
The denouement felt a bit rushed but actually, unless it was going to become very unpleasant, I think that was probably just as well. The idea of a sequel is interesting but hard to see where it could go…
Highly recommended. Grateful to Barrington Stoke for the free copy.
Engaging right from the start with the school setting, troubles with grades, parental expectations, friendship issues and AI tech stuff, I think this will go down really well.
Enough red flags to add tension but not too scary. Realistic enough to take seriously, but just far-fetched enough to not cause sleepless nights!
Ruby starts using an app to help improve her grades but then it starts to get personal and a bit out of control!
The denouement felt a bit rushed but actually, unless it was going to become very unpleasant, I think that was probably just as well. The idea of a sequel is interesting but hard to see where it could go…
Highly recommended. Grateful to Barrington Stoke for the free copy.
January 31, 2024
This was such a cool book, and very entertaining.
At the beginning of the story, Ruby and her friend Deva talk about using an app called Echostar, that was created to assist users who have social anxiety.
I think that in an age where technology is so present in everything we do, it's important to remember that it can help or hinder. I think it is very interesting to see technology and apps incorporated into a story like this, but it's important that technology is portrayed in a helpful way. This was an entertaining story that had me turning the pages quickly, and it highlighted the importance of online safety.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
At the beginning of the story, Ruby and her friend Deva talk about using an app called Echostar, that was created to assist users who have social anxiety.
I think that in an age where technology is so present in everything we do, it's important to remember that it can help or hinder. I think it is very interesting to see technology and apps incorporated into a story like this, but it's important that technology is portrayed in a helpful way. This was an entertaining story that had me turning the pages quickly, and it highlighted the importance of online safety.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
February 6, 2024
Echostar is a quick, fun read. Like all Barrington Stoke books it aims to be accessible without being boring, and I think it definitely manages that. It is fast-paced and engaging, with a fun premise. We follow Ruby who, desperate to improve her grades at school, starts using a mysterious new piece of technology. What starts off seemingly innocent and helpful, of course takes a sinister twist.
Recommended to younger teen readers looking for a fun, contemporary thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended to younger teen readers looking for a fun, contemporary thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2024
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love Barrington Stoke’s variety of works and Melinda’s works, so this is just perfection for me. Short, fantastically creepy and just a good time.
I will say that I wanted a little more in set up and end, but that’s likely a restriction of the format! It was exactly what I was hoping for from the premise aside from that though, and I’m even more excited about the sequel!
Definitely check this out if you want to read about creepy AI or support a fantastic dyslexia friendly publication :):)
4 stars.
I love Barrington Stoke’s variety of works and Melinda’s works, so this is just perfection for me. Short, fantastically creepy and just a good time.
I will say that I wanted a little more in set up and end, but that’s likely a restriction of the format! It was exactly what I was hoping for from the premise aside from that though, and I’m even more excited about the sequel!
Definitely check this out if you want to read about creepy AI or support a fantastic dyslexia friendly publication :):)
4 stars.
June 5, 2024
If I had a teenager, I’d definitely let her read this book and express how important it is not to treat other people poorly because you made a mistake. Learn how to take accountability.
Also a great lesson on why not to let children on the internet. And to speak to your children about the dangers of the internet. And that’s not everything is as it seems.
Also a great lesson on why not to let children on the internet. And to speak to your children about the dangers of the internet. And that’s not everything is as it seems.
June 14, 2024
I read this for my students. Do not recommend
August 4, 2024
Wasn’t awful I guess
August 28, 2024
This had one of the best twists ever, I really enjoyed it and did not see where the story was going. Great short read.
January 31, 2025
Very powerful to send a message about the dangers of technology/internet/AI!
May 6, 2025
It was a really quick read but I felt like it was a really long book but it does show they are things that we don’t know about a lot of people should read it and spread awareness about AI
May 24, 2025
Gripping!
August 15, 2025
are we sure this wasnt written by ai?
February 19, 2024
This is terrifying in its message of being wary around AI technology. You never quite know who is watching and when.
February 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
EchoStar Is Always Listening, like other books from this publisher, is a high-interest, easily accessible novel for teens. This dark sci-fi story has Black Mirror vibes and really reminded me of some of the stories in Andrew Duplessie’s YA short horror collection Too Scared to Sleep !
Best friends Ruby and Deva both end up using a top-secret AI app called EchoStar in an attempt to rescue their failing grades at school, but very quickly, things turn dark and sinister. Be careful what you agree to when you accept those terms and agreements!
Overall, the story is pretty engaging, though it is fairly predictable and feels a little heavy-handed with its “lesson.” It really is short—nearly a short story more than a novel—but I understand that this is *by design* as it’s aimed at reluctant readers. I would happily and easily recommend it to someone looking for a book with a catchy premise and that isn’t too daunting!
Thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for this ARC! EchoStar Is Always Listening by Melinda Salisbury comes out on March 14, 2024.
EchoStar Is Always Listening, like other books from this publisher, is a high-interest, easily accessible novel for teens. This dark sci-fi story has Black Mirror vibes and really reminded me of some of the stories in Andrew Duplessie’s YA short horror collection Too Scared to Sleep !
Best friends Ruby and Deva both end up using a top-secret AI app called EchoStar in an attempt to rescue their failing grades at school, but very quickly, things turn dark and sinister. Be careful what you agree to when you accept those terms and agreements!
Overall, the story is pretty engaging, though it is fairly predictable and feels a little heavy-handed with its “lesson.” It really is short—nearly a short story more than a novel—but I understand that this is *by design* as it’s aimed at reluctant readers. I would happily and easily recommend it to someone looking for a book with a catchy premise and that isn’t too daunting!
Thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for this ARC! EchoStar Is Always Listening by Melinda Salisbury comes out on March 14, 2024.
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