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Echo
In a future where humanity resides in a digital world called the Metaverse, teams of techo-archaeologists, known as Echoes, explore historical games to bring back entertainment for the masses. Team Trickshot isn’t afraid to take chances –until it all goes wrong. Join Pik as she works to save her team captain and uncovers terrifying secrets about humanity's past.
- GenresScience Fiction
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
14 people are currently reading
3027 people want to read
About the author
MJ Douglas
2 books27 followersMJ Douglas’ groundbreaking work, characterized by its thought-provoking blend of science fiction and LGBTQ+ themes, has earned them a place among the new influential voices in contemporary literature.
With a talent for storytelling and a deep commitment to representing diverse voices, Douglas crafts narratives that transcend traditional boundaries. Their unique perspective, often exploring the intersections of life and technology, continues to push the boundaries of literary conventions, offering readers a glimpse into worlds where inclusivity and diversity reign supreme. Their visionary work challenges societal norms, encouraging readers to question the status quo and envision a future where science fiction and technology blur.
With a talent for storytelling and a deep commitment to representing diverse voices, Douglas crafts narratives that transcend traditional boundaries. Their unique perspective, often exploring the intersections of life and technology, continues to push the boundaries of literary conventions, offering readers a glimpse into worlds where inclusivity and diversity reign supreme. Their visionary work challenges societal norms, encouraging readers to question the status quo and envision a future where science fiction and technology blur.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 25, 2024
New existence
When the world was dying, not able to feed all the people alive scientists worked on uploading human consciousness into computers. After many years it is part of the world but still with glitches. Following a group of explorer in this new existence is interesting and a bit overwhelming. I believe that they use de-fragment when it should be fragment, but otherwise a goog read.
When the world was dying, not able to feed all the people alive scientists worked on uploading human consciousness into computers. After many years it is part of the world but still with glitches. Following a group of explorer in this new existence is interesting and a bit overwhelming. I believe that they use de-fragment when it should be fragment, but otherwise a goog read.
July 6, 2024
This book was interesting about the future in a virtual world. I enjoyed the characters and the plot of the book. This book was a change of pace for me. All in all, a must read for any and all book lovers everywhere.
May 7, 2024
Gotta say I did win this so thank you to the publisher! But more importantly thank you to the author. This is a new level of sci fi that honestly had me disconnected from reality for a couple days. I can’t remember the last time a book made me question literal existence and be okay with a different definition is insanity… I like it! The characters are so well written that the ending just left me stumped. I was hoping for more. Maybe I’m biased only giving four stars but I just feel like I have no idea what happened at the end with everything. Was the metaverse okay? Where did Pik go? On a spaceship? What was up with the last broadcast. If this turns into a series I would be thrilled! Will absolutely be reading this author’s other book though because the world building of alternative augmented corporeal reality scratches by brain just right! 😌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2024
Absolutely fantastic. Sucks you in and keeps you guessing to the end. Not only great sci-fi, but really liked the commentary and personalities.
September 29, 2024
'Echo' has a lot of potential and brings interesting ideas to the table. It certainly leaves you wondering about the future of humanity, which I find primordial in sci-fi. And it's hard not to get attached to the main characters. However, I didn't enjoy the read as much as I expected, let me explain:
I'm gonna start with the strong points:
+It was easy to find Pik relatable in moments like when she was talking about family and such.
+Likeable characters.
+I appreciate a lot the enby/agender representation and the normalisation of gender neutral pronouns which is hard to find even in modern day literature. Representation matters!
+I love the whole concept of a futuristic world that dwelves in the past and they are disconnected from it as we are now from the 19th century.
+Funny gaming relatable references (like the ring that was ugly but gave +1 armory). The puns hit.
+The found family trope is my favourite so seeing the relarionship between the team members was so wholesome.
+The author narrates the action scenes masterfully, I was so into it. The tension, the narration,… I could 100% imagine it in my mind.
+The last part of the book was thrilling!
+There's something very nostalgic about the whole book (maybe because of the 'charming team on an epic mission' trope) and I loved that.
Here's what I didn't like:
-It took me 'till chapter 5 to fully immerse.
-Some descriptions (specially those about weapons and missions) were a bit boring, they could be removed and the plot would remain intact and the pacing would be smoother. There was too much game related info it looked like a manual because of the detailed info. Some details were unnecessary and it's fun to demonstrate your knowledge but too much can easily get pedantic.
-It would have been easier and lighter if it started at chapter 5 instead of dropping that much info dump at the start. I was very lost and was hard to digest the whole concept and worldbuilding immediately at the start.
-I wished the POV changes were marked at the chapter titles or that they were more obvious, it was hard to catch on who we were following.
-At the end of the novel we still don't know nothing about the actual society apart from the quest. We don't know how they've come to that or their current overall situation. We only know about the 'echoes' and their mission.
-Despite finding the characters likeable they were very one dimensional, I get this novel was more 'plot-driven' than 'character-driven' but still I'd love to know more about them.
Neutral points:
•It reminded me of Ready Player One meets Surrogates meets Black Mirror meets Westworld.
•I guess it's easier to understand some concepts like "head-bar", "health points", and such if you're already a gamer.
Overall it was a fun adventure, it's just didn't leave a strong impression on me. Still, the author should be proud of their job!
(Advance review copy kindly provided by BookSirens.)
I'm gonna start with the strong points:
+It was easy to find Pik relatable in moments like when she was talking about family and such.
+Likeable characters.
+I appreciate a lot the enby/agender representation and the normalisation of gender neutral pronouns which is hard to find even in modern day literature. Representation matters!
+I love the whole concept of a futuristic world that dwelves in the past and they are disconnected from it as we are now from the 19th century.
+Funny gaming relatable references (like the ring that was ugly but gave +1 armory). The puns hit.
+The found family trope is my favourite so seeing the relarionship between the team members was so wholesome.
+The author narrates the action scenes masterfully, I was so into it. The tension, the narration,… I could 100% imagine it in my mind.
+The last part of the book was thrilling!
+There's something very nostalgic about the whole book (maybe because of the 'charming team on an epic mission' trope) and I loved that.
Here's what I didn't like:
-It took me 'till chapter 5 to fully immerse.
-Some descriptions (specially those about weapons and missions) were a bit boring, they could be removed and the plot would remain intact and the pacing would be smoother. There was too much game related info it looked like a manual because of the detailed info. Some details were unnecessary and it's fun to demonstrate your knowledge but too much can easily get pedantic.
-It would have been easier and lighter if it started at chapter 5 instead of dropping that much info dump at the start. I was very lost and was hard to digest the whole concept and worldbuilding immediately at the start.
-I wished the POV changes were marked at the chapter titles or that they were more obvious, it was hard to catch on who we were following.
-At the end of the novel we still don't know nothing about the actual society apart from the quest. We don't know how they've come to that or their current overall situation. We only know about the 'echoes' and their mission.
-Despite finding the characters likeable they were very one dimensional, I get this novel was more 'plot-driven' than 'character-driven' but still I'd love to know more about them.
Neutral points:
•It reminded me of Ready Player One meets Surrogates meets Black Mirror meets Westworld.
•I guess it's easier to understand some concepts like "head-bar", "health points", and such if you're already a gamer.
Overall it was a fun adventure, it's just didn't leave a strong impression on me. Still, the author should be proud of their job!
(Advance review copy kindly provided by BookSirens.)
September 23, 2024
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC - 4.5 stars rounded up.
I really loved the setting of this story, which reminded me of playing Gamedec (a game I absolutely adored). The characters were a little superficial, but narratively that made sense. Bonus points for nonbinary rep!
I was completely sold on this book until almost the very end, when it stopped being so tense. I found that it got a bit more boring then, and I wasn't quite as invested as I was previously. There was a point where I felt that the futility of the whole adventure was highlighted, and I thought that was quite sad.
I would read more if there were a sequel, as I really love video game sci-fi.
I really loved the setting of this story, which reminded me of playing Gamedec (a game I absolutely adored). The characters were a little superficial, but narratively that made sense. Bonus points for nonbinary rep!
I was completely sold on this book until almost the very end, when it stopped being so tense. I found that it got a bit more boring then, and I wasn't quite as invested as I was previously. There was a point where I felt that the futility of the whole adventure was highlighted, and I thought that was quite sad.
I would read more if there were a sequel, as I really love video game sci-fi.
May 6, 2024
I had a strange feeling when I finished this book. I'm French and reading this kind of book in English might not have been the best idea. Romances are easier.
Even though I love science fiction, I feel like I've missed something.
But I liked the idea of this virtual world, this metaverse. Is this the future that awaits us?
It's a pretty bleak future
Even though I love science fiction, I feel like I've missed something.
But I liked the idea of this virtual world, this metaverse. Is this the future that awaits us?
It's a pretty bleak future
September 9, 2024
If you like RPGs, this is for you. I felt like I was in the world, almost another member of the team. There are many exciting twists, and even when I thought I figured out what was going on I found more surprises.
April 23, 2024
🔥MUST READ 🔥
May 17, 2025
An awesome book!
This book is so good! It’s a stark reminder of what could happen to us if we don’t take care of earth!
This book is so good! It’s a stark reminder of what could happen to us if we don’t take care of earth!
March 13, 2024
Another thrilling read from MJ Douglas!
July 3, 2024
"Echo" is a thrilling sci-fi gamelit novel that combines elements of "The Matrix" and "Ready Player One". The story follows Trick and Pik as they navigate the treacherous world of Infestation. The book dives into heart-pounding action as Trick's decisions leave Pik and the crew struggling to survive. It explores humanity's past and the sinister forces at play, keeping readers guessing until the end. With its fast-paced plot and pulse-pounding action, this book is a must-read for fans of sci-fi and gamelit genres. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews