Spotlight: A Gripping and Heartbreaking Tale

by Emma Ellis

All Harriet wants is a safe world for her android son, Oliver. Yet there are some who want Oliver and his kind not to exist at all.

As anti-robot sentiment grows and protests turn to violence, Harriet realises she must speak out, even if it means putting herself — and her past — back in the spotlight.

Oliver has been shielded from the growing unrest so far, but when he senses danger, he is determined to protect the ones he loves, no matter the cost.

As Harriet struggles to sway public opinion, time is running out. When Oliver throws himself into harm's way, she is forced to confront the harsh reality of what it means to be a mother to a son like him.

Love isn't always enough. Sometimes, it takes sacrifice.

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Maylita Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book but not as good as its predecessor. I would have loved to have more interaction between Harriet and Oliver, also the lead up to their reunion was very dragged out. However, it was again another emotional read with powerful messages.

[Nikki LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sequel to Sunshine as we see Oliver in his teenage body. Spotlight expands on the original story and we see the consequences of having the Mechani kids in the world, and the divisions it causes. Although there is a temporary resolution at the end of the book it’s clear that there still a lot to fight for. I really liked the way Oliver’s character had developed from the first book and continued to develop in this one. I’m looking forward to seeing where he will go in the final instalment.

I got this book as a ARC from the author.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope in the darkness

Following on from Sunshine, this dystopian novel will challenge and devastate you as it forces you to ask uncomfortable questions. Your answers will probably tell you more about yourself than you realise.

Dealing with a range of ethical issues, this book dives back into a society with widening divides between classes. In a world where electricity is power, the integration of MechaniTeens is a polarising issue. Forcing the characters (and readers) to wrestle with what makes someone human, the programming of the MechaniTeens is designed to reinforce traditional gender roles. Resistance to their presence takes the form of religious fanaticism.

While this book is not a romance, it is certainly a love story about a mother and her son. There are multiple themes in this book that will be hard for some readers to engage with - though if you are able to do so, you will be better for it.

It’s crazy to me to think that five months ago, I hadn’t read any of Emma Ellis’ novels. Her books have fast become my most recommended and this series is no different.

[Cristy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another smashing hit from Emma Ellis

Ellis is a must-read for me. I love how she builds her dystopian worlds with depth, conflict, true heroes and multi-layered villains. This book follows Sunshine, where we met Harriet and her MechaniKid Oliver. In Spotlight, Oliver is now a teen and being prepared for his future career in a boarding school for MechaniTeens. Except all isn’t right in Harriet’s world. She misses her son, and is growing more concerned about the wold he will emerge into during his career practicals. Anti-bot organizations are becoming more violent and Harriet’s ex-husband rises again to taunt Harriet. All of the combine to produce conflict galore for our heroine.
I found this story gripping (I finished it in 2 days!) and fell in love all over again with Harriet, her friends, and Oliver. Brava Ms. Ellis for yet another well-crafted dystopian story. I’m thrilled book 3 is already out so I can dive straight in.

[Jim Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super follow-up to Sunshine with a jump forward in time from the first book. I really enjoy Ellis's modern and (at times) punchy voice and that comes through in spades here with a clever blurring of the narrator and Harriet + the addition of Oliver as a POV character. His developing anger, along with his original empathy, was very well written.

The ethics around human bots plays a big role in this novel. I got the sense that battery life and electricity were the source of the power in the dystopian version of our world which is an intriguing idea and adds depth to the more personal plot.

It's one that will make you think but is also an absorbing story that you may find yourself reading at a pace. I'm already curious to see where the final instalment will take us!

P.S. There's a beautiful moment with Oliver and Evie looking up at the sky and his reflection hints at true consciousness...

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic story from Emma! It was fascinating to see the progression of the bots in children’s bodies to teens, and the changes associated with that. I liked learning more about Oliver’s friends and his relationships, as well as Harriet’s. It had a nice deeper dive into humanity and what determines what makes us human. There were a couple of inconsistencies with the use of the bots that I found hard to follow at times. The violence toward the bots felt unjustified sometimes as a society, as the crowds seemed too easily swayed by the media and speakers for a society in the future especially on the lower levels, when we are becoming more untrusting of news and public figures in general. But it didn’t detract from the central story of Harriet and Oliver and their family. I’m looking forward to reading book three. 

[Liz Fully Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spotlight is the second book in the Degrees of Freedom series and is not only another great book by Emma Ellis, but also a great continuation of Harriet and Oliver’s story. As Harriet and Oliver fight to find each other again, you find yourself pulled into their struggles, rooting for them while you hate on pretty much everything else going on in the book.

Ellis has a gift for bringing alive dystopian worlds that are just too realistic. I can always see them as happening in the near future, and that’s truly frightening. And with AI taking off as it is, I can see the dark and degrading uses for it written in this book happening as well.

Can not wait to read how Harriet and Oliver’s story concludes!

[Alicia Polachek · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Sunshine, I couldn’t wait to dive into Spotlight to see how Harriet and Oliver’s story progressed. I’m so grateful to have been given an early review copy so I didn’t have to wait any longer! And…I’m pleased to say that I loved this book just as much—if not more—than the first one.

Emma did a fabulous job with the story of Oliver’s teen years. The character development, the progression of their world, the evolution in the various relationships, and the story arcs about the new challenges they faced were all so well done. I didn’t want to put it down! I’m definitely hooked on this series!

[Jason Polachek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant follow-up to Sunshine! This second entry in the Degrees of Freedom series builds on the rich characters and complex-yet-relatable themes from the first book, along with the dystopian world that has become a bit darker and more violent since we last saw Oliver and Harriet.

I really enjoyed Sunshine so was very pleased to get the chance to review an advanced copy of Spotlight. I highly recommend this series and am already looking forward to the next book!

Be sure to check out the afterword for a very sweet dedication that ties in with the theme of the story.

[Emily Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book takes harriet and oliver's relationship to a new level, adding to the world building we got in book 1. one of my fave series' by Emma for sure!!