Echoes of the Forgotten: Doomscrolled

by James Michael Orr, Angel R. Sánchez (Illustrator)

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2026

Reviews

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I've read from the Echoes of the Forgotten Collection and this might be up there when it comes to the best I've read. It focuses on something we all do whether we admit it or not, doomscroll. Brandon is a young man who is hooked on social media as he makes money by interacting on the platform. However, when he hears about the 17 hour challenge and its reward, it's too much for him to resist. That is despite him trying his best to live a normal life with his friends and new girlfriend.

This is a real life terror story focusing on the ill effects of social media addiction and waning to be social media 'famous'. One might achieve fame, but it comes at the cost of losing your real friends and attracting fake ones who would quickly dump you when the next viral sensation hits. Doomscrolled is a techo-horror that is visceral in nature, but one you won't want to put down once you start. After reading this, you might want to spend less time, doomscrolling because it might lead to your actual doom.

[Lauren Werley Lankford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! The author made the characters come to life in this story. The main character, Brandon, takes part in an online challenge that feels incredibly relevant and actually possible in today’s social media landscape. The story makes you think about the world of creators, content, and the battle for “clicks,” but throws in an edge of darkness that keeps you reading and engaged throughout. The story moves fast, but still feels complete and compelling. The ending leaves you with a good, old-fashioned, Poe-like sense of dread. That was fun!

[Andreas Giesbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a blast. While none of the “Echoes of the Forgotten” books disappointed me, this one truly stood out. While many of the other books focus on folklore, witches, and the like, Michael Orr confronts us with a truly modern theme: social media.

After his dad passes away, Brandon Adkins becomes completely immersed in Friend-Z, a fictional social media platform that lets him monetize interactions, supporting his isolated life. A post about the urban myth that you get maximum reach if you stay engaged for 17 hours straight goes viral and connects him with the mysterious content creator “Destiny.” At the same time, he reconnects with his former crush, Judy, which leads to an emerging conflict between the digital and the analogue world. While being online pays his bills, the real world becomes more demanding. Well, and then there is the promise of 17 hours of doomscrolling that could turn his creator career into that of a full-fledged influencer.

Honestly, this is not so much a horror story as it is a dive into Brandon’s troubled life. And that is done amazingly well. The limited cast of five characters is brought to life convincingly, while the lingering doom surrounding the big doomscrolling event offers enough tension to keep us hooked. The writing adds to this positive experience, as the author writes in a very relatable style and presents a highly believable scenario. This quick read is well paced, and while I would have loved to spend more time with Brandon and his friends, it ends on a perfect note.

That said, if you expect a fast-paced, blood-soaked horror story, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for an intelligent story about the dangers of social media with subtle horror elements, you should feel right at home. This one was a perfect doomread that deserves a lot of likes!

[Jessica Manges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Echoes of the Forgotten: Doomscrolled, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a digital nightmare! The kind of story that makes you want to put your phone face‑down for a while. The book captures that unsettling feeling of scrolling too long, too late at night, when the algorithm seems to know you a little too well!

Brandon’s descent into Friend‑Z is both eerie and believable. The way the story blends grief, online validation, and the creeping presence of an urban legend makes it feel like a modern cautionary tale. I loved how the tension builds quietly at first, then suddenly spikes the moment Brandon decides to test the viral legend. From that point on, it’s pure “you shouldn’t have done that” energy!

If you enjoy tech‑horror, digital folklore, or stories that feel like they could happen to any of us in the age of endless scrolling, this one hits the mark. It’s short, sharp, and sticks with you… just like a feed you can’t stop refreshing!!

(This is part of a group of books by different authors. This is the only one I’ve read so far!)