Bestselling YA author Melinda Salisbury exposes the dark underbelly of new technologies and online friendships in this gripping thriller. 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 … Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8. “Smart, witty and utterly terrifying, EchoStar reminds us to always question what (and who) we let into our lives” – Simon James Green "Tightly written, sinister, and completely believable – I devoured it almost in one sitting! And I loved the hook at the end…" – Alastair Chisholm "In this intriguing cyber-thriller, Melinda Salisbury tells a cautionary tale about the perils of the digital age, deftly examining our over-reliance on technology … Salisbury not only explores poignant issues related to cybersecurity, but also sensitively tackles heavy themes such as loneliness, isolation, friendship and bullying. Tension builds with each chapter, culminating in a terrifying conclusion that invites readers to question both the role of technology in our lives and how far we are willing to go to get what we want." – INIS Magazine "A gripping read … This is for those teen readers who want that horror element in what they read – here they will find a horror that really could happen." – Books for Keeps "A terrifyingly realistic thriller for teens. Warning readers of the dangers of new technology and giving out personal information on-line, it’s a gripping story that is frighteningly possible." – Scope for Imagination, blog "Genuinely terrifying! But in the best way possible. It’s properly addictive reading … It packs a huge punch in terms of subject matter and looks at bullying, criminal behaviour, internet safety, invasion of privacy, risks to personal safety, the rising use of AI in our world, broken friendships and much more." – Mini Travellers "Perfectly creepy and filled with thriller-like tension. I loved that it felt so real and will really resonate with young people today! A great villain and a wonderfully naive protagonist!" – NetGalley review Is always listening Melinda Salisbury is the bestselling author of multiple YA novels, inlcuding the Sin Eater’s Daughter series and the State of Sorrow duology. Her books have been published in 15 countries to date and been collectively nominated for numerous national and international awards and accolades, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Branford Boase and the Carnegie medal. Is always listening - Four-time Carnegie nominated author Melinda Salisbury is a new and exciting addition to the Barrington Stoke list. Her first novel, The Sin Eater’s Daughter, was the bestselling UK YA debut of 2015 and Her Dark Wings was both a Guardian Children’s Book of the Year and The Reading Agency Book of the Year 2022 - Nail-biting suspense and a dreadful sense of threat builds gradually throughout this thriller, keeping readers totally gripped - The first in a set of three standalone but connected novels offering fresh, nuanced explorations into the dangers of new technologies in a way that teenage audiences will relate to - “A lush, magical writer – who isn’t afraid of the dark.” – Rainbow Rowell - Publication to be supported by a book trailer, digital proof and additional social media assets
Publicat de: HarperCollins Publishers