★★★★★

Gume Laurel III’s Solar Punks is a refreshing dive into a future that’s both hopeful and deeply unsettling.

This short, hi-lo story, written in verse, explores the complexities of a utopian society, examining themes of acceptance, community, and the ever-present challenges of climate change.

Like a skilled surfer riding a powerful swell, Laurel guides us through the world of Isla Sola, a secluded island paradise powered by renewable energy. We meet Veny, an outsider yearning for acceptance, and Mateo, a stranger washed ashore with secrets of his own. Their stories crash like waves, revealing the hidden currents beneath the island’s idyllic surface. Veny’s feeling of isolation within this outwardly perfect community really hit home. Sometimes, even when surrounded by others, we can feel like castaways adrift on our own lonely islands. This book beautifully captures that struggle.

Laurel’s world-building is impressive, creating a vivid portrait of a society grappling with the consequences of climate change while striving for harmony with nature. He doesn’t shy away from difficult questions, exposing the cracks in this Eden and the ethical dilemmas that arise when technology and nature collide.

Written with the rhythm of ocean waves, Solar Punks is a powerful reminder that even in paradise, challenges of acceptance and leadership persist.