Socialpunk (Socialpunk, #1)

by Monica Leonelle

[Lindsey Gray]

Ima is an everyday girl in a world that basically . . . well, it sucks. She is in love with her best friend, Dash, who for some reason is denying the romantic side of their relationship. Her father is abusive and controlling while her mother sits passively on the sidelindes watching it all. One night of excitement leads her to a train ride towards a concert that ends up changing her life forever.

At the concert, Ima meets Vaughn and is taken to a whole new world, literally. Vaughn whisks Ima and her new friend, Nahum, topside to a world they never knew existed, Silicon City.

The prologue drew me in, then the focus in chapter 1 changes to the world that Ima exists in which is completely different from that of the prologue. As I kept reading, I was drawn into that world and found myself scared and excited for Ima as she took on one challenge after another.

There were a few moments when I was sure that Ima, Vaughn, and the rest of their crew would up with the short end of the stick. Somehow, the goal that Ima set when she set foot in Silicon City was met, but the results are unexpected.

"Socialpunk" is a great read for teens and adults. The worlds Leonelle has created keep the reader on their toes and cataloguing the rules of the new environment Ima finds herself in. Overall, the book was an exciting read and the last line has left me desperate for the next book in the series, Socialmob due out in July 2012. The trilogy wraps up with Socialhood due out October 2012.