Socialpunk (Socialpunk, #1) by Monica Leonelle

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

Review:

I was equal parts impressed and disappointed by this novel. It took about one chapter for me to get to the edge of my seat, but after that it was impossible to put it down. Every page was a new twist, each chapter ending with a cliff-hanger. The novel practically turns it's own pages. 


The writing wasn't exceptional--I didn't really like the way that the futuristic world was developed, and the voice of Ima fell sort of flat--but I liked the plot and the concept, and the tension and suspense was palpable. The ideas behind the futuristic world were incredibly interesting, and most of them were ones that I've never come across in the world of dystopian fiction.  


Character development was a bit on the fritz. There were some parts where it was incredibly strong, and others where it just wasn't. I felt like Ima, as the narrator, didn't really resound as a heroine the way she should have, but her friends had distinguishable personalities. 


But the most surprising thing about Socialpunk--no matter what you dislike about it, you can't help but finish it craving for more. 


Grade: B- 

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