I hope this book gets a sequel. The writing is so visual, you can feel the sunshine on Isla Sola. Reading this will get you thinking heavily on humanity and climate change. This story is perfect for fans of The Giver, and dystopian YA films. This book gives a thought provoking look into communities where the elders are the leaders and the island lives in harmony / but at what cost?

3.5 precisamente.

Uma história encantadora principalmente sobre ancestralidade em rebelião não só com a modernidade, como com os resultados do que o homem fez com o planeta por centenas de anos.

Foi uma experiência diferente de ler uma história com esses temas escrita por versos, e com essa escolha veio não só a doçura como a sonoridade com assuntos tão importantes, uma jornada sobre pertencimento, reflexão de tudo aquilo que acreditamos que conhecemos, que somos, a empatia com o outro que muitas vezes não conhecemos e não entendemos, uma reflexão sobre empatia.

Agradeço ao netgalley e a editora por essa cópia antecipada, por essa leitura adorável.

Gume has done it again! Solar Punks is a Hi-Lo YA read that blends nature with technology. In this story, we follow Veny, our lonely rebellious teenager that wants to skip chores and go surf some waves off the shores of Isla Sola and in one of these instances he rides a gnarly wave that leaves him gasping for breath and saltwater, then get saved by Mateo, a human that’s not from the island and the dangers that brings getting in contact with the outside world that they never perceived to exist. What happens when your own interests goes against the interests of the community? Ultimately, this is a story about survival, perseverance and ever-adaptability! Very applicable to the current times and political climate!

Once again, Gume has created another beautiful story I couldn't put down. Solar Punks is written in hi-low verse, which reads so quickly but still packs so much poetic depth. My ADHD brain loves the hi-low, and I wish there were more stories written like this.

In the future, on a remote utopian island, Veny still feels like an outsider. Struggling to do his chores and often shirking his responsibilities for surfing, he can't find his purpose. One especially rough day of riding the waves lands him on the beach, rescued by a strange boy with blue hair who looks nothing like anyone he's ever seen. Veny immediately agrees to hide Mateo and starts to form a relationship with him. During late night visits, they build trust through sarcastic quips and deep conversations. Veny learns of a world outside of his own and is intrigued. I loved feeling Veny's emotions through the well written prose. Gume always knows how to relate the feelings of YA protagonist while still keeping it accessible to adults. I loved Veny and Mateo.

My favorite part is the beautiful descriptions of the island and its people. I could see the environment so perfectly. It's such a short but engrossing story. I was on the edge of my seat so many times!

Once again, I can't reccomended Gume's stories and writing style enough. I definitely think you should pick this one up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to Netgalley, the author and West 44 Books for my ARC copy.

I previously enjoyed the Brujos of Borderland High and so was excited to see Solar Punks.

I should be used to the fact that Gume Laurel III is able to pack a whole lot of story into verse, but it’s still a delighful surprise each time. After reading a lot of very long fantasy, its always refreshing to see such complex world building achieved so quickly.

One of the things that I love about Sci-Fi (speculative fiction) is the way it provides a thought experiment on how things could be. And I loved seeing the world of Isla Sola, how society was structured, the tasks that were completed to keep society running and the interactions between people. I also love the message of hope and optimism.

If you needed something that provides a hopeful future, this is it!

Welcome to Isla Sola! Veny Juarez is struggling to do his chores and be a part of the community since he knows he's the odd one out, destined to never have a life partner. But one day he stumbles into something incredibly unexpected which causes him to ask a lot of questions.

A novel in verse, this story is told in a captivating and intriguing way making it really hard to put down. Isla Sola is a paradise of clean renewable energy with a tight-knit community. They are isolated on their little island, but that's okay because there's nothing across the ocean anyway.

I really enjoyed this story and I'm not sure I've read a sci-fi/speculative fiction tale in verse before, but I am here for it. I'm definitely looking forward to checking out more by this author and would love more in this world.

I received an eARC of this book, but review and thoughts are my own.

-Latine Rep
-LGBTQIAP+ Rep
-Hi-Lo Verse Novel
-Renewable Energy
-Advanced Technology

Solar Punks is the third book I have read from this amazing author. Each novel has been a unique reading experience for me.
With Solar Punks, the author has given us the readers a whole new world to dive into. It's futuristic, with hidden stories, and a touch of romance that I so need more of because my gosh that ending was such a shock factor I could not believe my eyes.
As usual, like all of the work from Gume Laurel III, he shows Latine and LGBTQIAP+ representation.
His writing style is poetic and beautiful. I always find myself feeling so many emotions while reading his books.
Solar Punks is written in Hi-Lo verse novel  and it definitely made me tear up because it got me in my feelings while also making me laugh in other pages.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate Gume on his release day for Solar Punks. I can wait for it to arrive so I can add it to my shelf with his other work.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of receiving an ARC.

This, like The Brujos of Borderland High, is a YA hi-lo novel in verse (poetryyyy 🤌🏻) told from the perspective of Veny, who lives on Isla Sola, a gorgeous island sustained by the innovation and eco-conscious practices of its community. Veny has some Good Reasons to be dissatisfied with life and while peacing out of chores, makes a discovery that Changes Everything.
Gume Laurel III is SO GOOD at packing a ton of meaning into very few words. I’m in awe. His books are intriguing immediately and throughout, and this one also had me crying more than once because I guess being super interesting isn’t enough, he had to make sure I felt a gut-wrenching emotional connection too. Like, the audacity to make me feel?! 🥲 Anyway, I loved this very much and really enjoyed the surprises and tenderness it contained.
Request this for your local library; they need books like this! And get it for yourself because it counts as a bigger treat and you deserve that 😌

"Solar Punks" is a green take on dystopia.
On Isla Sola we meet Veny and the other islanders who are the last people on Earth...or are they(?).
Veny is the sole person on Isla Sola who does not have a life partner, and describes himself as the only "odd-numbered kid out of (his) whole generation." So, he feels alone, even with a loving family, community, and support and openess on the island.
Veny is a "rebel" teen who prefers surfing with his friends over mundane chores, and one day is rescued after nearly drowning while surfing, but a stranger, Mateo.
Mateo's presence is a shock to Veny, so he is kept hidden from the other inhabitants of Isla Sola. The two have an immediate connection and their banter throughout is fun and endearing.
What secrets does Mateo hold that could change Veny's and those living on Isla Sola forever?

This is the third verse novel I've read by Gume. I enjoy this style of read and Gume packs a lot of detail, feeling/emotion, and moves the story along with his words in a style that is easy to read and understand.
He's made the life of Isla Sola ideal and cohesive and describes perfectly how beautiful life can be--even as the last people on earth.

The land of Isla Sola and their society is built on trust and community and using the land and natural resources to thrive--solar energy, wind turbines, food from the nature on the island. Even though they are all that remain on Earth, their lives appear happy, loving, and fulfilled. Veny loves his family and community, but his lack of a life partner does wear heavy on his mind.

Gume builds the friendship between Veny and Mateo quickly and transitions to a deep care over a matter of days.
The crafted story and the verses are succinct and the story is fast-paced, but you won't be lost--you'll want so much more!!

Gume writes queer, Latine characters at the center of his stories, and his writing gives hope for love to anyone who reads his works, and "Solar Punks" is an excellent example of this.

Spoiler:
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The story ends on a cliffhanger, so very much hoping that the sequel is released very soon!!!
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Thank you to Gume, West 44, and NetGalley for this ARC and chance to review the story.

It's a thin line between a utopia and a dystopia as Veny learns in this novel in verse. His beliefs are shattered when Matteo finds his way to Isla Sola, which Veny thought was the only land in the ocean. Very interesting technological advances are described throughout the book. And hibiscus tacos sound delicious. For grades 6 & up.

ARC Review

TL;DR:
The vibes were perfect. I wish I could read this again for the first time. The MC’s are my personality now and I was so emotionally devastated I will probably never touch this book again, absolutely recommend!

The important part, the cry rating:
😭😭😭=Why would you write this!?
🥲🥲🥲=If you don’t stop making them be so sweet I’m gonna fight you

Veny is me and I am Veny, which means I think he’s neat and I want to fight him in equal measure. Mateo is a precious cinnamon bun seasoned with a little snark and we all know I love that. The concept of the island and themes of #capitalisthellscape were very on brand for our trying times. Gume, good sir, you did not have to rip my heart out, I am still a mess an hour later wondering how I’m supposed to just read other stuff.

Solar Punks is a hi-low novel in verse with a sort of earthy, futuristic sci-fi vibe. It takes place on a remote island, where a community lives in a seeming utopia, working in harmony with nature in a high tech way. The main character, Veny, is a teen who is struggling with the same things teens all over struggle with despite his unique community: belonging, purpose, and connection. Veny is a relatable teen character, and his timeless struggles are only enhanced by the mysterious, ecological sci fi setting. Veny’s seemingly boxed in existence in his closed community is turned upside down when someone new arrives on the island, and Veny and the new comer, Mateo, begin to develop a relationship in between sarcastic barbs and late night secret talks. I love the banter between Veny and Mateo, and the way their relationship develops naturally and realistically, and I think a lot of teens will relate to it as well. It reminded me a lot of my young loves (okay maybe the adult ones too).

The setting here is rich and visceral, the prose accessible but deep. I love the world and found myself thinking about the setting a lot. It has the same immersive qualities of novels dealing with similar closed communities, like The Giver, or A Circle of Stars, although the world Veny lives in is much closer to a utopia than either of those. The community Veny lives in is an ideal, though not without its problems of course. But similarly, the world was intriguing and detailed while Veny’s struggles grounded it in the reality of humanity’s unifying needs and desires to be loved, to be understood, to feel we have a purpose.

The author has a real sense for the genre of YA, and this one is no exception. This is definitely a story that teens will love and connect to, with enough adventure and intrigue to keep one interested, the writing gorgeous and still maintaining it accessibility. And like any timeless YA book, it is equally appealing to adults. I love the prose, I felt all of Veny’s emotions along with him, and many times I was on the edge of my seat. Solar Punks is an amazing story, and I would love to read even more set in the same world!

This story explores themes like community care, resistance, isolationism, and capitalism with nuance. It’s also a high/low book (high interest, low reading level) and written in verse, making it appealing and readable for a wide audience.

This is a quick read, but it goes deep. The world building is beautiful and impactful.

This was my first hi-lo verse novel, and I loved it! It was super unique compared to anything else I've read.

It is a quick read, but it tackles the subject of community, climate change, technology, and the sacrifices and complexities of a utopia. The connection the community had to Mother Nature was really beautiful. I think there was definitely space in the story to add more details and make it longer, but I still enjoyed it. It's a fast-paced story that is worth picking up!

I would love a sequel! The ending left a lot of room for this story to grow.

Thank you to Netgalley and West 44 books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely! Finished this one in a day and I can’t wait to share with my cousins who read YA. This kept me interested throughout the whole story, and I enjoyed the little world of Isla Sola. A great beach read to share with friends and family!

thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

Gume, as an author, has helped me understand the novels they write. In the format of a Verse Novel, I have learned that Gume is a composer who writes and forms beautiful songs (yes, Solar Punks is as beautiful as a song). This will be my second verse novel and I admit that Gume is the only author I will automatically read. The world building, the culture, the sounds, and even the presence of each character can take you to be part of this story. What I mean is that I felt part of the tribe, I felt part of everything. And I say this as Gume really picks out the right words to teleport you from this world to the world in the story. I am thankful for the story as I had a pleasure in reading it.

Solar Punks by Gume Laurel III

This shall be posted on instagram on the 30th January 2025


4/5 stars 🌟 thank you Netgalley and Rosen Publishing Group | West 44 Books

This book was incredibly interesting! I’ve never read a verses book and felt this really gave something to the story for me especially how the layout was!

The story and the subtle hints throughout the book was a nice tease, the blue hair of Mateo was great to see as I usually have blue hair and love some coloured hair rep😅

Veny was a little softy but still very punky and too cool for school which I found cute and the bits with him and Nano brother bonding was sweet.

I loved the feeling of a loved on island surrounded by mystery and possibilities.

The overall concept and story for this book was just amazing and interesting and I read it in one sitting!

The end was beautiful and left me wanting more, but it was a nice way to leave the book off!

I highly recommend this book for a quick and easy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Gume is such a fantastic writer and has introduced me to novel in verse. This is probably my favorite book so far. I was invested in Veny and Mateo’s journey from the beginning. This was a soft and beautiful story about finding your place and doing what’s right. I can’t wait for more from Gume!

This book does a great job of incorporating a lot of world-building in a low word count, while keeping up a quick pace that will engage reluctant readers. I appreciated the emotional resonance, as well; Veny's relationships with both Mateo and Nano felt meaningful.

Thank you to West 44, Rosen Publishing, & Netgalley for the eARC to review.

I’m having a hard time deciding on a rating for this. So it’s a 3.5-4/5 read. The description of the book captured me, but I was not expecting what I ended up reading. In should also mention this was my first verse style read.

I really enjoyed the MCs Veny and Mateo, their banter was great. I was left wanting more, a lot more. In my opinion, everything felt rushed and there wasn’t a lot of build up or back story. There is just enough information/description to get the gist of what’s going on and understand their life on Isla Sola the remote island where their story takes place.

I can’t help but want more. Overall this was a good read and I enjoyed it. I will definitely recommend this book.