The Summer Prince

By: Alaya Dawn Johnson

Narrated by: Rebecca Mozo, Lincoln Hoppe

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil. The lush city of Palmares Tres shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that's sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June's best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Tres will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government's strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

©2013 Alaya Dawn Johnson (P)2013 Scholastic Inc.

A lush, poetic, enthralling work

Recommended to me by a friend with excellent taste in books, this book had a high bar to meet and it truly accomplished that feat. I waded into this world and within just a paragraph or two I was fully open to it, excited to see all the ways it might develop, where it might take me.

As a queer person of color, I profoundly appreciated that not only the characters, but also the context and the culture were diverse and nuanced. It even provides a setting in which gender roles weren't taken for granted and sexuaulity was fluid and unencumbered by irrelevant moral trappings. And words didn't just sit on the page! They sang and danced, their rhythm staying with me a long time after I closed the book, whether for a moment or finally at the end.

I would love to see this as a film or miniseries, but I would fear no one could do it justice. It is just GORGEOUS! I honestly don't understand the low star reviews!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent all around

The compelling story, the beautiful details to build the world of Palmares 3, and the wonderful, expressive voice of the narrator give this book 5 stars hands down.

Diversity is refreshing

The way the story is done is very different than anyway I could have imagined it. It gives layers to the story and characters. It was refreshing to read. I enjoyed it very much.

Reading isn't perfect

I loved the story of this. Futuristic Brazil, a bi-normative world with people seeing men and women with no comment, interesting world set up. However, I feel like the reading leaves a bit to be desired. Both readers read with accents, and while I can't comment on how accurate they are, I will say that they are inconsistent. Lincoln Hoppe in particular has a very strange meandering accent that is pretty distracting. #lgbt #scifi #dystopian #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

Magically Enchanting

This is by far one of my favorite YA/speculative fiction novels. Set in post-apocolyptic Brazil, the world is Rich with culture. The characters are well lived and the love triangle is the best I've ever seen written.