The Summer Prince is a 2013 young adult novel by Alaya Dawn Johnson set in a futuristic Brazil. It is transitional science fiction, bridging the gap between gritty, tech-heavy cyberpunk and bright, eco-conscious solarpunk.
The lush city of Palmares Três 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 Três will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the governments 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.-from the book blurb
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The Summer Prince contains examples of:
- Brain Uploading: In other countries, the vast majority of citizens have uploaded their brains to the Cloud.
- Gendercide: There was a plague targeting the Y chromosome, which led to the matriarchal system in the city.
- Human Sacrifice: Boys compete to become the Summer King, who will be ritually killed at the end of the summer. Enki tries to flee it, but ultimately realizes that he won't live long enough anyway. However, his Thanatos Gambit at least ensures that he will be the last Summer King.
- Longevity Treatment: For the people who can't do Brain Uploading, there is tech to lengthen their lives.
- Loophole Abuse: How the book ends. The Summer King designates a new Queen by marking her with blood. Enki manages to smuggle a special dress to June, and when the moment comes, a bloody handprint appears on it, marking her as the Queen in front of all of Palamares Tres.
- Mother Nature, Father Science: Palmares Três likes to push this, being matriarchal and also against the Brain Uploading other cities practice. However, the reality is more complicated and many Palmares citizens are opposing the tech ban.
- Public Execution: The Summer King is publicly (and willingly) killed at the end of the summer, by the woman who will be his queen.
- We Will Have Euthanasia in the Future: What happened to June's father. Coming to terms with it is a key part of June's arc.
- Women Are Wiser: A fundamental belief of Palmares Três. While there are men in the government, most of the leadership are women. The book itself, however, shows them to be just as corrupt.
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