Lauren Beukes science fiction 'Moxyland' takes place in an Orwellian society controlled by powerful corporations and a militaristic government which uses mobile phones to control the population.

Moxyland crack bold and infectious ideas, connecting a ruthless corporate-apartheid government with video games, biotech attack dogs, slippery online identities, the village soccer school, shocking cell phones, addictive branding, and genetically modified art.

This debut novel by a breath of fresh air in what is often a stagnant South African literary scene. Beukes dares to look forward and back, and as a result of high-octane, techno-savvy thriller that manages to put social commentary into the vehicle, which is certainly hip.

In short, it's fantastic.

In a world where the best real estate is owned and controlled by corporations and the government clamps down on differences with the genetically modified dogs, there are still hints of the familiar? Daily headlines voice, substance abuse of street children, Eskom outages and gems pool room.

Clever slang and techno-jargon to realize a society in which differences between the virtual and real worlds is blurred and people have become so dependant on technology that the threat of a shutdown (with the phone turned off) is tantamount to being left poor.

Moxyland is funny, gritty, creative and, ultimately, it is very disturbing. Politically speculative urban thriller that will leave you wanting more.