“‘Just follow me and stay close.’ Simon finished ushering Henry to follow and eying the shadows weaving off into the trees uneasily. He knew there were monsters here.”– Nando Gray, Moondrop Vale
“NANDO GRAY’S Moondrop Vale is more than just a cautionary dystopian tale about A.I./robots turning against humanity wrapped in a gay love story. It explores the moral implications of how humans can dehumanize each other through the manipulation of science and technology. The story delves into the idea that self-serving individuals can easily corrupt technologies, even those created with benign or protective intentions, and use them to harm and control others.
The remote town of Moondrop Vale, once a bucolic place for those seeking a life away from too much reliance on technology, is now under threat from both external forces and sinister figures within the town. As a global war looms, the residents of Moondrop Vale face a deadly threat from those already among them.
The novella takes its main characters, Henry and Simon, on a profound journey of self-discovery as they undergo significant emotional and psychological growth (even physical, but that’s a whole other thing!), individually and as a couple. Yes, there is gripping action, mystery and murder, fascinating future-tech, and even genetic monsters (including one that roams the woods of Moondrop Vale), but it’s the (love)story arc of Henry and Simon that resonates with me the most. I’m a sucker for good character development.
Henry begins his journey as a survivor of genetic tinkering and a victim of professional and financial ruin, both due to the machinations of the techno-conglomerate known as GOBI. After being unfairly terminated from his job, Henry returns home to find his boyfriend in a graphic act of infidelity. Oh, and this all happens on his 25th birthday. Emotionally and psychologically scarred by the physical repercussions of GOBI’s genetic enhancements to his body, especially his package, and how his boyfriend and other men have fetishized and othered him, Henry, despite his size and strength, struggles with deep self-doubt. After receiving a surprise inheritance to a property in Moondrop Vale, Henry travels there without a second thought, having nothing left to lose.
Simon, a lifelong resident of Moondrop Vale and the object of Henry’s affection, also struggles with deep-seated
issues of self-worth. As a twin with a younger brother in the army, Simon has always felt overshadowed and carries the weight of disappointing his parents, particularly his father. His fraternal twin, though a substance abuser, seems to effortlessly garner their parents’ favour with his charm and modelesque attractiveness. Additionally, Simon is trapped in a toxic relationship with an older, controlling partner despite being aware of its detrimental effects. Plagued by self-doubt and anxiety, Simon’s internal struggles manifest in his constant self-criticism and defeatist attitude.
The evolution of the two main characters, individually and as a pair, was a complex journey, yet it often frustrated me. Influenced by past traumas and defeatist attitudes, the men occasionally made non-empowering decisions. They offered up nonsensical justifications for their actions and for not actively dealing with the despicable actions of others. It’s one thing to cognitively understand personal growth occurs in confronting uncomfortable situations and facing challenges, but it’s another to be a silent witness to these stages where logic and empowerment aren’t out of reach but are ignored and pushed aside.
Several times, I found myself silently screaming at our two main protagonists, especially Simon, and, yes, unfairly judging them from my position of privilege. As someone with power and agency, I feel frustrated when I encounter depictions of weakness in others, and I have the urge to shake those who don’t react or communicate in a manner that aligns with my own approach in specific scenarios. Ronin was bad enough from the start but after the barn scene?!? Oh—no, ma’am! LOL
Gray’s ability to evoke intense emotions and provoke thoughtful introspection through complex character development is a testament to his creativity and strategic storytelling. He aims to slowly show personal growth in the face of overwhelming fear and self-doubt. Alternatively, it could be viewed as a deliberate and cunning manipulation to provoke frustration and disbelief. The author candidly portrays irrational behaviour in otherwise intelligent characters, challenging the reader’s suspension of disbelief when confronting what should be sensible decision-making and action for the sake of the overarching narrative and character growth.
As this is a gay romance set in a science-fiction medium, there is, of course, sex, and both that and the romance depictions are evocatively articulated and passionate. There is some salacious behaviour and (ahem) juicy parts (you’ll get what I’m inferring when you read it), but everything is arousing and intentional. It never comes across as gratuitous or forced into the story simply to add “smut,” which, in those instances, always stops the flow of the narrative. This issue doesn’t happen here. (And did I say flow? Okay, I’ll stop. Sorry, Henry!)
The work could have used one last editing go-round. Some flaws periodically confused me, including a section
where the name HENRY erroneously replaced the name SIMON several times. Aside from these minor hiccups, Nando Gray’s Moondrop Vale is sound writing, imaginative, and thrilling Queer Sci-Fi! And the colours and font choices on the cover are perfection!!
While the novella provides action, futuristic technology, and mesmerizing genetic monsters, such as the one lurking in the woods of Moondrop Vale, the enduring impact of Henry and Simon’s personal development is what resonated with me long after I finished reading. What’s nice is that the dystopian aspects of the story aren’t heavy-hitting or overtly gloom and doom, and the science fiction isn’t highbrow. There’s an ease with Gray’s employment of these themes, which creates a palatable ingress into this futurist story, especially if science fiction isn’t a reader’s preferred genre.
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