Moth

by S.E. Diemer

Imagine a future America where being gay is punishable by death.

Piper doesn't have to imagine. She lives it.

Adopted siblings Piper and Easton aren't careless. Their parents raised them with the knowledge that if they ever give themselves away, they'll be sent to the Borstal, a dilapidated prison where deviant children--Recreants--undergo brutal treatments to cure them of their "sins." By command of Liberty’s leader, Voice Wright, if the Recreants fail to be cured, or are ever caught committing another sinful act, they are sent to the Void. And no one ever returns from the Void.

Despite their caution, a freak Enforcer raid on an illegal party catches Piper and Easton by surprise. They and all of the other queer kids at the party are immediately shipped to the Borstal--which proves to be even worse than the whispered rumors had predicted. When Easton is falsely accused by a tormentor--and sentenced to the Void--Piper dares a desperate, and almost fatal, escape, beginning a journey across Liberty to chase after Easton in the hopes of saving his life...without losing hers.

Set in a future America where a deranged dictator supposedly hears messages from “the One,” where being queer (or promiscuous, or unwholesome, or rebellious) is punishable by death, MOTH is a button-pushing novel of oppression, resistance and hope, written by award-winning author S.E. Diemer.

Genres: LGBT, Dystopia, Young Adult

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2016

About the author

S.E. Diemer is an award-winning author of lesbian young adult (YA), speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Dark Wife, the YA, lesbian retelling of the Persephone myth, won the 2012 Golden Crown Literary Award for Speculative Fiction, and was nominated for a Parsec Award (first two chapters of the audiobook).

She lives with her wife and several furry monsters in a sweet, small house. She spends most of her time writing and taking the furry monsters on walks.

Find out more at http://museisrising.wordpress.com and http://www.twitter.com/sediemer

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welcome to an American dystopia. Cut off from the rest of the world, the United States (now known as Liberty) has become an authoritarian regime ruled by a man who claims be the "Voice" of God. In this world, gays and lesbians have to hide, fearing Iranian-style punishment for homosexuality: imprisonment and death. Diemer doesn't wait till page two to show the horror of this world. In the very first paragraph, lesbian protagonist Piper is caught making out with a girl. She and her brother, also gay, are thrown into a detention center after the police raids a secret party.

Fast-paced and dramatic, Moth makes for an exciting and horrifying read. Despite her young-adult audience, Diemer doesn't hold back; the descriptions of torture and murder of teenagers isn't gratuitous but does heighten the emotional pull of the novel. Unfortunately, the drama-packed plot isn't enough to offer a full story, leaving Moth disappointing on other fronts.

First, there's the fact that in this dystopic near-future, scientists (on the "good side") have discovered the "gay gene" and can identify infants as gay or lesbian. Wtf?! This ridiculous and offensive proposition is presented as some kind of pro-gay defense. (Piper's parents choose to adopt her and Easton because they want to raise — and protect — gay children.) At age 13, Piper cuts her hair short, and she recalls the memory as an early symbol of being a lesbian:

I want to tell her: there's something inside of me, something growing and shifting and changing. I don't want to wear the skirts they make us wear. I don't want to wear the pretty blouses. I want to wear jeans all the time, and I want short hair, and I want to dress like a boy, because it makes me feel strong.

Um, this is supposed to be genetics? How convenient that the genes of the majority of girls in Liberty don't compel them to question sex roles too.

Then, the writing could be better. The plot is, unfortunately, quite easy to predict, the romantic arc can be seen a mile away, and the prose could be more careful. For example, at the detention center: "You are deeply blessed that Voice Wright has given you the opportunity to come here, given you a place to repent for your sins, to undergo programming to cast out the demons from your heart." Programming? Who on earth, viewing homosexuality as a sin, would call "the straight path," the "casting out of demons" "programming"? What a weird way of putting it.

And the characterization of Liberty feels incomplete. I couldn't really see and imagine the world Piper lives in. What does daily life in this dystopia look like? How do the institutions work? What is the level of technology? How does it feel to grow up in a place with such brutal consequences for being gay? Other than instilling an obvious fear in her, how did it shape Piper's development as a person, her relationship to herself and others? I also would have liked to see a deeper exploration of Liberty's misogyny. Besides an occasional mention of rules about skirt lengths, there's little reflection on the oppression of women. Liberty would have felt more believable had the link between male power and Liberty's vicious enforcement of heterosexuality been clearer.

And, finally, the book ends on a cliffhanger. Seriously? The last page: "...to be continued. The sequel to Moth will be released in 2017." Not cool.

(But whatever, I'll still read it.)

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was unbelievable exciting!

Constantly living in fear and always looking over their shoulder. They have to lay low and not drawing attention. The trio must make a dangerous escape possible. Determined not to give up but hope is beginnning to dwindle. I can't remember reading any book that is so bloodcurdlingly terrifying. The author constructed a highly dynamic heart pounding tale that give you multiple adrenaline rush. There are so many thrilling climaxen, nailbiting actions and the characters are superb. The blooming love is heartwarming just as the love between the siblings. It is a brilliant piece of work. Prepare yourself for a heartstopping story. Now I'm dying to know what happens next.

[Galadriel. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only found out about this book a few days ago, on the author's Twitter account. Once I read the synopsis, and knowing her from The Dark Wife, I knew this would be a book for me. I'm happy to say that I wasn't mistaken. Couldn't put the book down, because even as smothering as it felt at points, I just needed to know what happened next.

I loved the characters, Piper, Easton, Lake and Zach (aw, Zach! loved the tiniest violin moment) and I loved how action packed this book was. But most of all, I love how it made me feel, like despite how dark things get... there's still light. There's always going to be people that will help others, no matter the risks.

Also, the fact that she wrote this waaaay before the whole US election debacle happened makes it even scarier because it doesn't sound as far fetched as before.

So let's remember: "Stay angry. Stay brave."

(Can't wait for the sequel!)

[Ginger Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifying and brilliant.

This book was scary and sad, so very sad. It made me furious and at the end it made me believe in people. Like Piper said at one point. " I still believe people are good". Just the thought that this could possibly happen is unbelievable and yet not at the same time. Sarah Diemer's is a wonderful writer. She is "brave" and "angry". So very well written. And so very scary. Everyone should read this book.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of A Handmaid's Tale, here's a horrific dystopian YA fiction piece focusing on how gay kids suffer under a futuristic and brutal theocracy.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may not be the best time to be reading dystopian fiction even though "1984" and other similar books are flying off the shelves. Aren't the daily headlines dystopian enough? Nevertheless, "Moth" is worth your time. It's fast paced and, for the most part, well written.

Piper Thomas is an angry rebellious teenager who knows she's gay. Her brother, Easton, also gay, and she get caught at a gay party and along with other teens get sent to the Borstal, a supposed rehabilitation center for "recreant" teens. In this dystopian US, renamed Liberty, homosexuality is illegal. After Easton is set up by another teen at the Borstal, he is beaten and taken on a trip to The Void where it is assumed he will be killed. Piper is determined to find and rescue him. Much of the book is about her journey to get to that goal.

And yes, there's a romance for Piper, and it's sweet and emotional.

Unlike many books that sag in the middle, this one held my attention. By the halfway mark, I was completely hooked. My small quibbles (and why it's rated 4 and not 5) have to do with two issues. First, Piper's personality seems to change in the second half of the book where she becomes less tough, angry and rebellious and more of an emotional mess. Yes, she's been through a lot, but I felt that the author retreated from the character's essence. Second, reaching the end and being told "to be continued" is a giant no-no for me as a reader. I'd have been fine if the author had called "Moth" Book 1. Then I would have had fair warning. But to leave me like that unaware felt manipulative. Nevertheless, most of this book is very good and worth reading. And now you know it's only part I.

[Layce Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Excellent writing and a great story. I hope to God this story never comes true! I cant wait for the sequel.