Noah's Ark

A Science Fiction Novel

Fiction - Dystopia
595 Pages
Reviewed on 09/21/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

Noah's Ark by Jay DeMaarten is a dystopian novel that transports readers into the Queer Nation. The LGBT population made up a majority of this society, while heterosexuals were demeaned and called breeders. Under these circumstances, Milan struggled with his attraction toward Susanne, a heterosexual woman. The combination of his confusion and the shame of possibly being a heterosexual was tearing him apart inside. So, in his quest for answers, he decided to visit Arktown, the rural community of heterosexuals. However, Arktown and its religious fanatics filled his brain with even more questions. The rate at which women were losing their fertility was mind-boggling. On top of that, a mesmerizing politician named Phoenix was making promises to bring in a new era that would put an end to gender discrimination. As the political and religious conflicts morphed into violent attacks on Arktown, Milan found himself in the middle of the chaos.

It is ironic how the story of a world where the LGBT community thrives and heterosexuals are considered nothing more than unwanted elements elicits a new wave of empathy for the LGBT cause. The extremists in the Queer Nation behaved the same way as certain fanatic heterosexuals do today. Noah's Ark is filled with thought-provoking dialogues. Milan's dilemma to choose between LGBT extremists and religious fanatics reflects in this one monologue: "One had political power; the other had religious conviction. Both predicted destruction for those who did not join them. Which was right?" Other than plenty of insightful and eye-opening moments, Noah's Ark grips its audience with exhilarating twists. Readers with an inclination toward intoxicating dystopian novels will find Noah's Ark by Jay DeMaarten a page-turner.

K.C. Finn

Noah's Ark: A Science Fiction Novel is a work of fiction in the dystopian, alternate reality and science fiction sub-genres, and was penned by author Jay DeMaarten. The work is recommended for mature readers due to some sensitive content involving rape, and the occasional use of explicit language. In this conceptually fascinating work which plays on LGBTQ+ themes and subversions, we find ourselves in the Queer Nation, where heterosexuality is the minority. Our central protagonist Milan struggles with this and hears of a shunned community in Arktown where heterosexual people live in isolation. When a dark new future comes to his doorstep, Milan ventures out to Arktown to discover what’s really going on there.

Author Jay DeMaarten has crafted a really interesting alternative look at society where our prejudices and beliefs are turned on their heads and examined from a new perspective. I enjoyed Milan as a central character, living an 'other' experience and feeling cut off from the populace around him because of his differences. The plot had some really good mystery elements to keep it fresh, and the wider political and social constructs of the work tick a lot of boxes for the dystopian genre, deepening well as the story progresses. What results is a thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable science fiction adventure with thrills and spills aplenty. Overall, I would highly recommend Noah's Ark: A Science Fiction Novel to readers seeking original and clever concepts as well as solid narrative skills and a fascinating, exciting plotline.

Romuald Dzemo

Noah's Ark: A Science Fiction Novel by Jay DeMaarten is a fast-paced and engaging science fiction story with a unique dystopian setting. It is a world dominated by same-sex relationships and Milan, the protagonist, finds himself in a difficult dilemma. He is one of the few heterosexuals in his society, and what makes matters worse is that he is one among a handful. The laws of this dystopian society are not easy for heterosexuals. Those who are like him live in the rural community of Arktown, and Milan is not keen on getting close to this community for fear of being identified as a religious fanatic like them. With the rules tightening and heterosexuals becoming more and more ostracized, Milan finds no hope but to move closer to the people of Arktown. But there are disturbing truths about the Arktown people that fill him with both dread and questions. Why are the women sterile and can he discover their eccentricity? Questions lead to disturbing revelations and not all the revelations are pleasant.

This is a mesmerizing story that features a protagonist torn between worlds. He is a man trapped and the answers he gets to the questions he asks seem to confirm one glaring truth: He belongs to neither world should he choose to keep his sexual orientation. The author does an impeccable job in portraying a society that has evolved to have its own rules, and the reversal of values is so strong in the narrative that it lays the premise for the strong conflict that moves the plot forward. In normal society, people with same-sex orientation are the minority and it is hard to find a society where women are mostly sterile. It is the opposite of the world this author creates. And it is in this reversal of values that readers become intrigued and want to see what becomes of the characters. The writing is great, filled with colorful descriptions. The author paints powerful images of a world quite different from ours and creates a protagonist that readers can easily relate to. Noah's Ark: A Science Fiction Novel is emotionally rich, a story that is highly imaginative. I was so fascinated I read it through the day.