Review: The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

Author Ian Moran paints a terrifying picture of moral collapse in the guise of progress in The Gemini Project, a timely dive into the worst fears of humanity’s fate.

In a climate-ravaged future, society has solved the problem of ecological destruction and greed through a severe yet subtle program of population control. For students at The Corpo Academy for Development, this means being separated from their fathers for the first eighteen years of life, avoiding any education that might inspire critical thought, and dedicating themselves to physical development in preparation for their post-graduation purpose.

Jan Ericson is not your average student, and his curious hunger for knowledge (and lacrosse) leads him into a treasure trove of knowledge, and the literal heart of the Academy’s deception. He has been preparing for a new chapter of freedom with his father, but his upcoming Renaissance ceremony is far from a graduation, and their reunion will be unlike anything he could have imagined.

Dr. Osler, despite his struggles with sobriety and self-awareness, sees the unique potential in his student Jan, quietly cultivating it without knowing where such encouragement may lead. In a haze of self-loathing, Dr. Osler risks everything to liberate Jan’s mind, and potentially save him from the cruel and selfish designs of this patriarchal dystopia. As the adage says, power is never given, but must be taken, leading to a pulse-pounding race against time, and a desperate bid for survival in the recesses of a deeply broken system.

To say this book is chilling would be an understatement, and while some parts of the story may seem comfortably outlandish, this is a powerful cautionary tale that caustically critiques everything from social media and toxic masculinity to wealth inequality, capitalism, and the decline of education standards in the western world. In a twisted premise of a too-successful healthcare system leading to a murderous regime, this novel holds a mirror to our contemporary world, warning readers of the pitfalls and policy shifts that could lead to this type of backward society.

Though set in 2116, this book stands apart from other far-reaching dystopian novels, drawing on recognizable events from recent history as part of the core exposition (Brexit, Covid-19, climate collapse), adding an immediate element of relatability. With certain characters acting as philosophical mouthpieces, and others as representatives of regressive thinking, the plot operates on multiple levels of allegory and metaphor about the dystopia unfolding before us. An increased surveillance state, the rise of ideological echo chambers, the dangers of politics mixed with religion, the oppression of women, and the abdication of parental responsibility all play a part in this gut-churning tale, giving its occasional whimsical tone a sinister undercurrent, while the slow burn of the plot is undeniably addictive.

All told, this is an aggressively good work of philosophical speculative fiction. The need for a shift in thinking towards a brave new world is becoming more apparent every day, and this belief-challenging read is an ideal companion for YA readers and open-minded adults alike.