Converge [Paperback]

Chris Owen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2008

Finn has been watching Ari from the space Between their two dimensions for a long time. He lives in the same world, it seems, but in his Alpha dimension, contacting anyone in what Finn thinks of as Beta is forbidden. Against the law, even if he could figure out how to do it. One day everything changes, though. Ari becomes aware of Finn, and of the Alpha dimension, and the two begin a strange dance where they can see one another, and talk, but never touch. According to everything Finn knows, physically crossing dimensions is a death sentence, and he's not even sure how to make the attempt to get his hands on Ari. With government conspiracies, a friend who knows more than he's willing to admit, and time running out for Finn before he's caught in his watchful obsession, something has to give. Ari and Finn have become more than just watchers and friends, and Finn finally makes a mad dash for Between, trying to cross the barriers that keep Alpha and Beta apart. Can he make it to Ari alive?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kiernan Kelly, author of Dancing on the Head of a Pin, writes:

Ready for a hot, steamy read that's going to instantly addict you with the originality of its plot and mess with your mind at the same time? This newest release from Chris Owen does all that and more, and will have you doubting the laws of physics and the very world we live in.

Imagine, if you will, that ours is not the only world, the only dimension, the only plane of existence. What might happen if you could see another world that is eerily similar to ours? Watch, but not interact with the people there? Now imagine that you've fallen in love with one of them. That's the premise of CONVERGE, and trust me when I say you'll be hooked from the very first page.

In Finn and Ari, Chris Owen has created a pair of characters that make the reader ache to see together. Finn is heartbreakingly sweet, and courageous in his efforts to make contact with Ari, the man he's loved since childhood. Ari is coming off a relationship, and now must try to make sense of a man he can see but not touch. Together they would make the perfect pair – if only they were in the same dimension.

Don't miss this enthralling novel of inter-dimensional love!

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Torquere Press (June 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603702261
• ISBN-13: 978-1603702263
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #681,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I feel cheated!, March 13, 2009

By 

A.P. "Let's Read Some More" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Converge (Paperback)

What I didn't know is that "Converge" has a sequel, "Merge", so I guess a good part of my cheated feeling can be accounted on this.... But not all.

Finn lives in the Alpha dimension, a world superposed over the Beta dimension. While the Betans have no idea that Alpha exists, the Alphas can see the Beta world, can feel the emotions of its inhabitants and can even travel in the Between, where the Alphas walk around the Beta world unseen. The whole is highly regulated, with permits issued for travel in Between and patrols making the rounds to arrest the unauthorized travellers.

Finn was present when Ari was born, an event that was so full of emotions, everyone sat up and took notice. Over the years, Finn always kept an eye on Ari, becoming a stalker of a sort; he even started to conduct little experiments, like trying to influence Ari with out-loud comments. Then the unthinkable happens and Ari actually sees Finn.

The storytelling is good, the writing is well-done and I was easily sucked into the story... until I'd read more than half the book and still there was no contact between Finn and Ari, and all that could be called `relationship' in the story (read: banging) was happening between Ari and another guy that we didn't care one whit about.

Then, to make things worse, the author introduced this very cool third party who turns out to be much more interesting as a potential lover for Finn than the guy we're supposed to root for... so there you have it, all the ingredients to have the reader that I am loose interest.

The opening is very long even for a book 1 of a series, with nothing much happening. The ending is surprising and opens the door for a sequel that will probably be better paced... unfortunately, there was not in "Converge" any firing up of the Ari/Finn couple and I find myself rather uninterested in what's going to happen to them. I'd give this book 2 stars and a ½, but because part of my dissatisfaction is due to my not knowing that this book was a prequel, I give it 3 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Converge, May 7, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Converge (Paperback)

Sitting in his sandbox, playing with his toys, three-year-old Finn Cormag witnesses the moment that would determine his life's path, Ari Sloan's birth. Finn and Ari live in the same world but different dimensions. Living in the Alpha dimension allows Finn the ability to see into the lives of those living in the Beta dimension, but his only focus over the past 30 years has been Ari. Now a scientist in the Alpha dimension, Finn discovers a way to use the Between space of the two dimensions to get closer to Ari, and going against better judgment he allows Ari to become aware of his presence.

Now able to speak to and see each other, but not touch a friendship builds between the two men at the same time Alpha security increases around the Between space putting Finn's life at risk. Use of the Between space is forbidden in the Alpha dimension and could lead to death if caught and with no proven evidence it is also believed that passing through the Between space can also result in death. With Alpha security aware of his actions Finn makes the choice to risk his life to cross the between space into the Beta dimension, Ari's world.

As a sci-fi story, Converge is fantastic, but on the romance level I'm a bit discouraged. There is more to the story than just Ari and Finn, there is Ben, Ari's boyfriend and Blake, Finn's colleague. Circumstances arise to come between Ben and Ari's otherwise comfortable and what appears to be a happy relationship, Ben's not a bad guy and he and Ari did love each other. As for Finn and Blake, I hoped for more to develop between them, but Ari was and is Finn's only focus. Finn and Ari did develop a connection between one another that could possibly be the start of something beautiful, but there are many obstacles for them to overcome beginning with Finn's adjustment to living in the Beta dimension. Converge gives you a lot to think about on a scientific level, and it definitely leaves you wanting for more. Chris Owen will be giving plenty more in the sequel Merge, but unfortunately we have to wait until May to read it.

Ley
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed