Customer Reviews

Converge

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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