Neglected Merge is a post apocalyptic tale with a difference.
Set in a futuristic world, this is an engaging and thoughtful fantasy where lovers must cross the seemingly un-crossable chasm which divides their lives if they are to be together.
Two hundred years ago two worlds – one being Earth collided in a cataclysmic event which saw most of Earth and its people destroyed. The other world, populated by long living and beautiful winged people, fared better. Initially the two sought to work together in their new environment, but the people of Earth were greedy for those wings and that longevity. When they were refused, all contact was broken off. The people of Earth carried on regardless and made huge strides, forswearing war and other similar things (like marriage), and advancing to the point where everyone has a job they like, a place to live and freedom. They are all meant to be happy.
And so it would have carried on perhaps forever, except that when Doron, a Winged prince, is injured on a flight, he falls through the upper floor window of an apartment belonging to Tauria, a Wingless young woman.
Tauria takes the shock more or less in her stride, fascinated to meet one of these almost legendary creatures. She gives Doron shelter, nurses his quickly healing wound, and falls in love. Doron reciprocates her feeling, but love is the one thing neither can have in their otherwise perfect worlds.
Doron returns to his own world, and he and Tauria work ceaselessly and separately to re-open the communication between the two to give them a chance of being together.
Neglected Merge is not fast-paced, nor is it full of heady action. Rather, the author takes a more philosophical approach to this Romeo and Juliet tale, taking the reader deep into both Doron’s and Tauria’s thoughts and feelings – their anguish over being apart, their frustrations, and their growing love for each other.
The worlds the author paints for us are clear and lovely in many ways, and the secondary characters – from Tauria’s boss and mentor to Doron’s searching sister – add considerably to the story’s depth.
In the end, the question boils down to what risks are you prepared to take to be with the one you love, while not giving up what it is that makes you, you?
Neglected Merge is a different and engaging fantasy, where you will find yourself urging the protagonists on as they negotiate their way through the crooked paths of political and emotional intrigue to be together forever.
Find Neglected Merge here.