The following is primarily a backup of the review I left on
Goodreads for the book,
Neglected Merge by
Eve Koguce.
Google Search
Blurb from the author:
“Neglected Merge” is an inspirational thought-provoking futuristic fantasy romance novel. The story of fated lovers developed against a backdrop of a new post-apocalyptic world painted in bright tones. A fortuitous meeting of Tauria, an independent woman living in one utopian-style world, and Doron from high society of the other world, is destined to be the new beginning for both worlds.
Tauria, aged 32, lives in the society that seems to believe that happiness is a universal concept. People, who had survived the near apocalyptic experience, have built a whole new world full of pleasure and easiness. It is designed to make everyone feel happy every minute of their lives. Work brings satisfaction, hobbies are encouraged, relationships are supposed to bring out only positive emotions. Does it matter that things that don't fit into the general happy pattern get discarded and disappear? Things like friendship and commitment. Things like true love. It is supposed to be enough with lightness and never-ending joy.
But there are two worlds now. They are forced to exist side by side. Can they find a way to live together?
The Chinese proverb says: “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” What will the people of two worlds, so utterly different and at the same time so similar, choose?
Neglected Merge by author Eve Koguce, is a self proclaimed 'Fantasy Utopian Romance' (it says so in the full title). I have to admit that as far as I know, I have never read a true 'romance' novel. Sure, I've read novels with romance plotlines somewhere in the background, but nothing I've ever read (again, as far as I know) could be classified as a 'romance novel'. Therefore, I am potentially out of my element.
However, I found this to be a wonderful story that had way more going for it than a love story, or a story of love. Maybe I just don't understand what a romance novel really is, but I had expected that the romance plotline would be not just the main focus, but close to the only real focus. But in Neglected Merge, while the romance does drive the plot forward, there is way more going on than that.
I don't like going too far into story details when I review. The way I see it, if something is mentioned in the blurb, then there is no reason for me to talk about it. If it's not in the blurb, then the author may not have wanted that revealed outside of actually experiencing the story first hand and would therefore fall into spoiler territory in my opinion. So let me see if I can walk this minefield.
The story takes place on Earth in the distant future, a few hundred years after an event that caused chaos and brought two worlds together; so to speak. Society rebuilt itself, as societies do, and in this case created a 'perfect' world (sarcasm implied there). Two people, who should never share sight of one another, meet and are instantly intrigued by one another.
That's about all I feel comfortable mentioning, so in and of itself, that does sound like the description of a romance focused story. However, it's in finding out more about these two people, their lives, and where they come from that makes this a fascinating read. As the world's history unfolds, and the specifics of the present are explored, there is something truly special that is brought to light.
One thing I will give massive praise to is how the romance of it goes forward. In a lot of fiction that I have consumed, be it book, movie, TV show, or video game, romances are often weight down by characters making bad decisions. Far too often I find myself yelling into a void, "Who in their right mind would ever say/do that???" And in this story, there is none of that. Any problem thrown at the pair, any words they speak, and any decision made all come from a place of logic, reason, or simple human nature. It makes sense the way things progress.
Eve Koguce does not waste time with tropes or manufactured drama that serve only to extend the eventual 'coupling' that comes only at the very end. Any time spent apart for these characters just makes sense. And it's a good thing she doesn't waste time on those types of cliches, in my opinion, because everything else that is happening throughout is so vastly engrossing that it would have been a true loss to have missed out on it all.
I absolutely loved this book, and its characters, and I cannot wait for a sequel that is sure to come (it does feel like a sequel is required, which is all I will say). This is not an action packed story filled with fights and high speed chases, but it is a deep dive into characters and worlds, along a fully satisfying adventure!
I personally would classify this as a Science Fantasy, but maybe that is just because I really want that to be an official genre. But I guess 'A Fantasy Utopian Romance' does work too.
Please check out Eve Koguce on her
Amazon Page,
Goodreads, or
Twitter
Thank you for reading my post! Please consider checking out my debut novel,
The Scars of Gaia, here on my website! The entire novel can be downloaded for free in multiple digital formats.