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Mergers
In Mergers, the sinister antagonist is the mastermind behind an engineered society that has wiped away all traces of race. He is intent on destroying Dirk and his friends, who have spent their entire lives in hiding because of their racial identities. Each has extraordinary powers--Nicci, the African Traveler, manipulates time; Mateo, the Hispanic Metamorph, alters his shape; Keiko, the Asian Empath, heals with her hands; and Dirk, the Caucasian Telepath, invades others' minds.
In this cautionary tale, the themes of loyalty, leadership, and identity are all called into question as Dirk and his friends struggle to conquer The Merger. When they take a dangerous journey into the past with the hope of restoring the world's natural timeline, each of them must struggle with their own inadequacies and deal with all-too-human failings, despite their special powers. Mergers' riveting plot and supernatural characters will keep teens engaged while reminding them of each individual's potential to change the world.
In this cautionary tale, the themes of loyalty, leadership, and identity are all called into question as Dirk and his friends struggle to conquer The Merger. When they take a dangerous journey into the past with the hope of restoring the world's natural timeline, each of them must struggle with their own inadequacies and deal with all-too-human failings, despite their special powers. Mergers' riveting plot and supernatural characters will keep teens engaged while reminding them of each individual's potential to change the world.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2006
12 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Steven L. Layne
28 books41 followersAward-winning author and educator Steven L. Layne is the director of the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where he is also a professor of literacy education. He is a respected literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker, and featured author at conferences and literary events worldwide. He lives with his wife and children in Saint Charles, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 11, 2023
It was interesting and moving. Shows the importance of friendship and differences.
March 18, 2016
this book was about four super natural people that is trying to change the world from all the true races of the people of the world i think this book is a wonderful recommendation to all 7th and the older graders of the world i think it teaches an wonderful lesson to the people that wish they had no individual race. i strongly suggest this book. :)
March 26, 2009
The story isn't bad, but the writing and editing are awful. There isn't enough detail to get interested in the story, which is pretty convoluted and could benefit from some further exploration and description.
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December 9, 2021I loved this novel! The different perspectives seem very tedious at first however they soon become very valuable as each of them start to puzzle piece into one another's lives. It is an exciting and thrilling story that unfolds right before your eyes as each of them face internal conflicts that hinder their success against the Merger. This book is a great introduction into supernatural novels for students who are in the middle level grades because it allows them to connect to their mental and cognitive developmental delays and deficits. It was such a page turner as you switch from perspective to perspective. It is a must read!!
April 15, 2020
Interesting, but...
The premise was interesting - a world where all people have been genetically to look alike - but the storyline just didn’t hold any fire for me. It was filled with cliches rather than situations to grab attention. There were so many over explanations it appeared as if the author didn’t think his readers’ had no inferencing skills. It felt somewhat condescending.
The premise was interesting - a world where all people have been genetically to look alike - but the storyline just didn’t hold any fire for me. It was filled with cliches rather than situations to grab attention. There were so many over explanations it appeared as if the author didn’t think his readers’ had no inferencing skills. It felt somewhat condescending.
January 7, 2008
Imagine a world where there are no racial differences. Everyone looks exactly the same, with a blending of Caucasian, Asian, African American, and Hispanic American features. This is the world that Dirk Tyrone, Keiko Tan, Mateo Rodriquez, and Nicci Golden are born into. The minute they are born, they are in immediate danger. They are the first children to be born with distinct cultural characteristics since the government implemented the Merger and they don't want word of it getting out. No one in the world even remembers a time when people could be different and they don't want people to question the Merger. In order to prevent the possibility of it happening again, the government murders the parents of the four children.
Dr. Lisa Tyrone is the doctor present during the birth of the children. In addition to being hospital personnel, she is also the biological aunt of Dirk. Wanting desperately to save the children from extermination, she escapes the hospital with the four babies and goes into hiding. Not only do the teens look different from everyone else in the world, but they also have powers. Dirk is a telepath and can enter the minds of people he comes into contact with. Keiko is an empath. She can heal people with her touch by taking on their pain and dispelling it from her body. Mateo is a metamorph and can change into any animal he thinks of and finally, Nicci is a time traveler and can manipulate time, past, present, and future. For fourteen years Dr. Tyrone is able to keep herself and the children safe, but finally, the man behind the Merger project, Senator Broogue, captures them all with plans to get rid of them once and for all.
After much torture, the children don't think they are going to make it out alive. When they feel all hope is lost, help arrives. Three people with district ethnic characteristics and similar powers to the kids appear and fight off Senator Broogue and whisk the kids away to safety. Unfortunately, Dr. Tyrone is too badly injured and can't be saved. The teens must deal with their grief while at the same time learn more about the world they live in and why it is the way it is. In addition, they also learn about what the world would be like if Senator Broogue hadn't altered the past and created the Merger. After a time of training with the Elders in order to learn how to better use their powers, they are sent back in time to challenge the Senator and prevent him from changing the past. If they succeed, the world will be back on the right path where people's individuality is appreciated.
MERGERS is Steven Layne's second novel. His debut novel, THIS SIDE OF PARADISE, was the winner of the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction for young adults in the United States. MERGERS is even better. Action scenes fill the pages and take the reader through the story at a rapid pace. The story has a satisfactory conclusion even though there are some unanswered questions like, who exactly are the Elders and how are they connected to the kids. However, these loose ends don't take away from the enjoyment of the novel.
Dr. Lisa Tyrone is the doctor present during the birth of the children. In addition to being hospital personnel, she is also the biological aunt of Dirk. Wanting desperately to save the children from extermination, she escapes the hospital with the four babies and goes into hiding. Not only do the teens look different from everyone else in the world, but they also have powers. Dirk is a telepath and can enter the minds of people he comes into contact with. Keiko is an empath. She can heal people with her touch by taking on their pain and dispelling it from her body. Mateo is a metamorph and can change into any animal he thinks of and finally, Nicci is a time traveler and can manipulate time, past, present, and future. For fourteen years Dr. Tyrone is able to keep herself and the children safe, but finally, the man behind the Merger project, Senator Broogue, captures them all with plans to get rid of them once and for all.
After much torture, the children don't think they are going to make it out alive. When they feel all hope is lost, help arrives. Three people with district ethnic characteristics and similar powers to the kids appear and fight off Senator Broogue and whisk the kids away to safety. Unfortunately, Dr. Tyrone is too badly injured and can't be saved. The teens must deal with their grief while at the same time learn more about the world they live in and why it is the way it is. In addition, they also learn about what the world would be like if Senator Broogue hadn't altered the past and created the Merger. After a time of training with the Elders in order to learn how to better use their powers, they are sent back in time to challenge the Senator and prevent him from changing the past. If they succeed, the world will be back on the right path where people's individuality is appreciated.
MERGERS is Steven Layne's second novel. His debut novel, THIS SIDE OF PARADISE, was the winner of the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction for young adults in the United States. MERGERS is even better. Action scenes fill the pages and take the reader through the story at a rapid pace. The story has a satisfactory conclusion even though there are some unanswered questions like, who exactly are the Elders and how are they connected to the kids. However, these loose ends don't take away from the enjoyment of the novel.
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by Karin Perry for TeensReadToo.com
Imagine a world where there are no racial differences. Everyone looks exactly the same, with a blending of Caucasian, Asian, African American, and Hispanic American features. This is the world that Dirk Tyrone, Keiko Tan, Mateo Rodriquez, and Nicci Golden are born into. The minute they are born, they are in immediate danger. They are the first children to be born with distinct cultural characteristics since the government implemented the Merger and they don't want word of it getting out. No one in the world even remembers a time when people could be different and they don't want people to question the Merger. In order to prevent the possibility of it happening again, the government murders the parents of the four children.
Dr. Lisa Tyrone is the doctor present during the birth of the children. In addition to being hospital personnel, she is also the biological aunt of Dirk. Wanting desperately to save the children from extermination, she escapes the hospital with the four babies and goes into hiding. Not only do the teens look different from everyone else in the world, but they also have powers. Dirk is a telepath and can enter the minds of people he comes into contact with. Keiko is an empath. She can heal people with her touch by taking on their pain and dispelling it from her body. Mateo is a metamorph and can change into any animal he thinks of and finally, Nicci is a time traveler and can manipulate time, past, present, and future. For fourteen years Dr. Tyrone is able to keep herself and the children safe, but finally, the man behind the Merger project, Senator Broogue, captures them all with plans to get rid of them once and for all.
After much torture, the children don't think they are going to make it out alive. When they feel all hope is lost, help arrives. Three people with district ethnic characteristics and similar powers to the kids appear and fight off Senator Broogue and whisk the kids away to safety. Unfortunately, Dr. Tyrone is too badly injured and can't be saved. The teens must deal with their grief while at the same time learning more about the world they live in and why it is the way it is. In addition, they also learn about what the world would be like if Senator Broogue hadn't altered the past and created the Merger. After a time of training with the Elders in order to learn how to better use their powers, they are sent back in time to challenge the Senator and prevent him from changing the past. If they succeed, the world will be back on the right path where people's individuality is appreciated.
MERGERS is Steven Layne's second novel. His debut novel, THIS SIDE OF PARADISE, was the winner of the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction for young adults in the United States. MERGERS is even better. Action scenes fill the pages and take the reader through the story at a rapid pace. The story has a satisfactory conclusion even though there are some unanswered questions, like who exactly are the Elders and how are they connected to the kids. However, these loose ends don't take away from the enjoyment of the novel.
Imagine a world where there are no racial differences. Everyone looks exactly the same, with a blending of Caucasian, Asian, African American, and Hispanic American features. This is the world that Dirk Tyrone, Keiko Tan, Mateo Rodriquez, and Nicci Golden are born into. The minute they are born, they are in immediate danger. They are the first children to be born with distinct cultural characteristics since the government implemented the Merger and they don't want word of it getting out. No one in the world even remembers a time when people could be different and they don't want people to question the Merger. In order to prevent the possibility of it happening again, the government murders the parents of the four children.
Dr. Lisa Tyrone is the doctor present during the birth of the children. In addition to being hospital personnel, she is also the biological aunt of Dirk. Wanting desperately to save the children from extermination, she escapes the hospital with the four babies and goes into hiding. Not only do the teens look different from everyone else in the world, but they also have powers. Dirk is a telepath and can enter the minds of people he comes into contact with. Keiko is an empath. She can heal people with her touch by taking on their pain and dispelling it from her body. Mateo is a metamorph and can change into any animal he thinks of and finally, Nicci is a time traveler and can manipulate time, past, present, and future. For fourteen years Dr. Tyrone is able to keep herself and the children safe, but finally, the man behind the Merger project, Senator Broogue, captures them all with plans to get rid of them once and for all.
After much torture, the children don't think they are going to make it out alive. When they feel all hope is lost, help arrives. Three people with district ethnic characteristics and similar powers to the kids appear and fight off Senator Broogue and whisk the kids away to safety. Unfortunately, Dr. Tyrone is too badly injured and can't be saved. The teens must deal with their grief while at the same time learning more about the world they live in and why it is the way it is. In addition, they also learn about what the world would be like if Senator Broogue hadn't altered the past and created the Merger. After a time of training with the Elders in order to learn how to better use their powers, they are sent back in time to challenge the Senator and prevent him from changing the past. If they succeed, the world will be back on the right path where people's individuality is appreciated.
MERGERS is Steven Layne's second novel. His debut novel, THIS SIDE OF PARADISE, was the winner of the Hal Clement Award for best science fiction for young adults in the United States. MERGERS is even better. Action scenes fill the pages and take the reader through the story at a rapid pace. The story has a satisfactory conclusion even though there are some unanswered questions, like who exactly are the Elders and how are they connected to the kids. However, these loose ends don't take away from the enjoyment of the novel.
September 26, 2013
The moral behind the story was really great. The author came to my school and did a presentation, and in it he gave us some back history on the book:
Basically, he was teaching at some school, and he saw a kid push another kid into a brick wall. the one kid got hurt really bad, so Layne asked the other boy why he did it. The boy replied "Because he is not the same as me. Hes has a different colour skin than i do." Layne told the boy that he would write a book about how terrible of a world it would be if everyone was the same. And so 'Mergers' was born.
In my opinion, the ending sucked. it was too perfect. Literally, everybody lives Happily Ever After and that really upset me because life is never perfect. things do not always work out. In real life, theres no such thing as Happily Ever After, good guys win. It just doesn't work like that.
Also, what are the chances that four kids are born, at exactly the same time, each with a different nationality/race, and with four different super powers?! That seemed a little far fetched. And, the characters needed WAY more description.
All in all, good message, but it needed more character development, and the ending sucked BIG TIME.
Basically, he was teaching at some school, and he saw a kid push another kid into a brick wall. the one kid got hurt really bad, so Layne asked the other boy why he did it. The boy replied "Because he is not the same as me. Hes has a different colour skin than i do." Layne told the boy that he would write a book about how terrible of a world it would be if everyone was the same. And so 'Mergers' was born.
In my opinion, the ending sucked. it was too perfect. Literally, everybody lives Happily Ever After and that really upset me because life is never perfect. things do not always work out. In real life, theres no such thing as Happily Ever After, good guys win. It just doesn't work like that.
Also, what are the chances that four kids are born, at exactly the same time, each with a different nationality/race, and with four different super powers?! That seemed a little far fetched. And, the characters needed WAY more description.
All in all, good message, but it needed more character development, and the ending sucked BIG TIME.
June 11, 2010
Wow! This book was fun and thought provoking. It would make a great book club read ... or a great discussion as a class novel in an upper grade class. In Mergers, all races have been merged so that everyone has some characteristics of the most common races, but there are no racial differences anymore. But four teenagers were born unmerged and with special powers. They are to try to travel back in time and stop the merger. Really interesting ... diversity leads to conflict, but also to uniqueness and growth. I loved how they said that with diversity, we can choose to let the differences pull us apart or bring us together.
January 9, 2014
This book definitely had a good message- differences are not a bad thing- and defended this message with in interesting and surreal adventure. Some of the scenarios and details seemed too far fetched to me- as if the author realized problems in the logical flow and sought to explain them, when they really couldn't be explained simply. The writing style was also a bit difficult for me. It seemed to go back and forth between detailed action and an oral tradition style, wherein the narrator explains details directly to the reader. I enjoyed the bits related in the former way. As such a short book, it is an okay read and gives those reading things to think about.
August 4, 2015
This book was an interesting young adult book about four teens with certain abilities special to each of them. It was a fast paced book that u wanted to keep reading. Wish it being about 200 pages I felt like parts of it could have been developed more to explain more on the elders and other character motivations. However, it was a good book that raised issues about racism up in a constructive manner.
September 29, 2011
I am officially abandoning this book. I sooooo wanted to like it, but just couldn't get into it. I believe some of my kids at school will enjoy it, though, but I just didn't. The writing style just wasn't for me. It didn't grab my attention and I'm ready to return it to the shelf for my kids at school to read. The storyline is good....it's more the way it was written that bothered me.
January 11, 2017
I read this book back in middle school. I don't remember too much about it. Just that everyone was hyped up about the book. The book is about four teenagers trying to get out of a science lab and they all become boyfriend and girlfriend to one another. This book wasn't really a big deal though in all honesty I didn't really care about it and I didn't see what the big deal was about.
May 28, 2010
Hated it. The story background really needed to be developed more. The characters remain strangers to me throughout the story. There isn't enough detail to draw you in.
Diversity is the moral of the story. Great moral, terrible story.
Diversity is the moral of the story. Great moral, terrible story.
October 10, 2010
I only read this book because I had read another book by the same author, This Side of Paradise. This book was O.K., but not nearly as good or funny as This Side of Paradise. I stilled liked it though.
July 13, 2012
Great premise and a quick read. Essentially a group takes control of all births in the world to create one ethnic group of merged traits to therefore prevent racial tensions and war. But not everything goes as planned....
September 9, 2008
I LOVE THIS BOOK SOO MUCH!!! I wish i had super powers....
July 25, 2009
I thought I wouldn't like this book because it's sci-fi, but it was really good!It was written well and really got a reader into the book.
July 26, 2011
Never got into this book. Not sure why.
September 10, 2010
This book was the most cheesy science fiction I have read yet. I was waiting for Underdog to fly in and save the teens from Dr Evil.
I chose to abandon the book.
I chose to abandon the book.
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April 9, 2011I gave up on this book. I hated it. :(
March 28, 2012
It was great!!
November 8, 2013
IT was a great book its just the author was kind of hard to follow.
June 11, 2015
Interesting "what if" idea but the powers given to these kids and their mentors threw me off. It seems like an elaborate plot device just so they can fix the problem.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews