Convergence: Henley’s sci-fi trilogy ends on a convincing note

David M. Henley completes his compelling science fiction trilogy with new release Convergence.

Detail from the cover of Convergence by David M. Henley.

Australian author David M. Henley has produced a compelling science fiction trilogy. His first book, The Hunt for Pierre Jnr, appeared in 2013, with Manifestations following the year after. Convergence completes the story.

The series initially promised much in terms of new ideas and scientific advances, but did not quite match this with a coherent plot and memorable characters. Fortunately, the books have progressed on an upward path, with the final instalment offering a strong, fitting conclusion.

The third novel is not the right place to jump into the story. Henley is not one for recaps, so the plot races forward from the first page. His world is set 150 years in the future, after the Earth has suffered devastating bouts of climate change and conflict. From this a new society has emerged, ruled by a World Union.

What is especially interesting about this new society is how it is governed and organised in accordance with the wishes of the population, expressed in real-time.

These are gauged through each person’s connection to the Weave, an immersive, fantastic take on the internet. People maintain a direct neural connection to the Weave through implants and other devices, which read the political views of each person. These are then combined to produce a collective Will. That, in turn, determines the direction society and its leaders will take.

The result is direct democracy on steroids. Leaders and policies can chop and change according to people’s thoughts, which are subject to manipulation and mistaken perceptions.

I have always thought it was a bad idea for citizens to initiate referendums, but the Weave and the Will take things to a disturbing level.

Convergence opens with the society in crisis. Two world-threatening problems threaten not only the World Union but the existence of ­humanity.

The first problem is Pierre Jnr, a mutant human endowed with incredible mental powers that allow him to dominate the minds of others. He represents an embryonic form of new hive mind that threatens to subsume the identities of everyone on the planet. His emergence has emboldened the downtrodden members of society, who themselves have psychic powers, sparking the beginnings of a rebellion.

The second problem is Kronos, a mysterious new substance of unknown origin that is slowly taking over parts of the Earth, absorbing everything in its wake. Resembling a gigantic mass of black goo, Kronos resists being understood, let alone defeated.

Confronting and taking advantage of these challenges are a large cast of characters. The newly installed Prime of the World Union is Colonel Abercrombie Pinter. He is 78 but has a body aged 30, because of a recent rejuvenation. Pinter, a military hero, is a brilliant strategist and decisive risk-taker. But he has been unwittingly compromised by his new lover, who subjects him to telepathic manipulation.

Other characters range from mad scientists and psychic activists to the denizens of the Weave and even sentient robots.

Early on the Weave suddenly drops out, leaving people stranded and disoriented. Not surprisingly, the removal of the foundation of the society provokes panic and conflict. One character, for instance, on realising ‘‘he couldn’t connect” begins to feel “as if he had lost an arm, or part of his brain. He felt stunned and unsure.’’

The result might be little different today if the internet and all forms of online communication suddenly became unavailable.

Convergence is a complex novel full of new scientific concepts, big ideas, an epic arc and a wide range of characters. At times there is so much going on from so many different points of view that the story threatens to collapse under its own weight.

But ultimately Henley manages to avoid this. Threads and ideas that have been developed across three novels do indeed converge to produce a well-crafted and satisfying conclusion. He is not an author who leaves the big questions unresolved, but pleasingly unravels the mysteries one by one. The result is an excellent science fiction thriller by an important new voice in Australian speculative fiction.

George Williams, professor of law at the University of NSW, is a devotee of science fiction and fantasy writing.

Convergence

By David M. Henley

Harper Voyager, 409pp, $27.99