The Between State: Joseph A White Jr

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What Readers are Saying about The Between State

RATING: 3.9 stars (out of 5)

THE BETWEEN STATE is a work of science fiction that follows two strangers who defy time and sense by communicating through lucid dreams.

Joseph A White Jr wraps his tale THE BETWEEN STATE around a fascinating concept, for which he conducted substantial research. The titular “between state” is presented as the stage between REM sleep and wakefulness, which happens to facilitate lucid dreaming. Memorably, it also leads the dreamer to question not only the tangibility of his world, but the soundness of his mind. This phenomenon ignites Jeff’s impulse to analyze every thread of his subconscious, giving its shapeless fabric a reluctant form. In the end, this effort leaves him documenting every minute detail of the intimacy that is imposed on him. And while Jeff’s meticulousness can feel a little overbearing at times, it gives his presence enough gravity to then challenge its mark on another’s existence.

Both Jeff and Mindi are fully fleshed-out characters with a voice and a set of motivations to call their own. And while they recycle their confusion and hostility to a maddening degree, this weakness screams of their humanity which is further heightened by the author’s dive into themes of mental disorders and childhood trauma. While never fully explored , the issues prove sober enough to incite both empathy and interest. The encounters themselves merge two different timelines, resembling the premise of the 2006 movie “The Lake House”. Mindi is communicating from the year 2015, and Jeff is living in 2017. While the time difference grows progressively smaller, the initial duality of their experiences allows them to revisit the life of a man who exists only at one end of the timeline. Although he serves as the point of contact between their two orbits, his presence functions primarily as a springboard for various reflections on ethics and the time travel paradox.

The friendship between Jeff and Mindi is undoubtedly the backbone of the novel’s narrative. Genuine enough to withstand the test of a slow build-up, as well as the central conflict between the empirical and the theoretical, it nevertheless flirts with an attraction that sows hope in the hearts of these two kind-natured adults. Overall, though the story doesn’t boast major plot twists or truly nefarious forces, it heralds a gratifying exploration of its potential in the sequel.

IR Verdict: Full of heart, Joseph A White Jr’s THE BETWEEN STATE celebrates friendship, love, communication, and genuine respect for the unknown as a peculiar mystery unfolds.
-IndieReader Reviews

“A riveting plot with a unique blend of scientific and pseudoscientific concepts, it showcases another dimension of science fiction. The Between State stands out like a piece of diamond in a pile of rocks for its deviation from the usual sci-fi obsession with space exploration and alien worlds. Its dazzling combination of sleep science and time travel dives into the “what ifs” of interfering with time without boring you with all the related philosophical premises and scientific jargon. Detailed and entertaining, this novel packs a lot of information into its fast-moving and curiosity-piquing plot. Although The Between State is part of a series, its ending could not have been more satisfying. I wished it wouldn’t end and was elated to discover the series’ next instalment. Read this title if you want to discover the possibilities that abound in sleep science and dream life.”
-Joshua Olokodana for Readers’ Favorite.

“The Between State by Joseph A White Jr is an original science fiction novel that will make you question reality. Every time Jeff Marlen falls asleep, he has very realistic dreams in which he is inside the mind of Mindi, whose life is troubled. Believing there must be a reason for him to be inside the mind of another person while in REM sleep, Jeff begins to note his experiences to find the purpose for his visits. The moment Jeff leaves logic behind and allows himself to feel what Mindi feels is the moment his whole view changes. I loved the change in narrative and how author Joseph A White Jr created a sense of comfort even when everything was in chaos.”
-Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite.

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