#NewRelease THE MATRIARCH MESSIAH by Maxime Trencavel
- Dan
- 15 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Today, on the blog, learn all about the sci-fi new release The Matriarch Messiah—including a deep dive into the world building. Also, don't miss out on the giveaway below!
World Building Deep Dive
The Matriarch Messiah crafts a complex world that spans diverse geographies, blends history and fantasy, and critiques contemporary social and political realities. The story unfolds against a backdrop of rich cultures, ancient myths, and cutting-edge technology, creating a complex and engaging narrative tapestry.
Geographies and Sites: The novel takes readers on a journey across a geographically diverse world, from the redwood forests of California to the ancient ruins of Anatolia and the arid landscapes of the Middle East. We see Silicon Valley's technological hub juxtaposed with the ancient sites of Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük in Turkey, where the story's origins are rooted in pre-Neolithic societies. The journey further extends to the historical heart of Jerusalem, with its layered religious history and the ancient caverns beneath the Temple Mount. Even Crimea, a region steeped in historical conflict, features prominently, serving as the setting for the Gollinger family's ancient legend.
Cultures: The novel explores the rich tapestry of cultures present in its world. From the ancient societies of Mesopotamia to the contemporary Kurdish, Jewish, and Islamic communities, the story reveals the complexities of cultural identities and the clashes and intersections that occur in a multi-faceted world. The Kurdish characters, particularly Zara Khatum, are portrayed with depth and nuance, highlighting their resilience and struggles for freedom and self-determination. The portrayal of the Jewish and Islamic characters is nuanced, demonstrating that cultural clashes are often rooted in historical grievances and misperceptions.
MoxWorld Empire: The story's world is dominated by MoxWorld Holdings, a powerful tech empire with a global reach. MoxWorld's influence extends from digital platforms like MoxMedia News and MoxReads to advanced technologies like MoxWraps, MoxMovers, and MoxWorld Security. The corporation's control over vital resources and infrastructure creates a dynamic where global politics are intertwined with technological advancement, raising questions about the ethical implications of corporate power and the potential for technological dystopia.
Religious Myths: The novel weaves ancient religious myths and beliefs into its narrative fabric. Central to the story is the "black object," a mythical artifact with the power to both destroy and save the world. This artifact is tied to an ancient matriarchal lineage, with characters like Zara and Peter carrying the genetic legacy of this lineage and inheriting the knowledge of its secrets. The story also incorporates the goddess Asherah, who is depicted as a powerful and important figure in ancient Hebrew and Semitic cultures, challenging the patriarchal interpretation of the Torah and highlighting the enduring power of ancient female deities.
Ancient World: The novel delves into the ancient world through the oral traditions passed down through generations. The story explores the origins of customs, beliefs, and societal structures, suggesting that these ancient narratives continue to shape the present day. We see glimpses of pre-Neolithic societies in the chapters set in Çatalhöyük and Göbekli Tepe, and the story emphasizes the importance of understanding the past to navigate the present. The inclusion of these ancient narratives adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, suggesting that the past holds important clues for the future.
Geopolitical Landscape: The novel presents a complex geopolitical landscape, with nations embroiled in conflict, vying for power, and struggling to control vital resources. The story explores the tensions between the US, China, and Russia, highlighting the dangers of an arms race and the potential for nuclear war. It also examines the plight of the Kurds, who seek autonomy and self-determination, and the simmering conflicts between them and Turkey. The novel emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in a world increasingly dominated by political rivalry.
Science and Technology: The novel envisions a future where technology has dramatically advanced, with MoxWorld Holdings spearheading innovation in areas like AI, self-driving vehicles, and digital media. The story explores the transformative potential of these technologies but also highlights the risks they pose. The MoxWorld empire's control over vital resources and infrastructure raises questions about the ethical implications of technological advancement and the need for responsible innovation. The novel uses science fiction to explore anxieties about privacy, control, and the potential for technology to be used for nefarious purposes.
Blurb
Zara Khatum, a woman haunted by ancient visions, finds herself drawn deeper into the heart of a perilous quest. Guided by a mysterious voice, she seeks to fulfill an ancient prophecy and find the cavern of blue light - a sanctuary rumored to hold the key to saving humanity. But the path to salvation is fraught with danger, and Zara is torn between her destiny and her heart.
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A shadowy organization, known as NiQihs, seeks to exploit the power of the legendary black object, the source of Zara's visions, for their own sinister ends. They are not alone. The world's superpowers, driven by greed and ambition, race to control the artifact, threatening to unleash unimaginable devastation.
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Joining Zara in this dangerous pursuit is Rachel Capsali, a brilliant Israeli archaeologist driven by a personal quest to uncover evidence of Asherah, a forgotten goddess who held a pivotal place in ancient Israelite faith. Unbeknownst to them, both women are bound by a shared destiny - a prophecy foretelling the cavern of blue light and a final, heartbreaking truth: two women will fight to the death, and only one will save us all.
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Adding to the complexity, a passionate triangle forms as Rachel vies for Peter Gollinger's affection, a man deeply entangled in the ancient mystery. Zara, torn between fulfilling her destiny and her own feelings for Peter, finds herself caught in a web of conflicting desires.
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As Zara and Rachel navigate a treacherous landscape of hidden agendas, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, their rivalry for Peter's affections intensifies. Can love survive the forces that threaten to tear them apart? Will the quest for salvation lead to a heart-wrenching sacrifice?
Book Buy Links
Excerpt
"So, what's so special about some random legend?" says Rachel. "My safta raba Ariella said, 'She said one day Nearat and her daughter will return. Humanity will wane and wobble. And the woman who will save humanity will bring peace from the blue light. But to return, one must overcome one's fear of death. Two women will fight so that one will die. For only in the death of life as one knows it can she be in the light. Until then, Inanna awaits.'""
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With a light chuckle, Mei combs through ground-penetrating radiation scans as she says, "Be thankful you only had to memorize seven sentences. That guy from California with the Kurdish woman had to memorize four times that much. His grandfather made him say it backwards, even. As random as your safta raba's saying may seem, it isn't to Murometz, and even Jean-Paul, who's aggregating oral traditions like yours with thousands of others he's collected, including those from the Vatican archives. They are far from random now."
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Slowly walking in concentric circles from the black box MoxWorld loaned her, Rachel views the real-time scan images as she says, "I wish I could have met Mr. Murometz when you and Jean-Paul screened me. Not that I didn't relish our time together."
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"Come on, Rach. You wouldn't wear that dress I made for you, much less the vamp shoes and makeup we designed," says Mei.
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"I didn't mean to meet him in 'that' way," says Rachel as she runs her hand along her braids. "If I'm not worthy enough minus my lady bits, then he isn't worthy enough for my time, I say."
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"I never said you had to wear those simply ravishing clothes for him," says Mei.
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"Well, certainly it wasn't for Father Sobiros, I assumed. And you said Murometz was fascinated that my safta raba's words included a reference to a Sumerian goddess whose priestesses were known for prostitution. I only assumed he was hinting he wanted the same out of me, as all the rumors would suggest," jests Rachel. "Wait. Do you see what I see?"
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"Hold on, Rach. I have an incoming call from the president of China."
Giveaway
The author will be awarding $20 Amazon/BN gift cards to two randomly drawn winners.
About the Author
Maxime has been scribbling stories since grade school, from adventure epics to morality plays. Blessed with living in multicultural pluralistic settings and having earned degrees in science and marketing, Maxime has worked in business and sports, traveling to countries across five continents and learning about cultures, traditions, and the importance of tolerance and understanding. Maxime's second novel, The Matriarch Messiah, was conceived, outlined, written, and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in various islands of the Caribbean, in Colombia, in Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Spain, London, UK, and on the two coasts of the United States.
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