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The Matriarch Matrix: Mystery of the Matriarchs Book I Kindle Edition

by Maxime Trencavel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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Who can she trust?
A Russian oligarch bent on world domination.
A Jesuit priest who says he's left the order.
Or a simple editor from California who loves her.
The fate of the world depends on her choices.


Who is she really?
From the world's first temple come the mysterious words.
Secrets to saving the world from an ancient matriarch.
Whose wisdom is genetically encoded in Zara.
A woman who must learn love like she has never before.
To solve the mystery of matriarch.


A speculative historical thriller
From the ages of hunter-gathers.
To the near future.
From San Francisco to Kurdistan.
From Luxembourg to Rome.
The terrors of our distant past.
The inhumanity of recent years.
The humanity of strangers brought together.
To save our world.


"Riveting" * "Suspense and drama" * "Twists and turns"


Read it.
You will see our world in a much different light.

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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Mystery of the Matriarchs
  2. Print length
    509 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    Sept. 18 2017
  6. File size
    4726 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product description

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 fve continents and learning about cultures, traditions, and the importance of tolerance and understanding. Maxime's debut novel was written and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in Peru, and on the two coasts of the United States.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075R2DD4Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tail of the Bird Books; 2 edition (Sept. 18 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4726 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 509 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

About the author

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Maxime Trencavel

Maxime Trencavel

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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 debut novel was written and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in South America, and on the two coasts of the United States.

Maxime a gribouillé des histoires depuis l’école élémentaire, d’aventures épiques à des pièces de moralité. Après avoir vécu dans un milieu multiculturel et obtenu des diplômes en sciences et en marketing, Maxime a travaillé dans les domaines du business et des sports, voyageant à travers cinq continents et découvrant les cultures, les traditions et l’importance de la tolérance et de la compréhension. Le premier roman de Maxime a été écrit et rédigé à différents endroits de Belgique, y compris les quartiers turques et kurdes de Bruxelles, en Amérique du Sud et sur les deux côtes des Etats-Unis. Les villes préférées de Maxime sont Bruxelles et Paris.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
99 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Susan M
4.0 out of 5 stars I especially enjoyed the two timelines
Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2018
I found this book to be interesting and intriguing. It took me a little while to get into it, but once there I found the story and characters to be believable. I especially enjoyed the two timelines; from the ancient to present. Zara was a great character and the decisions and thoughts she struggled with were very real. I did, however, find that the book was slow in spots and I question if this was necessary or if a good edit could have pared it down a bit. I found the writing impassioned and the author did a wonderful job in giving the story the fresh air it needed. Well done.
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Hijinx
2.0 out of 5 stars Tried Just couldn't get into the story
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2019
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For what ever reason this book was very hard to read for me. I just could not get into the story.
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Top reviews from other countries

johnyboy49
3.0 out of 5 stars It's quite a complicated storyline
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2019
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Once really established what's going on it gets quite riveting.
One person found this helpful
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Winston J. Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars an epic; an interesting story
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2017
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This is an epic; a very interesting story is located in the Middle East more particularly in the Kurdish Region of Iraq. There is much tension in the area, and the threat of worldwide war as the two majors, the US and Russia with their [powerful weapons, fight proxy wars. The characters carry with them a blend of religion, local culture, manipulation; politics, social justice; and widespread affliction by the same dreams. The main characters are brought together to search of a black stone associated with the culture behind the dreams, but each has their own particular reasons. Add to this we have giants from another planet who periodically raid villages, killing capturing the men, and viciously and publicly raping the women. Already we have the basis for suspense and tension, all the more so because of the inner traits of the characters.
Zara, a Muslim woman, is a warrior deeply involved in Kurdish resistance but also having herself been viciously raped by the giants. Peter, and atheist, is a complex person – he (and his father) also has the dreams which expose his shallowness and timidity. Yet he shines. He thinks that aliens brought us to earth and guides our lives. The Jesuit priest, Jean-Paul, has left the order but had not renounced his vows – he believes that the stone is associated with the DNA of those persons afflicted by the dreams. Alexander, the global entrepreneur, has his own motivations in putting the team together as best suited to find the stone with which he believes he can communicate with aliens. and experiment with human DNA.
At one level, the book is about women and the prospect of prosperity and peace if women were in charge. The primary thesis is that man took over and has since mistreated women throughout history. Behind this is the tale of a cult of women, and this bloodline (and the dreams) and the voice have been passed down through Zara’s family. An oral tradition tells the story that the stone can be found, but it has to be done by a man and a woman, presumably acting as one. Only then would there be peace. Zara and Peter are seen as the ‘chosen’ couple, Most of the story tells about their ups and downs and arounds in ‘coming to one’, and the final outcome is surprising.
The literal story is itself interesting, but I prefer to see it metaphorically.. We should also link this to the level of patriarchy ongoing in the region. We are revolted by the stark ravaging of women by the giants I needed a more acceptable but culturally consistent picture. In effect, the gross mistreatment of women by men has both physical and psychological results on both, leading them to hide the events in the dark recesses of their minds, never a peaceful place. The impact on other men is to ‘guiltify’ their minds that they cannot defend their women, even when a mercy killing is the best solution to put the victims out of their misery (“You’re convinced that you cannot be a hero.”). Some older violated women like Zara may stand up and fight, as would some men, but the wounds are deep. And remember, the afflicted women had their own oral traditions for peace. Just beware the new daughters and granddaughters who carry bows and arrows.
The constant search for new land seems to fit well with the concept of a woman cult and women seeking new arrangements and respect from men
There are, of course, religious issues – the contact of Islam, Christianity and Atheism living in a Muslim home is deeply suggestive.. I see that part pf the tradition that says: ‘The object can save but only for the man and woman together’ combined with the love ultimately experienced by Zara and Peter as reminiscent of the Bible quote (in part) “and the two shall become one….” The mystery is that Zara finally leaves Peter to do her ‘God’s work’ with the Kurds.
One of the striking features of this book is that it makes the reader think. You will find much to ponder. The book may be long, and at some points heavy and overdone. It does require some perseverance and structuring to keep going.
7 people found this helpful
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L. Frankel
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Female Protagonist
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017
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The Matriarch Matrix , the debut novel of Maxime Trencaval, is very timely in its near future focus on Kurdish nation building given the recent referendum in which Iraqi Kurds voted for independence. The ancient story line of The Matriarch Matrix that takes place in the prehistorical Black Sea region, deals with an artifact with mysterious powers and how a family’s connection to it impacted their descendants. It all sounded fascinating to me which is why I purchased the book, and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I didn’t have an issue with copy editing in this book. I found exactly one typographical error which maintains a fairly high standard.
There is an association of the artifact with aliens, but I felt that this was a side issue. The paranormal content gave The Matriarch Matrix a patina of fantasy. I wouldn’t categorize this novel as science fiction.
Although this book has been compared to The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown never portrayed a character with as much complexity as the contemporary Zara Khatum, a woman who is both a warrior and a devout Muslim devoted to her family and the future of the Kurds. She could be both ruthless and compassionate, independent and racked by self-doubt. These inner contradictions riveted my attention on her throughout the novel. I imagine that the female figure on the cover is Zara at one of the archeological sites where she and her companions searched for the astonishing artifact known as The Object. I was glad to see her dressed appropriately for a woman of her religious background.
I have to admit that it was hard for me to be as impressed by the rather nerdy American, Peter Gollinger. It was hard for me to respect him when the author seemed to be continually highlighting his timidity or clumsiness for comic relief. I felt that Trencaval was playing into stereotypes about intellectuals. This made me appreciate the character less. I also considered his prehistoric ancestor more admirable than Peter.
I preferred one plotline over the other. There were strong women in the prehistoric flashbacks, and I valued the role of the ancient characters as culture bearers. Yet I read those scenes for conceptual reasons. I felt more invested in the 21st century events and characters. I am usually much more interested in exploring the past, but The Matriarch Matrix didn’t bring prehistory alive for me.

It was Zara and her family context that made this book memorable for me. She made up for any shortcomings. Readers won’t forget this Kurdish woman in a hurry.
3 people found this helpful
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John H. Manhold
3.0 out of 5 stars 4* fascinating subject matter; 2* editing required to maximize potential.
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018
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The MATRIARC MATRIX ISBN: 9780999335000, Tale of Bird Books, an e-book by Maxime Trencavel.
The author has set forth a long progression of activity extending from nine thousand years BC to the present and future. During these eons of time, numerous males have been left with perplexing and literally somewhat exhausting dreams they cannot fathom and often not recall. Simultaneously within this matrix, a strong matriarchy evolves. The protagonist here is a Kurdish woman educated in Europe as well as her home country. She has been raped and disfigured by torture and upon escaping, dispenses justice of similar proportions. She is employed by a physically and mentally powerful CEO industrialist whose activities can be ruthless. And these activities pervasively invade every level of activity throughout the world. This man is one of the ‘dream sufferers’ who gathers her, plus an extremely beautiful Chinese woman, an (ex-?) Jesuit Priest who also is an ex-French soldier of unusual physical capabilities, and an incredibly naïve San Franciscan free-lance copy editor whose social development particularly exudes this quality. He also is a dream sufferer as well as obligatory heir for ancestral obligations to his much-loved grandfather as well as having a doting mother. His recruitment is because the CEO believes that within his repressed memory (ȧ la Carl Jung) lies the answer to the severe dream affliction. The three are inserted as an archeological team to obtain an object reputed to have the answer to the debilitating dreams. The point of insertion is an ancient temple (Gobekli Tepe) that is presently in the center of a war among Turkey, the new Anatolian Kurdish State and the Arabic Confederation (AC) armed forces, with later intervention by China, Russia and the United States. The Temple supposedly is in an agreed upon off-limits demilitarized zone. Heavy fighting occurs, extends to the Temple, a ‘controlled cataclysmic event’ occurs before the actual climax of the tale, and the protagonist proceeds to offer and expand on, the oft-repeated, almost platitude like statements that prejudice, stereotypes, and intolerance all cease when you stop and show others how to be tolerant and “…as people, we are more similar than different. That our beliefs are more similar than different. And that to achieve the peace we all seek, we need tolerance. And the willingness to know and accept each other for who we are.”
Discussion: In the author’s words, she has attempted to set forth an epic and certainly has the material. Unfortunately, at least for this reviewer, the attempt seems to have been a little overzealous. She has attempted to cover this sizeable mass of material in one volume and in so doing has provided a somewhat confusing intermingling of material. It is indeed true that she has presented some extremely fascinating vignettes; some interesting people and has included especially insights to possible thought patterns of a Turkish/Kurd/Muslim woman; expanded discussion of the merits of spiritual vs. physical love; expounded on the idea that “our pre-Neolithic ancestors became more susceptible to notions of mysticism, spiritual concepts, the belief in supreme beings”; the always present thought that ‘aliens’ were/are somehow involved; and even brought to mind the teachings of the Suisse psychiatrist Carl Jung and bits of history such as the extremes of the Crusades, the Knights Templar and of the Cather branch of Christianity who were slaughtered with the blessing of the Roman Catholic Pope. However, the description of the huge and vicious Reindeer people who came from the north and attacked the less warlike hunter-gathers to gain women as sex slaves and men to build their pyramids, brings more to mind the Vikings, Goths or possible other savages rather than what is assumed to be the pyramid builders of the ages. To my knowledge, other than a highly questionable claim of pyramids in Bosnia, acceptance of these structures anywhere close to their purported position in the Middle East is difficult to accept, thus creating difficulty with respect to the story’s location, seemingly the Black Sea and Turkey. Another interesting aside is that one of the main themes of the story rests upon the long postulated relationship between a man dominated society and it’s repetitively vicious struggles. And there is no doubt that there is tremendous positive support for this contention However, depicting most of the prominent male characters as quite ineffectual, and as in the case of the San Franciscan, even ridiculously childlike, appears attuned to bolstering a strongly held personal opinion rather than to provide further discussion. But then, as the author quite nicely interspersed within the body of the work by quoting the San Franciscan copywriter: “…a reviewer reacts early to a notion, a phrase, a style and shuts down, having decided what the piece is about.” And “People are like novels. If we would be patient … we might see the layers unfold and a different story would appear.” Both of these statements regrettably are so true and the exact reason it is so abhorrent for me to see a reviewer state that he/she could not finish a book.
Conclusion: For reasons stated, the author has set forth considerable fine material on some most interesting subjects that causes this reviewer, after reading the entire close to 600 pages, to believe a thorough editing would provide a much more enjoyable read.
5 people found this helpful
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Majanka
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding reading experience for all fans of scifi
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017
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The Matriarch Matrix is an unique science fiction adventure that pushes the boundaries of the genre in more than one way. Zara Khatum, the main character, isn’t your typical heroine, a far cry from it even. She was once a fighter for her Kurdish people, and went through hell at the hands of her captors, leaving her to seek vengeance first and foremost.

Yet, in another life, she was someone else entirely. A family matriarch, who led her loved ones away from the monsters of the north. She created temples and founded a dynasty with as main purpose to protect a powerful object that hides mysterious powers.

Back in the present day, Zara must work otgether with Peter Gollinger, a quirky Californian, and Jean-Paul, a former Jesuit priest, to solve the mystery of the artifact she swore to protect in her past life.

The book is science-fiction / fantasy in a certain sense, but the way Dan Brown’s books are, while still being firmly set in our contemporary world, the fantasy/scifi part involves an ancient mystery begging to be solved. I quite enjoy this set-up, and was glad to see it here too. However, while I generally enjoy Dan Brown’s books, I have to admit The Matriarch Matrix is of a whole different sort, much more complex, with a lot more layers, and an extremely complicated yet intriguing main character.

For me, even more than the plot, which is very engrossing all by itself, I was charmed by Zara, our protagonist, a woman who is complex and strong, who has her own code of morality, who went through hell yet fights for her beliefs.

While I liked Peter, the other main character, too, I didn’t like him as much as I liked Zara. He was more the stereotypical geek, extremely smart but also extremely clumsy and quirky.

Told partially in the present, partially in the past, this book pushes the boundaries of genre, as well as of time and space, and ultimately provides an outstanding reading experience to anyone who picks it up. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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