| Title | : | Matriarch |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781999518752 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 124 |
| Publication | : | Published December 1, 2019 |
At the end of the Turkish War of Independence, a British soldier disobeys orders to return home. Setting out to explore a country he had only known as trespasser, he uncovers danger, mysteries, and magic—adventure, obsession, and true love.
One hundred years later, the soldier’s great-granddaughter sits at her great-grandmother’s deathbed while the old woman recounts this very tale; it is the last she will ever tell.
Secrets are revealed as past and present collide, and as one woman’s future draws toward its inevitable close, another finds hers thrown into uncertainty.
Matriarch Reviews
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I wrote this.
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First things first - why doesn't this guy have a 6 figure contract with one of the Big Five publishers?
MATRIARCH starts out, seemingly, as a tale of two star-crossed lovers and the family which that pairing begat. Then the reader finds themselves immersed in an allegorical tale bordering on fable. Fantastical creatures and myths intertwine to show that no family history is without its secrets, and no wish comes without its price.
Like most of Wing's works, I don't want to say too much. His are stories a reader needs to let unfurl before their eyes. The journey is just as important as the destination. Just know that whenever you pick up one of his stories, you will receive more than the cover and blurb convey.
With each book of Wing's, I find that he only grows as a writer and storyteller. He is one of those writers who simultaneously makes me question my own abilities, yet pushes me to hone my craft.
All the stars for this one. -
Like Wing’s debut novel, Icarus, Matriarch takes history and folklore and twists them into a new story rich in description, character, and emotion.
When 119-year-old Ayla, known to just about everyone as simply “Gran,” is admitted to the hospital, she knows she doesn’t have long. There is no cure, as she says, for old. But before she goes, this great-grandmother who has always loved telling stories to her family, has one more story—the story of how she met their long-dead great grandfather.
The story alternates between Ayla and her great-granddaughter Cass in the hospital and Ollie, her late husband, in the story she tells of the past. The style in these past sections often reads as a folktale, and, as in Icarus, the author’s clear knowledge of and fondness for the places and times he describes shines through on the page, transporting the reader.
There is a lot here that is familiar, but there is also a lot that is new, and even the familiar takes on some exciting twists that I definitely didn’t seem coming. This is definitely a bit of a genre bender... it’s part historical, part fantasy, part family saga, but all fascinating. Put that together with a PERFECT ending, and what you’ve got is a well-told story.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to whatever the author has coming next! -
I had the pleasure of reading Adam Wing’s new novella “The Matriarch’. Wing has the innate ability to wrap you in a story from page one. His words flow melodically and carry you along with the story. Every time I thought I knew where the tale was going, Wing threw in a subtle curve. As for the ending, I never saw it coming. Bravo Adam Wing. You have a new fan. I can’t wait to read your other works!
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On her 119th birthday, the matriarch of the Merrill family is rushed to the hospital. Before she passes, Ayla Merrill recounts the story of how she and her husband, Oliver met. Listening is her great-granddaughter, Cass. Cass has always loved her great-grandmother's stories and the magic that it brings into her life. Cass can't believe that she has never heard the story of how Ayla and Oliver met. However, as Ayla tells her unbelievable tale, Cass begins to realize that something isn't quite right.
With a mix of fantasy, family and folklore, Matriarch took me on an unforgettable journey. I was entranced from the very beginning with hints of Fate, Destiny and Doom alongside a dying 119 year old woman. As soon as Ayla begins to unravel her history for Cass, I was entwined by the atmosphere and mystery that was created. I loved the inclusion of Turkish folklore of the Erbörü along with other magical elements. Matriarch is an example of masterful storytelling weaving together romance, suspense and unexpected twists and turns while sharing the importance of love and promises. I was constantly surprised by this story until the very end.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. -
I put this on my wish list after seeing one of my GR friends reading it, and I'm so glad I did. Matriarch is intoxicating and atmospheric. It's a tale being told by the titular matriarch to one of her great-granddaughters on her deathbed, about how she met her husband one hundred years ago. It's a story about secrets wrapped in secrets, magic and myth and legend all tangled up in one family's history. I won't talk too much about the plot, and especially the ending, because the way it unfolds is too beautiful to be spoiled but this novella had my heart in my throat the entire time I was reading it. I couldn't put it down for a single second and honestly I screamed when I reached the end of the story.
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2.5*
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I reviewed another of the author's work, so when he offered me a review copy of this one, I was happy to accept.
This book, on the surface, looks like your standard generational family tale with some historic elements thrown in. I was expected pretty standard fare: exotic setting, a love story, etc. But this book has some major twists thrown in that I wasn't expecting. Even with the hints at it throughout the story.
The non-linear story telling does the plot credit, it feels like a story being told by a grandmother figure. And it lends itself really well to two major reveals. I won't go into detail (because spoilers) but the left turn plot twist and sudden stop of an ending take what would be a standard story and make it something much more memorable. There was an element of horror that was wholly unexpected, but still managed to fit in with the plot leading up to it.
If you're looking for a standard, feel-good family saga, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you're ready to right it off as something generic and trite, I would give it a go anyway. You may find something lurking underneath the surface. :) -
Matriarch is such a creative story full of magic and twists that I didn't see coming. Even though the tale had some fantastical elements, I felt like Wing made the story utterly believable. Wing's prose flows beautifully and sucked me in, refusing to let go until the last page. Although this could have been a quick read for me, I intentionally slowed down my reading to savor every morsel. I look forward to reading more from Adam Wing.
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Fantastic from start to finish!
What an imaginative tale, full of magic and twists I did NOT see coming! The way Adam writes, the way he weaves his words together, is beautiful. A fairly quick read, this novella is exciting and sends the reader away wondering about love and life and if our reality is, indeed, real. -
This one is sneaky!
This is the story of Ollie and Gran. But be careful it's sneaky. It will lead you places you don't expect. I really liked this. And the ending... So unexpected!!! -
Adam is an artisan of new understandings of the familiar and timeless. Matriarch is a roller coaster ride adventure to a destination that is somehow simultaneously shocking and anticipated. It blew my mind at the same time that it comforted me and I'll never forget it! Read it next!!
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Wow! What an adventure!
I don't know what I thought I expected from this story but it was so much better than I could have imagined! The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is I felt the ended left me a little wanting. But in a good way. I didn't want the story to end. Well done! A masterfully crafted tale of unexpected twists. Definitely give this book a chance if you like tales with a fairy tale type feel. -
Another wild ride by an author I have grown to love. Like much of his work, there is an uneasiness that grows in you while reading this novella, and I mean that in the best way. The plot encompasses so many genres/themes from folklore/fairy tale to generational/family relationships, love story, adventure tale, and yes, horror, that you never feel secure in your footing. Just when you think you know where the plot is going, another bend in the road, unexpected revelations pull the rug out from under you. I read a lot of books and while I enjoy most of them, it must be said that I am rarely truly surprised any more, but I could never have predicted any of the twists in this book. The ending left me breathless and wanting to immediately go back and reread as every scene and even the title of the book takes on additional weight and meaning after the final reveal. However, all the clever plotting in the world means nothing without complex characters that are both sympathetic and maddening in equal measure, creating a portrait of real, flawed people that raises the stakes and gives the reader a reason to be invested in the story. A wonderfully disturbing read for fans of folkloric, thoughtful, and emotional horror.
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During the end of the Turkish War of Independence, a British solider decides to disobey his orders to return home. He wants to stay in Turkey longer because he feels that his soul is searching for something. He decides to explore the country as as visitor instead of an invader. As he begins his journey, he discovers secrets about magic and mysterious adventures.
One hundred years later, the soldier's wife is lying in a hospital bed. She is dying and she decides that she will share the tale of how they met. This was the first time she ever spoke about their meeting and it might be the last time she could share it. However, as the she begins her story, secrets of the past start to collide with the future. As one woman's life is at the end, another finds herself in peril.
The author weaved an intricate and interesting story of two people meeting. I thought the story could use a bit of editing but, it was an entertaining read. I felt like the novella had a lot of promise to become something more. I wasn't fond of the ending as I don't like stories where the reader has to guess what will happen next. Overall, this was a good read and I look forward to reading other stories by the author. -
Matriarch is a novella that begins with an old woman telling a somewhat dark tale to her granddaughter. The story she relates has the ring of a fairy tale, but is actually the true history of how she met her husband.
The layering of the story is absolutely spectacular. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going the author took it in a slightly different and better direction. The writing is wonderful, and the author is particularly adept at taking the story from the past to the present in such a way that I was interested in both the "fairy tale" story and what was happening in the present day.
And like any great novel, you don't want it to end, but when the ending arrived, it was absolutely perfect.
This was the easiest five star review I've ever given. I encourage everyone to READ THIS BOOK. It's fantastic. -
⭐3 Stars⭐
Secrets are revealed as past and present collide, and as one woman’s future draws toward its inevitable close, another finds hers thrown into uncertainty.
Adam Wing's Matriarch explores a world dredged deep in folklore and the relationships that it creates and destroys. Deftly paced, the twists and turns in this novella make for a whimsical engrossing story impossible not to read in one sitting.
I have a world of questions after that ending and I will be sure to follow Wing's work closely.
Buy it on amazon
HERE to read a story about love, family and magic that comes at a price. -
Wing does it again!
*Full disclosure: I am a friend of the the author and was able to read preview versions of this work.*
This is a rolling take where each new chapter both builds on the story and yet still manages to change the status quo of the story in the best of ways.
To say anymore of what this novella is about is to risk spoiling some truly great turns in storytelling.
Really the only downside of this work is that you are going to want to convince a friend to read it at the same time, because once you finish you are doing to want to discuss (and possible debate) the themes this novella explores. -
As a woman, I was very interested by the title and was immediately drawn in by the cover art. Growing up, I would often listen to the matriarchs of my family tell stories of family members that had passed away before I was born. I have distinctly fond memories of long car rides on Memorial day cemetery hopping to visit their graves and spend the day eating delicious food and conjuring up images of these people that were so fondly missed and loved by others who had many years to miss them. It always helped me feel connected to these deceased ancestors. I was immediately swept in with Cass, the Granddaughter of Ayla, who is telling her stories of her late husband on her deathbed. I thought it was so relatable and at times it felt like I could easily be this granddaughter. I’m going to honest, I could not put it down and finished it in one day. I was initially so swept away with the beautiful imagery and the visions of the Turkish countryside where most of this book takes place.
What I liked
The number one thing I loved, and what I annotated over and over again was the rich imagery! I seriously had very little knowledge of Turkey, and what the landscapes looked like, but after reading this book I Google-searched some images and it ended up being very similar to the picture in my mind that this book gave me. I love stories set in places I have never been to before. This story felt exotic and was steeped in Turkish culture, which only added to the appeal for me.
About midway through this book, magic is introduced to the plot and as it goes on, the entire tone of the book changes. It starts with this warm, sunshine scene of close family and adventure and turns into a darker and colder tale about fate, and the classic cautionary tale of dealing with Jinns. I thought that the contrast in tone was brilliant.
The characters had a lot of depth to them. Even though this is a short book, I thought the author did a good job of creating multifaceted characters.
What I thought the author did well
There was so much contrast in the author’s writings. I loved his writing style and thought it was very artistic in the best way. There were so many good, descriptive, lines.
The plot was very smooth and well constructed! Overall just a great story.
What I didn’t like
The ending! I thought it ended rather abruptly. I would have loved to had seen where it went. I’m really not a fan of the whole “the reader decides the ending” book trend. It left me unsatisfied, and I feel like the book ended in the middle of the climax and that’s it. If there was a book 2 coming, that would make sense. But, if it’s just a stand-alone book, which is what I got the feeling it was, then the ending was a little disappointing.
I also didn’t really understand the point of introducing/giving the bracelet to Cass. I thought it would have made more sense if she had then used it later on in the book to contribute to the ending in some way.
What I wish the author had done differently
I felt that magic was just plopped into this story a little too late. It took me a few chapters after the magic and supernatural were introduced to really be on board with it. Up until that point, the book had felt ultra relatable and I could put myself in that world. I wish there had been some other obvious signs of magic, in the beginning, to make that transition into fantasy a little more smooth. I knew it was fiction but I didn’t know it was a fantasy book until the middle, so it was a little confusing.
Who is this a good book for?
Literally anyone! It isn’t gory or profane. It’s a very fun book that would be good for a variety of ages. It’s a great Fiction Fantasy book. I know I would have loved this book as a 12-year-old as much as I did as a 27-year-old.
Who is this not a good book for?
People who don’t like fantasy, Werewolves, Genies, love, or Turkey in general. There is also a brief mention of suicide.
Similar books
The Princess Bride, Goose Girl
Read more about it here:
https://lostexplorersclub.com/book-re... -
I picked up the most amazing book this week! Matriarch, by Adam Wing, is a Indie fantasy with a mythological element that I really could not put down. Coming in at just over one-hundred pages, I devoured this novella in two sittings.
What I thought would be a sweet love story told by the family matriarch on her deathbed, actually became a twisted series of tall tales aimed to entertain her descendants…or was it?
The reader is treated to a story of love and dedication with increasingly unlikely developments. While fantasy and reality are expertly interwoven, the ending still comes as a delicious shock!
This story was truly unlike anything I have ever read! I highly recommend it. -
I thoroughly enjoyed this thought-provoking tale. The author painted the scenery well with his words, and I particularly loved the way he wove traditional folktale features into an emotional, modern-day scenario. It made me think about the 'what would I do if I were granted wishes' idea all over again, and I found myself considering how differently one might handle such a situation as an adult to when one was a child. I love these 'fairy-tale' elements in stories for adults, and this one was told well. I would definitely read more of this author's work in the future.
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There’s nothing quite as thrilling as a story that you have no idea where it’s going to take you until you arrive. Then, it’s clear that no other path would have been proper. This book delivered all those feelings.
There is great personality in each character and the atmosphere feels just as if you were sitting beside a fire and listening to myths of old. If I had any complaints, it was that it felt a bit too fast paced in moments but those are far and in between and certainly do not take away from what is a truly phenomenal experience. -
Family stories always seem magical, but this one truly is.
From beginning to end I was enthralled by this novella, a stunning, wondrous recounting of a love story from a dying matriarch to one of her grandchildren. We often think of the stories our grandparents and parents tell us of their lives as a bit magical, harkening back to ages that are mysterious to us, but this story takes that quality even further, reminding me of a fairytale, albeit with the darker undercurrent found in the original fairytales and not the ones we've become accustomed to today. I absolutely adored every page, and was floored by the ending. Not even prepared at all.
I look forward to reading more of Adam's stories, really and truly. -
Every time I thought I had this tale figured out, it took another turn. Nice little story told by an old woman who likes to spin wild tales to entertain her younger descendants? Not quite. Fairy tale about a romantic meet cute? Almost, but then another twist. The darker, richer tones of this genre-defying story crept in from the shadows without you being any the wiser. I was delighted to have been deceived and mislead so deftly.
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Full of emotion, surprise, love, and tragedy, Matriarch is a story that I won't soon forget. Both parallel stories are engaging and equally interesting, and each character is understandable. The magical elements create a whimsical and dangerous atmosphere. The ending is especially memorable! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a story about love and magic that comes at a steep price.
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Thoroughly engaging and fantastic story; read it in two sittings. Loved the weaving of mythology and history. Rich characterization and description throughout, without being overdone. The ending left me wanting more, yet afraid to find out...lots of amazing questions on fate and desiring to wrestle with!
