Last year, I flew to the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference specifically to attend sessions with acclaimed action-thriller author James Rollins. His novels reflect deep research, lending authenticity to his world-building. He explained that authors can often contact experts in almost any field and find people willing to share their time and knowledge. Mr. Rollins’s books certainly demonstrate the value of that approach.
Now that The Matriarch Mission has launched, my author’s mind must turn to Book Four, The Matriarch Miracle, in which Zara Khatum—the heroine of The Matriarch Matrix and The Matriarch Messiah—will make her triumphant return.
But seven years have passed since my last in-person contact with the Kurdish community, at a Newroz celebration shortly before the pandemic.
As I began searching for a way to renew Zara’s Kurdish authenticity, I put on my best “James Rollins” hat and reached out to the Kurdistan Diaspora Center in Brussels. Its president, Mustafa Shaker, kindly offered to meet with me.
I might have expected experts to make time for a famous author like Mr. Rollins—but would they do the same for me? Mr. Shaker’s opening words quickly put that concern to rest. He explained that Kurdish people are open and welcoming to everyone and seek peaceful connections as they help others understand and appreciate their culture.
Through the fictional Zara Khatum, I have tried to offer non-Kurdish Western readers a glimpse into Kurdish culture. I originally crafted her world through extensive research and guidance from Kurdish author Ava Homa, author of Daughters of Smoke and Fire.
That effort to create an authentic Kurdish superheroine has inspired comments such as these from readers:
Best quotes about Kurdish culture and identity
- Strongest direct cultural endorsement — Matrix
“I love how she invested her heart and soul into uncovering many historical truths about regions and nations in the world we don’t know that much about, such as the Kurds.”
— Billy O., 4-star verified Amazon review
The same review also refers to:
“The beautiful discoveries about the Kurdish people…”
That shorter phrase could work particularly well in promotional copy.
- Best combined Zara/Kurdish-identity quote — Messiah
“The characters are vividly drawn, with compelling cultural, religious, and personal identities that drive the narrative’s emotional and philosophical depth.”
This leads directly into the description of Zara as “the devout Islamic Kurdish protagonist” and “the epitome of spiritual conviction.”
— Elena Enger, The Book Commentary
- Best reader response to cultural understanding — Messiah
“The dialogue often provides rich insights into theological concepts, offering readers a deeper understanding of the characters’ beliefs and cultural backgrounds.”
— “Book Reviewer,” Goodreads
- Best assessment of cross-cultural representation — Matrix
“The best thing about the story is that the author was able to capture and diligently portray the uniqueness of each community and ethnicity while joining them at the humane level.”
— Book Worm, 5-star verified Amazon review
- Best description of Kurdish identity embodied in Zara — Messiah
“Zara, a veteran of the Kurdish YPJ forces, is both warrior and mystic, carrying the physical and emotional scars of a life shaped by war, loss, and displacement.”
— Scott Olsen, Manhattan Book Review
- Potentially useful, but unsuitable as an isolated promotional quote — Matrix
“The characterization is excellent, there is a deep look at Kurdish/Yazidi culture”
— Ian J. Miller, 5-star verified Amazon review
The two most valuable Kurdish-focused pull quotes are therefore:
“The beautiful discoveries about the Kurdish people…”
— Billy O.
and:
“Zara, the devout Islamic Kurdish protagonist, is the epitome of spiritual conviction…”
— Elena Enger
Best quotes about Zara
- Strongest overall — The Matriarch Matrix
“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.”
— Majanka, 5-star verified Amazon review
- Strongest professional endorsement — The Matriarch Messiah
“There’s also a lot to relate to in Zara’s emotional journey and readers will root for her thanks to the way they have access to her innermost thoughts.”
— K.C. Finn, 5-star Readers’ Favorite review
- Best expression of Zara’s spiritual character — Messiah
“Zara, the devout Islamic Kurdish protagonist, is the epitome of spiritual conviction, her inner struggle between tradition and a desire for peace creating sophistication in her character.”
— Elena Enger, The Book Commentary
- Most colorful characterization — Matrix
“Zara is definitely a character that belongs in a DC comics series—all at once dangerous, mysterious, and heroic…”
— DLB, 4-star verified Amazon review
- Strongest concise Amazon line — Messiah
“Zara is spiritual and brave, even when she doubts herself.”
— Eric Rodriguez, 5-star verified Amazon review
- Best character-development assessment — Messiah
“One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its characters. Zara, a devout Kurdish woman, and Rachel, an Israeli Torah historian, are beautifully fleshed out.”
The reviewer continues that their personal struggles “felt genuine and compelling.”
— “Book Reviewer,” Goodreads
- Best very short line — Matrix
“A particularly well-done female protagonist.”
— Jonah Erickson, 4-star verified Amazon review
- Strong supporting line — Messiah
“Zara and Rachel are raw, real, and refreshingly complex.”
— Aleah Yareli, 5-star verified Amazon review
