The Matriarch

I have to say I rather enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. It definitely is more of a guilty pleasure book (explicit sexual content) but a lot of times books like these are lacking in the plot department. I found the tale of an all women Horde fighting off the “man” and basically fighting for their rights to survive and flourish very interesting. While a lot of times an “alpha male” character is looked down upon, Sasha is also caring and supportive as well as being a swoon worthy alpha. The Matriarch does not lack in action or adventure. I would definitely recommend this title to others.

https://thetravellingreader96.wordpress.com/2020/09/29/the-matriarch-women-of-the-dust-1-by-annabelle-mcinnes/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3558597916

I received an advance copy of The Matriarch through NetGalley and I am excited to review the book. I absolutely love the premise of the story! A society run by women, facing and surviving in impossible circumstances, and really showing women can be anything? Sign me up. I think the writing and the language were incredible and I highlighted some quotes in the book that just really stood out to me.

When speaking about men who put the Yolanda’s people, The Horde, in their positions, she says, “They talk of our oppression and the eradication of our rights. They talk of our inability to have our voices heard on matters that directly impacted us.” – This really stood out to me because this is a fictional dystopian novel, but we see this everyday when it comes to men in politics controlling women’s rights.

I do think there could be less information given in the plot summary (above) because it essentially gave me spoilers. The entire seen where The Hammer kills his father, I knew what was going to happen and the outcome before I read it, and I think it could have been better with a more surprise element for the reader.

I really liked the protagonists Yolanda and Sasha (The Hammer.) They both had a great duality of traditional feminism and masculine qualities that really showcased we are not one thing bound by gender stereotypes. There was a bit of insta-lust/ love between the characters where I would have preferred a more natural growth of a relationship.

McInnes had great world building and was very detailed. Almost a bit too detailed for me because I prefer a faster plot progression, but that’s just me. Some great plot twists were thrown in and the book held my attention throughout.

I 100% recommend this book to others and I am really excited to read the second book in the series.This book is available on Barnes n Noble, Amazon and Kobo on October 12, 2020. You can find buy links and more about the author here.

The Matriarch super exceeded my expectations, I practically devoured it! I'm not super into romance, and there were moments that seemed a little bodice-ripper-ish for me, but it really kind of worked to illustrate the gentleness of the characters in comparison to their harsh world.
I think with a lot of good books, there's a wish for more - and I felt that with The Matriarch. I wanted to know more about the Horde and the world they survived in. I wanted to know more about their enemies and the cultures. I hope there's more someday!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

TW: Child abuse, war, hunger, mutilation.

Yolanda, Matriarch of the Horde, is frantically trying to save her people. They are oppressed and slowly dying from dehydration and starvation. When the enemy king is beheaded by his son, he offers her a truce that will bring water to her people. But first they have to uncover the truth of the war.

Wow! This book was so captivating and perfect that I couldn’t put it down. I loved this complex post-apocalypse world. It totally had Mad Max vibes but was better because of the dangerous women of the Horde.

Yolanda was a woman burdened with the survival of her race and the harsh teachings of her mother. Her mother was a warmonger but she is completely different. Yes, she is deadly but she dreams of a world that isn’t filled with death and suffering. I really loved Yolanda. She was a dangerous woman who struggled with being both a leader and a woman. Sasha, the Hammer, teaches her that she is both and needs to make time for all facets of herself.

“Love was limitless. It was vast and faceted. It could sustain a single tiny baby as well as save humanity.”

Sasha, also known as the Hammer, was a warrior who had been forged in the pain caused by his father. Instead of letting the trauma he suffered and watched turn him into his father he instead turned to compassion and justice. He is determined to save his people from his father's tyranny and greed. Sasha was the perfect hero. He was deadly, smart, and compassionate. All perfect traits for a king. But the thing I loved most about him was that he doesn’t try to push Yolanda out of her role as the Matriarch. He just continues to support her and works with her to better the futures for both of their people.

“You are a woman I cannot live without. A woman who breathes fire yet still cried salt tears. A woman who took my heart the moment she jumped over the bank of the Red River. You are my joy, my soul. My queen.”

This book was just the perfect blend of action, betrayal, and romance. I loved everything about this book and have already preordered the ebook, which is currently only $0.99. I can’t wait for the next book to see how the war plays out. Also I need more Yolanda and Sasha. They were just perfect.

Trigger Warning: war, graphic death and torture, starvation, child abuse and death

Yolanda is the Matriarch of the Horde, struggling alongside her people as they are denied water and sustenance. They are on the brink of annihilation when a disastrous battle sees Yolanda in charge of the fate of the new king of a rival nation. She could destroy him. Or she could save the Horde - if only she could allow herself to trust him.

A sexy, post-apocalyptic tale with a heroine who isn't reduced to the stereotypical "warrior woman"? Yes please! I absolutely loved everything about this book. The world-building felt natural, the relationship developed at just right pace, and the writing was superb. I'm an instant fan of this series - I can't wait to read the rest of it. A perfectly gritty sci-fi/romance.

A dystopian view of a world divided into tribes or perhaps small nations. The main character Yolanda is the Matriarch of the Horde who are strong female warriors. She gets the opportunity to meet the King of her neighbouring nation who she's fighting a vicious war with but to her surprise his son the Hammer beheads him and offers her not just his father's head but a chance to save her people from thirst and ultimately death.
I liked the ideas behind this although will admit there's very little world building so it wasn't a perfect read for me. I would have liked more information about why they no longer seem to have much technology and also just why they are actually at war ! The second half had a couple of surprises which I really enjoyed and there is romance although it all seemed a bit quick to make declarations of love but I guess in times of conflict and war everything does feel more immediate. What I absolutely hated was the constant reference to Yolanda having snakes squirming in her tummy and yes I understand it was a way to describe her tumultuous feelings and trepidation but surely other descriptions could have been used ? It might not irritate others but sadly I found it repetitive and completely uninspired which was a shame because I did enjoy the overall story and particularly the twists.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Yolanda is the Matriarch of the Horde. She fights for her people against men who wish to subjucate and breed women in a world ruined by the abuses of man.

Sasha, the Hammer is the son of the Delasovian King. When Yolanda and his father meet for their final battle, he kills his father and surrenders to the Matriarch.

This dystopian world is filled with tragedies and the horror war and abusive leaders can bring but it's also filled with the hope and desires of a people who wish to restore their world and love.
McInnes weaves a rich, intense tale of a leader striving to be better than her predecessor, strong for her people and not lose herself to her fury over injustice. As Yolanda and Sasha join forces seeking an end to the sanctions and war amongst the Council of Six, they draw closer together.

I was pulled in from the first pages and could not put this book down. This book has all the feels and deep emotional connection I crave in a good story, with rich, details, and artistry, painting a picture so vivid I felt the dust, the sand, their thirst and their hunger. This is the kind of book that sticks with you, makes you want to read it again and share with your friends. I'm so grateful I received a copy of this book through Net Galley or I may not have ever discovered this amazing author and her incredible world.

There are some minor details that tried to distract me from the story but it was just too good to care. I can't wait for the second book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

Are you looking for a romance book that isn't so heavy on the romance? Something about a world so far in the future that where The Matriarch and her Hoard lives, all there is, is dust? What about a book that shows no matter what happens you still have to be strong? Than this is something you might want to check out. Though I do think as an adult, I'm too immature to read real romance books, this wasn't so hot and heavy, and more focused on the actual story, and that's what I really enjoyed about it. Once I started it, I didn't want to put it down.

Yolanda inherited her Matriarchy through the death of her mother, after battling disease for too long. Though her mother was a warlord, aggressive and dominant, Yolanda is very caring, and willing to sacrifice herself for the good of her people. And that's what her people love about her. A Horde of battle women, they're charging after their enemy with little supplies, because that's what they need to do to end the war that has destroyed both sides for almost ten years. What she doesn't expect, though, is an evil man leading an army of children. And his son to put an end to him before she ever has the chance to.

If you know me, you know I love books about apocalypse, no matter what the actual topic is. And that's why I grabbed this book as soon as I saw it. Though I'm not usually into real romance books, I was able to put that immaturity aside for a bit, but this book made it easy to, because there was only really a couple parts where it was romance driven. Inside this book is an epic adventure about a woman who learns to care about herself and someone else she never thought she would, a man who's her enemy's son. They join forces not only to save her people, but to try to save his as well, and they head out of the desert and deep into the mountains to the horribly sexist group that controls the land around The Matriarch's home. The people that not only denied her because of her gender, but because she's not willing to just lay down and let them do whatever they want to her and her own. They've taken her water, but she's going to fight to get it back.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was really exciting, and the characters were a lot different than the others I've been reading about lately. War torn but still tough, they did what they have to do for their people, and even though I'm not into romance novels, I think this book made me realize it's not what I thought it was, at least for the most part. I'd love to check out the second book, and maybe even dip my toe into more in the genre, if they're all this interesting and action packed. I think you'd like this story if you're looking for a strong leader who just wants to save her people, and a really interesting story about that.

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Thank you firstly to NetGalley, to Ms. McInnes and to AKM Publishing Pty Ltd for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested although not required.

This book was a RIDE. I came into it expecting a sort of feminist Mad Max situation and frankly that's more or less accurate. Between the author's Australian nationality and the Mad Max vibes I also really envisioned this taking place in a post-nuclear apocalypse Australian landscape.

I've seen plenty of reviewers cover the basic plot, so I really don't think it's necessary to do so. Suffice to say, Yolanda, current Matriarch of her [mostly female] Horde is a terrific character who is exactly as tough, fearsome, independent, intelligent and capable as you'd need to be to succeed as a leader in this world. She also struggles with the more totalitarian and honestly, somewhat barbarian and excessive, teachings of her mother with which she's been indoctrinated. Yolanda sees a different way forward for her Horde than the way her mother taught her, a way that allows for occasional softer feelings and cooperation with allies, and she has to overcome her fears and mistrust to proceed. Her counterpart, the Hammer (or prince) of the Delasovian people, offers support and alliance but it's a big risk for Yolanda to (a) trust not just someone outside the Horde, but a MAN and (b) leave her Horde in order to get answers.

I enjoyed a lot of things about this story:
-the action level was definitely very high. The paced moved quickly and something was almost always happening.
-the feminist personality aspects of both Yolanda and her Delasovian ally (don't want to spoil anything) were excellent. In the circumstances Yolanda lives in, you can completely understand her outlook and point of view, and her progression to acceptance of the Hammer seems pretty natural for a female leader in her position. The relationship between them is beautiful.
-there wasn't a ton of worldbuilding revealed but what there was, I enjoyed, particularly Yolanda's horde's adaptations to feed, clothe and transport their members on such scant resources.

A few things to note:
-I would have liked more worldbuilding in general, maybe a little more about the nuclear apocalypse and the other nations' formations afterwards. More information about the Delasovian and Horde nations would also have been interesting: how and why did they "settle" in those locations? How did the nations and their governments form? I assume from the subtitle that this is going to be a series, so maybe these questions will be answered in forthcoming books.
-I would have enjoyed a little more meat to the ending. After so much time spent on the road the ending felt a little rushed and incomplete. Perhaps this too will be expanded in future books?
-I think this book may need a serious trigger warning for (war-induced) violence towards and death of children, as well as illness-related death of children. A few passages made sense plot-wise but were difficult to read.
-one more thing, and the author referred a couple times to "damning" of water. I can only assume this will be corrected in edits? Or maybe it's an Australian thing? I always thought the correct spelling was "damming".

Otherwise, I liked this book very much and would definitely be interested in reading more in this series. 3.5 stars happily rounded to 4 for GR.

The characters in this book are phenomenal, the female protagonist, Yolanda, is headstrong and unwavering in her support of her people. She would give up just about anything in to make sure her people survive. Sasha, the male protag was great, he supporting her in anything she did but held his own as an independent character.

The chapters are short but packed with detail, I particularly liked the anecdotes at the start of each chapter, they really give insight to the reader of how Yolanda was raised, they also tie into each chapter. The book had many surprising twists and I am eager to read the next.

I was actually shocked by how much I enjoyed this book. The unique and unpredictable story and engaging characters made The Matriarch something I would consider to be near perfection in terms of narrative prowess. Despite some of the difficult imagery, I could not put it down.
My favorite aspect of the book was the near constant internal conflict of Yolanda attempting to figure out her own identity outside of the traditional beliefs of her people, and the horrors committed by her mother. Separating her behavior between being a ruler, and being a person, all the while trying to forge a new path as both. It was certainly a different kind of character arc than I was used to, a more feminist one where finding strength is not the problem, but allowing others to see you without it is.
In terms of romance, this is a slow burn. However, it fits with who the characters are within the context of the world, and the relationship developed between Yolanda and the Hammer is something I really enjoyed seeing progress.
Needless to say I will be waiting on the second book in this series with baited breath.