The Matriarch: Dianis, A World In Turmoil is a work of science fiction and fantasy written by author Frank Dravis. Penned as the second novel in the Dianis chronicles, we return to the protected planet of the series title to find it covered on all sides by groups with differing interests. Chief Inspector Achelous is missing, but his predictions for the exploitation of the planet are coming true everywhere. His lover Marisa, a feisty trader princess, takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery of his whereabouts, as well as the many secrets he has kept from her and her son. So begins an adventure with plenty of intrigue and political and social suspense.

Good science fiction should always hold a mirror up to reality, and I believe that this excellent work by author Frank Dravis does exactly that. After a stellar opening novel filled with important questions about greed, the environment, and human nature, we are treated to another dose where the stakes are higher still and even more tense to see played out. Marisa is a great character for us to follow, growing in her understanding and learning the conflicting beliefs of those around her just as we do. The prose gives us plenty of gentle chances to learn the lore of the world which Dravis has created, without ever overdosing on the exposition. What results is a superb science fiction slow burn with plenty of questions looming long after the reading is done. Overall, I would highly recommend The Matriarch to sci-fi and fantasy fans everywhere.

The Matriarch: Dianis, A World in Turmoil by Frank Dravis is the second novel in a science fiction series that focuses on retribution and fighting for your rights. Marisa has no idea where Achelous went; she loves him, but there are certain things about him that she isn’t sure of. When she finds out that he isn’t a trader from Dianis, she knows she must find out who he really is before it is too late. However, Achelous and his team are missing, the people of Dianis have no idea where they went and now that they are in trouble, they need their hero more than ever before. There are certain forces looking for the best opportunity to destroy Dianis and the longer Achelous stays missing, the more powerful they are becoming. If the wrong people find him, that would be the end of his life. Marisa needs to find him and warn him before it is too late, but can she find a man who is excellent at hiding?

With strong characters and a powerful plot, The Matriarch: Dianis, A World in Turmoil by Frank Dravis is a novel that I absolutely enjoyed. From the moment the story began, I was swept away by the action and the intensity of the characters. You cannot help but feel sympathy for Marisa and how much she is suffering. Although there are many characters, especially when it comes to the Paleowrights, Marisa remains my favorite. She is a fighter, she is intelligent and she is strong enough to know what her weaknesses are and how she can play to her strengths. The narrative is very smooth, the plot just flows incredibly well and allows the reader to get invested in the story from the get-go. I enjoyed the dialogues and the descriptions the most; they somehow made Dianis believable and very real. Very interesting and immersive, this is an incredible novel and I cannot wait to read more about these characters.