The Meq
by Steve Cash
Published by Del Rey (a division of Ballantine Books)
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Reviewed by Sarra Borne
In his debut novel, author Steve Cash creates an interesting proposition. What if another race of beings lived among us that only very few knew about?
Not brain-sucking aliens or evil masterminds, this race, called the Meq, are indistinguishable in appearance, but have certain abilities that Giza--as the Meq call us--do not. Their life cycle sets them apart; semi-immortal, the Meq mature to the age of twelve, and then remain in that state until they meet their Ameq or soulmate. They may then decide to become mortal and be able to reproduce. The few Giza aware of the Meq are either protectors or know only of the legendary Magic Children of the Mountains.
As the book begins it is May 4, 1881 and Zianno Zezen--Z for short-- and parents are on a train journey. It is Z's first twelfth birthday, and his mother has just begun to tell him their family is Basque, but also something else, something older. A horrific train wreck strews injured passengers, cargo and twisted metal all over the embankment. Both Z's parents are mortally wounded and are only able to leave him a few cryptic instructions: "Find Umla-Meq...find Sailor...we are the dreams."
The elusive Sailor resists being found despite Z's best attempts. But in a time of crisis, it is Sailor who finds Z and allows Z's real journey of discovery to begin.
Essentially this is a quest novel, with Z's search for his origins becoming intertwined with the Meq's search for their forgotten history and unknown destiny. This book is the first in a trilogy, and as such it labors under the strain of introducing characters, traditions and cultures which will be the basis for the following books. The action moves at a snail's pace, illustrating the long lives and unchanging nature of the Meq.
Z hardly seems to mature, even though by the end of the story he is approaching the half-century mark.
Despite the pacing there is enough here to entice the reader into picking up the next book.
The author uses many unfamiliar words and phrases, mostly taken from the Basque language. Although they are defined on first usage, a glossary would have been helpful.
Armchair Interviews says: A first of a trilogy, The Meq introduces us and entices us with characters.