The Remembering

The Meq #3

by Steve Cash

 
THEIR ORIGINS ARE A MYSTERY.
THEIR FUTURE IS AT HAND.
 
For thousands of years the Meq have existed side by side with humanity—appearing as twelve-year-old children, unsusceptible to wounds and disease, dying only by extraordinary means. They have survived through the rise and fall of empires and emperors, through explorations, expansions, and war. Five sacred stones give a few of them mystical powers, but not the power to understand a long-destined event called the Remembering.

In the aftermath of the nuclear bombing of Japan in 1945, Zianno Zezen finds himself alone, while the fate of the other Meq and his beloved Opari, carrier of the Stone of Blood, is unknown. But Z’s archenemy, the Fleur-du-Mal, survives. In the next half century Z will reunite with far-flung friends both Meq and human, as American and Soviet spies vie to steal and harness the powers and mysteries of the timeless children. With the day of the Remembering rapidly approaching, Z must interpret the strange writing on an ancient etched stone sphere. In those markings, Z will discover messages within messages and begin a journey to the truth about his people and himself.

Lyrical and mesmerizing, The Remembering spans the world and history, from the first humans to a secret that has never been told before. The Remembering is the moving saga of the Meq—their purpose, past, and future among us.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

281 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2011

About the author

Steve Cash is a singer-songwriter and a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. He was born in 1946.

Reviews

[Clay Kallam · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a hook without a book – or in this case, books.

Steve Cash, once with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils (he co-wrote “Jackie Blue”, if you go back that far), has finally delivered the finale in his series, The Meq, and “The Remembering” (Del Rey, $15, 280 pages) is nothing but a contract-fulfiller that goes absolutely nowhere.

Here’s the hook: There exist among us a very human-like species that looks like 12-year-old children, called the Meq. They are essentially immortal, until they “cross over” and have children, at which point they develop into normal humans and die after a normal life span. They are also pointing towards a major event, The Remembering, which they know nothing about except that it’s really important.

So, after three books, Cash gets his cast of 12-year-old immortals to the Remembering and … nothing. They don’t remember anything, there is no explanation of their origin or future, and the characters fizzle out into a future no different than their past (the evil villain becomes just another member of the group).

Like a fluffy pop song with a great chorus, The Meq grabs your attention at first listen but eventually reveals itself as shallow and empty. Don’t waste your time or money.

[Judah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a sad thing when a book/idea has a lot of potential for being interesting, but never quite hits the mark. There are an awful lot of coincidences that pop up in order to move the plot along. "The Meq have to get out of *insert location here*...and LOOK! So-and-So just happens to be there with his plane/boat/whatever!"

Not awful, really, but it could have been so much better.
(okay, it was close to awful, now that I think back on it)

[Connie Suttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

At long last! And I was just about to write to the author, too. Is it wrong to feel giddy about a book?

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the three. It was a slightly disappointing end to the trilogy for me.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I loved this series. I had been waiting for this book for YEARS and I am thanking my lucky stars that it finally came out. It wraps up the story nicely although some of the big "why are we here" questions aren't really answered. I was surprised with the way Zuriaa's story ended. It seemed like she didn't really further the plot a ton, and I don't know how to feel about the fleur du mal anymore. Still, really well written books. Lots of reread value.

[Bill Meehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked the first book, the 2nd and 3rd, eh, okay.

The Fleur de Mal completely changes in this book, the spheres (and their creators) and the Remembering has been something the Meq have been working towards for millennia and when it comes.... an eclipse no different than the one we find in 2017 that ends the book.

[Ty Dupler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing end to the trilogy. Kind of seems like he wrote the book to fulfill his contract and
collect his house payment.

[Christopher Melinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great wrap up.

I could wish for a few more answers but overall the series was a great read. I will definitely read this series again.

[Sarah Morenon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one hell of an amazing series. I read it quite a few years ago (just adding in Book 3 right now though. I still think of it, often. And now I'm thinking I need to re-read it.

[Trina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat depressing. I liked the first two books slightly better.

Problems with this series: First, how easily they get out of trouble. Second, how they just randomly meet famous people (or people who will become famous). Third, how the books read more like a history book than a novel. And finally, how COMPLETELY unsatisfying the ending is!

1) They get in trouble!! Oh, no! How will they ever be saved?!? "Oh look! Here's some random person we know! What a wonderful coincidence that they happen to be in this completely different country and in the same place we are and have pull with the people giving us trouble!" Or, "Man, I guess we have to use our 'Stones' now..." -Sigh- "I just really like to wear mine and never use it.." -uses Stone- "Ahh. Problem gone!"

2) Seriously though, how many famous people would you meet just living life or going to other countries? Usually to meet a famous person, you have to be trying to meet/see them!

3) I know the Meq live a really loooong time... But the time passes so quickly in the book, that it becomes a long series of 'telling' about all these major historical events that happened. I don't read to be slogging through a hundred years of history.. If I wanted that, I would read a non-fiction history book. Note: I do read non-fiction books and enjoy them. However, this was non-fiction stitched together with bits of fiction.. Kinda like Frankenstein's monster.

4) You know the huge buildup to this big all important event? Well, nothing really happens. You never find out what all the hype was for! What's going to happen?!? Nothing. That's what. Nothing.

Anyways, all in all, this was a rather disappointing, depressing read for me. Interesting in parts, but disappointing.

[Topher · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was writing my dissertation, I received a notice that I had won signed copies of the fourth realm trilogy from John Twelve Hawks. It pretty much made my month (I was writing a dissertation - pleasures get savored for a longer time).

I've had two moves in two years, both cross-country in a car. Most of my stuff had to go. I only kept a few books. My intent though, is to replace a lot of the books I've lost. And some of those I want as signed copies.

The Meq trilogy is likely to be the next ones I get signed. I'm trying to figure out now what exactly you write to an author to ask if they'd be willing to sign books for you. The last book was published a while ago - I don't think there will be any book signing tours. So I'll have to put some effort into it.

This series is worth that effort, to me. I can't think of anything else that really needs to be said to explain why I gave it five stars, other than that I think it's worth the effort to buy copies of all three books, try to contact an author, and request they'd sign the books for me. Normally reading is a passive, not an active, hobby for me.

[Joe Scholes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one very much. It's the third book in the Meq series, and a long awaited one. The characters are very interesting. The whole premise of virtually immortal people "frozen" in the body of a 12 year old until they find their Ameq (life partner) is fascinating. The series of books spans hundreds of years in the lives of the Meq as they travel the world in search of the meaning of their existence.

Some of the characters are more sympathetic than others, and the relationships are wonderfully crafted. A lot of world history is woven into the story, which also makes it interesting.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were interesting parts, but all in all it was implausible that the world of the Meq would become so intertwined with that of the Giza's governments and wars, etc. These ancient people are not ones to jump at frivolities and this book seemed to have them running around too much. The ending seemed trite, as a grand gesture by Z and Opari was quickly ruined in the epilogue. An unfortunate end to such a fabulous first book.
Also, it is quite short compared to the other two books. An unbelievably quick read.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

What happened? Why...the ending. Seriously? What?

So much disappointment in the end. Even as I was getting close I thought he'd pull it off and give me something as brilliant as the first two installments. Alas, not even close.

Even if he'd left it with all the unanswered questions after the final chapter (the old ones, Fleur-du-Mal, what is their purpose) I would have still given this 3 stars - I can deal with a "pick your own ending" type of story.

But. BUT. There was the epilogue and just no. Nope. I reject this reality and substitute my own. Only way to deal with this level of sorrow.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trilogy itself is wonderful. One of the most exciting history lessons I ever had! The Remembering was a great finish to the trilogy. It answered almost all questions and threw in a few surprises as well. It wasn't too predicable either. It's always hard to read the last book without big expectations and hope and I think Steve Cash ended it perfect.

I would gladly read another Steve Cash book!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Z and Opari apparently attended a lot of Cardinals games in the last decade. I'm wondering what they think of LaRussa and Duncan. (All right, Z's epic century-long Cardinals fandom amused the heck out of me throughout all 3 books. I can't help being curious of what he thought about the last 4 decades. But perhaps it would not be good to ask about the '85 World Series.)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and thought it was a great ending to the series. It was also much less disturbing as the Fleu Du Mal was not in it too much.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending left me a bit wanting, and the story seemed a bit anticlimactic after the first two books, but still a very good read.

[Connie Suttle]

bittersweet.

[Cindy]

disappointing