The hardest part of writing the Mate Match Agency series was unarguably the world building. These stories are set in the future after a viral pandemic changed the world as we know it. In addition to researching pandemics and its effects on the world (thank you, Covid), I had to use my imagination of what a recovering world would look like. I couldn't use race or ethnic descriptions for my characters because in the future, skin color doesn't matter. With each book, I explored a different aspect of their world.
Mate Run: Pia is the shortest book and an introduction to the world of the infected and noninfected.
Mate Run: Cherise takes a deeper look at infected society as a whole and how the genetic mutation impacts them.
In Mate Run: Cara, the longest book, I explore in greater detail the virus and its origins . I also made a valiant attempt to answer all of the questions asked by readers in their reviews.
Welcome to the World of Mate Match.
In the year 2124, our world has been dramatically reshaped by a man-made viral pandemic. Initially, this virus was designed to create superhuman soldiers, a project led by the US military. However, it inadvertently resulted in a profound division among the global population, creating two distinct groups: the infected and the noninfected. This division transcended the usual lines of race, ethnicity, and nationality, as it's now genetic alterations that determine one's place in this new reality.
**The Infected:**
1. **The Clans:** Those who contracted the virus and experienced genetic changes are known as "the infected." They reside in rural areas, forming small, necessary clans. These clans are predominantly composed of males who have acquired animalistic traits, such as heightened senses like super hearing, superior eyesight, and reflexes. These enhancements make urban environments, filled with technology and sensory stimuli, a challenging place for them to inhabit.
2. **Self-Governance:** In the wake of the pandemic's destruction, centralized governments collapsed. Consequently, the infected clans have taken on self-governance. Their leadership often relies on a merit-based system, where individuals with unique skills stemming from their genetic enhancements assume leadership roles.
3. **Natural Adaptation:** The infected have adapted to their improved senses and animal-like characteristics. They now reside in small rural communities, living off the land by cultivating crops, hunting, fishing, and relying on traditional wisdom to ensure their survival. Their distinctive abilities grant them advantages in these natural settings.
**The Noninfected:**
1. **New Town (formerly Portland Maine):** Those who remained uninfected sought refuge in meticulously rebuilt urban cities, which now serve as technologically advanced fortresses of safety. These cities boast state-of-the-art medical facilities, AI-driven infrastructure, and intricate security systems. Unfortunately, the sensory-rich urban environment can be overwhelming for the infected due to their heightened senses.
2. **Isolationism:** Fearing the possibility of genetic contamination, noninfected communities have adopted stringent isolationist policies. Entry into their cities is rigorously regulated, involving comprehensive health screenings and quarantines for newcomers. The infected are often misunderstood and feared. Noninfected individuals worry not only about the genetic alterations but also about the risk of not surviving the virus itself.
3. **Fragmented Governance:** The collapse of national governments has given rise to localized governance within these urban enclaves. Each city formulates its own set of rules and regulations, with limited cooperation facilitated by communication networks.
**Interactions and Conflicts:**
1. **Resource Disparities:** Tensions arise from disparities in resources between the infected and noninfected. Urban enclaves have access to advanced technology and abundant resources, while the infected clans grapple with adapting to these environments.
2. **Cultural Divides:** Profound cultural and genetic differences deepen the divide between the two groups. Noninfected individuals prioritize security, technological progress, and strict governance, while the infected place a premium on survival, community, and self-sufficiency.
In this divided world of 2124, humanity faces a complex tapestry of challenges and opportunities. The struggle for survival, the relentless pursuit of technological advancement, and the fervent quest to maintain the societal balance are all intertwined with the unforeseen consequences of genetic experimentation gone awry. The choices made by women like Pia, Cherise, and Cara, who seek to bridge this divide, hold the potential to reshape this world in unexpected ways. (Overview created with the assistance of Chatgpt)
Where do i get/purchase the full book for this without reading on Vella? it's too expensive to purchase chapters per chapters on there 😭🙏
Edit: Nevermind, i found it on the website! just purchased it! thank you soo much!! i was waiting for this book to release after reading book 1 & 2 on Amazon Kindle 😭🙏♥️