Thursday, April 25, 2013

"The Zul Enigma" by J. M. Leitch


The Zul Enigma 

by J. M. Leitch




Description

The Zul Enigma, best selling futuristic science fiction thriller, seamlessly weaves New Age beliefs with hard, physics facts. Set in 2068 it spans two generations following a quest to expose the perpetrator behind a cataclysmic event that takes place in 2012, changing the world forever.

In March 2012, when an alien entity claiming to represent the Galactic Federation contacts Dr Carlos Maiz, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, he thinks it's a hoax. But Zul persuades Carlos that, without his intervention, the coming month of December will not just mark the end of the year... it will be the end of the world.

Carlos, doing battle with his own demons as well as with a skeptical boss, NASA, the National Security Agency, National Intelligence and the President of the USA who wants him committed to a mental asylum, races the ticking clock to set up a global initiative to avert Zul's horrific prediction. But when a monstrous apocalypse of a different nature altogether brings the planet to its knees, rather than being lauded for saving humanity Carlos is accused of destroying it ... and of inventing Zul.

Fifty-five years later, Rachael Harris makes a disturbing discovery. She is related to the infamous Carlos Maiz. The more she learns, however, the more convinced she is that he was the victim of a sophisticated conspiracy. Delving deep and tracking down two of his old associates she uncovers the hideous reality underlying the events of that frightful day in December 2012, revealing a tale of global deception for a prize of absolute power.

Underpinned by a theme of betrayal, this dystopian novel is set against a backdrop of climate change, overpopulation, world war, alien encounters, presidential plots and a new world order. A venomous twist reveals the most horrific conspiracy one could ever imagine and Zul is behind it.



Review

By K. Berry

The Zul Enigma gripped me from the start to its stunning and shocking end. It's a unique futuristic thriller and sci-fi conspiracy adventure rolled into one. The story begins with Dr Carlos Maiz, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, being contacted by an entity, purporting to be an alien whom he calls 'Zul', who outlines a theory of galactic evolution linked to the 2012 Mayan calendar prophecy. Once he is convinced of the authenticity of 'Zul', he tries to convince others, including the US President, of the messages given him. This doesn't go down well for him at first.

After various adventures, twists and turns, Dr Maiz and friends help to implement Zul's message that the world should embrace meditation to assist with the looming evolutionary jump once the Mayan calendar runs out, which if not achieved, will result in dire consequences. What happens on the deadline date, when it comes, was a shock that shook me to the core. Some other reviewers have called this book controversial, and I can see why they do, but that is purely a personal opinion of theirs. As a piece of imaginative writing, this is quite cleverly done, intriguing and thought-provoking.

The latter part of the book is set some fifty-five years in the future, when a relative of Dr Maiz finds a lost journal of the time reads her mother's journal of the time and seeks to find out what really happened and why. It is at this time that the extent of the conspiracy is revealed.

I found this book to be a compelling page-turning read and highly original.



From the Author

The Zul Enigma is my first novel, a futuristic thriller. It took me 7 1/2 years to complete. It started out as a simple idea but evolved over the years into something quite different - a story with a shocking twist - that I would never have dreamed of at the start of my writing journey.

Because the underlying plot is so incredible I somehow had to draw in my readers to convince them that it might... just might... be plausible. The best way of achieving this, I thought, was to cement the characters and action in reality. As a result, I had to conduct a tremendous amount of research, which I very much enjoyed, especially the part that involved reading about the latest physics theories.
There is a page on the book's website called Fact or Fiction? that describes which theories, concepts, technology, organisations and establishments mentioned in the book actually do exist. The vast majority are real.
The thing that struck me most about writing this book was how the characters ended up driving the plot. I'd occasionally read or heard about authors saying this, but I never understood it until it happened to me. When you think about it, it's obvious. If you're pretending to be one of your characters you have to speak, think and act like them, meaning that they'll do things their way, not yours. And this is how they take over... pushing your book in directions you would never have imagined.
I love this aspect of the writing process, opening my mind to the characters I create and trusting them to move the action forward in an unpredictable and exciting way.
Should you decide to download or buy a copy of The Zul Enigma, I truly hope you'll enjoy it. After all, I wrote it for you.


About the Author

The author states: "When Mum picked me up after my first day of primary school I was in tears. 'Whatever's the matter?' she asked. I spat out words between heaving staccato sobs. They were an accusing finger. 'YOU said I'd learn to read!'

"It took much longer than I expected... but I did learn to read and I've not stopped since. I also learned to write and I published my first novel in 2011, The Zul Enigma.
"As to my background? Well, I was born just outside London, England, and moved to Asia where I've lived half my life. I now spend my time between Singapore, Assam in North East India, Bali in Indonesia and the UK.
"In addition to reading and writing I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends. I love laughing and try to spend as much time doing that as I can. I think it keeps me healthy! My hobbies are reading, tennis and travelling. I also enjoy good food and wine. Mmm... "
For further insights read an interview with the author.