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In my last blogpost, I chatted a bit about the origins of Motherland Climax by Vlad Puting and what drove me to write something so unlike anything I’ve penned before. For this post, I’ll be a delving a bit more into the actual world of Motherland Climax, giving insights into how it differs from our reality, and exploring the various Great Powers mentioned throughout the story.
Most alternative history novels have a point of divergence. One event that doesn’t happen quite like it did in our world or a pivotal historical figure behaving in a very different manner. In some cases, it might only be a slight deviation that has huge knock-on ramifications for later events. It varies from story to story. I must admit, I was deliberately vague on what the point of divergence was for Motherland Climax, but I do hint at it in the ‘Foreword’ (the actual Chapter One). Take this quote from the (fictional) bestselling author Hamish Skellington discussing Vlad Puting’s writing style:
“Another comparison, and certainly a source of inspiration, can be noted in the writings of Corsican author Napolean Bonaparte. Puting’s an avid fan of The Ottoman Dream, telling the story of a young French general invading Egypt at the turn of the nineteenth century and establishing an empire. While Bonaparte writes of epic battles with dragons and magic, Puting utilises the latest technology, momentous war machines of the Phoenix Project, and threats of nuclear annihilation.”
Essentially, in the world of Motherland Climax, the Napoleonic Wars never happened. This left the Holy Roman Empire intact, preventing the rise of Prussian militarism, the reunification of Germany, and no World Wars.
Warfare does exist between the various Great Powers, but nothing to the extent of what we’ve seen in our timeline. This has led to a certain degree of technological, economic, and political stagnation. Nuclear weapons/technology have never been developed, the living standards for the lower classes are far below average (having a radio or electricity is seen as a luxury), and the world has become far more stratified.
The opening chapters of Motherland Climax are set in the early twenty-first century, but it resembles our version of the early twentieth century in many ways. Colonialism is very much rampant with the Great Powers competing for control of land and resources. Powerful empires prey on weaker states for influence and to expand their territory, all the while attempting to prevent their rivals from doing the same.
The world of Motherland Climax provides ample opportunity for a ruthless and disgruntled super-spy named Victor Petrov to seize power and rewrite the course of history. Without further ado, meet some of the so-called Great Powers you’ll read about in Motherland Climax by Vlad Puting:
The Rus Empire:
Viewed as the weakest of the Great Powers, the Rus Empire suffered a catastrophic decline over the last century, ushered on by Tzar Peter Romanov III (also referred to as the ‘Mad Tzar.’) Due to a series of devastating wars, its territory has shrunk to a sliver of what it is in our timeline, with vast tracts of land under foreign occupation. Against this backdrop, Victor Petrov leads a revolution against the Romanov dynasty to establish the neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus. Under his firm and unwavering hand, he will bring the Motherland to her climax…
The Confederate States of America:
By far, considered the strongest of all the Great Powers in every respect. Officially, the CSA adopts a policy of isolation, showing little interest in the affairs of Europe, Asia, and Africa while focusing its energies on its ‘Forever War’ in South America. For generations, the CSA has slowly but steadily occupied Central and the northern portion of South America in a bid to subjugate all the Americas under the Confederate banner. As the story starts, it has become bogged down in a new confrontation with the Empire of Brazil.
Unofficially, the CSA exports its ‘Doctrine of Equality’ as a sort of soft power strategy against perceived rival nations. Espousing the belief that all people should be treated equal (even though slavery is still legal in the CSA), this concept works to destabilise other countries by creating a core cadre of agitators to demand change and more freedoms in their own societies.
Many of the Great Powers despise this tactic but genuinely fear Confederate military might and are actively grateful they’re focused on their own territorial ambitions in South America, so tend to ignore it for the most part. Fearing the neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus’ rising power, Hereditary President Besh-Kunnedy will stop at nothing to thwart Victor Petrov. The only internal threat that concerns him is presidential contender and tremendous war leader, machoman, and philanderer, Ronald Tromp.
He’s a tremendous guy. Absolutely tremendous. Of all the guys, he’s the most tremendous. Modest too.
The Holy Roman Empire:
This loose confederation of states dominates middle and Eastern Europe to varying degrees. Internal dissent remains a constant problem as various ethnicities demand more political freedoms after centuries of Germanic domination. With a weakened Rus Empire on the eastern flank, the Germanics manage to narrowly consolidate their position. But a new, self-assured neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus poses an existential threat. Should the Holy Roman Empire fall, what will rise from its ashes?
The United Kingdom of Great Britian, Iceland, and Ireland:
Seen as one of the most dominant powers in Europe, the British have had less success overseas with retaining their empire. Nipponese encroachment in Asia and independence movements in Africa have weakened their grip on some colonial possessions, but the British Navy remains one of the most powerful in the world. As the story takes off, we learn a little bit more about British plans to apply pressure to the faltering French Republic and a general wariness about the rapid growth of Rus military strength and technology.
The French Republic:
Facing similar problems to the British in Asia, the French fear the loss of their Great Power status. Led by right-wing zealot President Marie Lepen, they eagerly seek out an alliance to fend off British encroachment on their colonies. Even going so far as to opening relations with the neo-Bolshevik Republic of the Rus. Surely, such an agreement will be to the benefit of both nations and not a lopsided affair (in every sense of the word…)
The Empire of Nippon:
In our timeline, Imperial Japan sought to build the ‘South-east Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ prior to and during World War Two. This involved a massive enlargement of Japanese military power to occupy new territories, subjugate people for labour, and harness vast newly-won resources to continue expanding its influence.
In Motherland Climax, the Empire of Nippon has been successful in this endeavour. Without foreign interference or any serious counterbalance in the Pacific, it occupies huge areas of Asia, including Siberia. One of the Victor Petrov’s core drives is to seek revenge for the Battle of Moscow (which happened three years prior to the story.) Although it ended in a slim victory for the Rus, his subsequent dismissal from service embitters him and spurs him on to seek vengeance against all who wronged him (perceived or otherwise).
The Iberian Union:
Historically viewed as one of the preeminent colonial powers, the Iberian Union has fallen into disarray over the previous century. Independence movements in South America cost it virtually all its colonies. Despite its shrinking political clout, the Iberian Union takes strong exception to Confederate intervention into an area it considers rightfully theirs. One reckless action could start a chain of events leading to the first ever Intercontinental War…
If you hadn’t guessed it already, the history buff in me really shone through in this story. I admit, some of what I proposed may not be plausible even in extreme circumstances, but it was fun to write about. As I mentioned in my previous post, I enjoyed tearing up the rulebook for this project. If you pick up on nothing else when reading Motherland Climax, I hope it’s that I had an amazing time writing it!
Motherland Climax by Vlad Puting out 1st July 2025. Available for pre-order now:
https://www.damienlarkinbooks.com/shop/pre-order-motherland-climax-by-vlad-puting