I have encountered a couple of odd similarities between characters in my book, 2122: The Perilous Fight, and reality. Both relate to the leaders of the Arabian Caliphate in my book, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in real life. I just had to share and get your comments. For context, I finished writing the story in May 2017, and obviously, the story takes place 104 years from now. Due to editing and cover design, the book was not published until October 31, 2017.
In the book, our hero, Jack Kennedy, meets and becomes friends with the Caliph of the Arabian Caliphate and his nephew. The name of the Caliph is Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz. His nephew is Mohammed bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. Both characters continue to help Jack through the final two books (2123: Dawn’s Early Light and 2125: Home of the Brave).
In real life, most everyone knows that Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz became Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in June 2017. I read a story just today that his uncle has returned to the kingdom to attempt to displace his nephew as Crown Prince. I was again shocked to learn his name is Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz.
Is that freaky or what?!? Of course, the book is 100% fiction. Also, in the story, the nephew is twelve years old and his uncle is still a young man. But the coincidence of the names blew my mind.
Hey out there in #RRBC land, how does that grab you!