The Islander—A Romance of the Future
In 2155 there are two Americas: one for the wealthy and one for the poor. The wealthy control most of the land and all the technology, while the poor lead short and squalid lives confined to the remnants of America's collapsed cities, known as Islands. The two cultures collide when Galen Fairchild, a young Islander, falls in love with Mata Vandermere, the daughter of a prosperous family from the modern city of Stratis. Galen and Mata struggle to stay together in the face of daunting opposition from family, friends, and many other forces. Their troubles finally lead them into the ghostlike ruins of downtown Minneapolis, where no Islander dares to go. Inside the crumbling skyscrapers, they discover a strange power linked to Galen's past, which changes his life forever and the two opposing worlds in which he and Mata live.
EXCERPT: Bucket in hand, he stepped to the corner of the rooftop, and there his flesh broke out in goosebumps—whether from the breeze on his wet skin or the view, he couldn’t say. Below him, cocooned among the murmuring boughs, a thousand tiny windows glowed. West beyond the lamplights spread the rolling countryside, bathed by the gentle beams of the moon, and well beyond the fields a dome of white arced into the violet skies. It was hard for Galen to imagine what kind or quantity of light could outshine the moon at such a distance. By contrast, the torches below him resembled the scattered embers of a dying fire.
The source of that light was the city of Stratis, the most prominent of the techopoleis that surrounded the Island, a city that stood in opposition to the Island in every possible way—meaning that everything the Islanders lacked, Stratians enjoyed in excess: what men and women built by hand on the Island, machines built in Stratis; what the Islanders carried on their backs, aircraft ferried in Stratis; while most Islanders lived in simple homes of dried mud, most Stratians lived in elegant homes tended by servants and surrounded by lush gardens; where ignorance, fear, and superstition reigned on the Island, technology and science ruled in Stratis; and where sickness and starvation brought an early death to most Islanders, modern medicine ensured a long and healthy life for nearly every Stratian. In Stratis a cough or sniffle meant only a short trip to the doctor, but on the Island the same cough just as likely marked one for death.
And in Stratis his best friend would risk everything tomorrow—by breaking the city’s most sacred laws and stealing from the family that supported his own, bringing home at the end of the day either retribution or redemption.
Reviews for the Islander Series
“I was a little skeptical of reading a romance novel, but this book was a delight. It has mystery, humor, suspense, and a Sci-Fi edge that’s fresh and clever. My book club raved about The Islander, and my husband loved it too. It’s one of those books you just want to share with your mom, your best friend, and everyone else who loves to read. The well-structured plot draws you in and the clear descriptions give you a rousing picture of this radical prediction of the haves and have-nots of the world. I highly recommend you put aside any skepticism you may have about futuristic or romance books and expose yourself to this page turner today. It’s a gem.”
“I ain’t a romance novel kind of guy but this one sure worked for me. The writing is so elegant in some places as to be almost poetic, in others it’s crisp & smart. It works to draw you into the setting with prose that almost sings and then moves the story & develops the characters in a way that has you eager to see what happens next. And what happens next never disappoints.
I enjoy good writing & a good story will always get my attention but it’s the connection I feel with the characters that makes a great read for me. This book has all three.
Highly recommended.”
“I don’t review very often - I think I’ve only done 4 or 5 reviews in all the time I’ve been shopping on Amazon. But I really wanted to review The Islander for a few reasons. One, this book was self-published and I feel it truly deserves all the “press” it can get, so that the word gets out. Two, it’s a fantastic read. The premise takes two often-used ideas (a divided society following some disaster that destroys modern-day cities and society, and the classic Romeo and Juliet style love story) and twists them expertly into a tale that sucks you in. Primitive means of survival, advanced technology and supernatural powers exist together in this novel, and it’s unlike any other I’ve read before. Three, I’m hoping that by getting the word out Mr. Whittlesey will grant us a sequel! I would love to read more about Mata and Galen. Read The Islander - you will not be disappointed!”
“This is the best book I have ever read. I chose it for a book club book because I wanted others to see why I enjoyed sci-fi so much and IT WORKED. Everyone (all women) said they really enjoyed the book and even liked the sci-fi parts.
The book is very well written and is hard to put down. I will read it again and again and have recommended it to all of my friends and family. The only downside is, I wish there was a sequel. :)”