NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Next to impossible to put down . . . exciting mysterious and
totally satisfying.”—STEPHEN KING From the New York Times bestselling author of The Passage
comes a riveting standalone novel about a group of survivors on a hidden island utopia—where
the truth isn't what it seems. Founded by the mysterious genius known as the Designer the
archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this
island paradise Prospera’s lucky citizens enjoy long fulfilling lives until the monitors
embedded in their forearms meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being
fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves embarking on a ferry ride to the island
known as the Nursery where their failing bodies are renewed their memories are wiped clean
and they are readied to restart life afresh. Proctor Bennett of the Department of Social
Contracts has a satisfying career as a ferryman gently shepherding people through the
retirement process—and when necessary enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one
thing he’s been dreaming—which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another his
monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to
retire his own father who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled
onto the ferry. Meanwhile something is stirring. The Support Staff ordinary men and women who
provide the labor to keep Prospera running have begun to question their place in the social
order. Unrest is building and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group—known as
Arrivalists”—who may be fomenting revolution. Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything
he once believed entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized—and on a desperate
mission to uncover the truth.
