From the New York Times bestselling author of THE PASSAGE comes a riveting new saga in which a
small portion of the human population survives on a hidden island nation-until one man begins
to realize that the truth isn't what it seems. Life on the island archipelago of Prospera is
everything a person could hope for. Founded by the mythical genius known as the Designer
Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise
Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long vigorous and fulfilling lives- that is until the
monitors embedded in their forearms meant to measure their physical health and psychological
well-being fall below 10 percent. When that happens they retire themselves embarking on a
short 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
Managing Director of the Department of Social Contracts has a satisfying career as a ferryman
gently shepherding the elderly 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. For another his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly. 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 enough Proctor
finds his fate entangled with a cause much bigger than he realized and the world he inhabits
is shattered. Before he knows it he will find himself questioning everything he once believed
and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.
