The Island on the Edge of Forever: Hawaii-inspired Tropical Sci‑Fi

The Island on the Edge of Forever is a fast-paced Tropical Sci‑Fi novel inspired by Hawaii, and it’s a complete story you can start today, as an ebook or an audiobook.

I wrote this one while I was living on the Big Island. It was my main project during those Hawaii days, and it shows: the lava tubes, the black sand beaches, and the sense of an island ripe with secrets. If you’ve read Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise, this is the novel that came out of those hours.

You don’t need to have read Book 1. This is Asha’s story, and it begins here. Everything you need arrives as you go.

The Story

When Asha accepts a mission to recover a stone that can raise the dead, she’s pulled into a world of ghostly ruins, cave-dwelling vermin, and a mysterious island that burns with bonfires each night, only to vanish by morning.

Separated from Commander Mira, Asha must survive the island and race against the Vakragha before they can use the sacred stone to resurrect their most dangerous leader.

Meanwhile, Zahn leads a daring expedition into a subterranean labyrinth that may hold the key to stopping them, but only if Asha succeeds.

As Asha’s plans unravel, the full burden of the mission shifts to her, and she must brave the deadly vermin within the caves, alone. With the fate of worlds hanging in the balance, Asha’s courage and ingenuity are her only hope.

Fast-paced, tropical, and imaginative. Read it on its own, or as the second chapter in the complete Epic of Aravinda trilogy.

Narration Preview

In the world of the story, an exiled A.I. named Vayuna got hold of this account and is releasing it to the whole galaxy. She also goes by the name Vati, and if you know her, you know she has more than one reason to want it told. She’s the voice you’ll hear.

My plainer framing: I produced this recording using carefully tuned open-source voice technology and edited it chapter by chapter myself. The free preview is the fastest way to know whether her voice is one you’ll enjoy for five and a half hours.

Chapter 1, “A Halo in the Sky,” narrated by Vayuna. 13 minutes.

What Reviewers Say

“I really enjoyed this book and was impressed by its Miyazaki-level imaginative flair. The vivid way Crusoe painted the landscapes and inhabitants of the Island of Forever stuck with me. Further, he interweaves just the right amount of spiritual levity and philosophy throughout, in a way that serves the plot rather than vice versa.” — Tom Minderle, Author of Fringe Knowledge for Beginners

“In today’s vast sea of self-publishing, discovering this much intelligence, original thought, and imagination is a rare treat…I’m already impatient for the third book!” — Flavia Westermann, Amazon Reviewer

“I have almost 1,500 Sci‑Fi books on my Kindle…This one sticks out from the rest…It was an exciting read that left me wanting more.” — BookWormy, Amazon Reviewer

“It’s not often that I treat myself to fiction books, but reading ‘The Island on the Edge of Forever’ was so exciting that I didn’t want to put it down. The journey Crusoe takes us on is imaginative, bringing new worlds to life before my eyes…I can’t wait to continue.” — Billy Horn, Amazon Reviewer

“The author’s prose is smooth and rhythmic…with layers of meaning and complexity for those who care to look.” — Michael Coorlim (Galvanic Century series author)

“If you want to take a fast trip through the galaxy to an enchanted island somewhere far away, this book is for you. This book has it all!” — Lamar R, Amazon Reviewer

Would You Rather Start at the Beginning?

Some readers like to begin at the beginning, and I’ve made that easy. Book 1, The Truth Beyond the Sky, is free. The ebook comes with two more reads. Don’t want to sign up for updates from me? The complete audiobook is free too, as a podcast and a YouTube playlist.