One moment, the World War II hospital ship Benevolence is
patrolling the South Pacific on a mission of mercy—to save
wounded American soldiers. The next, Benevolence is split
in two by a torpedo, killing almost everyone on board. A
small band of survivors, including an injured Japanese
soldier and a young American nurse whom he saves from
drowning, makes it to the deserted shore of a nearby island.
Akira has suffered five years of bloodshed and horror
fighting for the Japanese empire. Now, surrounded by
enemies he is supposed to hate, he instead finds solace in
their company— and rediscovers his love of poetry. While
sharing the mystery and beauty of this passion with Annie,
the captivating but tormented woman he rescued, Akira
grapples with the pain of his past while helping Annie
uncover the promise of her future. Meanwhile, the remaining
castaways endure a world not of their making—a world as
barbaric as it is beautiful, as hateful as it is loving.
With the blend of epic storytelling and emotional intensity
that distinguishes him as a unique talent, John Shors
reveals a powerful story of redemption focusing on unlikely
lovers, heroes and villains, and war-torn countries—all, in
their own ways, fighting to survive.