The novel follows the adventures of a young man named John Gray, who is sent to a mysterious island in the South Pacific by his employer, the eccentric millionaire, Mr. J.H. Randolph. On the island, John discovers a strange race of people living in a state of perpetual fear and terror, under the rule of a mysterious and powerful being known as the Master. John soon discovers that the Master is actually an alien being from another world, and that he has been using his powers to control the islanders and keep them in a state of fear and terror. With the help of a mysterious woman named Zara, John must find a way to defeat the Master and free the islanders from his control. The novel is a classic example of early science fiction, and is considered to be one of the first works of the genre. It is also notable for its exploration of themes such as fear, power, and the human condition.
By Francis Stevens · First published 1917 · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery · 14 chapters