About the Book
It is 2066 and humanity is pioneering and settling the open oceans. Pelagia transports readers into the dynamic world of frontier seamount communities, nomadic tuna shepherds roaming the vast seas, and the technological ingenuity needed to survive and thrive in this harsh environment. As sea settlers find themselves on the frontline of a rising geopolitical and spiritual struggle, Ben Holden must confront his past—and humanity’s
Blending the pulse-pounding suspense of a modern thriller with the visionary science of sea-steading, Pelagia explores loss, faith, healing, and the resilience of community. With breathtaking and emotionally authentic characters inhabiting a richly imagined world, this novel will captivate readers who love stories that challenge the mind and uplift the spirit. A deeply immersive journey—both timely and timeless.
Characters
Ben Holden
Special Forces Operative, Particle Physicist
A decorated marine, Ben returns from a brutal tour with his unit to face an unimaginable loss that is the final blow to his spirit. He seeks refuge in alcohol, which draws him into a downward spiral. These troubles, however, are nothing compared to the merciless operatives that now hunt him. Darkness and despair close in around Ben and he must make a choice: will he fight for his life?
Lorenzo Romero
Activist, Human-Dolphin Project
17-year-old Lorenzo, Maria's brother, has a unique empathy and rapport with dolphins, enhanced by technology that facilitates communication between species. Teamed with his bottlenose friends, Lucca and Tazia, they serve the interests of both humans and dolphin alike as they defend the Pelagic territories. Dedicated to their work, they become a key factor in the struggle over Ben's fate.
Maria Romero
Marine Biologist, Marcelli Seamount Township
Bright, vivacious 33 year old Maria revels in her life within Marcelli Seamount Township in the South Pacific Pelagic Territory. She serves her community through marine research of her beloved seamount and environment. She has achieved many of her ambitions and now seeks someone she can share her life with. Through a chance encounter in the Sonoran Desert she meets Ben and wonders if he might be the one.
Paul Whitestone
Director, Rehabilitation Centre
Paul's life, career and marriage were devastated by the tragic death of his twin sons. Recovery from ensuing substance abuse led him into a life of helping others recover from addiction and loss. The rehabilitation centre and its community, set in the arid Sonoran Desert, have shaped his new life and nurtured extraordinary gifts. These remarkable talents toss Ben a lifeline of hope.
Sophia Battuta
Autistic Prodigy in Marine Robotics
9-year-old Sophia is Suliman's daughter. She struggles with basic human interactions yet has a courageous depth of soul that is unfathomable even to her family. Her keen intelligence and observational skills allow her to create extraordinary marine robots that are used to not only protect Ben from those who pursue him, but the family she loves so dearly.
Abdul Qawwi
Agent for the New Caliphate
Muslim dreams for a Caliphate have been resurrected from the ashes of history. Abdul Qawwi is a loyal and talented agent of the Caliph and has been instrumental in promoting the agenda of the New Caliphate throughout the world. A chance encounter at a geophysics conference inspires his breath-taking plan to neutralize the influence of nations that have challenged the ambitions of the New Caliphate. Ben Holden holds the key to the success of this scheme and so he pursues him relentlessly.
Gideon Battuta
Designer and Pilot of Amphibious Aircraft
22-year-old Gideon is the son of Suliman and Sophia's elder brother. He is a gifted engineer who is refining the design of a revolutionary amphibious aircraft, the Kestrel. He is a skilful pilot who serves the Pelagic Territories in defence of their way of life. Ben's surprise arrival will put both his skills and Kestrel to the ultimate test.
Nemo
Augmented Intelligence Agent
Nemo is a sophisticated algorithm serving the Battuta family as first mate, advisor, child counsellor, navigator, among other roles. His dispassionate objectivity and persistent pursuit of the Battuta family interests make him an invaluable member of the household – even well-loved if his circuits could encompass that emotion. He becomes an unexpected ally to Ben when he most needs it.
Suliman Battuta
Bedouin Leader of Nomadic Clan
Sheik Suliman and his clan, descendants of Yemeni Bedouin camel herders, have established a community within the Pelagic Territories. He and his family travel the South Pacific Gyre on the seastead vessel Ossë, along with other families in their clan, as they herd schools of southern bluefin tuna for a living. Through this nomadic life on the open seas, they seek freedom from the persecution of the New Caliphate, who view them as apostates and traitors. Despite the danger to their Pelagic community, they extend to Ben sanctuary and protection from those who pursue him.
What Readers Are Saying
"Imagine a world only a few decades from now, where tightly knit communities are pioneering and settling the vast oceans. What geopolitical forces would shape their lives? What enabling and disturbing technologies might be developed? I found myself captivated by Pelagia's glimpse of a plausible and hopeful future for our civilization."
"Cinematic in its storytelling, Pelagia combines the tension of Captain Phillips and the intelligent science-fiction of Minority Report. In addition to its complex characters and a convincing portrayal of religious extremism, the novel offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of aquaculture that will certainly engross anyone with an interest in that field."
"Steve Holloway's Pelagia is a rare and captivating work of science fiction—one that made me hope its vision of the future might actually come true. Holloway's world-building is grounded in real, well-researched science, making this future both plausible and inspiring."
"It's not often, when reading a science fiction thriller, that you want to stop and re-read a passage in order to appreciate the beauty of the language. But that's what I found myself doing in Pelagia. Steve Holloway's descriptions of the undersea world are breathtaking."