Return to Isis

by Jean Stewart

Book Overview

It is the year 2093, and Whit, a bold woman warrior from an Amazon nation, rescues Amelia from a dismal world where females are either breeders or drones. During their arduous journey back to the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0962893862
• ISBN13: 9780962893865
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Rising Tide Press (AZ)
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Unique Dystopia

I was pleasantly surprised by Jean Stewart's riveting science fiction adventure, "Return to Isis." To label this wonderful book merely "lesbian science fiction" is denigrating both to the author and the material. Albeit this is the story of a futuristic lesbian society, I found it thoroughly enjoyable, and as well written as any number of "straight" distopian novels. The world Stewart creates is a frightening one, not because it is far from our own, but rather a bit too close! It envisons a time when AIDS has mutated and blended with genital herpes to create a more deadly strain, AGH, which devastated most of the world. In the United States, a war broke out between conservative Christians, who blamed the victims of AGH for its spread. This split the country into Freeland, where women, minorities, homosexuals, Jews and others blamed for AGH live without fear, and Elysium, basically the US from Chicago east of the Mississippi, where "New Order Christians" run a repressive, facist regime, hiding behind a "Star Wars" type laser barrier that keeps undesirables out and slaves in. Enter Whit, a Freeland Warrior, and Amelia, a simple farm girl who harbors an ancient secret. I won't spoil the plot for those who haven't read "Return to Isis," except to say that it contains may twists and unexpected turns. It's a supremely well crafted and well written book which deserves a much wider audience. I found it a delight, and literally couldn't put it down. I am now reading the sequel, "Isis Rising" with equal enthusiasm.

Good beginning of a fantacy/futuristic Lesbian society

Setting of an estranged land with it's major nemesis just across the continient is good basic fare. A mystery-like approach allows for outlining of how Freeland came about and how it functions. A little unhappy with all men being seen as 'bad' and some of the sugary 'lets all get along' stuff is excessive, in my opinion. All in all a good view of Lesbian possibilities in the future with a nice story of two very different women slowly falling in love.

A Great Read that Deserves a Wide Audience

Jean Stewart has set her novel in a future where a virulent virus has decimated America's population, and, as a consequence, divided the country into three distinct zones - one is a wilderness where no one can live, another is Elysia and is run by white right-wing Christian men bent on cleansing the race and who use women as breeding stock, and the third is Freeland ruled by women. This is the story of Whit, a Freeland warrior, and Amelia, a Farmer from Elysia. Together they unlock Amelia's past and solve the mystery of who betrayed Freeland ten years earlier. This is a well-written combination of science fiction and lesbian romance. The characters are well drawn, the societies are clearly defined without bogging the reader down in detail, and the writer has down all this in 173 pages. This is definitely not your formulaic output of either genre. It deserves a wide audience because it talks about a future that is possible as well as tells a story along the way.

Must read if you like the combos of amazons and sci-fi

Jean Stewart wrote a three book series staged in a post nuclear war, all female society separated (by choice) from men. A great blend of science fiction, romance and strong female characters that will entice you to read all three books in one sitting. It is a simple, quick read that goes well with a hot bath and chocolate.