Island of Ghosts and Dreams

A Novel

Christopher Cosmos

"A modern epic."—TODAY.com

"A delightful tale of magical realism."—Woman's World

A woman from a small Greek village finds herself swept up in the long and storied history of her island—and its far-reaching impact—in this unforgettable story of love, passion, and resistance.

Chania, Crete; 1941.

When mainland Greece falls to the Germans after incredible and heroic resistance, the Greek government flees south to Crete: an ancient island of Gods and Kings, and Myths and Minotaurs.

Maria is a villager whose husband has been away fighting with the Greek army, and after she finds a British soldier that washes up on a secluded beach near her home, and helps nurse him back to health, the Germans then turn south and invade Crete, too.

Occupation, tragedy, and betrayal follow. The lives of Maria and her family change in an instant and she finds herself in a role she never thought she'd have to play—and one that generations of Cretans have had to assume before her.

Steeped in history and filled with unforgettable characters, Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a profoundly moving and decades-spanning tale of passion, honor, family, the great and enduring sacrifices all generations must make for freedom, and our sacred and immortal obligation to follow the strength and power of our heart, no matter where it might lead us.

Christopher Cosmos is a bestselling author and Black List-screenwriter from the Midwest who attended the University of Michigan as the recipient of a Chick Evans Scholarship. He is the author of Once We Were Here and Young Conquerors.  Follow him @christophercosmos.

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Endorsements & Reviews

"A modern epic about six pivotal months on the Greek island of Crete during WWII, and one woman's experience of them." TODAY.com

"In 1941, on the island of Crete, Maria finds a British soldier, nearly dead, and brings him to the home she shares with her husband’s family. Meanwhile, as she awaits her husband’s return from his own battles against the Germans, the war reaches Crete's shores. Stark details about the violence and heartbreak of war are interwoven with tender moments of love. At its heart, this is a story of Crete’s cycle of overcoming oppression, as Maria’s grief makes way for those who come after her to rebuild and flourish." Booklist

"A delightful tale of magical realism filled with unforgettable characters." Woman's World

"Fans of WWII historical fiction will find much to savor in this novel. It offers a unique setting, unforgettable characters, and an action-filled plot, all written in a style that is both compelling and thought-provoking. As a window into the culture of Crete past and present, this novel is highly recommended." Historical Novel Society

“Cosmos revisits WWII Greece in his riveting latest. Island of Ghosts and Dreams shines a light on the lesser-told story of Greece’s role in WWII, evoking the tremendous stamina and courage of its people and showing how their lives are changed under the constant threat of death. It’s a stirring drama.” Publishers Weekly

"Among the many World War II books written lately, this one stands out -- and not only because the fiercest warrior is a woman. Valor runs deep in the characters who populate this book, though they are outnumbered and underequipped, because they're fighting on home turf. And wow is the sense of place strong in this story. Action sequences are as swashbuckling as any movie, the landscape is vivid on every page, and the cost of war is enumerated in lives lost among characters we've come to love. A fast and satisfying read." Stephen P. Kiernan, author of The Glass Chateau 

“Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a sweeping story of love and resistance, spanning two generations and capturing the fierce spirit of Crete during the German occupation. History, passion and sacrifice are bound together by the unbreakable will to be free. From the ashes of this war rises a love as timeless as the island itself. A beautiful and poignant must read." Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

“Wonderful book. Echoes of ancient times: the love of Greece, the love of love, it all shines against the backdrop of war. Beautiful and savage. I loved it." Conn Iggulden, New York Times bestselling author of the Emperor and Conqueror series

“Set in Crete during WWII and beyond, Island of Ghosts and Dreams is a compelling story of occupation, resistance, and the inescapability of history, exploring the links between beauty and despair, loyalty and betrayal, and loss and reclamation. Christopher Cosmos has a keen, tender eye for the way memory and trauma mark a landscape, for the dramatic complications of refusal and revenge, and for the deep emotional complexity of a life and the quiet power of the stories we tell. Island of Ghosts and Dreams will surprise you at every turn." Natalie Bakopoulos, author of The Green Shore, Scorpionfish, and Archipelago

"An epic tale of resilience, passion, and promise, Island of Ghosts and Dreams transports readers to a small Cretan village in the 1940’s and deftly weaves together threads of hope, inspiration, and unflinching love into a stunning illustration of how tragedy can transform us into our best and bravest self.” Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List