The Island is a standalone book in the Elrich Saga. However, I suggest reading Yellow Springs if you want to know more about the magic system and about the gods and goddesses.

This is Rille's (pronounced Rill, not Riley) story, but her story merges into Eri's in Elrich Saga Yellow Springs book 2 (title still pending). She shows up to help Eri and the gang when Shit goes to pot in Yellow Springs. Which is just typical of her luck honestly.

I plan to run some of Eri's book 2 in tandem with The Island. Not all of it, but some of it. The Island is not complete but I am 20 chapters+ in. I'm hoping to have it finished soon. It's certainly shorter than Yellow Springs as I've decided to cut a lot of the in-between waiting times and get directly to the point. I would like everyone's honest opinion on if my segmentation of the story works or if I should go back and fill it in.

For those of you who choose to skip Yellow Springs for whatever reason here's some background.

Elrich is a world of magic and adventure. Gods and Goddesses run amok and there's no telling when one will pop up to make your life more difficult.  There are twelve main deities and a LOT of little minor ones.

There was a battle eons ago between the main deities and the demonic god Apep. Apep was defeated and sealed away but unleashed monsters and his demonic children upon the world. 

Adventurers along with the Guild work to subdue these monsters to keep the habitations livable.

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There are multiple races on Elrich. Most of them willing segregated into their own nations.

This can pose a problem for some countries as some nations have inhabitants that are specialized in strength or magic.  Humans are the more dominant population, but that doesn't mean they aren't at a disadvantage against a smaller demi-human group.

Among humans, most of them can use magic. Only a small minority can not no matter how much they try to level up a skill.

Erich has a skill-based system, much like a game. They kill a monster gain Exp and then they can distribute that Exp into skills they have learned. This could be a physical, mental, or magical skill. 

Rille, the heroine of our story, is magicless in a world full of magic users.

Rille is also unlucky. So many things have a tendency to go cattywampus on her. Her own body included.

She's not always a she, there are days she feels distinctly male. However, societal conventions prevent Rille from becoming the person she wishes to be.

Living in near-constant pain from swollen joints, Rille lives her life making soap and hopping from job to job because she's always being fired.

Her mother has a gambling addiction but is unnaturally good at it. Gambling has both bankrupted them and pulled them through some of the coldest of winters.

Rille's luck seems to be changing though.

Her mother, the luckiest person Rille knows, won tickets to the all-expense-paid trip to The Island. Free health care spa and a daily allowance to be used in The Island Casino.

Not everything is as it seems. Half of The Island is a research base but what are they researching and how will this change Rille's life and Elrich forever?

Cover image from the Mertailer.

WARNING: This is a darker novel than Yellow Springs. While nothing is described in detail there are instances of rape, slavery, murder, and mass death. This book is 16+ and up. Nothing very graphic but it's there.