Children of Mother Earth - Thea Beckman

The story introduces the reader to the futuristic world of Thule (formerly Greenland), six centuries after the 'Big Bang' (a nuclear world war). Because the rest of the world has become largely uninhabitable, a peaceful, green society flourishes in Thule.

• The Thulean structure: Thule is led by women. It is believed that the patriarchal, industrial systems of the past destroyed the earth, leading to the choice of a matriarchy that lives in harmony with nature (Mother Earth). Machines and weapons are taboo.

• The protagonist: We follow Christian, the son of the ruling Konega (queen). Because he is a boy, he has a different social status. Christian is an outsider; he is curious, adventurous, and dreams of sailing the seas, which clashes with the established Thulean order.

• The invasion: The peace in Thule is brutally disrupted when a gigantic, mechanical warship sails into the harbor. The ship originates from the Baden Empire (the restored, militaristic Europe). The Badenese — led by the arrogant Professor Egon — are looking for raw materials to fuel their industry and claim Thule in the name of their emperor.