Flowers for Gaia - John D. Grant

Call her Earth, or call her Gaia, years from now, our planet is almost uninhabitable as a result of environmental chaos and war. In the middle of the ocean, two small, conjoined islands still thrive and serve as home to a unique population of survivors, the Wiconi. These peaceful, agrarian-based islanders have genetically evolved affinities that allow them to influence earth, water, air, and fire, talents they use to protect and aid Gaia, the Earth Mother. They are her Guardians.

When three technology-laden ships from the dying outer world land on the islands, cultures collide. The newcomers, Terrans, build industries that quickly threaten the environmental health of the Wiconi lands. The island Guardians stage protests and increasing resistance to these destructive practices. The Terrans, blind to the dangers of their industrial expansion, put a bounty on the troublesome natives and begin hunting them like animals.

Calix, a young Wiconi boy, loses his parents, his memory, and the ability to speak all on the same day. Bounty hunters. An elderly Terran widow shelters him from the authorities. With her help, Calix works to reclaim his heritage and understand the elemental talents of his people and their catalyst flowers: the windflower for air, water lilies for water, red roses for fire, and the common dandelion for earth.

War is coming. Calix, his best friend, Brooke, and other talented Wiconi youth train hard to become Guardians. Can these young warriors heal the land and expel the Terrans? They are certainly going to try.