Though better known as the editor for authors such as Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein, John W. Campbell also wrote science fiction under both his own and various pen names. Islands of Space was the second in his Arcot, Morey, and Wade trilogy. Originally published in the spring 1931 edition of Amazing Stories Quarterly, it was later published in book form in 1957.

After the events of The Black Star Passes, Arcot, Morey, Wade, and Fuller look for new challenges. Creating a spaceship that can exceed the speed of light, the four of them set out to explore other galaxies.