Forty years after a time known as the Great Killing, the city of League is a place of travail, ruled by a tyrant and controlled by his mechanical creations. Livie, a scrubwoman, survives by dodging the steam-powered Police Dogs, fierce Grey Guard, and cruel Feline upper class. Like freedom, happiness is beyond imagining.
Benton works long nights lighting the city’s steam lamps and attends back-room meetings of the resistance, even though it could earn him prison or worse. It’s there he notices Livie, and she returns his interest. With a world of trouble on their backs, they’d have to be crazy to dare reach for love. Then again, love may be the one thing powerful enough to save them.
After surviving the horrors of the Lord High’s dungeons, Olivia and Benton recommit to fight with the Resistance, defying the ever-increasing risk of retaliation from their cruel mechanical overlords. Though they’ve lost their courageous leader to the tyrant, they still have the precious knowledge purchased at so high a price.
Their activities, however, unleash a storm of new punishments and unfair laws. As the raids grow ever more perilous, Olivia begs Benton not to participate. But a man’s not a man unless he can defend the woman he loves. And when Olivia’s worst fears come true, they face only one choice: a flight over the City walls into the poisonous void that lies beyond.
Since escaping the doomed City of League and the Lord High’s merciless mechanical creations, Olivia and Benton have striven to build a life in Second Eden. When their settlement is attacked by vicious wild men, it becomes clear the tiny community needs reinforcements. Benton knows exactly where to recruit them—back in League. It’s a mission that will require all his courage.
Olivia, who can imagine nothing worse than being separated from Benton, insists on accompanying him. When the plan goes terribly wrong, Benton is able to escape while she is trapped. Before she can make her way back to him, she will have to accomplish the impossible and undertake a daring rescue attempt that leads to the very heart of her fear.
