Tracey Steinbach

Several years after the Third World War, resources are scarce. The poor are poorer, and the middle class doesn't exist anymore. Teenagers are bought from desperate parents and orphanages, then brought to an island facility where they are to be educated, fed, and clothed as appropriate for their end purpose—soldier or breeder.

Marie Rice is a strong young woman and has gained rank as leader of her battalion of trainees. She was promised a better life on the island, but she is finding that promises were made to be broken.

Gunner Lincoln is second-in-command of another battalion of trainees and has a conscience, unlike his commander.

In a world turned upside down, with violence growing stronger by the day, Marie and Gunnar know better than to allow anything to happen between them, no matter the attraction, but cannot keep themselves from falling into a forbidden love.