Cassia and Ky have been separated by the Society and now live in different, dangerous places. Cassia is sent to an remote work camp, but she chooses to escape in order to find Ky. Meanwhile, Ky is forced into military service in the Outer Provinces, where survival is extremely difficult.
Both Cassia and Ky struggle to survive on their own while trying to find each other. During their journeys, they begin to discover signs of a resistance group called the Rising, which is fighting against the Society’s control.
As they travel through harsh and dangerous landscapes, they face many challenges and slowly learn more about freedom, trust, and rebellion.