Following the harrowing events of 'The Knife of Never Letting Go', Todd and Viola find themselves in the clutches of Mayor Prentiss in New Prentisstown. Now split apart, with Todd imprisoned and Viola in a healing house, they must navigate a world of dangerous politics and deceit. As Viola becomes entangled with the militant group The Answer, Todd confronts moral dilemmas under the mayor's rule. Their loyalty and trust in each other are tested to breaking point in a town brimming with tension, secrets, and insurgence. With chapters alternating between their perspectives, the question remains: Can Todd and Viola's bond withstand the turmoil of betrayal and ideological warfare?