The rich and the privileged have fled the city, barricaded it behind roadblocks, and left it to crumble. The inner city has to rediscover old ways - farming, barter, herb lore. But now the monied need a harvest of bodies, and so they prey upon the helpless of the streets. With nowhere to turn, a young woman must open herself to ancient truths, eternal powers, and the tragic mystery surrounding her mother and grandmother.

Canada Reads, 2008 finalist