Winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award, Best Young New Adult novel.

The world is fresh from humanity splitting in half – the BlankZone in the East and the Federation in the West. As an inevitable attack from the BlankZone looms, the Federation makes swift, mysterious, and unexpected moves to prepare.
In this time of turmoil, the Federation announces a mandatory draft. James, a Federation teen, learns he has been drafted the day after his 17th birthday. He will join a group of hand-selected, skilled teens to be transformed into elite human weapons to be used at the Federation's disposal.

James and his fellow trainees endure grueling daily routines at training camp that push the limits of the humane and allow the Federation to identify their warriors. The outcome is a team that creates a bond more akin to family than anything else As a group, they suffer their new lives under a brutal leader who pushes them to unknown limits.

The future of the Federation as they know it is in their hands. Together, they face life altering events navigating a new existence dedicated to protecting their friends, families, and humanity at all costs. But with their mission comes more questions and with these questions, deadly secrets are revealed.