At the age of five, Melanie Armstrong watched her fragile world melt when both her parents were dragged away as part of The Peter Pan Project. Apollo, the leader of the area formerly known as the United States, separated siblings and destroyed families to create a world where "family" has a different kind of meaning. He also created a place called Paradise for a select group of young men and women when they reach the age of 18. But Mel receives a letter warning her that Paradise isn’t what it seems from her long lost brother. And when she’s selected, her moment arrives. She must make the most of it or suffer a fate worse than death.