This is a post-apopcalyptic novel about 15 year old Deuce and the relationship that forms between her and her partner, Fade.
Part One
Deuce has spent her entire life in the underground enclave College, beleiveing everything her elders have taught her. After her naming ceremony she is paired up with another Hunger Fade. Fade was born outside the enclave and has never fit in. As a hunter it is their job to find food for the colony and to fight off Freaks- zombie like creatures who eat humans and have very little intelligence. While on her 1st hunting trip, they come across a starving, blind boy from a neighboring enclave in Nassau. The figth of Freaks and bring the boy to the elders. The boys was sent from Nassau to request help against a growing Freak invasion. The boy is killed and Deuce and Fade are sent to Nassau to investigate. Once the reach Nassau they discover the entire colony dead and the find that the Freaks have become smarter and feeding in great numbers. Fade and Deuce return to College to report the concern. On the way back to College, Deuce is grabbed by Jengu, a member of a friendly Burrower community. They lose the Freaks who are stalking them and return back to college- report on Nassau, the advancement of the Freaks, the Burrowers, etc. Friendship blossoms between Deuce and Fade. The elders do not take the warning seriously.
Once back at College, Deuce begins to realize that not everyone believes the elders without question. Banner, a friend of Fade, who had concerns about the elders was found dead- likely a staged suicide. Shortly afterwards, one of Deuce's brat-mates Stone (a breeder) is accused by the elders of hording. Deuce knows this is a set up and takes the blame. Fade cooberates her story. They are banished from the enclave. Twist, a rebel College member, helps them with food and says "They're going to kill me what I do after you are gone." Deuce and Fade make their way topside.
Part Two
Jengu helps D & F find a ways out of the tunnels. Fade shares the story of how he ended up in College. He lived topside until age nine when his dad died. The gangs chased him into the tunnels until he found the enclave. WHile traveling topside, their friendship begins to deepen. Once topside, they run into a gang, run by Stalker, who capture them. Deuce escapes taking a fellow hostage Tegan, with her. Deuce helps Fade and they make their way to an old family friend of fades' named Pearl. Through Pearl, Deauce learns Fade's given name Semyon. After looking at Pearl's maps, they leave, continuing north. Stalker tracks them and takes Pearl as hostage. Fighting Fade and Duece, Pearl is killed and the battle with Stalker is interrupted by a band of Freaks- the 1st seen by Stalker above ground. The humans fight the freaks and Stalker- the last of his gang, join Deuce, etc. on the trip north. While traveling north, Fade begins to pull away from Deuce due to his grief over Pearl's death. Winter hits and foursome hole up in a found house. Stalker begins teaching Deuce fighting skills- which unbeknownst to Deuce, leads Fade to believe that Deuce likes Stalker.
