In the dystopic world Baggott has created, there are two types of people: the Pure who live in a protected dome and the people who survived the Detonations, only to try to survive in the hostile environment they've been left with. Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during what people call the Before. However, she's one of the many who have permanent burns, scars and fused, damaged bodies. She's also at the dangerous age of 16, when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to be trained (or, if they are weak, to be used as live targets).
At the seemingly opposite end of the spectrum is Partridge, a Pure whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome. However, Partridge feels claustrophobic in the Dome and can't stop thinking about whether his mother, who never made it into the Dome, is still alive. Risking his life to leave the Dome to find her, Partridge isn't sure where to go or who to trust, even as he realizes just how dangerous the world outside the Dome is.
I gave this book a re-read because I remember really liking it (and also enjoying the other 2 books in the trilogy). It's been a few years so while I remembered some of the story, there was a lot that was new. The story isn't perfect; there are parts that drag and the storyline about the militia raises enough questions to make it a kind of weak story element (in my opinion). However, I enjoy the dual perspectives of Pressia and Partridge, and I really, really like this horrifying world that Baggott created. The whole concept of people surviving the Detonations, but as beings who are fused to things (metal, glass, objects, even other people) gives this dystopia a really awful (yet fascinating) quality. The story has fairly even pacing to it, and a wealth of interesting characters, as well.
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