A southern teenage girl, Soya Hosuwa, lives in the isolated coastal village of Matama. She has only one mission: to be accepted into a prestigious university located in the northern capital of the Empire of Longyu. There is just one problem: Soya's community has been completely devastated by an earthquake. She is left with nothing but the clothes on her back and a chatty cat named Ala'watori to keep her company. With no home to return to, Soya and Ala'watori journey to the city of Orasai to fulfill Soya's goal. Along the way, they discover the true nature of their nation, with deep injustices and exploitation that permeate every aspect of the lower hemisphere. There are two contrasting versions of the same unified people, each separated only by a thin, invisible border line. Soya learns the stories of many who have long suffered under corrupt power and influence. She learns a variety of different customs and undergoes multiple changes in her former beliefs, all while juggling the pressures of constant traveling. Hers is a daunting journey filled with arduous tasks and new transitions into an entirely unfamiliar lifestyle, but it is one that will prove invaluable. (About the Author) First-time author Annie Dai grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a student and is already planning her next novel. "Even in the most idyllic paradises, there will always be those who had to forfeit the extra inch, contribute the additional sacrifice and strength and energy, relinquish the supplementary drops of sweat and blood. It just doesn't seem sensible to disregard such a thing, when it has been evident in every society in every geographical location."