Lai lives in an immaculate utopian society, where human hierarchy is determined by each person's Year of Death (YOD). With a tragically low YOD, Lai knows she adds little value to the community, but a shocking discovery upends her perceived reality. 

The writing completely sucked me in, and I appreciate the pacing of the story. The book starts slower and feels calm and blissfully meandering as we get to know the peaceful and controlled society and its residents. Once we start learning its secrets, however, the story really takes off, and I found myself desperate to find out what happens! The various twists had me on the edge of my seat and completely engaged. 

The ending is shocking and abrupt, but leaves me very eager to see what happens next in the sequel, The Silent Spaces!