It's hard to follow your heart when you don't have one. In the aftermath of a war-weary North America, the Change was invented as a more effective human heart. To keep the Citizens safe, all who refused the Change were labeled as Rebels and banned from entering the Cities. For eighteen year-old Elloh, the protective confines of the Change and the City are all she's ever known. Unlike other Citizens, though, Elloh secretly dreams of a life that isn't so limiting. Her dreams come true when she meets Zen, an intruding Rebel related to the City Official assigned to keep Elloh safe from harm. When fellow Change Operator, Rich, coerces Elloh into performing a risky Change Operation on Elloh's new and only friend, Tally, Elloh quickly realizes the City is not what it seems, and joins the Rebellion with Zen. However, the Rebellion presents several new challenges, and just when Elloh thinks she's overcome them all, the Rebellion decides to take a stand against the City with the most unexpected consequences.