In her engaging SF novel, Grace Agnew offers a dual mother-son perspective that allows for thoughtfully complex explorations. Agnew is a skilled worldbuilder who pays attention to details, enriching the story. This is a tough-minded, compelling tale of how post-apocalyptic humans might find renewal.” —Kirkus Review There is no armageddon. The end is simpler than that, and sadder, because mankind was warned. People just kept piling on, polluting, depleting the water supply, over populating, until the earth simply gave up. Miranda and her son Alex are among the lucky ones, living in a controlled city that recreates everything they lost. It’s not enough for Alex, who escapes to join his father and a chance for real life in an outside city. Miranda has no choice but to follow. City of the South is dirty and dangerous, more trash heap than fortress. Desperate people will do or trade anything for water and a mouthful of food. Neither city has the answers, but the planet may have answers of her own. Can Miranda, Alex, and the human race follow Earth's own answer for survival, or is it just too late?