A science fiction tale of global warfare and the people who profit from it. Hairston's extraordinary debut novel, nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award and short-listed for the Otherwise Award.

The world has been divided by the Barrier. For 115 years this extraterrestrial, epidimensional entity has divided the Earth into warring zones. Power-hungry politicians, gangsters, and spiritual fundamentalists are determined to thwart a potential treaty to end the internal wars.

When the treaty's architect is assassinated, her protegee, Elleni, a talented renegade and one of the few able to negotiate the Barrier, is forced to take up her mantle.

Now Elleni and a motley crew of allies risk their lives to make the treaty work.

Can they repair their fractured world before the Barrier devours them completely?