The novel takes place in a fictional Canadian town called Cortege, during the beginning of a zombie apocalypse.

[2] Barricaded in Cortege High with five other teens while zombies try to get in, Sloane Price observes her fellow captives become more unpredictable and violent as time passes, although they each have much more reason to live than she has.

Although its premise primarily revolves around a zombie apocalypse, this is only a framing device used to explore themes of humanity’s perseverance and the long-lasting emotional damages inflicted by familial abuse.

[4] In 2013, it was among the Silver Inky Shortlist,[1] ALA/YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers,[5] and ALA/YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults.

[6] The next year, it was a 2014 OLA White Pine Honour Book[2] On Goodreads, as of 2024[update], it has an average 3.85 out of 5 stars from 14,523+ ratings and 2,526+ reviews[7]