A coming-of-age novel set in a hostile environemnt where only art, friendship, and courage can stave off humanity's collapse.

After the Great Catastrophe, humans have gathered in small nomadic tribes. Teenagers Ilia, Snow, and Aurore try to survive a hostile, freezing climate. One day, they are captured by an enemy tribe that enslaves them. Their already difficult lives become terrifying: toiling deep in a coal mine to serve the crazy dreams of their new chief, Estelan. Estelan wishes to create the first permanent settlement and develop agriculture. But when food runs out, he has to find a way to bring game back to his territory. By way of a solution, the tribe’s shaman suggests summoning animals by painting them on sacred cave walls. But spirits will not bring the animals back…