Recruitment Day has arrived, and for Lucian “Lucky” Spark, it brings a chilling ultimatum: fail, and a loved one will die. In a world governed by the harsh and merciless Establishment, Lucky is thrust into a brutal competition as one of five Recruits vying to become part of the feared Imposer task force.

Each Recruit must endure increasingly difficult and violent military training, with only the chance to advance to the next level offering hope. But for those who fail, the cost is unspeakable—a family member must be chosen as an “Incentive” to be brutally killed. For Lucky, this means the unthinkable: the potential death of his only living relative, his four-year-old brother, Cole.

Desperate to protect his brother, Lucky is prepared to sacrifice everything, even if it means the lives of other Recruits’ loved ones. Yet, amidst the chaos, an unexpected bond forms with Digory Tycho, a handsome and rebellious fellow Recruit. As their relationship deepens, the stakes become even higher, for in this world, love is the ultimate weapon and the deadliest risk.

In the face of harrowing trials and dangerous alliances, Lucky must navigate a path fraught with peril and moral dilemmas. What he discovers about love, loyalty, and survival could change everything.