In post-apocalyptic North America, two countries have replaced the former United States of America — The Republic and The Colonies. Fighting against both of them is also a rebel group that calls itself the Patriots. Though it isn’t clear if The Colonies are any better, readers can easy ascertain that The Republic is not so much a republic as a totalitarian regime. This story is told from the alternating perspectives of characters named Day and June — Day is an independent anarchist who refuses to work for the Patriots but still does everything in his power to sabotage The Republic in their war efforts against The Colonies; June is a military prodigy who got a perfect score on her entrance exams and has been fast-tracked through military training school.
I think the duel narration was a great way to make readers more sympathetic to characters on both sides of the spectrum and to gradually unfold details about what is happening both around the country and in Los Angeles [where both Day and June live]. The truth is, while life is clearly better for some people in The Republic, no one is truly free.