In the near future, the United States has split into two nations-the East and the West-over the discovery of vast amounts of gold in the Montana wilderness. In Austin, Texas, young Juniper "June" Eaves is troubled by a rash of mysterious deaths that seem to be occurring on a regular basis. Then, her aunt Jessica turns up among the dead, and a devastated June discovers her aunt left behind a coded message.
This message leads June to the headquarters of the shadowy Elites-people with incredible hereditary skills. Here, she meets Cameron and Orion-two Elites who reveal the existence of a long-standing civil war between the Elites and a rebel group called Overload, who seek to secure the nation's coveted gold and topple the East.
June is taken in by the Elites and sent to rendezvous with a spy named Everard Vian, who has acquired knowledge of an impending attack by Overload. Now in a desperate race to foil the Overload plan, Everard and June uncover a hideous betrayal that puts June's family and the Elite base in jeopardy. As her world crumbles, June faces a shocking truth that casts doubt on all she knows and loves.