"New Zealand 2039: Jo is a student at Victoria University when a terrible plague spreads across the world--all but one percent of the world-wide population dead. An only child of fond parents, she has never had to face the harsher realities of life. But with her mother dead, her father stranded in America, and the city dying about her she decides to leave Wellington and search for a safe haven. Along the way, she encounters foe as well as friend, including Shay, who once lived on the street. Fighting where they must, trying to remain civilized when they can, the women are welcomed at a isolated commune. There they find that they cannot lay down their weapons as most had hoped, but must protect themselves from the increasing numbers of wild dog packs and human predators"--Provided by publisher.