For the past twelve years, The Foundation has used an army of programmed child soldiers, the Young Ones, to protect its reign. As one of those soldiers, seventeen-year-old August does whatever is asked of him, even if it means doing terrible things to his own people. Because August, like the rest of the children, is completely unaware of what he's doing.

But when one small accident leads to a major awakening for August and three other Young Ones, including the beautiful and fierce Elisa, submission is the last thing on their minds, and they soon find themselves at the front of a growing rebellion.

Forced to rediscover who he is, what it means to love, and where he fits in the uprising, all while trying to stay alive, August has his blood-stained hands full. And once he joins in a fight he has little chance of winning, he soon realizes that deception hides behind the most unlikely faces, and desperation leads to unthinkable acts. But all he needs is a crack, and the Foundation will crumble.