What if the only way to set the world right is to set it on fire?

Ever since government agents murdered her best friend, Raya has planned her escape. The sixteen-year-old grew up in a federally designated Dead Zone, a hollowed-out city whose people were stripped of their citizenship rights. Except Raya is lucky enough to work for her grandmother's burgeoning virtual-media company. Creating a best-selling game could be Raya's ticket out for good.

But Raya's plans fall apart when her best friend reappears as a ghost. This is no game. Marcus challenges Raya to stay and craft her virtual-reality entertainments into weapons of war.

In this heart-pounding retelling of A Christmas Carol, the past holds murder, the present rebellion. If Raya doesn't join the fight to save her city, the future will hold only death.