Could men and women actually live together? The book gave details of such a life, a very biarre concept.Evan and Jacob have only known a life of separation, the sexes living within their own compounds and visiting strictly limited to Sundays. The all female High Council made all the decisions and maintained control over the male compounds through Merchants, who ensured the laws and customs; that had been set down generations before after the Grand War; were adhered to. Evan had known life with the female compound until the age of six when he then became his Father's responsibility. This is when he came to live within the Slake Patch. As a Second his duties were mainly restricted to the compound rather than on the prairie where his Father and older brother work.He would soon be informed of his Mother's choices for his tryst - he was nervous and apprehensive - how would he cope with a woman of his own? Who would it be?Unbeknownst to Evan, he will have a major effect on the future of all the compounds and life will change for the first time in generations.