The world has changed a lot in this book by K.A. Riley and the change is not a pleasant one at all. Only a few are allowed to live after their seventeenth birthday as they are given the Cure and a chance to live in the Arc. Those who fail to prove themselves worthy of the thing are thrown back to live and die among the diseased.
Then she is given the chance to live with a rich family in which there happens to be a boy who is quite appealing. She thinks that her dreams have finally come true and she will live at ease for the rest of her life. Slowly she also starts realizing that the society which looked apparently beautiful and appealing was not what it seemed. Yu Li Alice Shen narrates in a sentimental way when Ashen starts thinking that she has made a mistake in her life.
Perhaps she never wanted to be a part of such a society that is hollow from the inside. Now going back means facing death thus the girl gets into a big mess. Awaken and Ascend will bring more enlightenment to the mind of the listeners. Just prepare your mind to listen to an entirely new world before starting these books.