In the first book, a normal spring morning cascades into a nightmare as 1.8 billion children simultaneously fall ill and then vanish from the face of the earth. Increased natural disasters, onslaught of disease and other phenomena throws the world into chaos as it balances on the brink of extinction. Following the death of her son, Mera Stevens gathers the courage and strength she needs to trek across a dying country in search of her daughter. She is joined by others on this mission, including Alex Sans. After they find Mera's daughter they begin their search for the New Jerusalem, a urban leg