Forty years after a time known as the Great Killing, the city of League is a place of travail, ruled by a tyrant and controlled by his mechanical creations. Livie, a scrubwoman, survives by dodging the steam-powered Police Dogs, fierce Grey Guard, and cruel Feline upper class. Like freedom, happiness is beyond imagining. Benton works long nights lighting the city s steam lamps and attends back-room meetings of the resistance, even though it could earn him prison or worse. It s there he notices Livie, and she returns his interest. With a world of trouble on their backs, they d have to be crazy to dare reach for love. Then again, love may be the one thing powerful enough to save them.