Six centuries after the collapse of civilization due to global warming and pandemics women have established a peaceful society on an island in the northern Atlantic Their society is based on female dominance with men related to the status of workers and secondclass citizens without rights Men who rebel or show signs of defiance are cast out into the ocean Judith the daughter of the islands ruler is about to come of age and choose a mate However she is increasingly full of doubts about true nature of the society she is part of Her chosen mate Obed is rebellious and has a dangerously independent mind Can Judith find a way to tame him or will he drag her into a suicidal revolt against the authorities led by her own mother