This first adventure follows the story of a bonder, Kylie, and a pampered teen, Affroditey - both thrown together as their prescribed roles in society change. Kylie becomes the mouthpiece of the god, Odin, and gains political advantage and freedom as a result. Affroditey finds herself reduced to penury after her father's suicide, and sold off as a bonder by her uncaring stepmother. Brought together by Kylie's young son, who has been 'adopted' by Affroditey's employers, the two girls decide to escape as pioneers to Mars, where they will help to set up a new society.

Since his mother, Odinstoy's, death, Gift has become obsessed with the idea of tracking down his real father. In secret, he employs a private detective to make investigations on Earth so that he can uncover his past. But when a newsblog reveals evidence to suggest that Odinstoy wasn't his real mother, Gift doesn't know where to turn.