A violent act fractures the close bond between two cousins, setting them on divergent paths of sexual awakening and emotional scarring on the Canadian prairie. Jennifer and Jason, raised in adjacent households in rural Saskatchewan, find their lives irrevocably altered by a single act of family violence. As they grow into adolescence, Jennifer navigates her burgeoning sexuality with her rebellious best friend Donna, while Jason becomes entangled in the world of hockey and a reclusive artist. The stark landscape and the raw instincts of both human and animal inhabitants conspire to shape their futures through a series of conflicts that leave lasting physical and emotional wounds.

The novel is characterized by its unflinching portrayal of adolescent life and the complexities of familial relationships on the Canadian prairie. Its exploration of sexual awakening and the consequences of violence is noted for its raw honesty and evocative setting. The narrative weaves together themes of rebellion, artistic expression, and the enduring impact of trauma, suggesting a story that is both specific to its locale and resonant in its examination of human connection and its fragility. The prose is likely to be direct, reflecting the starkness of the environment and the intensity of the characters' experiences.