Sometime in the future, the mainland of Noram (North America?) is divided into the haves and the have nots. Those who live in lower Noram, close to the shore where there is no electricity but plenty of trash are known as Shorelings. They are less then happy with their situation and when the story begins, they are constantly rioting because the government ruling the kansu (the rich people who live in upper Noram) have announced a lottery. 500 Shorelings will have the opportunity to migrate to Pacifica, a lush green island whose exact location is not being advertised. Many of the Shorelings, in spite of horrific living conditions, do not want to leave their homes, but if chosen, will be forced to go to Pacifica.
Marin is neither kansu nor Shoreling. She is corsario, a pirate, who has been living among the Shorelings for a few years. She is very skeptical of the Pacifica advertisements because she knows for certain there is no lush green island out there.
One night, a few days before the lottery will take place, the president's son Ross, and the vice-president's son Adam decide to go to see the riots and they set off a chain of events that will alter the history of Noram permanently and threaten Marin's secrets.
This is a great story, sure to be adored by dystopian fans. It is also disturbingly frightening in some of the very recognizable problem spots described in the tale. ( )

For too long our people have suffered, plagued by overcrowding, disease, and lack of work. We have only just survived for too long. Now we must take the next step and thrive. Pacifica. A new beginning. Blue skies. Green grass. Clear ocean water. An island paradise like the ones that existed before the Melt. A lucky five hundred lottery winners will be the first to go, the first to leave their polluted, dilapidated homes behind and start a new life. It sounds perfect. Like a dream. The only problem-- Marin Carey spent her childhood on those seas and knows there's no island paradise out there. She's corsario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him, and she knows a con when she sees one. So where are the First Five Hundred really going? ( )

This was so intense that I could NOT put it down! The sailing details were particularly interesting, and I loved the ending! At this point, I will read anything Simmons writes. Just like [b:Metaltown|28118037|Metaltown|Kristen Simmons|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1455210440s/28118037.jpg|48127871], she has created characters I couldn't help but find myself attached to and hoping for happiness in spite of so many struggles and obstacles they are either born or basically imprisoned into - and the romance is wonderful. ( )