Julian lives in a world where humans have nine lives. As you shed lives, you shed your awkward phases: one death is equal to one physical and mental upgrade. His mother burned through her first eight in just a few years, but Juliann is determined to stay on his first for as long as he can. He has no intention of succumbing to the debilitating rebirth sickness that she inflicted on herself. But the regime has death incentives aimed at controlling overpopulation, and Julian becomes a target for the Burners, the school's suicide club. When Julian uncovers gaps in the rebirth system he is soon on the verge of exposing the greatest conspiracy ever unleashed on the world.