Brief Summary
The story depicts a post-apocalyptic world where all beings with a Y chromosome suddenly die, leaving only one man, Yorick Brown, and his monkey alive. This event leads to societal collapse, political infighting, and the rise of radical feminist groups. Yorick, along with a secret agent named Sarah, embarks on a dangerous journey to find a geneticist who can potentially save humanity. Along the way, they face numerous threats, including looters, military checkpoints, and power-hungry factions.
- The sudden death of all males throws the world into chaos.
- Yorick and Sarah journey to find a geneticist and save humanity.
- Political infighting and radical feminist groups create additional conflict.
The Catastrophe and Initial Chaos
The world is thrown into chaos when all carriers of the Y chromosome suddenly die, including the President of the United States. The only surviving male humans are Yorick Brown, an amateur magician, and his capuchin monkey, Ampersand. With the president dead and the Vice President missing, Senator Jennifer Brown assumes leadership amidst widespread panic and rioting. Agent 355, Sarah Bergen, is tasked with a mission related to this event, while Yorick attempts to survive in a world hostile to men.
Missions and Discoveries
Senator Brown sends Sarah to find her daughter, Hero, who is helping at a refugee center. Hero is with a group of trans men, who were unaffected by the plague. Meanwhile, Yorick ventures out in search of supplies and encounters dangerous situations, including a flooded subway and hostile shopkeepers. He is eventually found by Sarah, who takes him to his mother, Senator Brown, at the White House.
Conspiracies and Escapes
Yorick is hidden in the White House, but the threat of exposure looms large. Sarah insists on moving him to a safer location. In Israel, Regina Oliver, a presidential candidate, declares her intention to claim the presidency. Sarah arranges for Yorick's secret transport, but the escort helicopter explodes, ensuring the pilot's silence. Sarah and Yorick land in a forest, where they are attacked by looters, but they manage to escape and acquire a motorcycle.
Alliances and Conflicts
Hero and her companions, including a trans man named Sam, encounter Norah and her daughter McKenzie, who has an infected wound. Hero provides aid, while Sarah and Yorick are attacked again, this time by female police officers after Yorick foolishly reveals himself. They continue their journey, while Hero's group finds shelter with a group of horsewomen led by Roxanne.
Radical Ideologies and Checkpoints
Norah discovers that the horsewomen control a shopping mall stocked with supplies. Sarah and Yorick head towards Boston to find geneticist Allison Mann, encountering a military checkpoint. They split up, and Yorick is mistaken for a trans man by rebels. Eventually, they locate Allison Mann, who agrees to help but insists on traveling to San Francisco.
Betrayal and Political Intrigue
Sarah sabotages their radio, cutting off communication with the White House. Back in Washington, political infighting continues, and Jennifer Brown's aide, Christine, discovers she is pregnant with a potentially male child. Sarah meets another agent and learns she is also tasked with killing Allison. Jennifer realizes Sarah staged the helicopter crash and fears for Yorick's safety.
Desperate Measures and Confessions
Allison tells Yorick she is unsure of her research's success. Sarah lies to Yorick about contacting his mother and they set off for San Francisco. Yorick visits a transgender community, angering Sarah. They hide in a church, where Sarah admits she has been making decisions on her own. Hero's group lives in Roxanne's commune, where Norah becomes concerned about Roxanne's radical feminist views.
Commune Conflicts and Dangerous Journeys
Roxanne refuses to help refugees and holds a disturbing ceremony. Allison finds a wanted poster for Sarah and suggests Yorick run away. Norah witnesses the Amazon's punishing a girl and decides not to intervene. Sarah falls asleep at the wheel, and the vehicle crashes.
Captivity and Revelations
Yorick wakes up in an unfamiliar house, while Allison and Sarah are imprisoned. Jennifer addresses the city, and Kimberly plots against her. Yorick is thrown into a cell with Allison and Sarah. Mara commits suicide, and Beth joins a rebel group planning to attack the White House.
Radical Actions and Coups
Roxanne shoots a fleeing girl and plans to kick out the guests. Norah learns of this and pleads to stay. Sam is banned from gatherings and plans to start his own community. Roxanne manipulates Hero, and Norah sets fire to the shopping mall. She then discovers Roxanne is a murderer and blackmails her for privileges.
Overthrows and Discoveries
Sarah recovers and resumes training. Roxanne orders a raid on a memorial town. Regina prepares to overthrow Jennifer, and Beth's team plants explosives. Jennifer confesses to hiding Yorick, and Regina's supporters demand her resignation. An explosion rocks the building, and rebels storm in.
Chaos and Betrayal
Yorick's presence at the settlement causes trouble. Sarah destroys the beacon transmitting her location. The rebels fail to evacuate the hostages, and Beth removes Jennifer's handcuffs. Regina is killed, and her words throw the rebels' plans into chaos. Roxanne finds a notebook listing surviving men and plans to destroy them all, starting with Yorick.
Reunions and Departures
Hero learns of her mother's death. Jennifer prepares to flee with Beth. Sam attempts to escape with Jennifer, but the house is surrounded. Kimberly knows they need Yorick to continue the human race. The Amazon storm the village, and Sarah repels the attack. Hero is wounded and warns Yorick about the Amazon's intentions.
New Leaders and Uncertain Futures
Norah surrenders and deposes Roxanne, becoming the new leader. Sarah finds Yorick and Allison. Yorick is devastated, but Sarah encourages him to train and protect himself. Jennifer, Beth, and Sam are captured. Sarah leads her friends to a fueled vehicle with research equipment and a map, their destination unknown.
