"'The end of the world was just the beginning for the boy called Gus. Born into a plague-ravaged wilderness, he's one of the human/animal hybrids who hold the promise of a cure in their veins. sold into captivity by a man he thought was his friend, Gus is now at the mercy of a ruthless militia who believe his past is the key to their future. And when they leave their fortified compound to hunt down Gus's history, an unlikely alliance may be his only chance to get out. Meanwhile, all that the man called Jepperd wants is to get back in. years ago Gus's captors took Jepperd's wife and baby from him, then forced him to betray Gus. Now he's out for bloody revenge, and he'll do anything to get it -- including joining forces with the crazed animal-worshipping cult that roams the wastelands. The question is, once Jepperd unleashes these wild men, can he ever put them back in their kennel? And when the secret of Gus's origin is uncovered, will he still be alive to learn it?"--P. [4] of cover.