Emily Baxter’s dream life turns into a waking nightmare the day the red rain falls. Like a biblical plague, the scarlet downpour spreads a hideous virus that demolishes life in New York City, the nation, and the world. Suddenly the last soul in an annihilated metropolis - and possibly on Earth - the onetime newspaper reporter must learn to scavenge, survive...and plan for a future of utter solitude.

Then, from far-flung Alaska, another living voice reaches out, and Emily grasps at her only glimmer of hope. But she may be even less alone than she thinks. The world is in the midst of a strange and frightening transition; something that fell with the red rain is remaking Earth in its own alien image.

Now, Emily alone will bear witness to the terrifying new evolution - and risk her life to outrun it, for the sake of the future and in the name of all that is human.