Red-haired Ember lives in a black-and-white world, forced into slavery like the rest of the townspeople in the land. When it is discovered that she is color blind, she is dumped in a field to dig holes with the other color-blind children. "Even the blind can dig," The overseers said. But Ember and the other color-blinds have a special gift; they can see what other can not. Using this gift, Ember and her friends set out to discover themselves, unlock an ancient curse, and free their people.