Winter Song by Jean-Claude Mourlevat is a fast pace novel of loss, courage and strength. Four orphaned teenagers become outlaws after fleeing the hellish boarding school that had detained them for fifteen years. But only three make it safely out. After their friend fails to escape, it becomes the three teens plight to rise up against the oppressing Phalage government; trying to save their friend and avenge the death of their parents. Escaping vicious hunting dog-men set out to kill them, the trio joins a secret resistance group.