2026 CANREADS Awards Spotlight Recipient Ardagh Cadieu joins up to fight to overcome his troubled past, but when the shooting starts, he struggles to move forward, hesitating. The loss of his mentor and the tragedy that followed holds him back. Does he have what it takes to fight and survive, or even to lead? Most of all, will he eventually be able to overcome his burdened past? And at what cost? Koos van den Berg has troubles of her own - the German occupation of her hometown, controlling parents, and traitors in her midst. Her struggles seem hopeless until the unexpected arrival of Ardagh. Two people amidst the chaos of conflict struggle to form an unbreakable bond and dare to dream of the future... if they can make it through the war.