Zarlah the Martian is narrated by a young scientist who had hoped to make his fortune creating an unbreakable substitute for glass. By happy accident, he invented a device which allowed him to intercept communications from Mars.
An unusual young woman, Leza lives with, cares for, communicates and controls an army of the undead. She can teach the living how to survive, if the humans can only keep from killing her.
Leza represents more than just another day of survival, but whether that portends humanity's rescue or the future of the undead is anyone's guess. She may be humanity's redemption or their ultimate annihilation.