He tries not to think about the fact that he’ll never see the summer again. At least not as Connor Lassiter. He still can’t believe that his life is being stolen from him at sixteen.
-- Narrator (Part 1, Chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: This passage captures the premise of this adventure story which features Connor Lassiter as the protagonist.

He’s had his entire life to prepare for this – it should have been enough. He knew he was a tithe from the time he was little. ‘You’re special,’ his parents had always told him. ‘Your life will be to serve God, and mankind.
-- Narrator (Part 1, Chapter 3 paragraph 42)

Importance: Lev was destined to be unwound from the time he was born. He was a tithe. Even though he knew it all along, he is not prepared when the time comes. He’s only thirteen and he knows that his parts will be harvested.

What if they don’t want to take...
-- Risa (Part 2, Chapter 11 paragraph 21)