Long ago, an alien "searcher" ship flew too close to a star gone nova. Though heavily damaged, the ship landed on Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

Attempting to fulfill its original function of seeding suitable planets for exploitation, the ship creates a bewildering society of self-replicating machines that gives rise to a bizarre ecosystem and culture with intelligent beings and organically grown houses.

The intelligent beings are known as Taloids, and they have developed their own brand of religion around a mythical figure, a creator of machines and, hence, life. When humans descend from the sky, the Taloids see them as those creators.

Powerful financial and industrial interests are all set to exploit the moon and the Taloids to maximize Titan's vast production potential and the future for the Taloids looks grim.

But they find a champion from an unexpected source.

"Hogan skillfully draws the reader into a fascinating philosophical and theological debate, without ever forgetting he's supposed to entertain and tell a good story." — Newsday