Abandoned in the wreckage of a spaceship, Gully Foyle transforms from a simple mechanic into a relentless force of vengeance against those who left him to die. Foyle navigates a solar system fractured by corporate warfare and the discovery of teleportation, known as jaunting. His objective is to track down the captain of the ship that ignored his distress signal, a pursuit that forces him to infiltrate the highest echelons of society. The narrative employs a fast-paced, often chaotic structure that mirrors the protagonist's volatile psychological state and the unstable nature of his world.

Readers frequently highlight the aggressive pacing and the visceral intensity of Foyle's transformation throughout the narrative. Discussion often centers on the book's status as a foundational text for the cyberpunk genre, specifically regarding its depiction of corporate dominance and societal decay. Critics often note the stylistic boldness of the prose, which remains distinct even decades after its initial publication. Many readers appreciate the balance between the protagonist's internal moral conflict and the external, high-stakes action sequences that define his quest for retribution.