Aiken Drum, a man of mysterious origin, ascends to power as the self-proclaimed Nonborn King amidst the volatile aftermath of a brutal conflict between human settlers and two alien species in the Pliocene epoch. Following the arrival of twenty-second-century humans through a one-way time tunnel, the delicate power dynamic between the humanoid Tanu and the Firvulag has shattered into total war. Aiken Drum must navigate the shifting loyalties of these alien factions while consolidating his own authority over the human survivors. The narrative explores the consequences of temporal displacement and the struggle for dominance in a prehistoric world, utilizing a complex, multi-perspective framework to track the political maneuvering of its diverse cast.

This work is widely regarded as a significant entry in the Saga of Pliocene Exile, noted for its intricate world-building and ambitious scope. Readers often highlight the author's ability to balance complex political machinations with the high-stakes action of a prehistoric setting. The character of Aiken Drum is frequently discussed as a compelling, if morally ambiguous, figure whose rise to power anchors the narrative's central conflict. The series is often praised for its unique fusion of science fiction and mythological archetypes, which distinguishes it from more conventional space operas of the era.