In a flooded, tropical Britain where human biology has been altered to photosynthesize, a young woman named Milena struggles to maintain her individuality against a state that enforces conformity through viral education. Milena, a musician resistant to the state-mandated viruses, finds herself an outcast in a society where information and law are biological functions controlled by the Consensus. She must navigate a world of flooded landscapes and rigid social engineering to uncover a hidden secret from her past. The narrative follows her quest for autonomy while interacting with other marginalized figures, including an immortal tumor and a human information storehouse, as they challenge the biological constraints of their environment.

This work is frequently noted for its imaginative, high-concept approach to the biopunk subgenre. Readers and critics often highlight the density of the world-building, which seamlessly blends biological science with social commentary. The narrative structure is praised for its ability to weave complex, non-traditional character arcs into a cohesive exploration of a future society. The prose is characterized by its clinical yet evocative descriptions of a transformed Britain, leaving a lasting impression on those who appreciate speculative fiction that challenges the boundaries of human nature.