A group of human settlers arrives on the alien planet Pax seeking to build a new society, only to discover the planet's flora is sentient and capable of manipulating its fauna. The colonists, led by the idealistic but unprepared, must navigate a world where the plants are not passive resources but active agents, capable of domesticating and even killing the planet's diverse animal life. To survive and establish a home, they must find a way to communicate and coexist with these utterly alien intelligences, facing the challenge of understanding and negotiating with a form of life fundamentally different from their own.

The novel has been lauded for its imaginative world-building and its thoughtful exploration of first contact scenarios, drawing comparisons to the works of Ursula K. Le Guin and Margaret Atwood. Critics have highlighted its unique premise, where the planet's flora, rather than fauna, represents the dominant intelligent life. The book is recognized for its ecological depth and its examination of communication and coexistence with alien intelligences. It has been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, indicating critical acclaim within the science fiction community.