In an age of revolution, revolt and reinvention, Leon Odling is reduced to stoking coal in a fiery hellhole. His troubles are doubled when he encounters the Governor's enchanting, wilful daughter.

For her part, Eliza Elvidge is smitten with the stoker. She must have him whatever the cost.

Drawn into a sinister world of lost boys and subversive science, neither could have known how high a price must be paid. By them both.