A sci-fantasy with "an awesomely weird yet logical future . . . Utterly fascinating. . . . This is one entrancing web from which escape is hardly desirable." —Washington Post Book World

The future is at war for the soul of humankind . . .

It is a time when civilization has extended itself far into the outer reaches of the solar system, and in doing so has developed into something remarkable. But humanity's progeny—the nanotechnological artificial intelligences called "free converts"—face extermination at the hands of the tyrant Amés and his invincible armies, and once the Napoleonesque Director develops superluminal flight, his "Final Solution" will be all but assured.

But hope remains alive in the outer system. From the fleeing refugees of a dozen moons and asteroids, General Roger Sherman has amassed an effective and adaptable military force, already forged into a formidable weapon in the fires of battle.

However, time is a commodity the courageous Federal Army lacks, as total war erupts between the vast cloudships of the outer system and the deadly armada of the Met, a glorious and terrible conflict that will rage among the stars . . . and within the hearts and minds of every human being.

"Spectacular." —Publishers Weekly

"Gripping." —Booklist