Hundreds of years after the Great Collapse of the late 21st century, a New Industrial, Neo-Victorian society has emerged. Helena Morgan, while traveling to her father's home in the Appalachian Province by train, is singled out for abduction.

Rescued by the reticent William Moreland, Helena finds herself embroiled in a harrowing plot to bring back an old science that could threaten her world. Will Helena and her companions stop the mysterious work of the Automata, while grinding to a halt the gears that have begun to turn toward a dark future? And, beyond this, can they deliver themselves from the Heirloom Complex?