Follows the near future development of faster than light travel. But it's not the first time humans have invented it ... Set in future Scotland and near Earth space. There are some really ingenious settings and characters: The android who you're never sure is actually self aware. Oh he says he was very disturbed to learn he wasn't human but we're left in doubt. MacLeod very cleverly narrates his sections in such a way you can't figure him out, but it takes a while to catch on to what the author is up to. I feel like this book and its sequels in the Light-speed trilogy belong in one of MacLeod's established universes and it might help to enjoy the book if you've read some of those.