ðə stˈoːɹi ɪz sˈɛt ɪn ɐn ɔːltˈɜːnət jˈuːnɪvˌɜːs ænd fˈiːtʃɚz ˈɪsɐmbˌɑːɹd kˈɪŋdəm bɹˈʌnəl; ðə kˈʌvɚɹ ɪz bˈeɪst ˌɔn ɐ fˈeɪməs fˈoʊɾoʊ ʌv bɹˈʌnəl stˈændɪŋ ɪn fɹˈʌnt ʌvðə lˈɑːntʃɪŋ tʃˈeɪnz fɚðɪ ˌɛsˈɛs ɡɹˈeɪt ˈiːstɚn.
The story is set in an alternate universe and features Isambard Kingdom Brunel; the cover is based on a famous photo of Brunel standing in front of the launching chains for the SS Great Eastern.