Journeying ever eastward in search of the fabled big score, Darger and Surplus, consummate con-men of the post-utopian world, arrive in China, and it isn't long before China goes to war as the Hidden Emperor sets out on a glorious project of reunification, with Darger and Surplus as his untrustworthy advisors. Battles and schemes and tricks and stratagems follow as our heroes endeavour to achieve the greatest con of all time and conquer a nation with a minimum of bloodshed and as little danger to themselves as possible. For once, however, they have to contend with operators who may be every bit as shrewd and cunning as themselves, if not more so.

Smart, funny, sharp as a tack and almost giddy with the aplomb of its epic scale, this is a piece of grand sci fi entertainment. Swanwick is an essential writer, a master of form and craft and Darger and Surplus are his most endearing creations.