Andreas Brandhorst is a well-known German science-fiction author, the writer of more than 20 popular novels. His books sell in huge print runs and have received various literary awards.
The story takes place in the distant future, where power on Earth has passed to intelligent machines after a series of catastrophes and wars. Most people live in paradise, receiving immortality and abundance, but only a small part remain mortal due to genetic peculiarities. The machines are exploring an ancient alien civilization that left behind a Cascade system capable of moving anywhere in the galaxy. However, they come up against something dreadful that threatens all living beings on Earth.