This book is a direct sequel to Engineered Magic. Previously, the generational star ship Speedwell landed on a new world circling a distant star.  The colonists quickly discovered "ruins" on the planet.  These "ruins" are actually a world spanning structure that hosts and runs a game.  The colonists can either become the next set of players or are destined to become tools in the game if the Control system determines they are animals. Follow the adventures of Irene, apprentice engineer of the Speedwell as she traverses the structure for the first time. Catch up with Grandmother, who is Irene forty five years later, as she travels with her team into the heart of the structure striving to complete a quest that will prove that humans are players.