Initially, Kress follows one of the teams and switches between the impressions of each member. The planets vary in culture and technological level. No one approaches the aliens or the Earth in sophistication.

The first half of the novel involves the witness mission and the remainder the aftermath when the witnesses return to Earth and share their impressions. Some refuse to provide much if any details and reject government protection. At least one, Cam O'Kane takes to the lecture circuit.

The aliens remain aloof and inscrutable. After initially confirming the findings of the witnesses in communications to them, they make no further pronouncements. After debriefing, decontamination, and removal of all alien inserted technology, they return the witnesses to earth.

Kooks come out of everywhere and include gunmen and suicide bombers. Various splinter groups seek to destroy the witnesses and mount sporadic attacks. They kill those without government or private protection. Governments fail to provide sufficient security to returning witnesses, but offer them a witness relocation and protection program. Fear and isolation eats at the witnesses. They can confide in no one. Their lives cannot revert to normal despite their efforts to do so.

An accomplished writer, Kress intersperses various bits of information between the action portions of the novel in the form of ads, intelligence reports, and website postings. Provided the reader accepts the initial premise, the action flows smoothly. Some may quibble with the plausibility of the basic premise and a few with the central theme.

Kress skewers current foibles and politicians. Governments don't try to attack the aliens, and appear powerless to prevent them from establishing and maintaining a moon base. Gene manipulation plays a major role.