Britain one hundred and twenty years from now, where society is divided into two groups: The Birchpeople, who are largely uneducated workers, and the Larchpeople, who run the country.

Angered by the Larchpeople's repression of his people, Marcus Langan, a Birchman, heads a rebel army. Afraid of his power, the Government sends Maxine Dowling, from the Larch Enclave, to spy on him. Loathing then turns to love, simultaneous with peace turning to bloody revolution.

In the aftermath, Marcus faces the betrayal of his own kind, as well as the revelation of a secret which Maxine had tried to keep from him.