After a mysterious event shrinks humanity to a fraction of its size, a handful of survivors—including everyman Giles and scientist Dr. Goodwin—must navigate a perilous new world where everyday objects and animals become deadly obstacles, and the cause of the catastrophe may lie in the actions of sentient phytoplankton. Blending dark humor, environmental themes, and striking illustrations, the story explores how people adapt, form new communities, and question what it means to be human when stripped of dominance and scale.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a world where all of humanity is suddenly reduced to the size of a handspan, the novel explores the immediate and long-term consequences of this dramatic shift in scale. The transformation is catastrophic, with only about one in nine people surviving, often due to the lethal effects of unchanged objects like dental fillings or implants. The story is primarily told through the perspectives of Giles, a man trying to reunite with his family, and Dr. Elizabeth Goodwin, a scientist with knowledge about the event. The narrative is interspersed with 'Elsewhere' chapters that provide glimpses into how different groups and individuals around the world adapt to their new reality, such as prisoners and guards forming a community on an island, or an astronaut observing the event from space. The book is illustrated throughout with scratchboard and ink artwork by the author, and incorporates themes of environmentalism, survival, and the redefinition of humanity’s place in the world, including the emergence of sentient phytoplankton as a significant force.

Readers praised the book for its immersive world-building and detailed exploration of the practical and psychological challenges faced by miniaturized humans. Many found the depictions of survival—such as navigating everyday objects, dealing with new predators, and improvising with available resources—both plausible and engaging. The inclusion of multiple perspectives and short vignettes about global responses to the event added depth and context, making the world feel expansive. The artwork was frequently highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the reading experience and helping to visualize the altered scale. The tone, blending dark humor and philosophical reflection, drew comparisons to authors like John Wyndham, Kurt Vonnegut, and Adrian Tchaikovsky. Characters were described as complex and emotionally authentic, and the pacing was often noted as fast and suspenseful.

Some readers found the structure and pacing of the book challenging, particularly the early chapters, which were described as confusing due to perspective shifts and dual timelines. The abruptness of the ending was a common criticism, with several readers feeling that the story cut off before providing sufficient resolution or emotional payoff. A few noted that the philosophical themes around humanity and transformation were introduced but not fully developed or cohesively integrated. The visceral and sometimes graphic depiction of the shrinking process was off-putting to some, and there were comments about the narrative flow being choppy or difficult to follow at times.

The book is the first in a planned trilogy, with several readers expressing interest in future installments and curiosity about unresolved plot points. The narrative combines elements of science fiction, adventure, horror, and speculative fiction, and is aimed at a teen and adult audience. The story alternates between pre- and post-transformation timelines, with the pre-event sections focusing on scientific research into coccolithophores, a real type of plankton that becomes significant in the plot. The book was published in April 2025, has received an average rating of 4.15 out of 5 from 47 readers, and is noted for its physical presentation, including a heavy hardcover and rich illustrations.