The Story of Cirrus Flux is a fast-paced adventure. The book switches between the year 1783 in London and events in the past. In 1756 James Flux, Cirrus's father is on a ship near the Antarctic Circle and he sees a magical wall of light in the sky, some of which is captured in the small metal globe he wears around his neck. Then, in 1771, he sets off in hopes of seeing the light again, thinking it is the mystical substance known as the Breath of God. He leaves his newborn son, Cirrus, and the globe at the foundling hospital, because his wife has died.He is never seen again. 1783 finds Cirrus still at the hospital, hoping to be apprenticed. A mesmerist comes to the hospital hoping to take Cirrus, because she thinks he possesses the Breath of God, but the governor persuades her to take Pandora instead. Pandora learns that her mistress, Madame Orrery, as well as another shady character, Mr. Sidereal, are both pursuing the Breath of God, hoping to harness its power. A series of wild adventures, discoveries, narrow escapes follows, during which Cirrus begins to learn the truth about his father and his past.