The first part of the story is set in Bulgaria in 1877 against the backdrop of the Bulgarian struggle for freedom from the crumbling Ottoman Empire. The lead character, a young soldier named Serafim, receives some mystical prayer beads from his father figure. He is entrusted with the task of safe guarding them, while searching for a special craftsman to engrave them. On his journey he encounters mythical beings and seekers from the future. The Broenitsa are imbued with the power of Bulgaria's rich and glorious past, along with the fate of its people in the near future.

After several chapters the story abruptly shifts to modern day Bulgaria, where three scousers find themselves entwined with the past and the ultimate fate of the beads. A desperate search for answers takes them across several countries and tests their resolve as they struggle to safe guard the sacred broenitsa.

The Liverpool lads; an archaeologist/ a taxi driver/ and a care worker, are out of their depths but take it all in their stride as they encounter the Bulgarian Mafia, an idiot freedom fighter named Lucho, whirling dervishes and many more interesting and complex characters. Indiana Jones, meets trainspotting, meets something quite different.