Jani sits aboard the powerful airship as it crosses the Hindu Kush. This gloriously steampunk version of the British Raj introduces familiar character types to unheralded situations. JANI AND THE GREATER GAME should be read in the spirit of adventure.

Jani Chatterjee, medical student, is Indian-born, with an English mother and an Indian father in government who is seriously ill. She is befriended by Lady Eddington, a well- travelled stalwart of society, and their conversation sets the scene for us. Suddenly the airship comes under attack. Russian forces sneak into nearby Afghanistan occasionally and launch shells at passing British trade. This ship contains a secret prisoner. Is there a connection?

Lieutenant Alfie Littlebody sips drinks, disillusioned with the British administration which silently despises the natives. Delhi is bustling, hot and humid. Unrest is seizing the populace, and quelling the riots will be done with a heavy hand. Alfie wishes there was a fairer way, but the Raj depends upon India not just for silks and spices, but for the energy-bearing mineral Annapurnite.

Young servant Anand, who works in Jani's household, takes a job in the new Clockwork factory. But he wants to see Jani again. Only, she's vanished, and Lieutenant Alfie has been assigned to find her.

I found the narration vividly descriptive, full of movement and energy. There is a fine sense of place and character throughout. The British use phrases like going through wreckage with a fine TC, and a typhoon in the old china. One early scene is not for the tender, showing the aftermath of an airship crash, but our friend Jani is brave enough to pick her way doggedly through obstacles and try to help people. Other strong situations occur, so parental guidance is advised by me for a young adult reader.

With a mechanical elephant and giant Mech-Man, the larger than life adventure by Eric Brown strides through a scented, chirruping jungle and out of the pages. Jani is a child of two worlds, seeing the advantages of England and inequality of India. I love how steampunk is breathing new life into old eras and genres, bringing them to the attention of a new eager body of readers. JANI AND THE GREATER GAME is fantastic fun.