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The Multiplicity Series #1
Jani and the Greater Game
Eighteen-year-old Janisha Chatterjee, the Cambridge-educated daughter of an Indian government minister, is coming home to visit her father on his death-bed, when her airship is attacked and wrecked. Amid the debris, a stranger—monstrous but kind—saves her life and entrusts her with a mysterious device, which pitches her head-first into the “Greater Game,” the ongoing stand-off between British, Chinese and Russian powers in the Indian subcontinent.
Dodging British officers, Russian spies, and the dangerous priest Durga Das, Jani must bring the device to the foothills of the Himalayas; to the home of Annapurnite, the secret power source on which British domination was built. There she will learn the truth about Annapurnite—a truth that will change the world forever...
Dodging British officers, Russian spies, and the dangerous priest Durga Das, Jani must bring the device to the foothills of the Himalayas; to the home of Annapurnite, the secret power source on which British domination was built. There she will learn the truth about Annapurnite—a truth that will change the world forever...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2014
1 person is currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Eric Brown
393 books188 followersEric Brown was a British science fiction author and Guardian critic.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 20, 2014
"Hello, I'd like to buy a Mel from you," said the customer.
"Pardon me, a what?" asked the sales person.
"A Mel...a mechanical elephant," confirmed the customer.
"Well, you're aware that we're selling cars here, for transport?" asked the car seller.
"Of course, that's what I'm here for. I read this book where the characters were riding a mechanical elephant for transport. I want one of those."
"I'm terribly sorry, but that sounds like nonsense to me to be honest. We only have the usual kind of transportation."
"Fine, then I'm going to take an airship!" exclaimed the customer.
"Please, I'm sorry but we only have cars, no...what was it...an airship?" asked the car seller, who was obviously not in the market of selling airships, which was a short-sighted decision from the customer's point of view.
The customer had just finished reading "Jani and the Greater Game" and as everyone who reads this book now wants to have a mechanical elephant of her own. (see how the reviewer plays with gender, he's the Anne Hurley or Kameron Leckie of reviews...did I hear you say Hugo?)
But aside from technical gadgets, the novl has a lot to offer. Jani herself is a very likeable and intelligent protagonist. She's a half-british, half-indian student of medicine and when we meet her she's onboard of an airship to travel to India, where her father lies dying.
But her airship is shut down by the russians and she can only escape them with the aid of a mysterious prisoner who hands her some sort of token for safekeeping.
From that point on, the novel is really fast paced and a solid action-adventure with some imaginative world-building. Set in the 1920s Jani has to wear off russian assassins, british military spies and some religious indian fanatics, all of them sharing the goal of finding the token.
Most of the story is told from Jani's perspective, but we have a few other povs as well. There is Anand, the house boy Jani grew up with and who is madly in love with her, Lt. Littlebody a cowardly soldier with principles and the ruthless indian priest Das Durga.
The novel isn't flawless, mainly in the point that Jani is depicted as very capable and intelligent, but unfortunately the author often gets her captured to create suspense and then she has to be saved by others. That seemed a poor decision and I would have liked, if the author had found more ways to create suspense and urgency.
This is mostly an action-adventure, but for people who like to look for some themes, the novel has an interesting take and critique towards imperialism, mainly shown from the pov of Lt. Alfie Littlebody. And Jani incorporates the issue of social identity as she feels torn between her love for England and India, but doesn't truly feel to belong to either of those nations, cause society regards her as an outsider.
Overall, this was a very entertaining elephant ride and therefore the novel earned 4 stars from me.
"So you're absolutely sure that you sell neither Mels, nor airships?" asked the customer.
"Yes, absolutely," said the car seller.
"Well, they travel inside a mechanical man for a while as well. You don't happen to have one of those available?"
"Pardon me, a what?" asked the sales person.
"A Mel...a mechanical elephant," confirmed the customer.
"Well, you're aware that we're selling cars here, for transport?" asked the car seller.
"Of course, that's what I'm here for. I read this book where the characters were riding a mechanical elephant for transport. I want one of those."
"I'm terribly sorry, but that sounds like nonsense to me to be honest. We only have the usual kind of transportation."
"Fine, then I'm going to take an airship!" exclaimed the customer.
"Please, I'm sorry but we only have cars, no...what was it...an airship?" asked the car seller, who was obviously not in the market of selling airships, which was a short-sighted decision from the customer's point of view.
The customer had just finished reading "Jani and the Greater Game" and as everyone who reads this book now wants to have a mechanical elephant of her own. (see how the reviewer plays with gender, he's the Anne Hurley or Kameron Leckie of reviews...did I hear you say Hugo?)
But aside from technical gadgets, the novl has a lot to offer. Jani herself is a very likeable and intelligent protagonist. She's a half-british, half-indian student of medicine and when we meet her she's onboard of an airship to travel to India, where her father lies dying.
But her airship is shut down by the russians and she can only escape them with the aid of a mysterious prisoner who hands her some sort of token for safekeeping.
From that point on, the novel is really fast paced and a solid action-adventure with some imaginative world-building. Set in the 1920s Jani has to wear off russian assassins, british military spies and some religious indian fanatics, all of them sharing the goal of finding the token.
Most of the story is told from Jani's perspective, but we have a few other povs as well. There is Anand, the house boy Jani grew up with and who is madly in love with her, Lt. Littlebody a cowardly soldier with principles and the ruthless indian priest Das Durga.
The novel isn't flawless, mainly in the point that Jani is depicted as very capable and intelligent, but unfortunately the author often gets her captured to create suspense and then she has to be saved by others. That seemed a poor decision and I would have liked, if the author had found more ways to create suspense and urgency.
This is mostly an action-adventure, but for people who like to look for some themes, the novel has an interesting take and critique towards imperialism, mainly shown from the pov of Lt. Alfie Littlebody. And Jani incorporates the issue of social identity as she feels torn between her love for England and India, but doesn't truly feel to belong to either of those nations, cause society regards her as an outsider.
Overall, this was a very entertaining elephant ride and therefore the novel earned 4 stars from me.
"So you're absolutely sure that you sell neither Mels, nor airships?" asked the customer.
"Yes, absolutely," said the car seller.
"Well, they travel inside a mechanical man for a while as well. You don't happen to have one of those available?"
January 18, 2026
En una India alternativa de 1920, el Imperio Británico mantiene su hegemonía gracias a la annapurnita, un mineral capaz de elevar enormes naves aéreas. Jani Chatterjee, una estudiante de medicina anglo-india, regresa a Delhi para ver a su padre agonizante, pero su viaje se interrumpe cuando su dirigible es derribado sobre el Hindu Kush por espías rusos. En el caos, Jani rescata a un extraño ser de otro mundo y entra en posesión de una reliquia divina. Este encuentro la sitúa en el centro del "Gran Juego": una peligrosa red de espionaje entre potencias donde se lucha por el control de una tecnología alienígena que podría cambiar el destino del planeta. Jani deberá decidir en quién confiar mientras huye de asesinos y descubre que el mineral que mueve al mundo tiene un origen mucho más oscuro de lo que imaginaba.
"Jani and the Greater Game" es un ejercicio de steampunk que, aunque cumple como entretenimiento ligero, fracasa en su ejecución literaria. La trama cae rápidamente en una estructura repetitiva de captura y huida que agota el interés, mientras que los personajes, incluida la propia Jani, se sienten como meros arquetipos sin alma ni profundidad. Eric Brown desaprovecha un contexto histórico fascinante con una prosa en piloto automático y tropos manidos que no aportan nada nuevo al género. Es una lectura pasable si no se busca rigor, pero tras su cierre, la pereza por leer la continuación es casi inevitable.
"Jani and the Greater Game" es un ejercicio de steampunk que, aunque cumple como entretenimiento ligero, fracasa en su ejecución literaria. La trama cae rápidamente en una estructura repetitiva de captura y huida que agota el interés, mientras que los personajes, incluida la propia Jani, se sienten como meros arquetipos sin alma ni profundidad. Eric Brown desaprovecha un contexto histórico fascinante con una prosa en piloto automático y tropos manidos que no aportan nada nuevo al género. Es una lectura pasable si no se busca rigor, pero tras su cierre, la pereza por leer la continuación es casi inevitable.
August 3, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Jani and the Greater Game is a well-researched, alternate universe historical set in British Raj India and with distinct steampunk accents. The dialogue and descriptions are some of the best for historical accuracy that I've read in a long time and for once, it really stays true to steampunk genre. But somewhat flat characters and, if I am to be honest, lazy storytelling ultimate prevent this from being as engaging a read as it could have been.Story: Janisha Chatterjee is about to enter the university in England to be a surgeon when she learns her father in India is dying. She races across the world in an airship to be with him, only to become embroiled in an Earth-spanning conspiracy. For on the airship she is traveling is the explosive secret the British, Russian, Indian, and even Chinese governments have been hiding; the true source of annapurnite - the power source of airships, engines, and much more. She will be enlisted to help protect the secret; without knowing that she will become responsible for the fate of the entire Earth in the process.
What I really liked about Jani and the Greater Game is the strength of the historical accuracy. The dialogue was spot on for each of the cultures - from the Russians to the colonials to the Indian servants. As well, historical references and British Raj Indian culture were casually littered throughout but never obtrusive. Always just enough to set the scene without overwhelming the story in minutiae. I was incredibly impressed with that accuracy, some of the best in any historical (and especially any steampunk) that I've read lately.
As well, steampunk fans will be happy to know here is a book that really adheres to the Steampunk philosophies (even if most of the mechanics are powered by the mysterious annapurnite rather than steam). We have an alternate universe where mechanics evolved faster and, as a result, changed the course of Victorian, and then Edwardian, culture. Jani Chatterjee can attend a prestigious British university in 1910 but still doesn't have the right to vote as a female. As well, Indians are chafing against the 'just' rule of the British, with ideologies and religions spearheading the charge. It feels like a real universe - so similar to ours but just skewed a little. But more importantly, it feels like 1911 and not like 2014 ramrodded into 1911 trappings.
Where perhaps this was a let down was with a lot of the characters. Jani, her servant, the villians - they often felt a lot like caricatures. I felt they lacked the exuberance of say a Bollywood film (e.g., while Susan Kaye Quinn's Indian Steampunk novel Third Daughter doesn't have the clout of Jani and the Greater Game, it certainly was much more fun to read). This book is deadly serious yet the characters felt very superficial, silly, and honestly made such boneheaded decisions that you wonder why any rational creature would trust such souls with the fate of the world. My 11 year old, or even my cat, would have made better decisions.
Despite the somewhat fun sounding name, I didn't find Jani and the Greater Good to be fun at all. There is a lot of murder, torture, and cruelty that, while perhaps accurate in some regards for 1911 India, still became a bit much after awhile. It's one thing to see a character continue to make poor choices; it's another to have to wait for each of those characters to pay horrifically for them. Yet none seemed to ever suffer afterwards for the deprivations; cut, bruised, tormented, mentally and physically, the next day is business as usual. It was hard to take anyone seriously after that.
Despite the name, this book has several POVs beyond just Jani's. We have moustache twirling bad guys (Russian, Hindi, British) so no one culture is spared but it is a bit much. I believe brown was going for flawed but realistic characters - but again, I'm not sure those are the type I want to read about (or believe could save the world).
Finally, there are a lot of coincidences and lazy plot writing. E.g., having Jani ask a main character several times through the book to explain what's going on - and have him refuse 'for her own safety' and then suddenly decide near the end that, hey, she won't be in any danger after all if he tells her. It rang hollow and far too deus ex machina. As well, there are no surprises here - plot points are quite obviously televised through the different plot points and character are only killed if shown to be very evil. As if that wasn't enough, the author chose an annoying affectation in putting a small synopsis at the beginning of each chapter - so you know what is going to happen before you read. I stopped reading those about 4 chapters in after they gave away a key surprise in that chapter.
I'm rating this as 3.5 stars and honestly I'm not sure if I want to continue with the series. For historical accuracy this is a 5 star book. But lack of a well written plot and more interesting characters made the book a bit difficult to want to finish.
Reviewed from an ARC.
August 26, 2014
Jani and the Greater Game is not your usual Eric Brown, at least not at first blush. There are no huge space ships, or alien invasions or travel among the stars, at least not judging from the synopsis on the back of the book. Instead, we're given a YA steampunk adventure set in an alternative 1910 British Raj. Yet it turns out Jani and the Greater Game actually is classic Eric Brown: the book explores societal change and how his characters react to this, though in this case the change isn’t brought about through alien occupation, but through the rise of Indian Nationalism and the threat of invasion from places unknown.
Jani is a great character. Daughter of an English mother and an Indian father, her loyalties are often divided and she doesn't fit wholly in either place. She does start the book with Nationalist leanings, which gradually turn into a conviction that India would be better off without the Raj. While initially planning to return to England and marry her suitor, once home in India, she feels its draw and a growing desire to settle there and use her medical degree to serve her people. In some ways Jani feels like she will be a suffragette in the future.
The narrative contains a rather heavy-handed commentary on British colonialism in India and the (genuine) atrocities committed there. This commentary mostly comes through the depiction of the British villains, who are the worst examples of the Raj imaginable, especially the execrable Colonel Smethers. Their casual racism and cruelty are blatant and feel almost like a caricature—though I sadly fear that it was, and in some cases is, true to life and not fictive at all. Yet with their villainy leaning against seeming over the top, as a consequence they feel rather flat and unexplored. Something that is also true for the two Russian spies that pursue Jane and Anand. The only one that has some depth to him is Durga Das, but only because his motivation is explored beyond being power-hungry.
Of course, Jani doesn't go adventuring on her own, she has some very interesting allies. I loved the Lady Eddington she meets on the way home to India, who is such a spunky old lady. But her true companion and sidekick is Anand, childhood friend and staunch supporter. He was lovely and while more than a bit smitten with Jani, I liked that he also acted from a sense of duty and friendship. And of course there is the mysterious Jelch, who aids Jani in unexpected ways. He did feel like a 'deus-ex-machina' device on some occasions, yet he was also strangely compelling.
My favourite steampunk elements were Max the MechMan and Mel the clockwork elephant. Mr. Clockwork's Emporium in general sounds like a wondrous place, but those two creations were just awesome. The mysterious Annapurnite, which powers them, is an interesting concept as was its origin. Though it’s unclear whether Annapurnite is actually a finite resource or whether it is retro-engineered from what’s been found in the footholds of the Himalayans.
Jani and the Greater Game has quite the old-school, Vernian vibe to it and in fact Jules Verne is directly referenced when it is intimated that his books were based on actual true events. Jani’s adventure starts with a bang when her airship is shot out of the sky en route to Delhi. In the aftermath Jani has an encounter that will change her life and will lead to three separate parties trying to capture her. There is a twist which is revealed early on that I don’t want to spoil, but suffice it to say that it changes the scope of the adventure. The story elements connected to the twists are perhaps familiar, but very entertaining.
Usually I have a hard time really getting into steampunk stories; I enjoy them, but there is always the niggle at the back of my head that things don’t make sense. On some level I’d hoped that Brown would be able to do for steampunk what he did for SF: make me realise that I could get it and enjoy it whole-heartedly. Sadly, he didn’t really succeed. While I enjoyed my time spent with Jani and I look forward to seeing how her adventure will continue in the next book, the novel hasn’t inspired the same desire to read more steampunk that Kéthani did for SF. Still, Jani and the Greater Game does make for a rip-roaring, old-school adventure and is great fun.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Jani is a great character. Daughter of an English mother and an Indian father, her loyalties are often divided and she doesn't fit wholly in either place. She does start the book with Nationalist leanings, which gradually turn into a conviction that India would be better off without the Raj. While initially planning to return to England and marry her suitor, once home in India, she feels its draw and a growing desire to settle there and use her medical degree to serve her people. In some ways Jani feels like she will be a suffragette in the future.
The narrative contains a rather heavy-handed commentary on British colonialism in India and the (genuine) atrocities committed there. This commentary mostly comes through the depiction of the British villains, who are the worst examples of the Raj imaginable, especially the execrable Colonel Smethers. Their casual racism and cruelty are blatant and feel almost like a caricature—though I sadly fear that it was, and in some cases is, true to life and not fictive at all. Yet with their villainy leaning against seeming over the top, as a consequence they feel rather flat and unexplored. Something that is also true for the two Russian spies that pursue Jane and Anand. The only one that has some depth to him is Durga Das, but only because his motivation is explored beyond being power-hungry.
Of course, Jani doesn't go adventuring on her own, she has some very interesting allies. I loved the Lady Eddington she meets on the way home to India, who is such a spunky old lady. But her true companion and sidekick is Anand, childhood friend and staunch supporter. He was lovely and while more than a bit smitten with Jani, I liked that he also acted from a sense of duty and friendship. And of course there is the mysterious Jelch, who aids Jani in unexpected ways. He did feel like a 'deus-ex-machina' device on some occasions, yet he was also strangely compelling.
My favourite steampunk elements were Max the MechMan and Mel the clockwork elephant. Mr. Clockwork's Emporium in general sounds like a wondrous place, but those two creations were just awesome. The mysterious Annapurnite, which powers them, is an interesting concept as was its origin. Though it’s unclear whether Annapurnite is actually a finite resource or whether it is retro-engineered from what’s been found in the footholds of the Himalayans.
Jani and the Greater Game has quite the old-school, Vernian vibe to it and in fact Jules Verne is directly referenced when it is intimated that his books were based on actual true events. Jani’s adventure starts with a bang when her airship is shot out of the sky en route to Delhi. In the aftermath Jani has an encounter that will change her life and will lead to three separate parties trying to capture her. There is a twist which is revealed early on that I don’t want to spoil, but suffice it to say that it changes the scope of the adventure. The story elements connected to the twists are perhaps familiar, but very entertaining.
Usually I have a hard time really getting into steampunk stories; I enjoy them, but there is always the niggle at the back of my head that things don’t make sense. On some level I’d hoped that Brown would be able to do for steampunk what he did for SF: make me realise that I could get it and enjoy it whole-heartedly. Sadly, he didn’t really succeed. While I enjoyed my time spent with Jani and I look forward to seeing how her adventure will continue in the next book, the novel hasn’t inspired the same desire to read more steampunk that Kéthani did for SF. Still, Jani and the Greater Game does make for a rip-roaring, old-school adventure and is great fun.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
June 8, 2015
I never imagined that at my age, I could still enjoy an alternative history/ speculative fiction/ steampunk novel, but this one was so surprisingly well-written, with such great characters adn sweeping plot, that I simply fell in love. The heroine Jani is smart and lovely, not in the modern-day Girl with a Dragon Tatoo way, but in a truly feminist-but-still-human way. Officer Alfie, Jani's father, the Morn and Anand are all heart-warming characters, fully-developed and true-to-life. The villains are proper villains, with motivations and real viciousness. The adventures are plausible and make you stay up late to learn how the protagonists manage to get through them. I'm so looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
September 3, 2022
Although a bit silly at times, with some lazy plot points that border on embarrassing, Jani and the Greater Game was a fun read that left me wanting to read more in the series. Eric Brown has built an intriguing alternate history here, one that merges steampunk with (minor spoiler here) alien technology, and peopled it with some interesting characters.
Actually, to be honest, the villains are a rather one-dimensional racist caricatures, but the heroes are refreshingly diverse - a smart young woman of mixed Indian and English ancestry and brave young man of a lower Indian caste. To Brown's credit, he does allow for a couple of decent, upstanding Brits to counter all the greedy, nationalistic, arrogant conquerors, but the Russians and the Germans get no such saving graces.
There's not a great deal of story to this initial volume, but that's okay because what Brown has really set out to do is recapture the spirit of the turn-of-the-century adventure novel. In fact, the entire text is peppered with references to the likes of Verne and Kipling, including the suggestion that Verne's stories were based on actual events. This is an adventure/quest story that's primarily concerned with getting Jani from point A to point B, with a series of conflicts and escapes along the way, propelled by an underlying mystery that's rather obvious, but which does end in a nice twist. It's a fast-paced tale, filled with adventure, graphic violence, a little social/political commentary, and humor. It's not particularly deep or complex, but it's a fun journey to share.
As for the technology, the alien elements are actually the blandest, but only because they are variations on a theme we've seen them done before - although the invisibility cap and mind-reading skull-mesh are kind of cool. Instead, it's the human steampunk elements that are the most incredible, capped off by Mr Clockwork's Mech-Man and Amazing Mechanical Elephant. They're not just window dressing either, they're key elements of the story, and set-pieces upon which the overall climax relies.
Like I said, it's a bit lazy in parts, with the resolution relying on some conveniently foolish choices and timely coincidences, but at least some of that can be attributed to the youth of the protagonists. If you think of Jani and the Greater Game in terms of its young heroine, and let her set the context, then it's easy to ignore (if not completely ignore) the story's flaws. Fans of the pulp adventure and steampunk genres will certainly find something here to enjoy, and I suspect there are bigger, better things to come in the inevitable sequel.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Actually, to be honest, the villains are a rather one-dimensional racist caricatures, but the heroes are refreshingly diverse - a smart young woman of mixed Indian and English ancestry and brave young man of a lower Indian caste. To Brown's credit, he does allow for a couple of decent, upstanding Brits to counter all the greedy, nationalistic, arrogant conquerors, but the Russians and the Germans get no such saving graces.
There's not a great deal of story to this initial volume, but that's okay because what Brown has really set out to do is recapture the spirit of the turn-of-the-century adventure novel. In fact, the entire text is peppered with references to the likes of Verne and Kipling, including the suggestion that Verne's stories were based on actual events. This is an adventure/quest story that's primarily concerned with getting Jani from point A to point B, with a series of conflicts and escapes along the way, propelled by an underlying mystery that's rather obvious, but which does end in a nice twist. It's a fast-paced tale, filled with adventure, graphic violence, a little social/political commentary, and humor. It's not particularly deep or complex, but it's a fun journey to share.
As for the technology, the alien elements are actually the blandest, but only because they are variations on a theme we've seen them done before - although the invisibility cap and mind-reading skull-mesh are kind of cool. Instead, it's the human steampunk elements that are the most incredible, capped off by Mr Clockwork's Mech-Man and Amazing Mechanical Elephant. They're not just window dressing either, they're key elements of the story, and set-pieces upon which the overall climax relies.
Like I said, it's a bit lazy in parts, with the resolution relying on some conveniently foolish choices and timely coincidences, but at least some of that can be attributed to the youth of the protagonists. If you think of Jani and the Greater Game in terms of its young heroine, and let her set the context, then it's easy to ignore (if not completely ignore) the story's flaws. Fans of the pulp adventure and steampunk genres will certainly find something here to enjoy, and I suspect there are bigger, better things to come in the inevitable sequel.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
January 15, 2022
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3844866.html
Steampunky novel set in an alternate Raj where Britain has exploited captured extraterrestrial technology to remain Top Nation; protagonist is the daughter of an Indian government minister and his long-dead English wife; she is pursued by various miscreants who wish to overturn British rule for one reason or another; she discovers that the Raj is based on an alien power source, and there is a reckoning.
Steampunky novel set in an alternate Raj where Britain has exploited captured extraterrestrial technology to remain Top Nation; protagonist is the daughter of an Indian government minister and his long-dead English wife; she is pursued by various miscreants who wish to overturn British rule for one reason or another; she discovers that the Raj is based on an alien power source, and there is a reckoning.
July 24, 2019
Not brilliant, but worth a read.
March 8, 2022
I enjoyed this alternate history adventure.
February 5, 2015
Originally published at SFFWorld.
Jani and the Greater Game (Multiplicity #1) is Eric Brown’s new novel, a steampunk adventure and departure from his usual sci-fi offerings. As a fan of Brown’s work I approached this novel with some apprehension. Would it be as good as his sci-fi works? Would the change in genre work for me? Would it, ultimately and simply, be a good novel? The answer isn’t quite as simple as a yes or no…
The full synopsis from the publisher:
It’s 1910 and the British rule the subcontinent with an iron fist – and with strange technology fuelled by a power source known as Annapurnite – discovered in the foothills of Mount Annapurna. But they rule at the constant cost of their enemies, mainly the Russian and the Chinese, attempting to learn the secret of this technology… This political confrontation is known as The Greater Game.
Into this conflict is pitched eighteen year old Janisha Chatterjee who discovers a strange device which leads her into the foothills of the Himalayas. When Russians spies and the evil priest Durja Das find out about the device, the chase is on to apprehend Janisha before she can reach the Himalayas. There she will learn the secret behind Annapurnite, and what she learns will change the destiny of the world for ever.
Jani and The Greater Game is the first book in a rip-roaring, spice-laden, steampunk action adventure series set in an exotic India and featuring a feisty heroine who subverts all the norms.
Set in the early part of last century, Jani and the Greater Game has a strong focus on India and the British presence there. The political situation is not at its best, and with Annapurnite playing such a motivating factor for all countries and governments involved, it adds an additional pressure to the setting. However, despite this larger political game going on in the background, this is a novel about characters.
Jani is our protagonist, and through whose eyes we see most of the story. She’s strong and independent, despite being the daughter of a powerful-yet-respected man. Her time spent living between England and India show us someone that can think along lines that others, especially those so heavily involved in events, can’t. However, given her age she is also naïve in matters, and often something that appears obvious can pass her by. It makes her interesting and flawed, and Brown once again does a sterling job at created such a deep and layered character.
As for the other people we meet along the journey – they are certainly a varied bunch. We have Alfie, a British military officer who is tasked with tracking down Jani after events early in the novel; Anand, a boy of Jani’s age who has grown up working for her father after being rescued from the street, but has gone on to learn many things; Durga Das, a high priest whose national pride puts him at odds with all who want to rule India, and also a man with an old secret that knows more of Annapurnite than some would be happy about. Add in some spies and assassins that are after Jani, and you’ve got a varied cast. Not all have the depth to them that I would have hoped, but the more prominent ones really do shine and bring much to the story.
The story itself is an all-out adventure romp. Jani and the Greater Game starts as it means to go on and doesn’t let up until the final page is turned. While set in a distinctly steampunk era, there are hints of the sci-fi that Brown is so well known for leaking through. The contraptions and inventions seen throughout are described in stunning detail and fully realised, but there is the feeling that they’re not fully steampunk. It’s difficult to go into more detail without wandering into the realm of spoilers, but suffice to say that it all works within the setting Brown has created.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of steampunk, and it’s this preference that meant Jani and the Greater Game didn’t work for me quite as much as I’d hoped. The characters are solid, the setting vividly described and realised in great detail, and the story roars along at a pace to leave you breathless. But there is that little something that just doesn’t feel right, and my love of Brown’s sci-fi novels plays a large role in this. It’s just one of those things and, as they say, different strokes for different folks.
Jani and the Greater Game (Multiplicity #1) is Eric Brown’s new novel, a steampunk adventure and departure from his usual sci-fi offerings. As a fan of Brown’s work I approached this novel with some apprehension. Would it be as good as his sci-fi works? Would the change in genre work for me? Would it, ultimately and simply, be a good novel? The answer isn’t quite as simple as a yes or no…
The full synopsis from the publisher:
It’s 1910 and the British rule the subcontinent with an iron fist – and with strange technology fuelled by a power source known as Annapurnite – discovered in the foothills of Mount Annapurna. But they rule at the constant cost of their enemies, mainly the Russian and the Chinese, attempting to learn the secret of this technology… This political confrontation is known as The Greater Game.
Into this conflict is pitched eighteen year old Janisha Chatterjee who discovers a strange device which leads her into the foothills of the Himalayas. When Russians spies and the evil priest Durja Das find out about the device, the chase is on to apprehend Janisha before she can reach the Himalayas. There she will learn the secret behind Annapurnite, and what she learns will change the destiny of the world for ever.
Jani and The Greater Game is the first book in a rip-roaring, spice-laden, steampunk action adventure series set in an exotic India and featuring a feisty heroine who subverts all the norms.
Set in the early part of last century, Jani and the Greater Game has a strong focus on India and the British presence there. The political situation is not at its best, and with Annapurnite playing such a motivating factor for all countries and governments involved, it adds an additional pressure to the setting. However, despite this larger political game going on in the background, this is a novel about characters.
Jani is our protagonist, and through whose eyes we see most of the story. She’s strong and independent, despite being the daughter of a powerful-yet-respected man. Her time spent living between England and India show us someone that can think along lines that others, especially those so heavily involved in events, can’t. However, given her age she is also naïve in matters, and often something that appears obvious can pass her by. It makes her interesting and flawed, and Brown once again does a sterling job at created such a deep and layered character.
As for the other people we meet along the journey – they are certainly a varied bunch. We have Alfie, a British military officer who is tasked with tracking down Jani after events early in the novel; Anand, a boy of Jani’s age who has grown up working for her father after being rescued from the street, but has gone on to learn many things; Durga Das, a high priest whose national pride puts him at odds with all who want to rule India, and also a man with an old secret that knows more of Annapurnite than some would be happy about. Add in some spies and assassins that are after Jani, and you’ve got a varied cast. Not all have the depth to them that I would have hoped, but the more prominent ones really do shine and bring much to the story.
The story itself is an all-out adventure romp. Jani and the Greater Game starts as it means to go on and doesn’t let up until the final page is turned. While set in a distinctly steampunk era, there are hints of the sci-fi that Brown is so well known for leaking through. The contraptions and inventions seen throughout are described in stunning detail and fully realised, but there is the feeling that they’re not fully steampunk. It’s difficult to go into more detail without wandering into the realm of spoilers, but suffice to say that it all works within the setting Brown has created.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of steampunk, and it’s this preference that meant Jani and the Greater Game didn’t work for me quite as much as I’d hoped. The characters are solid, the setting vividly described and realised in great detail, and the story roars along at a pace to leave you breathless. But there is that little something that just doesn’t feel right, and my love of Brown’s sci-fi novels plays a large role in this. It’s just one of those things and, as they say, different strokes for different folks.
August 7, 2014
For me, there has always been something fantastically diverting about a good steampunk tale. I’m a bit of a daydreamer, and I’ve always found that this particular sub-genre is the most effective at capturing my imagination. I love that promise of far-flung locations, of rip-roaring adventure and of reinventing the familiar to make it strange and new.
In all honesty, I was pretty much sold as soon as I saw the cover to this novel. Kudos is due to artist Dominic Harman for such a wonderful image. Three words, people – steampunk clockwork elephant. If a machine-driven pachyderm isn’t enough of an incitement, feel free to add airship battles, fifteen foot high mechanical men, and strange humanoid creatures with their own enigmatic agenda into the mix. I quickly surmised that Eric Brown’s latest would be ticking all the boxes on my steampunk genre checklist.
It would be wrong however to dismiss this book as merely a simple adventure story with lots of evocative settings, chases and steampunk flourishes. This is much more than just some triumph of style over content. Brown’s writing also intelligently explores the imperialistic jingoism of the age. The British Empire, as well as its enemies, primarily Russia and China in this case, are waging a cold war of expansionism against one another. The writing touches upon the economic, religious and political implications of this. Our heroine, Janisha ‘Jani’ Chaterjee, is a perfect example of this. Her relatively modern upbringing as a child of two distinctly different cultures, finds her constantly challenging the preconceived notions of gender and racial stereotyping. She often finds herself at odds with both the rules imposed by the British, as well as those of the Indian nationalists. This gives Brown the perfect opportunity to highlight and pick apart all the social injustices that existed at that time.
There is a wonderful sense of familiarity to Jani and the Greater Game, I should stress that I mean this as the highest of compliments. Eric Brown’s writing does a splendid job of tipping subtle reverential nods to many of the classic serialised adventures that have gone before. It feels like Jani should exist within the same universe as other heroes and heroines like Flashman, Biggles and Adele Blanc-Sec. I’ll also happily admit Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom popped into my head on more than one occasion. It was the airships and the setting, I couldn’t help it.
It’s been a while since I’ve become so engrossed in a steampunk tale. This novel put me in mind of the Ulysses Quicksilver novels published by Abaddon Books and written by Jonathan Green. They both tap into that same sense of pure adventure, escapism and non-stop action. If you’re a fan of the Pax Britannia series, then I can guarantee you will adore this book.
I’ve always known that steampunk had a heart, but it’s a delight to discover that as it continues to evolve it has developed a brain too. Thoughtful, intriguing and more than a little bit entertaining, this is the first time I have read anything written by Eric Brown, it will not be the last.
In all honesty, I was pretty much sold as soon as I saw the cover to this novel. Kudos is due to artist Dominic Harman for such a wonderful image. Three words, people – steampunk clockwork elephant. If a machine-driven pachyderm isn’t enough of an incitement, feel free to add airship battles, fifteen foot high mechanical men, and strange humanoid creatures with their own enigmatic agenda into the mix. I quickly surmised that Eric Brown’s latest would be ticking all the boxes on my steampunk genre checklist.
It would be wrong however to dismiss this book as merely a simple adventure story with lots of evocative settings, chases and steampunk flourishes. This is much more than just some triumph of style over content. Brown’s writing also intelligently explores the imperialistic jingoism of the age. The British Empire, as well as its enemies, primarily Russia and China in this case, are waging a cold war of expansionism against one another. The writing touches upon the economic, religious and political implications of this. Our heroine, Janisha ‘Jani’ Chaterjee, is a perfect example of this. Her relatively modern upbringing as a child of two distinctly different cultures, finds her constantly challenging the preconceived notions of gender and racial stereotyping. She often finds herself at odds with both the rules imposed by the British, as well as those of the Indian nationalists. This gives Brown the perfect opportunity to highlight and pick apart all the social injustices that existed at that time.
There is a wonderful sense of familiarity to Jani and the Greater Game, I should stress that I mean this as the highest of compliments. Eric Brown’s writing does a splendid job of tipping subtle reverential nods to many of the classic serialised adventures that have gone before. It feels like Jani should exist within the same universe as other heroes and heroines like Flashman, Biggles and Adele Blanc-Sec. I’ll also happily admit Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom popped into my head on more than one occasion. It was the airships and the setting, I couldn’t help it.
It’s been a while since I’ve become so engrossed in a steampunk tale. This novel put me in mind of the Ulysses Quicksilver novels published by Abaddon Books and written by Jonathan Green. They both tap into that same sense of pure adventure, escapism and non-stop action. If you’re a fan of the Pax Britannia series, then I can guarantee you will adore this book.
I’ve always known that steampunk had a heart, but it’s a delight to discover that as it continues to evolve it has developed a brain too. Thoughtful, intriguing and more than a little bit entertaining, this is the first time I have read anything written by Eric Brown, it will not be the last.
December 15, 2015
Eric Brown, you had me with India… And that beautiful cover with steampunk mechanical elephant just sealed the deal. Immediately, I remembered French show The Sultan’s Elephant. In a book (where boundaries to imagination do not exist) how awesome it could be?
Jani and the Greater Game turned out to be a surprise. It didn’t have as much steampunk as I expected. Mechanical elephant appeared but he was only one of transportation devices used. Instead, Jani and the Greater Game had an unusual science fiction twist, about which I will not talk much, because I do not want to spoil it for you.
What could have been better?
✸ Russians are villains. This made book seem like it’s written in the 80s – typical old action movie feel, like old Indiana Jones.
✸ Some chapters are narrated by police inspector Alfie Littlebody or priest Durga Das. It took a lot of time until I saw a need for them. Usually, they were boring and I skimmed through them.
✸ I wanted more from Mel, mechanical elephant.
One more thing that I should mention that was a surprise – it’s how much YA his book was. Based on summary I expected Jani and the Greater Game to be an adult novel.
No, Jani and the Greater Game is a young adult book that could be even given to some middle-graders. Romance is very subtle and almost nonexistent. Although there is murder, action, torture, everything is written very light in tone. And, of course, as always there is a good motivational message:
“Anything is possible if one possesses three important attributes, child, and those are money, influence, and the confidence with which to carry off the desires of one’s heart. And do you know, I often think that the third might be the most important.”
Almost forgot to mention that Jani and the Greater Game is a part of a series, so the ending although not a cliffhanger leaves a lot of things unresolved.
In The End…
With a surprising twist and unusual heroine, Jani and the Greater Game is a book that will tempt many steampunk lovers. In some cases, the beautiful cover will be enough. You might enjoy it, but be aware that it’s an ya book and that at times it’s more sci-fi than steampunk.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jani and the Greater Game turned out to be a surprise. It didn’t have as much steampunk as I expected. Mechanical elephant appeared but he was only one of transportation devices used. Instead, Jani and the Greater Game had an unusual science fiction twist, about which I will not talk much, because I do not want to spoil it for you.
What could have been better?
✸ Russians are villains. This made book seem like it’s written in the 80s – typical old action movie feel, like old Indiana Jones.
✸ Some chapters are narrated by police inspector Alfie Littlebody or priest Durga Das. It took a lot of time until I saw a need for them. Usually, they were boring and I skimmed through them.
✸ I wanted more from Mel, mechanical elephant.
One more thing that I should mention that was a surprise – it’s how much YA his book was. Based on summary I expected Jani and the Greater Game to be an adult novel.
No, Jani and the Greater Game is a young adult book that could be even given to some middle-graders. Romance is very subtle and almost nonexistent. Although there is murder, action, torture, everything is written very light in tone. And, of course, as always there is a good motivational message:
“Anything is possible if one possesses three important attributes, child, and those are money, influence, and the confidence with which to carry off the desires of one’s heart. And do you know, I often think that the third might be the most important.”
Almost forgot to mention that Jani and the Greater Game is a part of a series, so the ending although not a cliffhanger leaves a lot of things unresolved.
In The End…
With a surprising twist and unusual heroine, Jani and the Greater Game is a book that will tempt many steampunk lovers. In some cases, the beautiful cover will be enough. You might enjoy it, but be aware that it’s an ya book and that at times it’s more sci-fi than steampunk.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 28, 2014
This review and others are available on my blog.
Jani and the Greater Game is a good old-fashioned adventure story set in turn-of-the-century India, but it isn't quite the world we know. Jani Chaterjee is a young woman, half Indian, half British, who finds herself in possession of an object that could change the world forever, and reveal the dark secret at the heart of the Empire's astounding technological revolution.
This is an alternate, steampunk version of history built partly out of a solid grasp of history and partly out of a knowledge of contemporary adventure stories. Brown layers the story with historical and cultural detail and literary allusions mixed liberally with his own concepts. It is not a particularly subtle novel, especially in its depiction of racism at the time, but in a story that starts with an airship being shot down and includes mechanical elephants, battling spies, and alternate universes, subtlety is not a particularly important trait.
Jani herself is a fun creation. Unexpectedly resourceful and brave, she is trapped between two worlds and forced to unravel a decades old mystery simply to survive. The other characters are, perhaps, less well drawn. The villains are almost caricatures sketched from stock adventure story characters, but this seems more deliberate, as this is, in fact, an adventure story.
Jani and the Greater Game is a rip-roaring pulp adventure story full of steampunk imagery, and flavored with historical and political commentary. Above all this book is simply fun.
**Received copy from NetGalley for Review
Jani and the Greater Game is a good old-fashioned adventure story set in turn-of-the-century India, but it isn't quite the world we know. Jani Chaterjee is a young woman, half Indian, half British, who finds herself in possession of an object that could change the world forever, and reveal the dark secret at the heart of the Empire's astounding technological revolution.
This is an alternate, steampunk version of history built partly out of a solid grasp of history and partly out of a knowledge of contemporary adventure stories. Brown layers the story with historical and cultural detail and literary allusions mixed liberally with his own concepts. It is not a particularly subtle novel, especially in its depiction of racism at the time, but in a story that starts with an airship being shot down and includes mechanical elephants, battling spies, and alternate universes, subtlety is not a particularly important trait.
Jani herself is a fun creation. Unexpectedly resourceful and brave, she is trapped between two worlds and forced to unravel a decades old mystery simply to survive. The other characters are, perhaps, less well drawn. The villains are almost caricatures sketched from stock adventure story characters, but this seems more deliberate, as this is, in fact, an adventure story.
Jani and the Greater Game is a rip-roaring pulp adventure story full of steampunk imagery, and flavored with historical and political commentary. Above all this book is simply fun.
**Received copy from NetGalley for Review
August 11, 2014
There's a lot to love in this not-quite-steampunk novel. Jani is a delightful heroine, whip-smart and wise beyond her years, torn as she is between India and England in the days of the British Raj. The other POV characters are also a lot of fun, even if some of them border on caricature at times.
I do wish that the traipse through the subcontinent were more drawn out, even as the high speed of the mechanical transportation is a plot point as well as a part of the worldbuilding. The pacing, plus the relative lack of character development and the plentiful moments of Deus Ex Machina, mark this as standard modern YA, though little else is "standard". I'd also have expected an author with as many novels under his belt as Eric Brown to come up with slightly more complex and varied language. There's a moment when Jani "smiles through her tears", and a few sentences later... "she smiles through her tears. There are also a few plot points that don't make much sense, e.g., when Jelch can kill 50+ Russians and barely break a sweat, but later gets shot throwing himself in front of one simple gun. To be fair, it's possible that some of this stuff has been changed for the final publication.
This is the first book in a series, and its conclusion is only somewhat satisfying because a few too many things are left open. But I definitely plan to read the sequel!
I guess I'd give this 3.5 stars according to the Goodreads system. I'm waffling between rounding up or down. I'd round up for the good elements and the "uniqueness" factor, but down for the nonsensical spots and the caricature villains.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.
I do wish that the traipse through the subcontinent were more drawn out, even as the high speed of the mechanical transportation is a plot point as well as a part of the worldbuilding. The pacing, plus the relative lack of character development and the plentiful moments of Deus Ex Machina, mark this as standard modern YA, though little else is "standard". I'd also have expected an author with as many novels under his belt as Eric Brown to come up with slightly more complex and varied language. There's a moment when Jani "smiles through her tears", and a few sentences later... "she smiles through her tears. There are also a few plot points that don't make much sense, e.g., when Jelch can kill 50+ Russians and barely break a sweat, but later gets shot throwing himself in front of one simple gun. To be fair, it's possible that some of this stuff has been changed for the final publication.
This is the first book in a series, and its conclusion is only somewhat satisfying because a few too many things are left open. But I definitely plan to read the sequel!
I guess I'd give this 3.5 stars according to the Goodreads system. I'm waffling between rounding up or down. I'd round up for the good elements and the "uniqueness" factor, but down for the nonsensical spots and the caricature villains.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.
February 17, 2015
Though not the greatest of Steampunk novels I have read, Jani and the Greater Game is certainly very inventive and the setting is intriguing. The Indian subcontinent in an alternate early twentieth century timeline is that setting and it is a wonderful idea. It is often the case that I will keep reading a book if the central idea intrigues and this book is no exception. There is just so much potential in the premise, even if it isn’t quite fully explored here. This first volume feels more like its merely setting everything up for the rest of the series.
Jani and the Greater Game is solid Young Adult fayre, with pacey adventure set pieces and a likeable, relatable protagonist. I have no reservations about reading a young adult book, particularly in the Steampunk genre as it is one of the most fun genres, reminding me of the kind of books and stories I loved to read in my childhood.
There are some fun touches, like the mechanical elephant called Mel, or the idea of alien technology being used to create ever more insane machines. I was also intrigued by the hints of alternate world ideas to explain some of the finer points, which makes a change from the usual tropes used with similar books in the genre. Hopefully the next volume might be a little larger and as I mentioned before, will stretch the premise to its full potential
Jani and the Greater Game is solid Young Adult fayre, with pacey adventure set pieces and a likeable, relatable protagonist. I have no reservations about reading a young adult book, particularly in the Steampunk genre as it is one of the most fun genres, reminding me of the kind of books and stories I loved to read in my childhood.
There are some fun touches, like the mechanical elephant called Mel, or the idea of alien technology being used to create ever more insane machines. I was also intrigued by the hints of alternate world ideas to explain some of the finer points, which makes a change from the usual tropes used with similar books in the genre. Hopefully the next volume might be a little larger and as I mentioned before, will stretch the premise to its full potential
July 21, 2015
I had high expectations for this book; I was excited to find a steampunk novel that didn't focus on England, that took other cultures into account in a respectful and non-colonized way. Unfortunately I was disappointed.
Admittedly Brown does try to question the colonialist attitudes of Britain through more than one character, although it seems to be more lip service than anything revolutionary or of any real substance. I was also disappointed by the lack of any true amalgamation of steampunk and Indian culture - it really was just a transportation of British steampunk into an 'exotic' locale.
I've seen a few other reviews that state the villains are merely racist caricatures, which I think I would have to agree with for the most part. In fact, I think even the heroes don't have much depth to them. I found all the characters and their interactions rather bland, and not once did I feel at all concerned or invested in the characters' fates. Honestly I tried to get through this as quickly as I could, just to get it over with.
Another thing that really didn't sit well with me was the complete lack of female characters other than Jani herself. Yes, Lady Eddington exists but she disappears quite quickly after the first few chapters, although I could see how she might be more present in the future books.
I will definitely not be reading the sequel.
Admittedly Brown does try to question the colonialist attitudes of Britain through more than one character, although it seems to be more lip service than anything revolutionary or of any real substance. I was also disappointed by the lack of any true amalgamation of steampunk and Indian culture - it really was just a transportation of British steampunk into an 'exotic' locale.
I've seen a few other reviews that state the villains are merely racist caricatures, which I think I would have to agree with for the most part. In fact, I think even the heroes don't have much depth to them. I found all the characters and their interactions rather bland, and not once did I feel at all concerned or invested in the characters' fates. Honestly I tried to get through this as quickly as I could, just to get it over with.
Another thing that really didn't sit well with me was the complete lack of female characters other than Jani herself. Yes, Lady Eddington exists but she disappears quite quickly after the first few chapters, although I could see how she might be more present in the future books.
I will definitely not be reading the sequel.
January 7, 2015
Steampunk is revisiting and revitalising old genres and eras. Sally forth then to Raj India, for this gloriously rich account of a young woman from two worlds who starts off riding an airship and ends up riding a clockwork elephant.
Jani is a medical student with a mixed heritage and when the British airship in which she is riding over the Kush is shelled by Russian forces in nearby Afghanistan, she gets caught up in an international squabble. The power source in this tale is not coal but a new mineral Annapurnite, found in Mount Annapurna if Jani can believe the official stories. Everyone wants it. There's also a strangely gifted, perhaps alien prisoner involved, and an Indian houseboy who quits his job to work in the Clockwork factory.
Jani is seventeen but the early crash sequence is vividly brutal while the attitudes of many of the ruling forces to the natives - apart from one English soldier - leave much to be desired. For this kind of reason I would advise that the story is not suited for younger readers. A mature older teenager will cope and have a rollicking time following Jani through the scented jungles.
Jani is a medical student with a mixed heritage and when the British airship in which she is riding over the Kush is shelled by Russian forces in nearby Afghanistan, she gets caught up in an international squabble. The power source in this tale is not coal but a new mineral Annapurnite, found in Mount Annapurna if Jani can believe the official stories. Everyone wants it. There's also a strangely gifted, perhaps alien prisoner involved, and an Indian houseboy who quits his job to work in the Clockwork factory.
Jani is seventeen but the early crash sequence is vividly brutal while the attitudes of many of the ruling forces to the natives - apart from one English soldier - leave much to be desired. For this kind of reason I would advise that the story is not suited for younger readers. A mature older teenager will cope and have a rollicking time following Jani through the scented jungles.
June 2, 2015
Time period, British rule of India in a alternate history. Steampunk, murder, mystery and conspiracy. An enjoyable tale of a young woman returning home to India to her ailing father. Not all is as it seems. Annapurnite discovered in the foothills of Mount Annapurna has been the saving grace for British world domination. Many creative inventions abound because of Annapurnite. Among my favorite being MEL. At times, Janisha (Jani) Chaterjee is too dim witted, falling repetitively into bad situations. One would think she'd learn after the first couple times! Beyond that pet peeve, it was a fun adventurous story. A lot of gadgets, gizmo's and machines. Plenty of action, danger and thrills. I hope the continuation arrives soon. I look forward to learning more about this world.
October 7, 2015
Libro para adolescentes con sabor steampunk y toques exóticos modelo India. La verdad es que el libro empieza muy bien, con zepellins y aliens cautivos, para luego vulgarizarse con situaciones demasiado típicas... con un final que deja muy claro que habrá segunda parte y que vuelve al interés del principio. De especial mención el elefante mecánico de la portada. Libro absolutamente menor de este buen autor de SF. C+
August 9, 2014
I ended up underwhelmed by this one. I had high hopes for it. Steampunk set in India with what should have been a strong female lead. Ended up feeling like a melodrama. Too many captures and escapes, too many sets of villians and not enough story. I will probably at least sample the sequel to see if it gets better.
April 21, 2015
This was a light and fun read. I wouldn't call this steampunk - there wasn't really any steam tech in it. It was more alternate history with clockwork elephants and light sabers. It wasn't profound or particularly well written (wasn't poorly written either), but I still really enjoyed it and will most likely read the next book.
March 3, 2016
It was fun, but I never really felt too strongly about anything that was happening. It all felt a little distant, and maybe just not quite the right balance between real/unreal for my tastes. The ending was a little abrupt. This is one of those 3 stars because it's solid technically, but "lower" 3 stars because it was a little lacking on purely personal appeal.
August 4, 2014
Review at bookspotcentral.com: http://www.bookspotcentral.com/2014/0...
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