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.
Publisher: www.solarisbooks.com
Author: www.ericbrown.co.uk
July 2014, 416 Pages
Paperback, ISBN: 9781781082041
Review copy received from the publisher
© 2014 Mark Chitty
