Mind-bending SF combined with a sharp, accurate sense of history are MacDonald hallmarks. In ‘Shaka’ and its sequel ‘Kirinya’, he got east Africa right as a setting for a very strange future. In ‘River of Gods’, he takes on the challenge of ‘Midnight’s Children’ for a 100th birthday festival of a blockbuster. Ever thought of Shiva, Kali & Co as software?

Another fantastic book by Ian McDonald, who’s been on my ``must buy’’ list since his first book, Out on Blue Six appeared as part of the revamped Bantam Spectra Specials series. India. Artificial intelligence. Amazing.