Kiera's home life is not happy. One day on her way to school, Kiera sees a tiny ship floating in the gutter. It has on its deck the key that she lost the day before and for the loss of which she has been punished. The ship looks so real... She rescues the ship from a dreadful fate. Later, this time with Jai, she sees the ship again and they sail into the start of some incredible and quite magical experiences in the alternative world of Tisany. Kiera and Jai find that they have been taken to Tisany because they can help solve problems there. Through adventures involving stormy sailing, the Seeing Well, caves and snakes, a visit to a colourful souk in a city of towers, a long donkey ride through mountains, hostile chiefs and cheating travellers, The Great Game is developed and played in a sometimes frightening and dramatic finale. And weaving in and out of the events on Tisany, there are happenings at home too that lead Kiera towards a happier situation.