I remember reading a review of a novel probably in Asimov's or Analog, during the 1980s or 1990s.
I only remember that the review included a scene from the novel. In that scene a 19th century group of the royal navy of the UK, like fish out of water, was travelling in high mountains, probably the Andes, on a road with high cliffs on one side and an abyss on the other.
A little girl, possibly the protagonist, was important in some way and escorted by a boy midshipman her age.
Flying creatures were attacking the group, knocking people into the chasm and/or flying away with them.
As we all know, flocks of flying creatures in the real world are not known for attacking groups of humans, and I don't seem to remember the flying creatures being described as any species known to zoology.
So does anyone remember what novel had that scene?