Vrochek, Obedin – Wild talent

The action takes place in a steampunk fantasy world. There are no elves or gnomes here - only people. There are also firearms, albeit rather primitive ones. And the place of steam engines is taken by magical constructs.

Ordinary people live ordinary lives, nobles struggle with boredom, travel and take part in wars. Here it is considered absolutely normal for two armies to stand opposite each other for weeks and nobles on both sides to organize fights that can end in a joint drinking session. But war remains war, especially since the fruits of local magical art are successfully used in military operations along with antediluvian arquebuses and flintlock pistols.

Magic here is not an art or a craft, but rather a gift that a person can possess. And the energy for it does not come from nowhere - most actions require rituals with sacrifices (well, at least not necessarily human ones). And then there are representatives of ancient blood, each of whom has unique magical talents. It’s just that there is an ongoing feud between representatives of different families, and even within the family, relations are very far from family ones. Which is not surprising, given the fact that the founders of these families received their abilities from one of the princes of hell.

There is both traditional religion and its antipode. Moreover, both of them have priests, churches, and rituals. And it is quite possible to come to a dark church and receive what the traditional church could not give. But you will have to pay with your own soul, even after death. It’s a fairly rare case in science fiction that Satanism is a completely legal religion, and licensed zombie drivers roam the states, ready to hire several dozen living dead people to do the simplest jobs for a small fee.

The plot revolves around the search for a person with a unique talent. So unique that the powers that be are ready to do anything to possess it. And the hunt begins, and the hunters are not against, for starters, destroying their rivals on the way to the “prize”

Multiple characters, each with their own reasons for traveling. Moreover, not all heroes evoke sympathy from the reader. In general, the local world is very cruel, intrigues and struggles for power leave no room for human feelings. But the heroes, despite their origin and capabilities, remain ordinary people. They tend to suffer from unrequited love, a sense of their own uselessness, take revenge on offenders, and betray their comrades. And coming from an ancient family, he could easily die from a stray bullet. After all, fate did not give him what all his relatives are famous for and for which they hate - magical talent. Therefore, he does not stew within his family (that viper), but goes to travel incognito. Moreover, he achieves fame and glory, albeit undeservedly, as he himself believes. In general, it is the hero who does not possess any unique talents who is capable of

The author succeeded well in the atmosphere of Victorian England characteristic of steampunk, even if the local world has no connection with ours. In general, the author pays minimal attention to the political structure. The largest local countries are mentioned in passing, which seem to even be at war with each other. But the main action is practically not connected with them. The focus is on ancient magical families that are gradually degenerating, but still remain one of the main players in the local political arena. After all, it is thanks to them that the local analogue of the railroad operates, the military has destructive weapons, and the participation of one of the representatives of these families can ensure victory in the battle. It is they, in pursuit of a unique talent, who can casually destroy the powerful order of inquisitors. What is one person to them, who also does not have superpowers? True, it is precisely because of this that he becomes one of the key elements - after all, only wild talent can pass to him. But for this you need to hire and kill its carrier, the hunt for whom has been opened by everyone who has such an opportunity.

A promising start to the series, unusual heroes and a bunch of “skeletons in the closet” for everyone that have yet to be brought to the surface. A very atmospheric book, definitely worth reading. At least the first book leaves the impression of an adventure fantasy. There are no global battles or magical duels, but there are a lot of mysteries and scope for action.

Atmospheric steampunk world

Very different heroes

Non-standard concept of local magic and religion

Vampires as “aboriginals on reservations”

There are no global battles; politics generally exists parallel and independently of the main action of the book

A hero without special physical and magical abilities compared to the rest is slightly lost