The collection of books "Wind and Sparks" by Alexei Pekhov has repeatedly been called a novelty with the greatest potential among Russian fantasy. Two books from this series were awarded the Silver Caduceus Award at the Star Bridge festival.
The author presented a completely classical idea with seasonings in the form of charismatic and interesting heroes, extraordinary antagonists with serious problems. There is an adult creation that is interesting to read, return to and plunge into the created world anew, experiencing all hardships with the heroes.
Book setting
The tetralogy "Wind and Sparks" by Alexei Pekhov is completely completed at the moment. The books turned out to be extensive, but read quite easily. The main merit in this belongs to the setting created by the author. It's no secret that the cycle "Wind and Sparks" by Alexei Pekhov is a kind of continuation of the "Chronicles of Siala". The protagonist of the series named Garrett created a world of heroes from tetralogy. At the beginning of the first book, he asks what the Creator is capable of as a thief, after which the narrative begins.
The story is conducted on behalf of two heroes - Gray and Weasel. In addition, periodically the right to conduct a conversation passes to the antagonists of the series. The world of Hara is divided into two continents and is inhabited by several nationalities of anthropomorphic creatures, among them elves. Once upon a time, people possessed a magical gift, a spark, commanded the elements and power of all the Great Houses. The color of their abilities was gray, later there was a split, which divided the world and magicians in two.
A period of time
Events unfold on the eastern continent of Hara. There is a period that can be correlated with the late Middle Ages. A crossbow and siege weapons were invented, lords sit in stone castles, therefore, technological progress does not stand still.
After the spark in people almost died out, magic remained the destiny of a group of the elect, including the Damned, who pose a serious danger to the world. They are an organization of renegades who have studied magic for a very long time and turned their abilities against people.
World and history
Once at the dawn of history, magicians were divided into two camps - light and darkness. The latter were called necromancers for their ability to revive the dead. The former were divided into Walkers, able to use the Paths to the Great Houses, and Ogonykov, whose light gave the fellow power and transmitted magical power to him. Only women could gain the trail; both men and girls could warm them. These are the events of the first war, the consequences of which were the scorched continent and the formation of the four great powers in the south and north of the only habitable territory.
Sculptor Rise
The sculptor is a great magician who discovered in himself both a light and a dark gift. He created fortresses and cities, which it was impossible to take a siege. He invented the Petals of the Way, a teleport, which by the beginning of the narrative had become almost a legend.
In an attempt to convince the brothers of the futility of persistence regarding the correct separation, the Sculptor and his students were killed. His notes are destroyed, all but three volumes, on which the first Damned were engaged.
Damned and their impact on the world
It is not known who the first Damned were. They say that Cherkana and Oso, walking, became those to whom the truth about what happened was revealed. They discovered a dark spark within themselves, after which they began to teach the rest to this art. The Empire and the Circle of Mages fought against them, killing everyone. They managed to escape by the eight Cursed, who later became known by the following names: Measles, Cholera, Plague, Typhoid, Smallpox, Consumption, Fever and Leprosy.
Alexei Pekhov’s Wind and Sparks series describes the third war, when the remaining six damned teamed up with necromancers to win a long-running conflict that has been going on for over 500 years.
Key characters
It is difficult to capture all the protagonists of the world "Winds and Sparks" Alexei Pekhov in one article. It is worthwhile to dwell on some of them:
- Ness (Gray). The magnificent archer who once served in the Empire. He got his nickname for the color of his eyes and hair. He worked as a hired killer. Stunningly cold-blooded and prudent, has friendly relations with the god Garrett. Very attached to spouse.
- Laen (Weasel). Wife of Gray. It has a pure spark that has not been cursed, and therefore has access to the High Houses. Potentially one of the strongest owners of the Gift in general. She was a student at Cholera, who was considered dead or missing. Dies, and then resurrects. Very devoted to her husband and appreciates him.
- Shen. The first Healer is a man, that is, the Walker of the stronger sex, for a thousand years. The treasure of the Tower and the main student of its head. Later, he realizes how wrong the way of concentrating exclusively on a light spark and casting a dark one is. His character changes throughout the cycle "Wind and Sparks" by Alexei Pekhov. It turns into a wise man experience. Heir to the Sculptor.
- Ron. Walking, which was reforged by Leprosy. The cursed wanted to get a devoted student, but Ron refused to study Darkness. Due to lack of experience, Leprosy almost stepped over the brink of madness, but returned. Shen healed her completely, later she fell in love with him.
- Damned. Each Damned has his own sphere of interests and heraldic color. Typhus becomes the first Walker that the reader meets. It was her image that showed that not all Damned are exclusively negative characters. So, for example, Typhus entered the House of Love thanks to self-sacrifice, and Cholera completely helped the protagonists in the fight against her brothers by teaching Laska.
The characters in the series "Wind and Sparks" by Alexei Yuryevich Pekhov turned out to be very interesting and entertaining. The reader will not be bored and pore over the next page, since a completely new world will open before him, full of magic and powerful heroes who will end up being just as ordinary people as any other.