Elven Bull

With his wisdom, the Emperor simultaneously solved two problems: an excess of young wizards disrupting the tranquility of capital life and a shortage of wizards in the provinces. By the highest decree, he commanded these wizards to prove their usefulness through service. Thus, some were tasked with extinguishing peat fires, others with combating the apple moth, and some with increasing the population of penguins on Franz Josef Land. Ivan Koshkin and his loyal companion Bereslav Volotov were assigned to the glorious town of Podkozel'sk, once known for its cheeses and butter. Though that was long ago, maybe a hundred or two hundred years. Much has happened since then. The fields have overgrown, the livestock has decreased, and only one bull remains of the well-known breed of elven cows. And even that one has its quirks. But no matter. They will manage. The main thing is to approach the task with imagination. And a bit more magic. Who said that quality cannot be replaced by quantity? He simply hasn't tried!

1. The first book of a new cycle by fantasy master Karina Demina.

2. Slavic fantasy set in an alternative Russia. Though here, the social classes have been preserved and an emperor reigns, with the capital remaining in St. Petersburg. However, the story sometimes intersects with reality.

3. An engaging novel written in a somewhat unconventional language, which adds to the depiction of a fairy tale land with such familiar problems.

Spoiled wizards, bureaucracy, splendid reports that do not correspond to the real state of affairs, golden youth — all described with irony and sarcasm. Combined with an original magical system, this makes for a fantastic mix.