Savant is the first novel in The Stream and the Void series by Jason Aaron Cameron. It follows the story of Talia, Sai, and Yang as their lives are upended by forces beyond their control. When Talia unknowingly taps into the mysterious Stream, she becomes a target of the Void, a relentless force seeking control over her newfound powers. While she fights to survive with the help of a shadowy benefactor, Sai bets his family heirloom in a high-stakes gamble that entangles him in a mess bigger than he can imagine. Meanwhile, Yang embarks on a dangerous journey to find Talia and recover Sai’s ring, concealing a secret that could bring them all into direct conflict with the Void. As their paths separate, each must confront personal trials that test their loyalty, courage, and will to survive. Can each of them survive these trying times? Or is this the end of the road for some?

Jason Aaron Cameron masterfully balances high-stakes action with deep character development. The novel’s world-building is rich and immersive. The descriptions truly pull the reader into a universe where political tension, supernatural forces, and personal ambitions collide. Talia’s struggle against the Void is particularly enjoyable. Her desperation and resilience make her a protagonist worth rooting for. Sai's and Yang’s character arcs add layers of complexity, showing the varying costs of survival in an unforgiving world. The pace is fast, with twists and turns that keep the stakes high. Savant promises an engaging and captivating read for those who enjoy fantasy stories with complex characters and high-stakes adventures.

Savant by Jason Aaron Cameron follows twelve-year-old hunter Talia as she embarks on a trial to prove her worth and earn a spot in the Huntsman Circle. During the trial, it's discovered that she is a Savant, capable of manipulating the powerful Stream. This makes her a target of the Searchers, who want to control those like her. When tragedy strikes, she’s forced to flee with Cedrin, a Seer who recognizes her potential and agrees to help her learn to control her abilities. Sai becomes entrenched in the larger conflict when Sai wins a big battle, but not without a huge loss, and tragedy strikes him as well. Sai's cousin, Yang, is also thought to be a Savant, honing his powers and not losing hope that Talia is alive. As Talia learns to control the Stream, she uncovers her true role in a conflict far greater than herself, facing threats both from the Searchers and the opposing destructive force known as the Void.

Savant by Jason Aaron Cameron is a spectacularly fresh fantasy that kicks off The Stream and the Void series, and there's so much going on with characters and world-building and the magic system—all of it great. Talia is the major of the three main characters, but for me it is Yang that truly steals the spotlight. Part of this is because it's his point of view that takes us through the coolest settings. Twenty-three days traveling with a caravan through the Desert of Gael may not have been fun for him, but Cameron's cinematic descriptors are not something I'll soon forget. The Stream and the Void and Savants, who have different strengths and abilities, are awesome, and the political system, a monarchy with a shocking twist in the climactic build-up, is deeply layered. With adventure and three concurrent storylines, Savant is worth the time investment and commitment to this new series. Very highly recommended.