Story is set in the late 1800s.  There are orphans who have special talents (mutants??) that are tracked down and taken to a school in England where they are taught to use their talents. There is portal to the world of the dead that is closed only by ancient being with a talent to keep it closed.  Twists throughout on who is good and who is evil.  Many times there is a corruption of morality due to thirst for power or misdirection/misinformation by those seeking power.  Recommend.