Books like Shadowblack by Sebastien De Castell

A shadowblack plague has taken hold of a wide area, and at its center is Kellen—a 16‑year‑old who, together with his partner Reichis, has built a reputation for vanquishing unruly mages. A wealthy father, desperate for relief after his only daughter fell victim to a cruel curse, turns to the duo to hunt down the men responsible. However, when Kellen realizes the girl’s symptoms mirror the shadowblack affliction, he begins to suspect that the very mages who cursed her might also hold the cure to his own disease, provided he’s willing to pay the price. The story follows Kellen and Reichis as they navigate the dangers of a world oppressed by a dark, spreading disease, confront the powerful mages who manipulate it, and grapple with the moral implications of using the curse’s power to save themselves. It is a tale of teenage resilience, magical intrigue, and the complex ethics of power amid a dire plague.

First publish date: 2018