Shura and Jin are twins, the last of the Shikōken bloodline and specially equipped to destroy the demons that terrorise the kingdoms. We are thrown straight into such a battle which skillfully introduces the abilities of our main characters as well as establishing some of the world building and the evils they face. This is a storyline that is rich with folklore, and a world that is inspired by Eastern Aisian culture. The dynamic between the twins is compelling - Shura wanting to restore her family’s name and position and Jin’s disregard for cultural niceties, sense of duty and hope that he’ll have the chance to leave it all behind after his work is done. The dichotomy between the two had me wondering what would happen in the end and hoping that somehow both would get their wish. The prophecies that arise in the storyline create a sense of urgency and a sense of tension as you wait to see what exactly will come to pass.
ShadowBane is a deeply immersive story that had me hooked from the beginning and I think that it will really appeal to other fantasy readers. It is clear the amount of research and planning that has been put into this book in order to create such a detailed authentic feeling world and characters. There’s action, twists and turns in the plot that I didn’t see happening and that made my jaw hit the floor. Highly recommended.
One womb, one soul, two fates. One will rise. One will fall.
Shura and Jin are the last of a divine bloodline, operating at the bloodiest fringes of society where they wield might and magic against the demons they are sworn to destroy. For Shura, it’s the only way to restore honor to her lineage and claim her rightful place in the world. For Jin, it’s a matter of begrudging duty—and escaping the influence of the three kings vying for control of the continent.
In their pursuit of the sadistic cult behind the demons’ resurgence, the twins find themselves hunted by an ancient demon harboring a blood vendetta, and are forced to set aside past grudges and seek the kings’ alliance. When Shura discovers a chilling prophecy, she fears that even her newfound allies may not be enough to stem the rising tide of shadow.
Even the palest chance of victory will come at a brutal price. But the prophecy never foretold whose fate would settle the debt: Shura's or her brother's.
A full-time personal trainer and competitive powerlifter, Cal started writing seriously in 2017, drawing inspiration from history, his time spent practicing mixed martial arts, and of course, books. Cal lives in Chicago with his wife, Taylor, and his dachshund, Rizzo.
His debut novel, ShadowBane, is slated to release this September.
