Shadowblack sees Kellen return to this world as an outlaw on the run (which reminds me a lot of Steven Universe's On the Run). Kellen faces a lot of troubles on his journey like killer creatures which he deals with in typical teenage fashion. Sebastien de Castell has a good handle on how to capture a teenage boy's voice and choices even as readers may become frustrated with its realism. There is a slight tonal shift in this novel from the first novel Spellslinger as there is a change from a primarily magical setting to one more like the wild west - please note I am most definitely not complaining. Sebastien de Castell's world building may not be his forte but his fun story telling and intriguing plots definitely keep my interest.