ShadowBane By Cal Logan
Blurb:
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.
Review:
ShadowBane marks my first completed read of 2026, and what a positive way to start the year.
From the opening chapters, Cal sets a somber tone in a dangerous, mythic, Japanese-inspired world where hard choices, strong will, and endurance are the keys to survival. He draws on Japanese traditions and real cultural myths as a stepping stone, adding his own grimdark twist to folklore within his uniquely created version of the land.
The characters quickly became the element I was most immediately drawn to. We follow two POVs: twin siblings Jin and Shura—both kick-ass demon hunters who help the people of the land while the looming shadow of political intrigue hounds their every step. Cal does an excellent job separating the twins’ perspectives. Both exist in morally gray territory—flawed and haunted—yet they are distinctly different from one another.
On the surface, Jin comes across as cold, distant, and duty-bound, often solving problems through the brutality of his sword or the sharpness of his tongue. However, there is far more complexity, nuance, and vulnerability beneath that exterior, which made his side of the journey especially compelling. Shura, the more practical and reasonable of the two, struggles with challenges women often faced in traditional societies of the time—the conflict of being strong-willed in a world that expects meekness and submission.
The twins’ tensions, both from societal pressures and with each other, are well balanced by Wallace, a squire from what is essentially the Western world and the third major character in ShadowBane. His dynamic shifts depending on which twin he is interacting with, and I really enjoyed his presence. Wallace brings a much-needed sense of lightheartedness to an otherwise grim tale.
As a bonus, the group is rounded out by Feng, a tiger who serves primarily as Shura’s bodyguard in battles against demons. Because everyone loves animal companions.
ShadowBane is a fantastic and confident debut. Cal Logan balances demon-slaying action with intimate character moments—both verbal and internal—that truly bring these characters to life. And that ending? It left me immediately ready for the sequel.
Highly Recommended Read
