Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass is 0.99
Kira Solomon is a Shadowchaser, dedicated to fighting forces of Shadow on behalf of the Light. She is also “gifted” (it’s more of a curse) with the ability to read the histories of items and people she touches. (Even sandwiches can lead to an overwhelming sensory cascade if she’s not careful.) She uses this talent to assess and authenticate antiquities. When an old friend brings her an ancient Egyptian dagger, Kira realizes it’s dangerous beyond measure – and so are the two entities tracking it: one, an evil power and the other, the dagger’s former owner, a 4,000 year old Nubian warrior named Khefar tasked by the goddess Isis to atone for misdeeds by saving lives. Kira’s life is next on his list.
Some of this book is delightful and original. The author’s development of the Atlanta setting is great. I haven’t read a paranormal set in Atlanta before, and I grinned when the heroine had to take Peachtree everywhere. The gods and goddesses involved are African, for a change; some are ancient Egyptian and Nubian deities, such as Kira’s patroness Ma’at, and there’s also the mischievous Mr. Nansee, of the West African pantheon. I appreciated the explanation for why the gods themselves can’t just sort out the conflict – as Mr Nansee tells Kira:
“Think about it. The Universe is about Balance. If a demigod who stands in Light had interceded on your behalf, what would Shadow have brought in to balance me?”
(Of course, there’s still the question of why, if there is balance, any action is necessary at all?)
Kira is a vintage 2010s-era ass-kicker, but the author does one interesting thing here, which is address the unsustainability of her lifestyle. Kira mentions that Shadowchasers don’t live long, and fully expects to get killed by the time she’s in her thirties. A life of violence and revenge, even on behalf of the good guys, also threatens her own ‘good guy’ status. Khefar realizes that saving Kira may be about preserving her soul and her Light alignment as much as it is about keeping her from death.