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In the Shadow of the Black Flag
A man caught between light and dark. As monsters and mayhem run rampant, can an outlaw knight keep evil from consuming the land?
Adrian Navarro won’t rest until the realm is safe. Outcast despite his fealty to the kingdom, the determined warrior struggles to hunt down and close magical portals before they can spew out nightmarish creatures. After confronting a fanatic attempting to open a demonic gateway, he’s horrified to realize that a mythical city ruled by the souls of the damned may be brought into reality.
Investigating the sinister guild of mages, he scours for any clues to the mystical key needed to slip past the stronghold’s wards. But he’s left reeling when others beat him to the prize, and in desperation negotiates an alliance among pirates and thieves—even as a hellish armada strikes.
With malignant entities closing in from all sides, will Adrian’s quest end in failure and death?
In the Shadow of the Black Flag is the sweeping second book in the Legacy of Light & Shadow epic fantasy series. If you like tenacious protagonists, classic adventures bursting with action, and blood-chilling stakes, you’ll love Steven McKinnon’s sword and sorcery tale.
Adrian Navarro won’t rest until the realm is safe. Outcast despite his fealty to the kingdom, the determined warrior struggles to hunt down and close magical portals before they can spew out nightmarish creatures. After confronting a fanatic attempting to open a demonic gateway, he’s horrified to realize that a mythical city ruled by the souls of the damned may be brought into reality.
Investigating the sinister guild of mages, he scours for any clues to the mystical key needed to slip past the stronghold’s wards. But he’s left reeling when others beat him to the prize, and in desperation negotiates an alliance among pirates and thieves—even as a hellish armada strikes.
With malignant entities closing in from all sides, will Adrian’s quest end in failure and death?
In the Shadow of the Black Flag is the sweeping second book in the Legacy of Light & Shadow epic fantasy series. If you like tenacious protagonists, classic adventures bursting with action, and blood-chilling stakes, you’ll love Steven McKinnon’s sword and sorcery tale.
Paperback
Published June 19, 2025
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About the author
Steven McKinnon
9 books123 followersSymphony of the Wind is Steven McKinnon's first fiction novel, and is Book One of The Raincatcher's Ballad. The Fury Yet To Come is a prequel novella set in the same world.
His first book, the true-life tale Boldly Going Nowhere, was released in 2015.
Steven is 32 years old, and was born in the bathroom of a Glasgow flat in the year 1986.
He has since moved out.
To get the Raincatcher's Ballad prequel novella -- The Fury Yet To Come -- for free, sign up to the author's newsletter at http://subscribe.stevenmckinnon.net/
His first book, the true-life tale Boldly Going Nowhere, was released in 2015.
Steven is 32 years old, and was born in the bathroom of a Glasgow flat in the year 1986.
He has since moved out.
To get the Raincatcher's Ballad prequel novella -- The Fury Yet To Come -- for free, sign up to the author's newsletter at http://subscribe.stevenmckinnon.net/
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 21, 2025
In the Shadow of the Black Flag is a sequel that raises the stakes and ramps up the action. After book one, my only thought for improvement was simply wanting more—and this sequel absolutely delivered. With more of the world revealed and more parties involved, we get deeper politics, richer drama, and a hell of a lot more action.
I especially appreciated how the side characters were given more attention. The cast has expanded, and many of them now come with rich backstories that were only hinted at before. I really liked the nautical theme—book one leaned more into steampunk with airships, while this one, though still keeping the steampunk vibe, shifts the perspective to the sea, and I do like a good pirate story!
This book is more complex than the first, with additional characters and factions introducing a layer of political intrigue. Despite the increased scale, the slow-building tension and atmospheric storytelling remain just as strong. The prose, at times, feels like it belongs in a horror novel—but it works beautifully in this fantasy setting.
I've noticed Steven McKinnon’s signature style includes a strong hook in chapter one, and I also appreciate his approach to POV chapter lengths—they feel tailored to the plot rather than constrained by structure. One concern I had at the end of book one was about Adrian’s growing power—worried it might make the story feel unbalanced—but McKinnon handled this well, by flipping it on its head. I won’t spoil it, but the setup for the next book promises a battle I can’t wait to sink my teeth into!
I especially appreciated how the side characters were given more attention. The cast has expanded, and many of them now come with rich backstories that were only hinted at before. I really liked the nautical theme—book one leaned more into steampunk with airships, while this one, though still keeping the steampunk vibe, shifts the perspective to the sea, and I do like a good pirate story!
This book is more complex than the first, with additional characters and factions introducing a layer of political intrigue. Despite the increased scale, the slow-building tension and atmospheric storytelling remain just as strong. The prose, at times, feels like it belongs in a horror novel—but it works beautifully in this fantasy setting.
I've noticed Steven McKinnon’s signature style includes a strong hook in chapter one, and I also appreciate his approach to POV chapter lengths—they feel tailored to the plot rather than constrained by structure. One concern I had at the end of book one was about Adrian’s growing power—worried it might make the story feel unbalanced—but McKinnon handled this well, by flipping it on its head. I won’t spoil it, but the setup for the next book promises a battle I can’t wait to sink my teeth into!
June 25, 2025
4.5 / 5 stars
I love a good Steven McKinnon book. My SPFBO4 team was lucky enough to pull Steve’s entry, “Symphony of the Wind,” and I’ve been a major fan of all his books ever since.
His stories move at breakneck pace. Events you think might happen in the next book end up happening the very next chapter. The books are lean, full of imaginative action scenes, witty humor, and have plenty of heart.
Fans of his first trilogy, The Raincatchers Ballad, will greatly enjoy this series. This new pirate/knight/magicians epic takes place in the same universe, but several years later and across the world, focusing on an all-new set of characters to sink your teeth into.
In a way, this reminds me of the sci-fi show Firefly; both contain tales of outlaws that are breezy one minute, then gut punches you the next — right before dropping you into an awe-inducing battle.
“In the Shadow of the Black Flag” is a cinematic and wildly fun adventure, packed with all the elements of an emotional summer blockbuster in written form. It takes big swings and knocks it out of the stadium. Recommend for all fans of fast-paced action fantasy.
I love a good Steven McKinnon book. My SPFBO4 team was lucky enough to pull Steve’s entry, “Symphony of the Wind,” and I’ve been a major fan of all his books ever since.
His stories move at breakneck pace. Events you think might happen in the next book end up happening the very next chapter. The books are lean, full of imaginative action scenes, witty humor, and have plenty of heart.
Fans of his first trilogy, The Raincatchers Ballad, will greatly enjoy this series. This new pirate/knight/magicians epic takes place in the same universe, but several years later and across the world, focusing on an all-new set of characters to sink your teeth into.
In a way, this reminds me of the sci-fi show Firefly; both contain tales of outlaws that are breezy one minute, then gut punches you the next — right before dropping you into an awe-inducing battle.
“In the Shadow of the Black Flag” is a cinematic and wildly fun adventure, packed with all the elements of an emotional summer blockbuster in written form. It takes big swings and knocks it out of the stadium. Recommend for all fans of fast-paced action fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews