Blacksteel

Imani's sweet sixteen isn't so sweet in the secretive black nation of Noddon. Instead of a car and birthday bash, she's gifted with a sword and battle. She's the first female blacksmith and a Sabonis (people with no magical abilities). When someone starts kidnapping Blacksteels (people with rare magical abilities), killing them and then resurrecting them — they wake up as Shadows: thirsty for Sabonis blood — Imani has no choice but to forge a replica of the legendary Bakantwa Sword that will give her immense magical abilities, the right to rule the kingdom and save her people. To find the murderer, Imani enlists the help of her two best friends: an outspoken gay warrior carrying a curious sword, and an African demi-God discarded by his family. Each hides a secret that could get them killed. Together they seek to rescue the Blacksteels to form an alliance between them and the Sabonis. Imani and the demi-God D'ziko wrestle feelings for each other as they prepare for a dangerous showdown with the murderer. But the killer, someone very close to Imani, is setting a trap of his own. He wants them dead. Preferably in pieces.