The Black Saint

The Black Saint is a 2021 novel by Timo Burnham about a costumed crimefighter in a fantasy setting.

When he first comes to stay with his friend in the city of Alanthos, Theo Anamanth finds the bustling metropolis overwhelming, not least because of his ability to sense other people's presence. While initially content to keep his head down and live a normal life, after witnessing the attempted assassination of the most powerful man in the city, Theo is quickly embroiled in a world of mystery, tracheary, and violence. Donning a mask and cape, he stalks the city at night in hopes of unravelling the many secrets hidden in the city's underbelly. In order to discover the truth, he must become, The Black Saint.


 * All Animals Are Domesticated: Ribbon the cyvoth.
 * Aura Vision: Theo's gift is being able to "sense" the presence of living beings.
 * Cannibalism Superpower: More blood-drinking than flesh-eating, Mustane has been doing this to gifted for years.
 * Clothes Make the Legend: It doesn't take long until word of a masked vigilante in black spreads around the city of Alanthos.
 * The Cowl: The Black Saint himself.
 * Fantasy Metals: Ghost metal.
 * Frankenstein's Monster: Sivall. Explains how he comes back from fatal injuries; and why Theo can't sense his lifeforce.
 * Healing Factor: Tess was born with this gift. Can be used as Healing Hands once they realise drinking someone's blood functions as Power Copying.
 * Hollywood Healing: Theo spends a decent portion of the novel recovering from injuries, but not nearly as much as he should.
 * Island Base: Gin's hideout, the floating ruins
 * Life Drinker: Mustane has been using this to keep himself alive for centuries, possibly millennia.
 * Love Interest Traitor: Annie.
 * Night Vision Goggles: Annie's gift, she can see heat.
 * The Paralyzer: Desari's gift.
 * Power Copying: Mustane, by drinking the blood of gifted.
 * Turns out this works for anyone.
 * Socially Awkward Hero: Theo.