SOLVED. YA fantasy, religious fiction, read probably before 2007, not too old, thick heavy paperback, first person narrator, mysterious disease/famine, some kind of journey narrative, Celtic myth tie-ins?, spoilers. [s]

[Kate]

I thought for a bit tonight that it might be the Song of Seare series, but a 2014 publishing date I'm pretty sure was too late. It had some kind of cover art, always reminded me of the 2003 HarperTeen Abhorsen cover for some reason. Similar art style? Some guy or girl in white robes standing on a hill staring nobly out into the distance.

(view spoiler)[The MC narrator dies at the end in some kind of captivity away from the group he's been with all this time. I think they were still on whatever journey they were going on, and he took off to lead a pursuer away from them or be bait or something. He contracted some kind of fatal disease in captivity from a dying kid they passed and was happy that he was killing his captors somehow with the disease. His girlfriend/wife was pregnant at the end (hide spoiler)]

[Kate]

Bumping since it's been about 2 months :-)

[Kris]

Similar cover art style mentioned by Kate:

Song of Seare series mentioned by Kate

Can you tell us more about the main character - his age, job/interests, skills/powers/weapons, goal, rich/poor, family/friends, etc.? What are the religious aspects of the story?

Location - realistic/urban, medieval fantasy, unique fantasy world, etc.?

[SBC]

Secret Sacrament?

[Kris]

Here is Amazon's "Look Inside" preview of Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan - SBC's suggestion - https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sacrame...
There's a map and list of characters at the beginning. There are different cover images.

[Kate]

Kris and SBC, thank you! It's been 2 years and I gave up on this post after bumping it the first time, but you were right-I do believe it was Secret Sacrament, with an older cover from 2003.

[Kris]

Great. Glad you found your book, Kate. Props to SBC for the find.