His Ragged Company: A Testimony of Elias Faust

Testimonies of Elias Faust #1

by Rance D. Denton

A pissed-off warlock with a taste for revenge.

An army of sand-golems with fistfuls of magic.

A wishing well with a mind of its own.

No wonder Blackpeak, Texas never got its spot on the map.

Town marshal Elias Faust thinks that he can make any problem go away if he throws enough lead at it. The living’s easy for a lawman. Bloody, but easy – that is, until Magnate Gregdon arrives with his undead syndicate to tear the town of Blackpeak, Texas apart.

When a shootout with a pair of outlaws goes sideways, Elias Faust accidentally draws the Magnate’s attention. As if dealing with arcane sorcery, reanimated corpses, and the Magnate’s personal vendetta aren’t enough, Faust finds himself at the center of a power-struggle for Blackpeak’s eldritch secrets.

Suddenly, staying alive just got a lot more complicated.

Hunted by a cadre of sandshades and hounded by sinister spellcraft, Elias Faust may be the only bag of skin defiant enough to keep Blackpeak from being destroyed. To outlast the Magnate’s disciples, he’ll need to shoot straighter, run faster, and live longer…even if it means sacrificing a part of himself to do just that.

Genres: Fantasy, Westerns, Fiction, Weird West

420 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2021

Reviews

[Krystle]

It’s going to be difficult to express how much I adored this book, but I’m going to try my best.

You guys.

This book.

Okay let me first say that yes, Rance is my friend, but I tried to keep how much I like his face separate from how much I like his book. I didn’t tell him I was reading it at first so he would be blissfully oblivious if His Ragged Company didn’t work for me and he would never have to know if I set it aside. But sure enough the book sucked me in and chewed me up and spit me out and the next thing I knew I was screaming at him in his DMs about how much I loved every brutal minute of it.

I started HRC on ebook and Rance drops you into some action and shouts “HAVE FUN” while riding off into the sunset. We meet Elias Faust dealing with some sheeeit (that’s now his narrator pronounces the word shit and I stg it’s the best thing about the audiobook) and it takes a minute for the reader to catch the rhythm of the mad canter that the narrative is pulling, but then just when the reader thinks they don’t know what’s what, the narrative takes a deep breath and gives us time to catch up.

At first, it’s not immediately clear that HRC is fantasy, as it takes place in Texas. (Is Blackpeak a real town? I don’t know. I don’t think so?) The first trials and tribulations faced by our trigger happy Marshal Faust seem mundane (albeit deliciously, unflinchingly violent) so maybe it’s just a Western, right?

Wrong.

Something dreadful and ominous in building in the background. Things are happening that begin to catch Faust’s attention. Folks are talking about a Magnate and strange things are happening. Some reviews criticize HRC for feeling like a series of connected short stories, but I think that’s the magic of Rance’s narrative. He draws us in with something familiar—a Western—and then slowly begins to fold in the unfamiliar, the fantasy. Sand zombies, all-powerful beings, a girl made of gold, the Well. He takes a very human and (dare I say) common story of a hard-as-nails lawman in a small town, and shakes that story down to its very foundation, reassembling it into something that transcends the sum total of the stories he told.

Rance’s characters are in turn delightful, heart-breaking, and enraging in all the right places. (Poor Curtis.) His violence hits as hard as Peggy Winters does. His book is not for the faint of heart. Something happened to Faust’s fingers and it made me CRINGE:

“You’d be surprised how much you need index fingers.”

But boy let me tell you I loved every horrible minute of it. AND THE SMACK TALK BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS truly it is the highlight of Rance’s style. I had to go digging around through my highlights and this one made me snort-laugh even though I don’t even remember the context:

“Out here you’re just a cold turd with bad aim and nuts the size of a jack-rabbit’s eyeball.”

I would absolutely recommend His Ragged Company to anyone who likes Western vibes, “OH SHIT” magic, violence that makes your fingers ache, slow-burn storytelling that packs a bloody punch, a painful introspection about the impact of killing, and a character that forces you to confront what love is (is it something beautiful? or something selfish?), and character work that shines in the grey parts of morality. The darkness of the violence is superbly balanced by the irreverent humor of all the characters, and the surprisingly loyalty between them.

And if you’re an audiobook listener like me, definitely scoop this one up on Audible. John Pirhalla lives and breathes all the vibes I crave from a Western setting. Sheeit, it’s a damn good time.

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Ragged Company is just what the Fantasy Western Genre needed!

Elias Fais Faust is the Marshall and he is doing his best. He isn't the fastest gun or the smartest man in town. He is STUBBORN as hell. This makes him super fun to read. When paired with Cicero they become a dynamic duo!

I LOVED the first half of the book. A straight-up western with little drops of fantasy. Then the magic hits like a tsunami!!!! If you can't see the tide RUN. The fantasy elements come crashing into the story and sweeps you and Elias up in the chaos.

I will say that some of the fantastical elements are a bit confusing. However, I personally feel that this is a story that begs to be read more than once. The audiobook narrator brings this story to life and the physical copy should take pride of place on any collector's shelf.

I cannot wait to read more from Rance. This story is an absolute delight.

[Dave Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up watching John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart westerns like I did, you're going to love His Ragged Company, a weird western that's the perfect mix of Sheriff Cleaning Up This Town (TM) and Magical, not so nice creatures threatened said town.

Denton's first person voice for Marshall Elias Faust is spot on perfection. I was on board from the beginning, and loved the banter between Faust, Shakespearean actor Grady Cicero, and the local bar owner, Ms. Garland. They were a dream team of characters, and the bad guys weren't anything to scoff at either.

There were a few moments later in the story where I struggled a bit (it's a weird western and things get VERY weird) but Denton brings it all together into a super satisfying read!

[K. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, apparently I like sci-fi westerns.

This book is better than it has any right to be. The writing is stellar, dialogue is well done, and I would have stayed up all night talking about it with my grandfather who loved westerns. It was the kind of story we both could have read and enjoyed despite having very different genre preferences. The plot was unique and the wit of characters was well in line with their individual voices (I like a good laugh, and this gave a few!).

[C.J. Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an audible code from the author for review, John Pirhalla does a good job with the narration, offering up a nice southern drawl and differing, distinct voices for each character.

I was interesting in this one and it was on my radar for the cover alone. I actually only read the blurb after starting it! This is an alt history novel that mixes fantasy, action, and humor into its gunslinging antics. Elias Faust is the marshal of Blackpeak, and while he may only believe in shooting people that deserve it, he does seem to do so an awful lot. A fist fight here, some disagreements there, larceny. The first couple of parts of the book start off with typical, mostly time period correct, tomfoolery. The fantasy element is quite toned down, and I found that it worked well with its slower buildup (the fantasy buildup is slow, the novel is not). And within this groove I found myself really enjoying it.

The later part of the book, when things started heating up, the fantasy element is heightened as well, and within that I struggled a bit. The magnate is out for revenge, trying his hardest to wrangle up Faust and stop him from turning his entire plot topsy-turvy. There are celestial beings(?), as well as semi-conscious reanimated corpses, and then a strange somewhat Trueblood-esque coyote situation that confused me a bit. A bunch of which kind of felt like possible eldritch town-lore, but lacked a bit of the horror and darkness to solidify it for me. Faust’s ability to survive and be guided felt kind of fantasy dream sequence-y to me, which is something I always struggle with.

Regardless, for a unique blend of western and fantasy, this gunslinging marshal does have a lot of fun to offer. And with the audio, it was an effortlessly fun thing to listen to. The dream sequence part, which I avoided details because [spoilers] is a known personal issue for me, and I’m sure others will not feel the same whatsoever. So grab your colts, load em, and saddle up.

https://fanfiaddict.com/review-his-ra...

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had asked Twitter what their favorite books of the year have been and I picked up a few along the way, this is one of those books! The recommender described it as hilarious, which caught my attention since I’m always down for a comedy. I have sat down to write this review like ten times and I keep going, “but this doesn’t really capture the book. Try again.” I’m struggling because it’s odd and there’s a lot going on by the end, lol. It’s good though, so let’s see how well I can do it justice.

Up front in the very first paragraph you know there’s going to be a comedic element to the book, so for me it had a strong start and promised to deliver what I wanted. I did have to start chapter one over again (audiobook) because it just drops you in the middle of an action scene, and sort of an odd action scene at that, where not much was explained. I was like, “woah, wait, what?” and started over. That’s fine, I prefer that style over exposition, but I did need to be paying attention.

This follows a town marshal who deals with a lot of bullshit. Blackpeak is a fairly typical Texas mining town equipped with the quintessential local saloon, brothel, town doctor, marshal, and the mayor. The normal sort of stuff you’d expect… up to a point. Small town drama has been leading to deaths. A stranger with a British accent comes to town and shakes things up. trailing in his wake is a really pissed off one-armed man who Cicero robbed for nearly 1000 dollars in the 1800s. That’s a giant fuck you. Now, he did it because this one-armed guy is a fuckass extortionist who was taking advantage of innocent people.

Things keep getting stranger as someone named the Magnate comes into play who is sort of outside of time/reality? Stranger still, sand golems and mysterious figures start appearing and even more deaths occur leaving Faust shaken despite his toughened exterior built up over years of violence. Thankfully for the marshal, Cicero backs him up and gets him out of some tight spots and they make for a good odd couple/duo. If you follow my reviews you’ll know that’s my kind of pairing, I love a good foil.

I don’t know if this is just some trend with Westerns, but I rarely know what’s going on outside of the town and surrounding area. It’s almost always a really intimate focus as far as locale, which is fine, but it again creates this sort of island effect which is something I’ve mentioned before. That said, Blackpeak itself is very well realized and atmospheric.

It took me a while to warm up to Faust, and I’m not really sure why? I did eventually come around to him as the book went on and I got to know him a bit better. I guess there’s just nothing super likeable about him, and he can be fairly stubborn which can make it frustrating to read about him. Faust is definitely a greyer type MC where he’s not clearly a hero. He says as much that lawmen and outlaws are more or less cut from the same cloth. He doesn’t think about killing, he just does and moves on. He’s accused of being bloodthirsty but really more than that he’s pragmatic. What has to be done to keep the peace will be done, but I wouldn’t say he relishes in the aftermath. Cicero’s character was entertaining but his introduction was really odd, lol. Cicero is a bit more peppy and makes jokes throughout which would nearly make him the comic relief but I didn’t quite see him that way since he was also kind of a serious dude. He kills repeatedly to keep Faust alive and has done so before arriving in Blackpeak.

Although there were comedic elements to the book I would not call this a comedy, it can be pretty graphic and dark at times. There are moments of levity which keeps it from becoming oppressively dark where I’d typically DNF. There was a very distinct style to the writing, and I think it’s one of those marmite things where it has a strong flavor that you’re either going to really like, or really bounce hard off of it. It’s not just the western dialect in the dialogue, but the narrative prose is stylized too. The dialogue was believable despite being a tad bit bantery/monologuey like westerns tend to be. I found the western dialect was deftly done and not overworked. In the narrative there’s a lot of simile/metaphor used to build imagery versus raw description of people and places. I’d also say there’s a fair amount of “turns of phrase”, or clever/witty ways to provide information. I would not describe this as a straightforward writing style and yet still it was very easy to get into and I’d describe the prose as easy breezy. That’s fairly difficult to do, so high marks for writing.

The pacing was pretty slow for me at the start, though. The first few chapters felt kind of broken apart, like they were just point A to point B kind of stories and I was really beginning to wonder what this book was about other than the adventures of a marshal which felt like a serialized western show. That’s fine, but that’s not really what I look for in a book. I was about to DNF when the plot kicked in about the same time the magic ramped up and things got exciting for me.

As a personal note, I really wish westerns would focus on a different kind of character. Of all the Westerns I’ve read (admittedly not a ton) lol but they’re ALL lawmen of some kind. I’d love to get the view from the town doctor, grocer, prostitute, outlaw? Anywho, that’s just a me thing.

Overall I’d recommend this to people looking for something really different, something a bit eldritch, something a bit supernatural and strange. A violent world with violent problems with violent men trying to solve them.

Ratings:
Plot: 10/15
Characters: 12/15
World Building: 12/15
Writing: 13/15
Pacing: 10/15
Originality: 13/15
Enjoyment: 7/10
Final Score: 77/100

[Rebecca Crunden]

RTC.

☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆

[Rance Denton]

I hope it's not padding the numbers too much to rate my own book.

In 2010, this was a collection of campy Western stories that I enjoyed writing between clients at a State Department intake office.

In 2011, I stitched them together into a book. It wasn't good. Hell, it still might not be.

In 2012, I decided it was missing something: namely, the elements of fantasy that and magic that I loved in other tales.

Then I shelved it for five years.

I came back to the novel in 2018 a very different person, and spent a few months massively rewriting and sharpening up what I had into something that better suited a Weird Western: hints (and then bursts) of magic; otherworldly entities; cosmic presences.

Then I shelved it again.

In 2021, I decided it was time to shake the albatross off my shoulders. I began working on the next two installments and decided, hell with it, it was time to get it out there. So if you're reading this, if you're interested, what's in your hands is 11 years in the making, three rewrites deep, and absolutely everything I wanted it to be when I began. I hope you ride along with Faust, Cicero, and their friends in the coming years.

Thanks for reading!

[Eric Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. It's not my most used genre I read but after watching a video on it and some plugging by the author, I decided to pick it up. It's a good book that is cowboy-fantasy and R.D. Denton does a good job mixing the two with his writing style. I recommend buying this book as there is good dialogue and the hero, Elias Faust is well written, along with the other characters of the book.

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself frequently mixing up what I read to avoid reading slumps. If I get into a run of books where they all start feeling the same, it’s typically not because the books are bad as much as it’s that I’m not reading them with fresh eyes. For this reason, I will mix in non-fiction, biographies, science or some other genre that I don’t read nearly as often, and that often does the trick. I get to expand my interests, occasionally learn a thing or two, and refresh myself with a literary palate cleanser, of a sort. But I digress …
Enter, the Escapist Tours coverage of His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton. I have very little previous experience reading Weird Western, and the concept intrigued me. Add to that a cool cover and a need to break out of a reading slump … and here I am.
For starters I crave well written characters first and foremost in the books I read. Make them interesting. Make them wrestle with moral issues. Make them speak with good dialogue. Mission accomplished with this book.
I especially liked the main character here. Elias Faust is the relatively new Marshall of a small Texas town. He fits loosely into my favorite character type, the world-weary grumpy type. Elias isn’t quite that, but he is an intriguing shimmy step away. He just wants order in the town, and he’s not afraid to do unpleasant things to keep it that way. Unfortunately for him, stuff keeps happening and it gets more bizarre as time passes. And I mean REALLY mental at times. If I was trying to be witty, I would say it puts the “weird” in Weird Western.
But lest you worry that Marshall Faust is the only character of note, there are plenty of other supporting characters that each bring their own nuance and (in some cases) charm to the story. Honestly, they are all great.
The writing leans hard in places to the western style, and at times drifts a little into the corny, but I think it never drifts too far. It feels both familiar and fresh, and I loved it. You know it’s good when you read a line, pause and then read it out loud to whoever is nearby. I did this a few times, sharing with my family some notable passages.
I tend to not say much about the plot in my reviews. You could always read the blurb to get a sense of what the book is about. I also don’t want to spoil any of the experience by giving anything away. I will just say that the plot for this book starts a bit slow but then certainly builds A LOT as it goes. I much prefer this approach since it lets me get to know characters, and then it sets the hook and pulls me along. (I am not as much a fan of books where you are dropped into the action on page one. It can be too disorienting for me.)
Perhaps my biggest negative (and it’s not a showstopper by any means) were the sections that I can best describe as a psychedelic narrative. There were a few scenes that were written in a very disassociated manner, which I suspect was meant to represent the experience the character was going through. I admire the courage of the author to stick with it, and I think it was done well for what it was. My enjoyment in these passages was a little diminished because I couldn’t track what was happening as much as I would like. Even still, they were only occasional and tended to last no more than a few pages.
I want to also add one more point that I sometimes see with self-published books. I know that some authors choose to take this path because it allows them to take more risks with their creation, more creative freedom. My biggest take-away from this book was that the author took all the right risks in this book. The author had a vision for where it was going and clung tenaciously to that thrill ride of a story. I would absolutely read more books in this series!
I highly endorse this book! 4.5 out of 5 stars!
(A special thanks to the author for sending a copy of the book. This generous gesture in no way influenced my review. Thanks also to Escapist Tours for allowing me to be a part of this tour.)

[Kristy Ockunzzi-Kmit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I know Rance on Twitter; we chat from time to time and I would consider him a friend. Additionally, I was given a copy of this book for free as part of a random drawing. Neither of these things impact my review or my feelings on the quality of his writing, however.

This review is spoiler-free.
*****

What a ride.

Rance Denton has crafted a work of Wild West wonder with His Ragged Company. While there are no true "good guys" in this book -- just about everyone has something up their sleeve or in their past -- there are plenty of colorful characters to entertain and tug at your heartstrings. Rance's writing is full of some of the best, most visceral descriptive text I have seen in recent works; his metaphorical language remains very rooted in the world he has built, and his turns of phrase are often poetic, vivid, and vulnerable.

As one would expect, it's not your typical cowboy shoot-em-up. There's magic involved, but also a heap of complex characters, monsters, and a fair amount of what I can only describe as questing. You may begin to feel as though the plot is meandering slightly, but hang tight; before you know it you'll be on a rollercoaster, and that's when it gets really, really good.

Fans of The Dark Tower/The Gunslinger and Firefly will likely enjoy this novel, though possibly for different reasons. This isn't a book for those who only enjoy pastoral Westerns; it's for the dreamers, the sci-fi and fantasy lovers, the kids at heart who want to see their cowboy heroes tussle with the unknown dark. And while some Westerns are painted in bright, obvious colors, this one is full of shades of grey. You never quite know what to expect, for better or worse.

I sincerely look forward to the future adventures of Elias Faust, and I applaud Rance for having done such an excellent job with this novel.

As a side note, Rance has kindly included a content warning in the beginning to help readers decide whether or not this is the book for them. I feel as though this not only shows excellent foresight on his part, but it is also something I would like to see more of going forward.

[Craig Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my review here:

https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The first chapter grabs you so hard you know it isn't going to let you go. It's like the whole book was comprised of just the very best lines. I chortled, I snorted, I gasped. If you want a wild ride and the very best banter, pick this up. The beginning and ending were perfection. And as you'd expect, so was every moment in between.

RE-READ: still easily one of the best books I've ever read. Cicero and Quicktooth live rent-free in my head forever along with Elias Faust.

[Jamie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you will try your damnedest to finish in a single day. It hooks you in from the start, doesn't let up, and you spend the ride on the edge of your seat cheering the protagonist on, even when things look grimmest. Viciously satisfying.

[Seanchalant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dresden Files meets Deadwood in this fantastically weird western by Rance D. Denton. Fast-paced, witty, violent and riveting, HIs Ragged Company keeps you on the edge of your seat and then makes you laugh so hard you fall off.

Told in the first person POV of Elias Faust, Town Marshal of Blackpeak, Texas, and in six parts broken up with SPOILERY interludes, each part has its own beginning, middle and end. With this structure, you’d think it would feel like a start-stop story, but Denton manages to make it feel natural to the story, almost like reading a mini-series. The episodic nature of the book was something I really enjoyed, although I can see how it might be frustrating for some.

The town Blackpeak feels incredibly well realized, and that’s where it made me think of the HBO series Deadwood. Each character we are introduced to feels like a completely real person, with their own motivations, livelihood and history. Each part (or episode, if you will) dedicates attention to different side characters and when it all comes together in the end, it’s fucking glorious.

The magic starts off very subtle and for the first 50 or so pages I wouldn’t blame you for thinking this was nothing more than a western. But slowly and surely, Denton pulls the veil back and all sorts of magic, monsters and gods (?) spill out into this old west town to wreak havoc and cause mayhem.

Growing up in Virginia City, Nevada, I always avoided the western genre because I was basically living it. I am so happy I’ve opened up to the weird western genre as I’ve discovered two of my favorite books now, there.

Delivering an equal amount of laughs and thrills, His Ragged Company is a wild ride through a magical western world with danger and mystery around every corner and buried in every mine. Rance D. Denton has a firm grasp on his characters and world and this novel serves as a great introduction to this genre-bending series.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ragged Company
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elias Fais Faust is the Marshall

A straight-up western with little drops of fantasy.

Folks are talking about a Magnate and strange things are happening.

Sand zombies,
The good, the bad and the cringe a ball

Humor and the morally grey
Weird and engaging

[Ashley Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been a fan of Westerns or anything that is set in a dusty desert, but this story grabbed my attention from the first page and refused to let go. Absolutely worth a read!

[Alistair Caradec · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Magnate’s voice came with a warm wind of softness along the contours of my thoughts."

Rance Denton has a way with words. A twisted way.

As a writer, I learned a lot, specifically from his explorations of time. The skips, flashes, loops, and the confusion that followed (all of it calculated) sometimes bordered on the experimental, which isn't something you see too often in genre fiction. Between that and the almost episodic nature of the story's first half, His Ragged Company is without a doubt the least formulaic novel I've read in years. It was a much needed reminder that it is in fact perfectly acceptable to strip back the conventions of (western) literature and tell your story however you damn well please because it is yours.

As a reader, His Ragged Company felt very much like being dragged down a rabbit hole full of dark, ritualistic magic that I'd be tempted to call Lovecraftian if I'd ever bothered to read Lovecraft. Denton describes magic in tactile terms, which makes it so visceral I found myself wincing more than once. The more esoteric descriptions of different planes of existence, otherworldly experiences, and spiritual realms shine most when Faust (the protagonist) relates them to things he can understand.
"Chained to the wall, the corpse might as well have been a curtain."
While the supernatural elements are skilfully woven into Faust's everyday life, it was the way everyday life kept bleeding right back into the supernatural moments that truly blew me away.

Contrasting with the more descriptive moments of existential horror were scenes of camaraderie full of energy and witty banter, delivered by a remarkably diverse cast of characters. The chemistry was through the roof, whether it was between marshal Elias Faust and Shakespearian crack-shot Grady Cicero, between fight club owner Miss (Not Mrs.) Lachrimé Garland and supernatural, metal-skinned Nycendera, or between Peggy Winters and whichever lowlife had the misfortune to meet her fists.

Elias Faust, had me intrigued at "Breathe." He had me endeared at "If you think getting shot is painful, believe me, getting un-shot is a lot worse." And he had me head-over-heels-would-take-a-bullet-for-this-man-not-that-he'd-need-me-to at "Mrs. Fulton, you mind if my friend Cicero goes and talks with your children until your husband wakes up?"
Aside from the rough edges you expect from a town marshal of the American Frontier, Faust is unapologetically human. You don't even have to dig far to find his humanity, which is something I've always found lacking in the "disillusioned, grizzled hero" trope. Faust's readiness to feel so strongly - and to admit that he does - is not only crucial to the plot, but also crucial to the character. He feels empathy, sympathy, and overwhelming fear. He cries. And he cares deeply about people, justice, and agency.
This separates him from the crowd of emotionally-stunted macho types you usually see gallivanting around Wild West settings. I was at times reminded of Captain Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch (Terry Pratchett, The Discworld series).

All in all, His Ragged Company was a blast, and a read I'm not likely to forget. Denton's debut already has a distinct voice, and - perhaps more importantly - a genuine heart. I can see both getting better and better as the adventures of Elias Faust develop. I'll gladly come along for the ride.

[Sara Cleveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed His Ragged Company. I've been reading so much fantasy romance that it really provided a nice change of pace for me, personally. It was also just a wild, wild ride in the wild, wild west. I really loved the overall voice of protagonist. The main character of course is the town Marshall, Elias Faust who is the narrator of the story. He's cynical, stubborn, and has his own sense of justice, which he metes out as he sees fit in the backwards little town of Blackpeak. The interesting thing about Faust is that he is not exactly what you would imagine for a traditional "hero." He's rough, foul-mouthed, and spends a very large chunk of the book getting his butt kicked.

In some ways the vibe of the book reminded me a bit of The Gunslinger. Only in vibe though. Denton's writing is very different. It's course, almost choppy at times in a good way, in a way that fits the narration of Elias Faust as a character. And yet, at times it is almost poetic. I will say, if you can't stand swearing or honest assessments of the human condition, this is probably not going to be the book for you.

There are a few places where the prose is what I would call intentionally confusing. I could see this being a turn-off for some readers but I would strongly encourage pushing through those sections. It's a clear stylistic choice that reflects the narrator's state of mind and being in those moments. It wasn't my favorite thing but I understand the choice.

There are some things that I would consider loose threads. There are sort of these interludes where Faust is being questioned by someone--something--hence the subtitle "A Testimony of Elias Faust." I don't feel like these interludes were really explained, exactly. I'm hoping for a sequel that will clear up some of the hanging mysteries and expand on the worldbuilding that was begun in this volume. I really want to know more about the Well and the Heralds and these fantastical elements that the book introduces. Denton has given us a taste of the whiskey; I want the rest of the bottle.

[Thomas E. Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIS RAGGED COMPANY is a weird western that, if you look at the fantastic cover and read the blurb thinking that this is the book for you, I can assure you that it most definitely is.

This book is a heckin’ chonker, there’s no doubt, but I found myself engaged from start to finish, and a big part of that is due to Denton’s bizarre universe and addictive prose. The dialogue fires off like a frickin’ hammer-fanning cowboy; when we’re not treated to wonderfully crafted and vivid action set pieces, that is.

I don’t wish to spoil the secrets within this book, as there are many, but certain goodies and baddies really struck a chord with me in terms of their presentation and creativity. The “sand-golems” mentioned within the blurb were a particular highlight for me, as well, but they weren’t the last.

The main man himself, Elias Faust is a fun, layered protagonist that you are taken through the adventure with, including all his gunfights, fistfights, knife fights, other… fights.

Listen, the guy just can’t stop fighting people. It’s wild.

Denton also tickles our beans with hints and allusions to forthcoming events in the series that are extremely exciting to think about, at the same time, the book feels like a complete story that becomes incredibly satisfying the further you read and the more you think about it.

Serving as Rance D. Denton’s debut, Denton comes out swinging with an eldritch western adventure that I can’t wait to revisit in the future when the rest of the series graces our lovely, metallic eyeballs.

(I was provided with an ARC copy of HIS RAGGED COMPANY)

[M.A. Vice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly written, one of a kind

His Ragged Company is one of the more unique reads I've delved into in quite some time - and I'm pleased to say it kept me hooked straight through to its positively concussive conclusion. Denton's style is both ham-handedly brutal and precisely delicate in all the right places, with memorable, larger than life characters who will stick with you after your read has concluded. Fans of westerns and cosmic horror will find a lot to love here - and if, like me, you've never read a western in your life, you might find this opens you up to the genre. Very excited for the next book, and I've already purchased two more copies for friends.

[R. Raeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my genre.

This is not my genre AT ALL.

And I still enjoyed the HECK out of it.

This weird western has a FIREFLY meets WILD WILD WEST vibes that I am 100% here for. The writing was skillfully and beautifully crafted, the descriptions rich and atmospheric in all the right ways. But what I’m most impressed with is the voice. Elias Faust rings clear and true throughout the novel, without fail.

If you’re looking for humor, lots of action, and a shot of magic, look no further than Blackpeak..

[Adam Holcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Ragged Company is a first-world fantasy western filled with fantastic characters and plenty of mayhem.

Overall, His Ragged Company is a magnificent fantasy western, weaving together both genres effortlessly. It rides on the strength of superb characters and interesting worldbuilding to tell a wonderful story. I am looking forward to, hopefully, return to Elias Faust and the people of Blackpeak in the future!

4.5/5 Ball Bearings

Full Review here:
https://bountifulbookshelf.com/his-ra...

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my absolute favorite books of the last year. The author writes with wit, charm, and heart. He tells a compelling tale set in the old west with unforgettable characters.

I was left wanting to learn more about the fine folks of blackpeak. Especially Peggy Winters.

If you want to read the best indie book of 2021 then you absolutely need to check this one out.

[Nicholas Atwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There I was, the guy with his head halfway up a horse's ass."

His Ragged Company was a wild, weird, gritty journey into Blackpeak, Texas. Marshal Elias Faust is equal parts Wyatt Earp and Harry Dresden, slinging lead when it's needed and shooting his mouth off when he probably shouldn't.

In short order, it becomes abundantly clear that this is no Spaghetti Western. Denton's setting, spun in an unforgiving manner akin to Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora, establishes the brutal nature of the town that is little more than 'a pimple on the ass-end of Texas'. But for all the relative grimness, our titular hero is just a man trying to keep the peace and mete out some small measure of justice where he can.

It's a town of more sinners than saints, but through the eyes and words of Elias Faust, it becomes every bit your town as much as it is his. A supporting cast of characters certainly run the gamut. Miss Lachrimé Garland is every bit as commanding as she is shrewd, running a local fight-pit far better than the mayor runs the town. Nycendera introduces some weird into the wild west as the mechanical Herald to stranger powers. None endeared themselves to me more than Grady Cicero and his burgeoning friendship with Faust (though perhaps it's the thespian in me that makes me a touch biased).

The brutality of the novel's villain, the Magnate, kept my attention with a horrid kind of fascination. Truly, he was what left our company of Elias Faust quite ragged. Be warned; this book is no light read. I tip my hat to the author for the trigger warnings at the very beginning of the book, for they were well-deserved.

The only reason I give this book a solid 4.5/5 stars is strictly due to personal taste, rather than any flaw in the craft. Though the book danced on the edge of a knife for being too vulgar, violent, and grim for my tastes, it was greatly offset by making sure that all of the above served a purpose. It was never gratuitous or used for cheap shock value. The humour is wickedly dry, and fans of the Dresden Files will see some very Dresden-esque moments from the marshal. Elias Faust maintained a stubborn sense of decency despite what an otherworldly bargain cost to him (a bargain I was glad to see come to pass, given his particular namesake). And most importantly, his faith in in his backwater little town was ultimately worth it.

I look forward to saddling up to ride with Marshal Faust again.

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Ragged Company is one of those books that I couldn't help but like. With its mix of gritty western, weird fiction and a dash of sci fi, Rance D. Denton immediately pulls you in.

The book revolves around Elias Faust, the marshall of the town of Blackpeak, Texas, a sinkhole of a town that has one big massive secret at its heart, a mystical well.

The book starts immediately with Elias slung over a horse running from imminent danger.

I must say, when I started this, Rance D. Denton just chucks you into the story. It is so sudden I thought I had missed something and had to rewind the audio thinking it was playing up. However, when I listened to the start again, I realised that nope, the story starts like a galloping horse.

I loved this book! Gotta say it! It qas just how I like my books, absolutely barking mad. It's like the bastard child of John Ford and Brian Hodge with a bit of deadwood thrown in for the laugh. I never ever knew where this book was going and in the end I thought 'buggerit, let's just get in the back of this multi coloured stallion and go with it'

I know I haven't told you what it is about, but sometimes not knowing all the ins and outs of the plot adds to the enjoyment.

However, what also adds to this book besides the out of this world plot are the characters. They are both stereotypical and totally individual at the same time. Elias Faust works primarily on fairness and common sense, but if he has to get tough he will. However, there are a myriad other residents both inside and outside the town of Blackpeak, Texas who all add to the vivacity of the town.

In respect of the book itself, it is very episodic in its structure, and thos can initially seem like the pacing may be a bit off. However, when it comes to he second half of the book, the structure is more cohesive with a traditional narrative coming to the fore. However, for me, I found that it worked kinda well and this added to the weirdness of the book as a whole.

As well as reading this, I actually listened to the audiobook of this as well, which I thought was really well performed by John Pirhalla who managed to put on a convincing western style performance.

If you like your books with a western flavour, that is as mad as a box of frogs, then I think this one may definitely be up your alley.

[Kimberly Morehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read?? I don't know, but I LOVED IT! It was a little bit western, a little bit paranormal/ supernatural with a splash of thriller!! I was hooked from the first paragraph. Never in my life have I read a tale such as this, it was so wonderfully weird! The story was set at such a great pace, always something exciting happening. It also had the most wonderful, colorful cast of characters that brought so much to the book. Rance Dentons writing was done so well, the descriptions he painted delivered such a clear vision and experience for me. I felt like I could see, taste, smell and experience everything first hand.

The main character Elias Faust is a Marshall of a nothing Texas town with all the usual Old west issues. It has a town drunk, the bad brothers causing a ruckus always up to no good, a saloon, a brothel, a mine and a crooked mayor. However it is soon very clear, there is nothing typical about Blackpeak. There is something dark and sinister at work and it want its hooks into Elias. That poor man is put through his paces! It seems there is something waiting to get him at every turn. I went through pretty much all the feels while reading this, I laughed, I squirmed, I held my breath and I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation!

I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series. I need more Elias Faust and Blackpeak in my life! I listened to the audio version, and let me tell you, the narrator is FANTASTIC! He IS Elias Faust, I feel like he was the perfect voice for him. His ability to do all the other characters with a unique distinction was wonderful. It added so much to the story and really helped keep the dialogue clear to the listener. I couldn't recommend this more. Even if you don't think its a genre that you might normally read, TAKE A GAMBLE AND READ IT! I promise, it will not disappoint.

[J.B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to break down the cons of the story first, just to better get my thoughts together.

Cons:

The beginning threw me for a loop, took a lot of the tension from the story. The magic system wasn't explained until late, and it was a little too lose for my liking. I like more of a give and take system, so don't worry about my not digging it as it's a personal thing. It still had it's neat moments though. Elias needed more of a back story, as did the well. One character seemed to come back to life out of nowhere, and that confused me. Took me out of the scene for a bit. I believe the story began as shorts. Then were put together into a larger narrative. For me, it showed. But only just. Mainly in how the bigger side characters shone briefly before leaving in a hurry. I needed more from the Magistrate. The theme of the day for me is more backstory. Lots of characters needed it.

The writing was damn fine, though the latter half needed, for me, one quick extra read through to catch missing words and question marks and things. The overall story was unique and fun, even the plot holes weren't that big of a deal (and there were a couple) because of just how shit crazy the whole story was. There were fun, unique and memorable characters. My favorite was Peggy throwing hands all over the damn place. The ride was a wild one. So, even though it sounds like I ripped into a bit, don't see it that way. Because I'm as picky as they come, and if I liked the story despite some of the things I didn't like, that means it's pretty frigging good.

Get yourself a copy. You'll dig it.

[Stephen Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Ragged Company is one of those novels where the narrator, in this case Elias Faust, is a terrific and memorable presence. Think Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, for example. This is to say the voice is so fantastically rendered by the author that the character ensconces himself in your head and refuses to leave. He is, of course, ably supported here too.

This weird western adventure has it all. Humour, tragedy, action, shootouts, dark magic, and plenty of whiskey. You won’t want to miss it.

[Joan Wendland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever it was, it was riveting

Is this book a dark fantasy? Yes, I think so. Is it a western? Yes, that too. Philosophy? Probably that as well. Whatever you call it, His Ragged Company is a damned fine read.