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The Dark Frontier Adventures: DANGO
Dango, a retired half-elf army scout, sets out with his friends to start a quiet new life on The Dark Frontier. Maybe raise some tuskers, no more fighting. But fate has other plans.
Kidnapped by savage elves Dango must fight for survival, but escape is just the beginning of his trials as he finds himself embroiled in a struggle for dominance of the territory with the vicious Gradokk Gang.
Join Dango and his friends as they fight corrupt ranchers, murderous elves, and the mountains themselves.
Welcome to gritty and visceral chases, murders, pit fights, betrayals, battles, and redemption on The Dark Frontier with this volume of The Dark Frontier Adventures - DANGO!
Kidnapped by savage elves Dango must fight for survival, but escape is just the beginning of his trials as he finds himself embroiled in a struggle for dominance of the territory with the vicious Gradokk Gang.
Join Dango and his friends as they fight corrupt ranchers, murderous elves, and the mountains themselves.
Welcome to gritty and visceral chases, murders, pit fights, betrayals, battles, and redemption on The Dark Frontier with this volume of The Dark Frontier Adventures - DANGO!
- GenresFantasy
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2022
3 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 6, 2023
DANGO: THE DARK FRONTIER ADVENTURES by Jack Long is a Weird West fantasy that takes a very interesting premise: what if a fantasy world wasn't an adaptation of Medieval Europe but was instead a version of the late 17th century to early 19th? Which if that sounds like it covers a long period of time, take note that most Medieval fantasy mixes up a good few hundred years of developments as well.
The premise is that the Empire across the ocean has begun colonizing the Dark Frontier, which is a continent equivalent to the Americas. Rather than indigineous humans, though, the land is populated by elves. It is also a land that is filled with yeti, giant cats, and, of course, dragons. The most important animal, though, is the Tusker that is a giant boar that can be ridden or used as food equally. Tuskers are raised on big ranches that are controlled by tusker barons and they wield a disproportionate influence.
The indigenous elves are people divided and feuding with the locals, though nothing particularly organized is happening to push them out of their land. It's more happening on an individual level and over a long stretch of time. The local tribesmen feud with individual tusker barons and this eventually attracts the military. It's an interesting take that has keeps things on a personal level and reminds the reader that the pushing out will happen over a course of centuries.
This isn't exactly a 1:1 recreation, though as the goal is to create a high fantasy frontier rather than to insert magic into a Western one. It also feels less "Wild West" and more "Wild East." If I were to draw a comparison, I'd say its closer to Natty Bumpo and Last of the Mohicans in terms of the frontier than the Wild West. The Dark Frontier is a litte wilder and the forces of expansionism a little less enforced. Also, the fact the Empire is still in charge of the expansion versus locals. The locals also use crossbows over guns.
Our protagonist, Dango, is a half-elvish scout heading deeper into the Dark Frontier in order to find a life for himself. He's accompanied by an odd collection of people belonging to his old unit and soon find themselves in all manner of trouble. We don't get much insight into how being a half-elf effects Dango and racism is downplayed compared to many stories that use these kinds of analogs. This is more a rousing adventure type story that doesn't want to get into the darker elements of history.
I enjoyed the villains as well with the Graddok gang. They are a bunch of dimwits controlled by their father and up to the kind of no good antics that cattle barons usually are in cowboy stories. Its a violent and lawless sort of place with a high body count and enjoyable characters. There's some areas I think the book could have been improved on (I wanted to have much deeper descriptions on some of the world-building--but that's my thing) but there's an appendix in the back for lore junkies like myself.
The premise is that the Empire across the ocean has begun colonizing the Dark Frontier, which is a continent equivalent to the Americas. Rather than indigineous humans, though, the land is populated by elves. It is also a land that is filled with yeti, giant cats, and, of course, dragons. The most important animal, though, is the Tusker that is a giant boar that can be ridden or used as food equally. Tuskers are raised on big ranches that are controlled by tusker barons and they wield a disproportionate influence.
The indigenous elves are people divided and feuding with the locals, though nothing particularly organized is happening to push them out of their land. It's more happening on an individual level and over a long stretch of time. The local tribesmen feud with individual tusker barons and this eventually attracts the military. It's an interesting take that has keeps things on a personal level and reminds the reader that the pushing out will happen over a course of centuries.
This isn't exactly a 1:1 recreation, though as the goal is to create a high fantasy frontier rather than to insert magic into a Western one. It also feels less "Wild West" and more "Wild East." If I were to draw a comparison, I'd say its closer to Natty Bumpo and Last of the Mohicans in terms of the frontier than the Wild West. The Dark Frontier is a litte wilder and the forces of expansionism a little less enforced. Also, the fact the Empire is still in charge of the expansion versus locals. The locals also use crossbows over guns.
Our protagonist, Dango, is a half-elvish scout heading deeper into the Dark Frontier in order to find a life for himself. He's accompanied by an odd collection of people belonging to his old unit and soon find themselves in all manner of trouble. We don't get much insight into how being a half-elf effects Dango and racism is downplayed compared to many stories that use these kinds of analogs. This is more a rousing adventure type story that doesn't want to get into the darker elements of history.
I enjoyed the villains as well with the Graddok gang. They are a bunch of dimwits controlled by their father and up to the kind of no good antics that cattle barons usually are in cowboy stories. Its a violent and lawless sort of place with a high body count and enjoyable characters. There's some areas I think the book could have been improved on (I wanted to have much deeper descriptions on some of the world-building--but that's my thing) but there's an appendix in the back for lore junkies like myself.
August 31, 2024
I read this for SPFBO. To find out more about the SPFBO contest and to see the participating bloggers/authors and reviews follow the links below
*
I had only skimmed the summary for The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango, and the cover in thumbnail, made me think this was going to be sword and sorcery- the style was giving me Frazetta’s conan cover vibes. I was a bit surprised to find it a western! Once I opened it in my reader and got a better look, I could see the Louis L’amour inspirations in the cover.
Dango's world has an early America’s kind of feel with The Empire moving to expand west, and for every able-bodied person willing to brave the wild Dark Frontier- the opportunities are there for them to settle and become land owners.
Dango a half-elf scout and his buddy Chatty, are two who are intent on taking advantage of those ripe for the picking land opportunities.
*
The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango was a very fast-paced read. The short chapters help lend to that speed along with lots action, violence, and surprisingly- comedy. It’s kind of this blend of classic western, fantasy, with touches of Mel brooks/Blazing Saddles type of humour rolled in to it.
I enjoyed the humorous tone and the outrageous characters made it fun to see who would be introduced next. I think the story got stronger as it went- especially as you get to know the personalities.
There were a few things in the beginning that threw me off- the time jump mostly. I think because it was such a short time, and because the next part was not low on the action-scale either so it did make me wonder why the choice since it made it a bit choppy feeling but it does settle quickly.
Also later, the letters exchanged with the children, while they were rather funny- I had to wonder if they were really needed since they interrupted the flow, for the little amount of information that they gave us.
*
There are certain things I’d come to expect when I’m reading something that borrows or is inspired by a classic western like this and we did get a bit of that with our gang of bad guys, shootouts and hangings. But what I liked most here was that it wasn’t quite the expected stuff- for instance the shootouts weren’t with guns but crossbows, and there was lots of knife-use and spears, which made it feel more fantasy to me.
As a huge fan of stuff like The Raid, John Wick, and all those silly MIA movies from the 80’s I have to say I quite enjoyed the showdown between Dango and Manjinn. It was quick, bloody and brutal and I loved that the characters were both capable and smart, and the win was not easy at all.
Dango might be a bit niche being it’s a western inspired fantasy- not something I see often (maybe I’m just not looking hard enough) and possibly a bit divisive depending on your humour-style and tolerance for cussing- the story has an older audience feel to it which I found a little refreshing tbh. Most the humour worked for me, and I can tell you with a certainty of having worked with them, that nothing teaches you to cuss quite like working with cattle/livestock or in the case of The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango- Tuskers.
I think a lot of people will enjoy this just for being so unlike the usual fantasy, while still being exactly what you expect… I know I did, but be warned it’s violent, dirty-mouthed, and all-around bloody fun.
Learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
*
I had only skimmed the summary for The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango, and the cover in thumbnail, made me think this was going to be sword and sorcery- the style was giving me Frazetta’s conan cover vibes. I was a bit surprised to find it a western! Once I opened it in my reader and got a better look, I could see the Louis L’amour inspirations in the cover.
Dango's world has an early America’s kind of feel with The Empire moving to expand west, and for every able-bodied person willing to brave the wild Dark Frontier- the opportunities are there for them to settle and become land owners.
Dango a half-elf scout and his buddy Chatty, are two who are intent on taking advantage of those ripe for the picking land opportunities.
*
The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango was a very fast-paced read. The short chapters help lend to that speed along with lots action, violence, and surprisingly- comedy. It’s kind of this blend of classic western, fantasy, with touches of Mel brooks/Blazing Saddles type of humour rolled in to it.
I enjoyed the humorous tone and the outrageous characters made it fun to see who would be introduced next. I think the story got stronger as it went- especially as you get to know the personalities.
There were a few things in the beginning that threw me off- the time jump mostly. I think because it was such a short time, and because the next part was not low on the action-scale either so it did make me wonder why the choice since it made it a bit choppy feeling but it does settle quickly.
Also later, the letters exchanged with the children, while they were rather funny- I had to wonder if they were really needed since they interrupted the flow, for the little amount of information that they gave us.
*
There are certain things I’d come to expect when I’m reading something that borrows or is inspired by a classic western like this and we did get a bit of that with our gang of bad guys, shootouts and hangings. But what I liked most here was that it wasn’t quite the expected stuff- for instance the shootouts weren’t with guns but crossbows, and there was lots of knife-use and spears, which made it feel more fantasy to me.
As a huge fan of stuff like The Raid, John Wick, and all those silly MIA movies from the 80’s I have to say I quite enjoyed the showdown between Dango and Manjinn. It was quick, bloody and brutal and I loved that the characters were both capable and smart, and the win was not easy at all.
Dango might be a bit niche being it’s a western inspired fantasy- not something I see often (maybe I’m just not looking hard enough) and possibly a bit divisive depending on your humour-style and tolerance for cussing- the story has an older audience feel to it which I found a little refreshing tbh. Most the humour worked for me, and I can tell you with a certainty of having worked with them, that nothing teaches you to cuss quite like working with cattle/livestock or in the case of The Dark Frontier Adventures: Dango- Tuskers.
I think a lot of people will enjoy this just for being so unlike the usual fantasy, while still being exactly what you expect… I know I did, but be warned it’s violent, dirty-mouthed, and all-around bloody fun.
Learn more about the contest here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
May 13, 2024
Given that my position is highly biased I'll take this space to talk about what I am trying to do with Dango and The Dark Frontier Adventures rather than tell you how great they are.
I grew up reading fantasy with a big group of peers and then reading old westerns on the weekends. None of my fantasy reading friends had any interest in Louis L'Amour! I wanted to be able to share all of those classic western adventures with my young friends... And thus The Dark Frontier Adventures were born! Gritty visceral action, snappy quips, squinty eyed standoffs, colorful side characters, some ethical shades of gray, but you know who to root for, and everything wraps up every book. Give Dango a shot, you will thank yourself for it!
I grew up reading fantasy with a big group of peers and then reading old westerns on the weekends. None of my fantasy reading friends had any interest in Louis L'Amour! I wanted to be able to share all of those classic western adventures with my young friends... And thus The Dark Frontier Adventures were born! Gritty visceral action, snappy quips, squinty eyed standoffs, colorful side characters, some ethical shades of gray, but you know who to root for, and everything wraps up every book. Give Dango a shot, you will thank yourself for it!
October 28, 2024
TL;DR Review: Wild West-flavored fantasy. Pure chaos in the best way possible.
Full Review:
I’ve never read anything quite like Dango…and I absolutely love that!
Dango takes the scruffy, dusty, rough-and-rugged vibes of a Wild West novel and mashes it together with an adventure fantasy, producing something that is both and neither at the same time, but a blend that does something unique and immensely entertaining.
Dango is a former soldier traveling into the Dark Frontier (this world’s version of the Wild West) to find somewhere to stake a claim and build himself a home. Only he’s attacked by elves (this world’s version of hostile Native American tribes) and is forced to flee for his life. The first 20% of the book is dedicated to him barely surviving the encounter and getting beaten and broken over and over. And yet, it’s an excellent vehicle to showcase his cunning, strategic thinking, resilience, and battle smarts.
Eventually, Dango finds himself a place he’d like to call home—a patch of wilderness guarded by mountains, accessible only through a single tunnel—and calls for his former soldier friends to join him and together build a homestead where they can live a quiet life after years of war.
Unfortunately, his desires for peace are inevitably going to go up in smoke when he makes an enemy of Gradokk, a local crime boss (and all around bastard) who wants to take over all the claims in the area, including the one occupied by the friendly Kippersons who took a wounded Dango in and nursed him back to health.
In true Western fashion, it’s Dango and his small group of friends against an overwhelming number of baddies, and the resulting turmoil makes for so much entertaining reading.
The story is dark and bloody; the tone is set right from the jump, and it doesn’t shy away from killing or maiming our darlings. But it absolutely works with the Wild West flavor and makes everything a great deal of fun, because that unpredictability ensures you’re always having to keep reading to find out what bad thing is going to happen next.
The real secret weapon of Dango, though, is its characters. Dango’s a pretty classic protagonist and Gradokk an expected antagonist, but everyone else in the book—from the much-too-fast-talking Chatty to the mad-as-a-hatter Kipper, from the mute martial arts badass Dandelion to the towering Thistle and the chaotic Ting-Ting who climbs all over him—are pure chaos in the best way possible. They are the most unpredictable and surprising characters I’ve read in a long time, and this makes them so much fun to follow because you just keep up with them waiting to see what madness they’re going to pull out next.
This is not your classic fantasy and expecting anything like you’re familiar with may very well ruin your enjoyment of this book. But go into it expecting a Wild West-flavored adventure story that will never be boring, and you’ll come out the other side as entertained by this as I was!
Full Review:
I’ve never read anything quite like Dango…and I absolutely love that!
Dango takes the scruffy, dusty, rough-and-rugged vibes of a Wild West novel and mashes it together with an adventure fantasy, producing something that is both and neither at the same time, but a blend that does something unique and immensely entertaining.
Dango is a former soldier traveling into the Dark Frontier (this world’s version of the Wild West) to find somewhere to stake a claim and build himself a home. Only he’s attacked by elves (this world’s version of hostile Native American tribes) and is forced to flee for his life. The first 20% of the book is dedicated to him barely surviving the encounter and getting beaten and broken over and over. And yet, it’s an excellent vehicle to showcase his cunning, strategic thinking, resilience, and battle smarts.
Eventually, Dango finds himself a place he’d like to call home—a patch of wilderness guarded by mountains, accessible only through a single tunnel—and calls for his former soldier friends to join him and together build a homestead where they can live a quiet life after years of war.
Unfortunately, his desires for peace are inevitably going to go up in smoke when he makes an enemy of Gradokk, a local crime boss (and all around bastard) who wants to take over all the claims in the area, including the one occupied by the friendly Kippersons who took a wounded Dango in and nursed him back to health.
In true Western fashion, it’s Dango and his small group of friends against an overwhelming number of baddies, and the resulting turmoil makes for so much entertaining reading.
The story is dark and bloody; the tone is set right from the jump, and it doesn’t shy away from killing or maiming our darlings. But it absolutely works with the Wild West flavor and makes everything a great deal of fun, because that unpredictability ensures you’re always having to keep reading to find out what bad thing is going to happen next.
The real secret weapon of Dango, though, is its characters. Dango’s a pretty classic protagonist and Gradokk an expected antagonist, but everyone else in the book—from the much-too-fast-talking Chatty to the mad-as-a-hatter Kipper, from the mute martial arts badass Dandelion to the towering Thistle and the chaotic Ting-Ting who climbs all over him—are pure chaos in the best way possible. They are the most unpredictable and surprising characters I’ve read in a long time, and this makes them so much fun to follow because you just keep up with them waiting to see what madness they’re going to pull out next.
This is not your classic fantasy and expecting anything like you’re familiar with may very well ruin your enjoyment of this book. But go into it expecting a Wild West-flavored adventure story that will never be boring, and you’ll come out the other side as entertained by this as I was!
December 5, 2022
Mini review for "The Dark Frontier Adventures: DANGO" by Jack Long.
Quick easy read that reminded me of the books I devoured in my teens and twenties back before they invented gravity and cocaine could be purchased at a penny a pound but without the YA flavor some of that had. Its a book you can devour in a weekend, won't have you stressed out, and when you are done you are satisfied. Author left some hooks for future adventures, but wraps up all of the plot stuff and everything is nice and clean.
Book is about the adventures of the title character Dango when he retires from the army and moves to a small frontier town to start a ranch. But before he arrives he is captured by elves- the first part of the book is a survival escape adventure where he must run, fight, run, survive, and fight some more. Then when he finally reaches the frontier town he crosses horns with a local robber baron and must work with his gang of misfit friends to save the town.
Violent, fast, funny, empowered female characters, no frills, some magic but not a ton, all of the violence of grimdark without the existential angst part.
I was physically scared twice, cried once, laughed out loud at least three times, and cheered three or four times.
Quick easy read that reminded me of the books I devoured in my teens and twenties back before they invented gravity and cocaine could be purchased at a penny a pound but without the YA flavor some of that had. Its a book you can devour in a weekend, won't have you stressed out, and when you are done you are satisfied. Author left some hooks for future adventures, but wraps up all of the plot stuff and everything is nice and clean.
Book is about the adventures of the title character Dango when he retires from the army and moves to a small frontier town to start a ranch. But before he arrives he is captured by elves- the first part of the book is a survival escape adventure where he must run, fight, run, survive, and fight some more. Then when he finally reaches the frontier town he crosses horns with a local robber baron and must work with his gang of misfit friends to save the town.
Violent, fast, funny, empowered female characters, no frills, some magic but not a ton, all of the violence of grimdark without the existential angst part.
I was physically scared twice, cried once, laughed out loud at least three times, and cheered three or four times.
February 21, 2024
This is a hard one to pigeon-hole, but it a highly enjoyable tale set in the Dark Frontier. The Dark Frontier is reminiscent of the old lawless wild west frontier, but with blood-thirsty elves and other fantastical beings. The story centres on Dango, an ex army scout and his brother-in-arms, Chatty, as they are looking for a piece of land to call their own to start a ranch. All the 'civilised' land is taken so they head out to the Dark Frontier which lies beyond the known land borders. Things go wrong from page one and the story grabbed me immediately. The action is pretty much non stop and kept me hooked. Along the way other characters are introduced, each with distinct personality traits and each with something to add to the story. There are strong echoes of Joe Abercrombie, but despite the violence it's not as grim and is more upbeat in tone.
Highly recommend if you like Joe Abercrombie, or if you like your grimdark a shade lighter.
Highly recommend if you like Joe Abercrombie, or if you like your grimdark a shade lighter.
January 22, 2023
Exciting, engaging read the whole way through!
Do you love a good western, great world building, exciting conflict and engaging characters? Well, do I have a treat for you. This story pulls you in, makes you care, causes the heart to pump faster, and get lost in a world not your own. Seriously, reading, looked up disoriented for a good minute. Oh yeah, I'm on the couch...reading an exceptional story. Please give this fantasy, with a western feel, a go. You will not regret it.
Do you love a good western, great world building, exciting conflict and engaging characters? Well, do I have a treat for you. This story pulls you in, makes you care, causes the heart to pump faster, and get lost in a world not your own. Seriously, reading, looked up disoriented for a good minute. Oh yeah, I'm on the couch...reading an exceptional story. Please give this fantasy, with a western feel, a go. You will not regret it.
November 3, 2024
Riveting
This is a fast-paced, page-turning , adventure. It's a classic western-style story with a sprinkle of fantasy and a lot of blood. Witty and fun, Dango Is one of my favorite reads this year. I am very excited to read the next book in this series and anything else that Jack Long writes.
This is a fast-paced, page-turning , adventure. It's a classic western-style story with a sprinkle of fantasy and a lot of blood. Witty and fun, Dango Is one of my favorite reads this year. I am very excited to read the next book in this series and anything else that Jack Long writes.
January 2, 2025
4.5 stars. The individual parts of this book were very good, but it wandered around PoVs a bit much for me. Some very clever writing and interesting characters, so worth a bit of your time if the premise (fantasy Western range war) appeals.
June 8, 2024
This was the best book I read in 2023. Great action. Funny. Sad. Exciting. Satisfying ending. The only thing I could ask for is a second book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews