Let’s get one thing straight, I really dislike westerns whether it be movies or books. With that being said, throw in some horror, ghosts, demons and magic potions and you have me hooked. And what do you, a supernatural gore fest titled The Demon of Devils Canyon. I loved all the protagonists in the story. Brennen has brought them to life. I do think my favorite characters were Alice, an 8 year old mute, who uses ASL to communicate. She reminds me of Judith on The Walking dead). She is literally one heck of a badass. She is shrewd, pragmatic and level headed. Put any type of weapon in her hands and she will know her way around it. My other favorite was Billy. He’s a quirky kind of guy, truthful, loyal and witty. He would be your ride or die when the going gets tough. The main character aside from Alice is Rory. Such a great guy. He’s honest and protects his tribe. The story wraps around Rory and Alice is adoptive daughter.
We have our antagonistic and they are nothing to fool with. McHugh aka Mary Crane. She’s the leader of or better yet, the demon of the Fieldstone blue bandana gang. She calls the shots and her style is nothing but ruthless abandonment. Anything goes. She is creating a new world featuring. None other than “dead people”.
The writing style was immaculate and Brennen use of descriptive language is spot on.
You must, and I mean this, follow this unlikely family of misfits as they attempt to save the town of Buzzard’s Edge. Do they or not? The only way to find out is read this book. I do recommend reading the first in the series, Noose, and I truly hope there will be a third with even more gruesomeness. Get ready for a western horror ride and hope you don’t find yourself in the DARK FRONTIER.

I have read westerns and I have read horrors, but I have never read a western horror before this book. I really enjoyed reading this story and this is a new to me author so I will definitely be trying to find more of his works. I am so hoping that there is going to be more stories to this series!! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys westerns / horror stories.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review

In the demons of devils cavern by Brennan LaFaro we learn not every good guy makes the right decision all the time nor is every bad guy unlovable and sometimes the best family or the ones we choose. In the first book of the buzzard saga Rory went hunting for his past, in the second his past comes hunting for him and boy is she pissed! This book is longer than the first one and I really want to say it’s better but I really love the first one so maybe it’s a tie? Either way we get to meet the scientist‘s wife Mary Crane we learn more about Young Alice and what happened to her family and sadly we may or may not lose someone close to the Tagget family. I have yet to read Brennan LaFaro‘s other books but I am definitely investing in that today this is a great saga and I really hope there is a third book in the way it ended there definitely could be. I don’t want to give anything away but when they were last in the cavern with the blue fog in the description of the limbs coming out I really had the heebie-jeebies it happened more than once in the book but that time I had them big time. This is a great imaginative author who I definitely want to read more from. If you love sci-fi with the western flavor add in the paranormal and an awesome plot then you’ll definitely love this book. It’s the second book but it doesn’t need to be read in order reading them in order gives for an even fuller picture. I want to think dark lit press for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Rory and his adopted daughter Alice are in trouble. They are on the run. Bad things are after them, Full of action and thrills. Fast paced read with amazing characters.

The stellar reviews captured my attention. However, I didn’t get the same vibe as the other readers. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I read the previous novel as I was pretty clueless as to the backstory of Buzzard’s Edge and it’s people.

The Demon of Devil’s Cavern is not anything like what I’m used to reading in the horror genre. I expected a horror story similar in the adrenaline rush like novels written by Duncan Ralston (Ghostland) and Daniel Kraus/George Romero (The Living Dead.) The Demon doesn’t even come close to the graphic and horrific depictions of zombies, ghosts and other demons that I’ve come to expect from a good horror novel. That being said, I found The Demon of Devil’s Cavern to be a little boring. Two okay stars.

I received a DRC from DarkLit Press through NetGalley. This review is completely my own reflect my honest thoughts and opinions.

A thrilling western horror, The Demon of Devil's Cavern is technically a sequel novella to Noose, but I decided to try reading it on its own. It can totally stand on its own as a complete story and I commend the author for that. The action starts pretty much from the first page, with the retelling of a creepy story and a shootout that leads Rory and Alice into dangers they could never have imagined. I read this one in one sitting it was so good! I will have to go back to read Noose to catch up on the backstory now that I know I like western horror. Brennan LaFaro just opened up a whole new subgenre of horror for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and DarkLit Press for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

I just finished Noose yesterday and needed to go back to Buzzard's Edge! I really enjoyed how he developed the characters even more, especially Alice. It's wonderful how inclusive this book is. We meet Alice in the first book, and we learn that she can't talk. The sequel goes into why she can't. Even though she can't speak, she communicates through sign and expression. She is spunky, loving, and is fearless! Rory loves her like a daughter and accepts that she is different. The plot was just as fun as the first, and kept me on the edge. Especially, the events towards the end.

Don’t you hate it when you are reading a book and you are so engrossed with what is happening and you can’t stop reading and before you know it you are at the end? Yeah, me either. I kind of love that.
That’s what happens with THE DEMON OF DEVILS CAVERN- I was so happy to be back in Buzzard’s Edge (this book is the sequel to NOOSE) and Brennan put a big enough hook at the beginning to hang a longhorn steer. Well, I just couldn’t stop. There was no pausing to take notes but I did jump over to Twit just to comment about a scene that caught me so off guard that I startled myself when I muttered and expletive out loud.
You better saddle up for this one, it isn’t your typical horror western. Plus there is a kick @ss 8 year old girl who only speaks through sign language

I was hoping to get to this one. I am sad that I was not able to read this before it was archived. I think it will be interesting read, and I will try to get a physical copy if I can find one for a reasonable price!

This was such a fun small town horror book! Loved the characters, dialogue, and plot! Great pace & flow throughout as well, would make a great movie!

This is a wild and terrifying ride through the Old West. The characters are fun and It was a really entertaining read. Thank you for the ARC!

Brennan LaFaro is known for his ability to craft atmospheric settings that are rich in detail, creating a sense of unease and anticipation. In "The Demon of Devil's Cavern," it's likely that LaFaro employs these skills to immerse readers in the eerie and foreboding environment of Devil's Cavern. The title itself suggests a supernatural or demonic presence within the story, which could indicate a plot centered around an encounter with an otherworldly entity.

Themes in LaFaro's work often explore the nature of fear, the unknown, and the thin veil between reality and the supernatural. In this book, readers can expect to find characters faced with the challenge of confronting their deepest fears as they unravel the mysteries of Devil's Cavern. The narrative might also examine the impact of past traumas, secrets, and the struggle for survival against a malevolent force.

The writing style is likely to be descriptive and immersive, with a focus on building tension and suspense. LaFaro might use a mix of fast-paced action sequences and slower, more psychological moments to explore the internal conflicts of the characters. Dialogue and interactions among characters could serve to reveal their personalities, histories, and motivations, adding depth to the story.

Overall, "The Demon of Devil's Cavern" is expected to be a thrilling and chilling read, perfect for fans of horror and supernatural fiction. It should appeal to readers who enjoy stories with strong atmospheric settings, complex characters, and a plot that keeps them guessing until the very end.

If you enjoyed this book or are interested in similar themes, you might also like works by authors such as Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, or Ania Ahlborn, who are known for their contributions to the horror genre with a focus on psychological depth and supernatural elements.

I always enjoy weird western novels, it has everything that I was hoping for from the description. It uses the Western elements perfectly and I was enjoying the storyline overall. The characters worked well overall and I enjoyed getting to know them in this world. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Brennan LaFaro wrote this and hope he continues to write weird western novels.

A sequel to NOOSE didn’t seem like an obvious path, but LaFaro certainly showed how wrong I was.

His acute awareness of historical accuracies paired with his Mark Twain style—that being his ability to tell a character-driven story that has both depth, fortitude in reflecting truth, and comedic bend—and drive to make the unlikely person the badass gunslinger results in THE DEMON OF DEVILS CAVERN.

LaFaro continually proves that his words are worth not only reading, but sharing. If Alice doesn’t pump your heart with love and hope, one could only assume you’re one of them bad fellers with Noose Holcomb.

Rory Daggett is fast becoming one of my favorite characters to follow in fiction. This follow-up to Noose was jam packed full of action and had so much heart in it and I wasn’t expecting that. I never would’ve guessed that Rory and an 8 year old girl would make for such a fascinating story and that I would become so invested in their relationship and strong bond.

The world of Buzzard’s Edge continues to be so enthralling with the ghosts and magic that LaFaro has created. With characters you can’t help but fall for and villains you love to hate, book your ticket back to Buzzard’s Edge and follow Rory and Alice on their next adventure.

Dynamite cover!
After reading the book, I can say
that it perfectly captures the atmosphere of the
story. The plot is well-thought -out and keeps the
reader engaged throughout the entire book.
The author's descriptions of setting are vivid and
immersive, making you feellike you're right there in the
Wild West. In addition, these characters
are complex and relatable, and their interactions with
each other are believable and memorable.

I would read more Westerns if they were like this. Of course, this is a splatterpunk book with ultra violence.
But it's the characters who elevate this little horror story. I was invested in them and I'm excited that there are more stories in this world.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The Demon of Devil’s Cavern by Brennan LaFaro is another gritty splatter western tale of magic, dust, and bloodshed set in Buzzard’s Edge.

Did you love Noose? If so, I’d be willing to bet that you’re more than ready to see what Rory and Alice get up to next!

Let’s dive in!

Content Warnings:
Per usual with DarkLit Press books, this has a content warning notice at the start for graphic violence and gore, and then directs readers to the back of the book for more information. One more that I would add from the start is the death of a child.

My Thoughts on The Demon of Devil’s Cavern by Brennan LaFaro –
One day when a knock arrives at their door, Rory and Alice are quick to pull their guns and prepare for the worst. Surprised to see the new sheriff of Buzzard’s Edge at their doorstep, they cautiously welcome her in. Things seem to be going okay as she tells them quite the tall tale. But of course, danger is lurking right around the corner. Rory and Alice are shocked when the first bullet finds its home in the sheriff’s skull, and just like that, they jump into action!

The next day, Rory and Alice go into town to report what happened but when the sheriff waltzes into town again, very much alive, the two are suddenly the bad guys again. Forced to flee town for a cabin in the woods, Rory and Alice hole up and try to figure out what to do next.

With the help of a couple of people in town, as well as a more ethereal somebody, the crew makes a game plan for what to do next to not just get Rory and Alice out of hot water, but to save the town. But will they succeed?

MY GOSH. The action and violence here is absolutely brutal. Talk about wanting to read a book while peeking through your fingers! There are a few scenes here that take that to an extreme.

The mob mentality made me so uneasy and seeing just how much control just a couple of people had over the whole town was terrifying. I loved getting more information about Alice, but man… I was already prepared to go to war for her. Learning more about what she lived through had my blood boiling!

This action-packed tale was a blast from start to finish! Just prepare yourselves for the darkness.

My Favorite Passages from The Demon of Devil’s Cavern –
Billy’s grin fell to the floor so fast it just about made a noise.

Deep breath in and I let go of the arrow and watched it miss the trunk so badly the breeze it created didn’t even rustle the leaves.
“Ah, perfect. I was aiming for the grass thirty feet yonder. Fuckin’ bullseye.”

“How’d you find us?” I asked.
Billy looked at his boots like somebody might’ve scribbled the right answer across the toes.

She swung the butt of the gun and a sharp pain opened up on the side of my head. The Saloon at the End of the World twisted itself in circles and turned black at the edges while my knees quit trying to keep me upright.

The streets stayed quiet, and the dead kept to the shadows. More than once, I thought I saw a pair of eyes watching me pass, so I kept my focus on the packed dirt before me. Like if I didn’t let on that I saw them, they couldn’t demand anything of me. Alice noticed; I could tell. Not a minute went by where she wasn’t swinging her head around like a weathervane on a windy day.

Bang.
The sweet sound sailed through the still air and the groaning footsteps gave way to a two-hundred-pound body slapping to the floor like a slab of meat hitting the chopping block. An unwelcome and unexpected noise in the Dennis Schoolhouse that the butcher down the street no doubt knew like sweet music.

Alice’s chest hitched, and a tear fell down the side of her face, curving around the cut on her cheek as if afraid to touch it.

My Final Thoughts on The Demon of Devil’s Cavern –
Horror and splatter western fans, you need to check out Noose and The Demon of Devil’s Cavern ASAP! These books are so atmospheric, brutal in both action and grief, and so much fun.

A wild west nightmare ride. Packed with adventure, comedic dialogue, and more death than you can imagine this book was a tour de force of western horror.

Follow along with Rory and Alice in buzzards edge as they get introduced to the new sheriff in town. That is until the sheriff takes one between the eyes on Rory’s front step. Forced to hide from a town set on vengeance Rory and Alice need to figure out what’s really going on in the town.

This was my first introduction to Brennan LaFaroand I’m very excited to dig into more of the Rory Dagget stories. I’ve never been a fan of westerns until now.

I love a good horror western and this one has the setting, the characters, and the supernatural to keep the narrative engaging without ever becoming stale.

I loved the main protagonist and his girl sidekick. Alice doesn't talk, she only communicates with sign language and she's quite deadly with weapons. After they meet the new sheriff in town things start going to hell pretty quickly and the story keeps it's foot on the gas the entire time.

They find themselves against all odds. There's a town full of people who want to kill them and then there are the dead...or perhaps undead. Twists and turns abound and the author really knows how to keep the reader on their toes.

The supernatural aspects blend nicely with the human elements. This book is full of gritty, dirty, immoral bad guys and the writing style takes you right into that wild west setting.

This one is a banger and I highly recommend it.