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Last of the Ravagers
Snakebite is a sleepy town in the middle of the Arizona desert. Nothing much exciting happens there. Until, that is, a terrified bounty hunter rides in raving about monsters.
Shortly thereafter, a stranger named Doyle shows up, a mysterious figure with powerful magic at his command. Alternately known as the Lord of the Dead and the Last of the Ravagers, the renegade wizard seeks even greater power, the source of which resides in the heart of Snakebite.
As monsters and dead things rise and lay siege to the town, a band of citizens must come together to make a desperate last stand.
Shortly thereafter, a stranger named Doyle shows up, a mysterious figure with powerful magic at his command. Alternately known as the Lord of the Dead and the Last of the Ravagers, the renegade wizard seeks even greater power, the source of which resides in the heart of Snakebite.
As monsters and dead things rise and lay siege to the town, a band of citizens must come together to make a desperate last stand.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
About the author
Bryan Smith
85 books704 followersBryan Smith is the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of more than thirty horror and crime books, including 68 Kill, the cult classic Depraved and its sequels, as well as The Killing Kind, Slowly We Rot, The Freakshow, and many more. Bestselling horror author Brian Keene called Slowly We Rot, "The best zombie novel I've ever read."
68 Kill was adapted into a motion picture directed by Trent Haaga and starring Matthew Gray Gubler of the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds. 68 Kill won the Midnighters Award at the SXSW film festival in 2017 and was released to wide acclaim, including positive reviews in The New York Times and Bloody Disgusting.
Bryan also co-scripted an original Harley Quinn story for the House of Horrors anthology from DC Comics. He has worked with renowned horror publishers in both the mass market and small press spheres, including Leisure Books, Samhain Publishing, Grindhouse Press, Death’s Head Press, and more. His works are available wherever books are sold, with select titles also available in German and Italian.
68 Kill was adapted into a motion picture directed by Trent Haaga and starring Matthew Gray Gubler of the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds. 68 Kill won the Midnighters Award at the SXSW film festival in 2017 and was released to wide acclaim, including positive reviews in The New York Times and Bloody Disgusting.
Bryan also co-scripted an original Harley Quinn story for the House of Horrors anthology from DC Comics. He has worked with renowned horror publishers in both the mass market and small press spheres, including Leisure Books, Samhain Publishing, Grindhouse Press, Death’s Head Press, and more. His works are available wherever books are sold, with select titles also available in German and Italian.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 3, 2022
Something unsettling has arrived in the isolated Arizona town of Snakebite. A strange predator has wandered in from the desert with one inhuman objective. Local Sheriff Kilmister along with the townsfolk must now face a diverse form of unnatural evil that serves as a conduit for chaos and carnage. Melee & mayhem ensues as a solid array of gruesome gore and amusing storylines unfold.
Last Of The Ravagers is a desert landscape of horrific monsters, unspeakable butchery and perverse erotic pleasures. These unpredictable bizarre events exists throughout this whole mind-blowing novel. Author Bryan Smith slowly strips away layer after layer of unsettling reality while administering a way-out-west weirdness of cruelty and suffering. Graphic content warning should be inserted here.
What can ya say about Bryan Smith that hasn’t been said before? As a fan I was so excited to hear Bryan was gonna take on a Splatter Western for Death’s Head Press…and boy did he deliver. Strolling into this outstanding series, Smith wears his badge of writing talent with a Splatterpunk Award winning swagger. Walking corpses, brave bounty hunters, summoned deviltries and strange scientific innovations…this twisted work of western fiction has it all.
With a light sprinkle of Evil Dead and a dash of Re-Animator, this writhing mass of uncomfortableness is another horror home run from the master. I mean, where else can you experience numerous instantaneous disembowelments happening at one time. A strong five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation. Don’t miss this one.
Last Of The Ravagers is a desert landscape of horrific monsters, unspeakable butchery and perverse erotic pleasures. These unpredictable bizarre events exists throughout this whole mind-blowing novel. Author Bryan Smith slowly strips away layer after layer of unsettling reality while administering a way-out-west weirdness of cruelty and suffering. Graphic content warning should be inserted here.
What can ya say about Bryan Smith that hasn’t been said before? As a fan I was so excited to hear Bryan was gonna take on a Splatter Western for Death’s Head Press…and boy did he deliver. Strolling into this outstanding series, Smith wears his badge of writing talent with a Splatterpunk Award winning swagger. Walking corpses, brave bounty hunters, summoned deviltries and strange scientific innovations…this twisted work of western fiction has it all.
With a light sprinkle of Evil Dead and a dash of Re-Animator, this writhing mass of uncomfortableness is another horror home run from the master. I mean, where else can you experience numerous instantaneous disembowelments happening at one time. A strong five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation. Don’t miss this one.
August 21, 2022
“On a lonely night in the Arizona desert, face turned toward the sky, a man could sometimes start to feel as if he were a solitary traveler of the cosmos, standing at the edge of the universe and staring into the depths of infinity.”
A mighty force has arrived in the desert of Arizona. Making its way towards the isolated town of Snakebite, it has one purpose in mind, humanity now belongs to him and shall do his bidding. Alongside his minions, the battle for evil power has begun.
When the dead begin to rise, the sheriff must begin gathering the townspeople to figure out what is happening and try to provide safety. They must come together to fight against this evil force that has now been wreaking havoc on their friends and neighbors.
As the death toll rises and more morbid sinister occurrences continue to happen, another stranger appears. She claims to be a gunslinger from another world and is hunting the evil entity that calls itself “The Last of the Ravagers.” She must convince the sheriff and the townspeople to put their trust in her, for she is the only one capable of stopping the death and destruction.
One does not have to be a fan of westerns to enjoy a Splatter Western, it’s a whole new world of the sinister and macabre. This has the setting of an old style western town including a saloon and brothel, but there are hidden secrets within.
Combining a fantastical realm alongside the earthly realm with devilry, alienish creatures, walking corpses, gunslingers, death and destruction, and splatting it with blood, guts and gore, abhorrent sexual endeavors, murder, destruction, and a battle between good and evil makes for a very entertaining and often times comical story to let oneself be immersed in. Including creative characters that will either create a sense of disgust or drawing that pistol, jumping on that horse and riding alongside and routing for the good guys.
“Somewhere way out west, in the middle of the night, I had an encounter with the macabre. With monsters and a resurrected dead man.”
A mighty force has arrived in the desert of Arizona. Making its way towards the isolated town of Snakebite, it has one purpose in mind, humanity now belongs to him and shall do his bidding. Alongside his minions, the battle for evil power has begun.
When the dead begin to rise, the sheriff must begin gathering the townspeople to figure out what is happening and try to provide safety. They must come together to fight against this evil force that has now been wreaking havoc on their friends and neighbors.
As the death toll rises and more morbid sinister occurrences continue to happen, another stranger appears. She claims to be a gunslinger from another world and is hunting the evil entity that calls itself “The Last of the Ravagers.” She must convince the sheriff and the townspeople to put their trust in her, for she is the only one capable of stopping the death and destruction.
One does not have to be a fan of westerns to enjoy a Splatter Western, it’s a whole new world of the sinister and macabre. This has the setting of an old style western town including a saloon and brothel, but there are hidden secrets within.
Combining a fantastical realm alongside the earthly realm with devilry, alienish creatures, walking corpses, gunslingers, death and destruction, and splatting it with blood, guts and gore, abhorrent sexual endeavors, murder, destruction, and a battle between good and evil makes for a very entertaining and often times comical story to let oneself be immersed in. Including creative characters that will either create a sense of disgust or drawing that pistol, jumping on that horse and riding alongside and routing for the good guys.
“Somewhere way out west, in the middle of the night, I had an encounter with the macabre. With monsters and a resurrected dead man.”
February 24, 2022
Bryan Smith is one of my favourite splatterpunk authors so when I heard he had written a Splatter Western book I knew I had to get my hands on it quick smart. I was not disappointed. Last Ravagers is the thirteenth instalment in the Splatter Western series.
Bryan is not one to hold back from his stories and Last of the Ravagers is no exception. The best part though is character development is not compromised, giving me a greater appreciation for Bryan's writing abilities. If you make me feel for the characters, the gore and the horror leaves a far greater impression.
I'm loving the elements of magic which have been woven throughout many of the Splatter Western novels, including Last of the Ravagers. Expect plenty of gore and shock value as can be expected with all of the Splatter Westerns.
Thank you Sadie aka Mother Horror and Deathhead Press for providing me with a free copy of Last of the Ravagers to read and review.
Bryan is not one to hold back from his stories and Last of the Ravagers is no exception. The best part though is character development is not compromised, giving me a greater appreciation for Bryan's writing abilities. If you make me feel for the characters, the gore and the horror leaves a far greater impression.
I'm loving the elements of magic which have been woven throughout many of the Splatter Western novels, including Last of the Ravagers. Expect plenty of gore and shock value as can be expected with all of the Splatter Westerns.
Thank you Sadie aka Mother Horror and Deathhead Press for providing me with a free copy of Last of the Ravagers to read and review.
June 13, 2022
Death’s Head Press’s "Splatter Westerns" have been a mixed bag. Some are absolute hidden gems in action, depth and horror. Others have been of lesser quality. Bryan Smith’s Last of the Ravagers introduces unique concepts to the line and is one of the strongest entries in the line.
You can read Zach's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Zach's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
May 23, 2023
**REVIEW**
Full review at https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...
Oh, Mr. Bryan Smith, you got me with this one. This is my third by Bryan and by far my favorite to date (ignore my recent bias tendencies.)
Snakebite is just a classic western town until it becomes ground zero for a showdown with an inter-dimensional necromancer. Well, then all bets are off.
Guys, this one rocked my socks off! It was sci-fi, western, SMUT (I will get back to that because this man can write some of the hottest sex scenes), splatter, and a bit of romance. And somehow, some way, it all works and works perfectly. I have read almost all of the available Splatterwesterns and I would put this in my Top 2 of the series.
Let’s get back to the smut. Here’s all I will say: zombie/human lesbian finger play. You’re welcome. Now go buy it.
I can see why this is up for a Splatterpunk Award this year. And while the competition is fierce in the novel category, I can see this one coming out on top. We shall all see come August! HIGHLY RECOMMEND 10/5.
Full review at https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...
Oh, Mr. Bryan Smith, you got me with this one. This is my third by Bryan and by far my favorite to date (ignore my recent bias tendencies.)
Snakebite is just a classic western town until it becomes ground zero for a showdown with an inter-dimensional necromancer. Well, then all bets are off.
Guys, this one rocked my socks off! It was sci-fi, western, SMUT (I will get back to that because this man can write some of the hottest sex scenes), splatter, and a bit of romance. And somehow, some way, it all works and works perfectly. I have read almost all of the available Splatterwesterns and I would put this in my Top 2 of the series.
Let’s get back to the smut. Here’s all I will say: zombie/human lesbian finger play. You’re welcome. Now go buy it.
I can see why this is up for a Splatterpunk Award this year. And while the competition is fierce in the novel category, I can see this one coming out on top. We shall all see come August! HIGHLY RECOMMEND 10/5.
February 17, 2022
Welcome to the small town of Snakebite AZ. Don’t get comfortable.
Bryan Smith quickly sets the scene and fills the air with dread in book 13 of the Splatter Western Series by Deaths Head Press, in a genre busting story that holds nothing back.
This is a western filled with death, gore, sex, and monsters -not for the squeamish as it pushes past horror and into the realm of science fiction, fantasy, and even a touch of humor.
Death is widespread with characters you will love and some you will loathe but no one is safe and with the Lord of the Dead in town, death is not necessarily the end.
“This possibility was the most obvious and logical explanation for the man’s unexpected revival, for the simple reason that expired corpses were not in the habit of returning to life under ordinary circumstances.”
Bryan Smith quickly sets the scene and fills the air with dread in book 13 of the Splatter Western Series by Deaths Head Press, in a genre busting story that holds nothing back.
This is a western filled with death, gore, sex, and monsters -not for the squeamish as it pushes past horror and into the realm of science fiction, fantasy, and even a touch of humor.
Death is widespread with characters you will love and some you will loathe but no one is safe and with the Lord of the Dead in town, death is not necessarily the end.
“This possibility was the most obvious and logical explanation for the man’s unexpected revival, for the simple reason that expired corpses were not in the habit of returning to life under ordinary circumstances.”
March 21, 2022
Another decent read by Smith but nothing mind blowing in here. It felt a bit half-hearted, and I'm getting a bit fed up with westerns but a lot of my fave horror writers seem to be writing them just now. Think it's maybe just time I step away from them for a while. This one was a decent story with a decent pace but I felt it was all a bit unoriginal. So far Triana has written the best of the 4 splatter westerns and multiple other horror westerns that I have read. It's been a while since I've read any of his but Tim Curran has also written some excellent horror westerns.
October 11, 2022
Bryan Smith puts on a how to write a balls to the wall extreme horror western CLINIC with this book! I couldn't help but imagine Smith grinning and saying "see, this is how it is done" after some of the passages in this book. This was a Splatter Western on another level. Insanely imaginative, unrelentingly paced and ultra violent. One of my favorite books I have read this year and also probably one of my favorite Smith books. Highest recommendation.
September 13, 2022
A fun splatter western that lost me a little at the end but mostly enjoyed. Always love Bryan Smith's writing and this was no exception. Great characters, nasty violence and gore, and a fun sense of humour when needed.
June 19, 2022
My first Bryan Smith read but I absolutely adore this whole series (despite reading them all out of order but that’s neither here nor there). Snakebite is a little unremarkable town until the monsters and reanimated dead start turning up. Then it is up to a group of townspeople to band together to fight the evil and their leader. It’s a common trope but it’s done so damn well here, and I don’t want to ruin the story but there was a particular scene in this that was just so damn good it’s still in my mind 48 hours after reading said scene. It’s not my favourite of all the books but it is definitely up there and I also like the echoes to other book series that are unrelated to this too. It created a very satisfying and engaging read.
April 21, 2023
This was a really fun, bloody and gory, read by one of my favorite authors. Westerns and horror are two of my favorites and combined together they are awesome! This is one of the best from the Splatter Western series.
June 1, 2023
One of the best splatter westerns yet. I always say that but this one is a banger. It’s got everything you could ask for. I’ll just say if you like the man in black and creatures then you will love this one. Great characters and a great town setting. Loved the ending too.
June 12, 2023
This entry into the splatter western genre had it all. Gore, splatter, great characters and even time travel and other dimensions. It’s really hard to go wrong with anything Bryan Smith writes. I highly recommend to fans of horror and/or westerns. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
May 11, 2024
Bryan Smith’s “The Last of the Ravagers” rides into the horror western genre with a fluid narrative and gripping action scenes. The story, set in a lawless frontier town haunted by a malevolent force, keeps the reader on edge with its well-choreographed action, reminiscent of a wild, untamed rodeo.
However, the novel’s characters, like the dusty landscapes they traverse, feel unrefined and shallow. The protagonists, a band of gunslingers facing unspeakable horrors, lack the complexity to make us invest in their fates fully. Moreover, the book’s liberal use of sexual content often feels tacked on, serving little purpose in the grander narrative.
In summary, “The Last of the Ravagers” has the makings of a compelling horror western but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The plot is a thrilling ride, yet the characters don’t saddle up for the journey as they should. With more nuanced character development and integrated mature content, Smith’s novel could have been a standout. As it is, it’s a solid read for horror enthusiasts but may leave readers longing for a deeper connection to its world and characters.
However, the novel’s characters, like the dusty landscapes they traverse, feel unrefined and shallow. The protagonists, a band of gunslingers facing unspeakable horrors, lack the complexity to make us invest in their fates fully. Moreover, the book’s liberal use of sexual content often feels tacked on, serving little purpose in the grander narrative.
In summary, “The Last of the Ravagers” has the makings of a compelling horror western but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The plot is a thrilling ride, yet the characters don’t saddle up for the journey as they should. With more nuanced character development and integrated mature content, Smith’s novel could have been a standout. As it is, it’s a solid read for horror enthusiasts but may leave readers longing for a deeper connection to its world and characters.
October 31, 2023
An evil from outside our world has come to the desert town of Snakebite for reasons unknown to our group of protagonists. While here, this evil will tear apart families, community, and even people ...literally.
A bounty hunter, a sheriff, and a prostitute will work together to unravel the mystery of this evil force that has the dead returning to life and brought little blue ghoulish creatures to Snakebite.
If you are going to read this, then you should be familiar with the content of a violent and sexual nature. It is part of the splatter western series and so it does deliver on that front. It also has a good amount of humor and should remind you of Evil Dead 2. You like that series, then you should enjoy this story.
The one bad thing about this book is that it does feel heavily influenced by other works like the aforementioned Sam Raimi and also Stephen King. Not necessarily a bad thing to borrow from the greats, but it does keep the story from feeling as fresh as some of the other splatter western titles.
A bounty hunter, a sheriff, and a prostitute will work together to unravel the mystery of this evil force that has the dead returning to life and brought little blue ghoulish creatures to Snakebite.
If you are going to read this, then you should be familiar with the content of a violent and sexual nature. It is part of the splatter western series and so it does deliver on that front. It also has a good amount of humor and should remind you of Evil Dead 2. You like that series, then you should enjoy this story.
The one bad thing about this book is that it does feel heavily influenced by other works like the aforementioned Sam Raimi and also Stephen King. Not necessarily a bad thing to borrow from the greats, but it does keep the story from feeling as fresh as some of the other splatter western titles.
September 5, 2023
I don't know how or why Last of the Ravagers is only my second book from @bryan_smith, but after reading this and Merciless a while back, that needs to change.
Last of the Ravagers is a violent whirlwind of a book where otherworldly forces descend on a sleepy desert town, completely unaware of the other worlds that exist around them, as well as their place in it.
The crux of the plot revolves around Doyle, a god-like figure that speaks to and reanimates the dead, who also exerts powerful control over the living through charisma and magic. Doyle didn't travel here alone though, and he has a hunter hot on his tail...
Told through shifting POVs, this splatter western has it all and is definitely in the upper tier of the series from @deaths_head_press.
I'm very excited to stay on this journey with them and to dive into Smith's catalog 🤘
Last of the Ravagers is a violent whirlwind of a book where otherworldly forces descend on a sleepy desert town, completely unaware of the other worlds that exist around them, as well as their place in it.
The crux of the plot revolves around Doyle, a god-like figure that speaks to and reanimates the dead, who also exerts powerful control over the living through charisma and magic. Doyle didn't travel here alone though, and he has a hunter hot on his tail...
Told through shifting POVs, this splatter western has it all and is definitely in the upper tier of the series from @deaths_head_press.
I'm very excited to stay on this journey with them and to dive into Smith's catalog 🤘
April 22, 2023
The splatteriest of westerns, Arizona desert town, Ghoulies-esque critters, and hot iron. All ingredients for a western that allows you to hear the creaking saloon doors and taste the dust, while retaining all the hallmarks of a Bryan Smith book. It's cruel, twisted, graphic, sexual, and depraved. There are some elements later in the book that taken it down an unexpected road. For the most part, they worked for this reader, but mileage may vary. Last of the Ravagers is one of the stronger entries in the DHP Splatter Western series, standing toe to toe with The Magpie Coffin and Red Station.
February 16, 2022
Exciting story of s soul collector or ravager theater goes from different planes of existence and kills as many souls as possible good storyline. And I did enjoy it however Doyle???, that is the name of the necromancer or soul collector in this book. Sounds like a weird name like the bully in Billy Madison "O'Doyle rules".
March 22, 2024
On balance this book was so-so. There were definitely interesting elements and characters, but at times it felt like the story was trying too hard to be too many things. The horror aspects were muted or softened by the infusion of sci-fi concepts that culminated in overall weirdness for a quasi-western.
March 8, 2022
4.5* a fun, entertaining read with a really enjoyable ending. Doyle and Raven are great characters!
March 9, 2023
Un western gore en el que se percibe los niveles de planificación de una novela de Laymon con unos personajes frescos y despiadados a la altura de la historia.
August 12, 2023
Filled with delightfully twisted perversions even as bodies and blood rain down. The ending, however, seemed hurriedly forced.
Just once, evil needs to...
Just once, evil needs to...
March 25, 2024
This book was the most hilariously f*cked-up thing I have ever read, and I mean that in the best way possible. Definitely not for everyone, and even those who claim to "get" over-the-top, gross-out, dark humor might put this one down.
March 16, 2023
I wanted to like this one more but it really just fizzled in the second half when the plot really goes nuts. It certainly is not bad though and one of Smith’s most ambitious and creative novels, it just didn’t feel as fun as a lot of his others for me.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews