The Incorruptibles

This book is an odd mix of Western, Ancient Roman, steampunk, demons, elves and dwarves. It's a one of a kind book primarily just about the fates of a small group of characters with no heroic quest in sight. Just the sort of thing to satisfy a grimdark fan looking to branch out into something a bit different. One of the best things about this book is how small-scale and personal it is. It's told through the first-person eyes of one of the group journeying through the dangerous wilderness as they deal with their own issues and the fact that the woods are filled with dangerous elf-like natives called 'stretchers'. The POV character is interesting in that he's a secondary character, and watches events without the attachment of a 'hero' or 'villain', and Jacobs utilises this to brilliant effect. The writing is concise yet poetic, and it's a pleasure to read. The weird as shit, mash-up world building somehow just works, and is one of the best parts of the novel. This is no classic 'totally not medieval Europe' world. At all. Read this book if you want weird world-building, good writing and demon-powered machines.