In the contested and unexplored territories at the edge of the Empire, a boat is making its laborious way up stream. Riding along the banks are the mercenaries hired to protect it – from raiders, bandits and, most of all, the stretchers, elf-like natives who kill any intruders into their territory. The mercenaries know this is dangerous, deadly work. But it is what they do.

In the boat the drunk governor of the territories and his sons and daughters make merry. They believe that their status makes them untouchable. They are wrong. And with them is a mysterious, beautiful young woman, who is the key to peace between warring nations and survival for the Empire. When a callow mercenary saves the life of the Governor on an ill-fated hunting party, the two groups are thrown together. 

For Fisk and Shoe – two tough, honourable mercenaries surrounded by corruption, who know they can always and only rely on each other – their young companion appears to be playing with fire. The nobles have the power, and crossing them is always risky.

And although love is a wonderful thing, sometimes the best decision is to walk away. Because no matter how untouchable or deadly you may be, the stretchers have other plans.

PRAISE FOR THE INCORRUPTIBLES

“I finished John Hornor Jacobs’s The Incorruptibles today and I’m just stunned at how engrossing it was. A hybrid of The Gunslinger, Monstress, and a Roman history book, it was refreshingly original and soooo well written. 15 out of 5 stars, highly recommended.” – Aaron Mahnke, author and creator of the World of LORE books, podcast, and television series

“One part ancient Rome, two parts wild west, one part Faust. A pinch of Tolkien, of Lovecraft, of Dante. This is strange alchemy, a recipe I’ve never seen before. I wish more books were as fresh and brave as this.” – Pat Rothfuss, best-selling author of The Name of the Wind and Wise Man’s Fear

“An exceptionally well written book that shows an alternative world with numerous echoes of our own, set in a loose ‘wild west’ parallel with with an eclectic mix of cultural references. Jacobs’ prose is lean and to the point but touches on poetry in places even so. His characters are expertly drawn and interesting, and his plot compelling. It’s a strong tale, well told, and sat very well with me.” – Mark Lawrence, Gemmell Award winning author of Prince of Thorns, King of Thorns, and Emperor of Thorns

“The Incorruptibles gives us the very thing we read fantasy for: something new. The Incorruptibles joins Red Country in what I hope will become a new sub-genre, the fantasy western. Westerns are American stories, and Jacobs’ Arkansas roots show in his gritty, hard-bitten tone. The Incorruptibles shakes like a rattlesnake, sings like a bullet, whispers like a tumbleweed dancing over hardscrabble. Fantasy needs writers who push the envelope, and Jacobs finds the edge and tears right through it. If you want original, you’ve picked up the right book.” – Myke Cole, author of Control Point, Fortress Frontier, and Breach Zone

“Bloody marvellous.” – Stephen Deas, author of the Memory of Flames and Theif-Taker’s Apprentice series

“In short, read “The Incorruptibles”. Just do it. Once Hornor Jacobs lets the plot have its head, the book is a joy to behold” – Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review

“A quick, interesting and original fantasy novel. Definitely recommend, I am eager to read more by this author, and certainly more in this world” – Civilian Reader

“I really liked The Incorruptibles – it’s fast paced, action packed and has its own unique feel to it with its unusual mix of Westerns, daemons and Ancient Rome.” – Fantasy Book Review