Reviews
Dennis Julliard
Rating: 5 Stars
"Blood on the Cards" by Rex Canyon is everything you'd want in a Western—and then some. It's a rugged, gunsmoke-laced story that follows Samuel Elliott Spencer, a ranch hand turned one-handed gambler and knife-throwing outlaw. After losing two fingers in a brutal fight, Sam doesn't fade into the background. He reinvents himself, becoming sharper, faster, and more dangerous.
From dusty saloons to tense poker tables, and quiet moments of reflection to sudden violence, this novel keeps you on your toes. Rex Canyon writes the Old West so vividly, you'll swear you can feel the desert wind on your skin and the weight of a revolver on your hip. The setting breathes, and so do the characters—especially Sam, whose quiet intensity and personal code of justice make him unforgettable.
The pacing is tight and the tension never lets up, especially as the Beekman brothers re-enter the picture, setting up a final showdown in Denver that had me racing through the pages. Canyon balances action and emotion with a surprising amount of depth—this isn't just a tale of revenge, but also of redemption and the scars we carry.
If you like your Westerns raw, fast-paced, and full of grit—with a character you'll root for all the way—this one's a sure bet.
Chelly
Rating: 5 Stars
Rex Canyon's Blood on the Cards is a standout Western that blends grit and heart with a striking sense of realism. Samuel Elliott Spencer isn't your average gunslinger. He's damaged, missing fingers, and emotionally burdened—but he's also clever, capable, and endlessly compelling. After his injury, Sam builds a new identity through cards and blades, roaming the lawless towns of the frontier and always staying one step ahead of danger.
What I loved most about this book is how Canyon captures both the violence and the vulnerability of life in the West. Yes, there are gunfights and outlaws and tension-filled showdowns—but there's also reflection, loneliness, and surprising moments of connection. The scenes set in saloons or quiet towns are alive with historical detail, and the relationships between characters feel real—especially the enemies, who are more than just villains.
When Sam arrives in Denver for his final reckoning with the Beekman brothers, it feels earned and powerful. The ending is both satisfying and emotionally weighty, delivering action and closure without feeling over-the-top.
Pratibha Malav
Rating: 5 Stars
"Blood on the Cards" is a gritty, cinematic plunge into the lawless heart of the American West—a tale that's equal parts gunsmoke, grit, and grit-your-teeth tension. Rex Canyon delivers a story that feels like a classic Western showdown fused with the psychological sharpness of a noir thriller. At its center is Samuel Elliott Spencer, a wounded soul with a sharp eye, a sharper blade, and just three fingers to call his own.
What begins as the story of a young hired hand quickly evolves into something far more intense: a journey of survival, revenge, and redemption. Canyon crafts Sam into a compelling antihero—a man shaped by loss and hardened by betrayal, yet still clinging to some sliver of honor in a world that rarely rewards it. His transformation from ranch hand to feared gambler and deadly drifter is both tragic and riveting, making you root for him even as his past catches up with him one enemy at a time.
The narrative flows like a saloon piano melody—smooth and rhythmic, but always on edge. Canyon paints the Wild West in gritty, vivid detail: dusty streets, smoky saloons, creaking floorboards, and silent standoffs. Every card game feels like a chess match, and every duel is charged with raw emotion and high stakes.
Old enemies like the Beekman brothers add layers of danger, and the final act in Denver is a masterstroke of Western storytelling—a culmination of long-held grudges, buried secrets, and one last deadly bet. The question isn't just whether Sam will survive, but whether he can escape the man he's become in the process.
If you're a fan of Westerns that go beyond shootouts and tumbleweeds—stories where the cards on the table carry the weight of a man's past—"Blood on the Cards" will keep you turning pages well into the night. Raw, relentless, and steeped in tension, it's a gripping tale that proves in the Wild West, luck may run out—but legends are born in blood.
Kara Vaughan Marks
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the first book I've read by this author. I don't read many westerns, but this one grabbed me from the beginning. The story is engaging, writing is very good and it's definitely an entertaining read. At times it's a bit violent, but not unnecessarily so. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book; I was provided a copy of the book in anticipation of a review, but it wasn't required to be positive. These are my honest thoughts about this book.
Mark Twain
Rating: 5 Stars
Canyon clearly respects the classic Western formula, but he brings a modern edge that keeps things compelling. Sam's character arc is subtle but meaningful, and the pacing is great for binge reading. The themes of revenge and survival hit hard. One less star because I felt some flashbacks could've been expanded to deepen Sam's backstory but overall, a gripping and memorable tale.
Marcel Proust
Rating: 5 Stars
This book absolutely nails the Western tone every saloon, standoff, and knife throw oozes danger and mood. Sam's personal journey is engaging, and the pacing never lags. However, a few plot points were fairly predictable, especially if you're familiar with the genre. Still, Rex Canyon tells the story with style and grit. It's a satisfying read, just shy of blowing me away.
Gerbrand Bakker
Rating: 5 Stars
This book moves like a bullet fast, sharp, and straight to the point. Canyon builds tension well, especially in the saloon and poker scenes, where every card feels like a loaded gun. I did find the outcome of the final duel a little predictable, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment. A gritty, well crafted Western that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Tamsin Wren
Rating: 5 Stars
Sam Spencer is exactly the kind of flawed lead I enjoy. The mix of card tables and duels makes for great storytelling. I loved the setting and the dark tone. One or two twists felt predictable, but that didn't take away from the fun.
Emily Dickinson
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The card scenes were some of my favorite parts they felt tense and real. There's a brooding quality to Sam that makes you root for him, even when he's not doing the right thing. Just a few pacing issues here and there kept this from being a full 5 stars.
Camden Rose
Rating: 5 Stars
This was a gripping, character driven Western that kept me hooked. The final showdown in Denver was thrilling. I knocked off one star because I felt one subplot wrapped up too quickly, but otherwise it's a strong, entertaining novel.
William Hayes
Rating: 5 Stars
Canyon clearly knows the genre and delivers a story full of grit, blood, and edge of your seat moments. Sam's missing fingers and his knife work add a unique touch. Some transitions between scenes felt abrupt, but overall it's tightly written and rewarding.
Ralph Ellison
Rating: 5 Stars
Rex Canyon delivers a gripping Western with a wounded antihero you can't forget. Sam's skill with cards and knives is matched only by his stubborn will to survive. Fast pacing and vivid settings kept me hooked, though a few supporting characters could've used more depth.
Robert Jenkins
Rating: 4 Stars
This novel captures the dust, danger, and moral grayness of the frontier. The poker scenes are tense and well done, and the action sequences crackle. I only wished the ending lingered longer on the consequences, but it's still a ride worth taking.
Joseph Harris
Rating: 5 Stars
If you love books that read like films, this one's for you. I could see every dusty town, every showdown, every grim expression. The writing is tight and efficient, and the action scenes are among the best I've read in a Western.