Step into the neon-lit shadows of Las Vegas, where magic crackles and danger lurks in Craig Schaefer’s thrilling Daniel Faust series! This urban fantasy saga follows Daniel Faust, a sorcerer, conman, and thief navigating a gritty underworld teeming with demons, mobsters, and dark enchantments. Blending crime fiction’s sharp edge with supernatural flair, it’s a wild ride for fans craving high-stakes adventure and morally gray heroes.
With its vivid Las Vegas setting and pulse-pounding plots, the series hooks readers from the first page, offering a fresh take on urban fantasy that’s as seductive as Sin City itself. Ready to meet Faust and his rogue crew? Let’s dive into this spellbinding world!
How Daniel Faust Began
Craig Schaefer, an Illinois-born author with a passion for crime thrillers and horror, crafted the Daniel Faust series to fuse his love for Elmore Leonard’s gritty capers and H.P. Lovecraft’s eerie mythos. Launched in 2014 with The Long Way Down, the series was born from Schaefer’s desire to blend noir’s hard-boiled vibe with occult mysteries. Inspired by Las Vegas’s stark contrasts—glitz versus grime, wealth versus desperation—he created a world where magic is real, and survival demands cunning.
Schaefer’s lifelong fascination with sleight-of-hand and illusion also shaped Faust, a character who wields both spells and street smarts. The series quickly gained traction for its fast-paced storytelling and interconnected universe, tying into Schaefer’s other works like the Harmony Black and Revanche Cycle series.
The Heart of Daniel Faust
The series kicks off with The Long Way Down (2014), where Daniel Faust, a sorcerer-for-hire, takes a seemingly simple job to avenge a murder—only to uncover a supernatural conspiracy threatening Las Vegas. In Redemption Song (2014), Faust battles a cult with apocalyptic ambitions, while The Living End (2014) pits him against a deranged villain experimenting on the city’s vulnerable. Later, The Neon Boneyard (2018) sees Faust navigating a turf war and a vengeful enemy from his past.
At its core, the series explores themes of loyalty, power, and the blurry line between good and evil. Faust, an antihero with a code, isn’t a saint—he’s a crook who fights for his chosen family of misfits, including Caitlin, a demon enforcer with a fierce heart. The Las Vegas setting, drenched in occult corruption, amplifies the stakes, with vivid combat scenes and intricate cons that keep readers guessing. Schaefer’s noir-inspired prose, laced with dry humor and emotional depth, makes every book a page-turner.
Beyond action, the series delves into devotion and taboo—why people pledge themselves to causes or cross forbidden lines. It’s urban fantasy with a heist’s cleverness, distinct from detective-driven tales like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, yet equally gripping for its raw intensity and character arcs.
Why Daniel Faust Resonates
The Daniel Faust series has carved a niche in urban fantasy for its unapologetic grit and complex characters. Fans on platforms like Goodreads praise its blend of supernatural thrills and crime-drama tension, often comparing it to a magical Ocean’s Eleven. Schaefer’s ability to weave a shared universe—where Faust’s story intersects with Harmony Black’s monster-hunting missions—adds depth, rewarding dedicated readers with Easter eggs and crossovers.
Its lasting appeal lies in its relatability: Faust’s struggles with loyalty and survival mirror real-world dilemmas, wrapped in a fantastical package. Though not a household name, the series’ cult following proves its impact, offering a darker, street-smart alternative to mainstream fantasy. For readers seeking a fresh spin on magic and mayhem, Daniel Faust delivers.
- First Book: The Long Way Down (2014)
- Number of Books: 8 novels and a novella (as of 2025)
- Setting: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Genre: Urban fantasy, crime fiction
Grab The Long Way Down and dive into Daniel Faust’s electrifying world of magic, cons, and Las Vegas chaos! Trust us, once you meet Faust, you’ll be hooked on his devilish charm.