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theamazingmrg's review
4.0
Conan. I don't think there's much more to be said!
It loses a star simply because, when reading in publishing order, this isn't a great intro to the character, or how he ended up where he did. A great little story though.
It loses a star simply because, when reading in publishing order, this isn't a great intro to the character, or how he ended up where he did. A great little story though.
antonism's review
4.0
4.5 / 5
The Phoenix on the Sword is one of the first Conan stories written by R.E. Howard and the second one I've had the pleasure to read. And I was simply blown away! Let's make something clear... this one was written almost 80 years ago. Fantasy was a newborn baby then, just think that Lord of the Rings had not been yet published! And here comes Howard out of the blue to write pure pulp fantasy which is simply awesome and a joy to read.
If you know me as a reviewer, you know that I almost always point the negatives in things. I do that not because I'm a grumpy old man or a negative personality but because it is my belief that reviews should always point the bad things more than the positive things. But I digress! I was going to give this 5 stars but 2 things cut that thing a little down to 4+.
One is that Conan is hardly an interesting character. He's cool, he's amazing, he's fun but he's also a bit flat and predictable and thick. But if Howard's hero leaves something to be desired, the same can't be said for his antagonists! The baddies are also awesome and much more interesting than our hero. I love a good main antagonist (or more!) and Howard delivers!
The second thing that jarred me (also in the previous story that I read - Black Colossus) was that the ending was a bit rough, felt rather rushed and quickly done with. It didn't need too much more, just a couple of pages or so.
Still, even with these gripes, let me be clear about something. Howard writes so incredibly fresh, he even puts modern writers in shame! Here is the first thing you read, the very first line of this story:
“Over shadowy spires and gleaming towers lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn.”
Damn, if that doesn't make you want to read the rest, then either something is wrong with you or you are in the wrong place!
It was a pure joy to read this story as the writing is beautiful and fast and smooth, the pacing is perfect and the atmosphere is as thick as it gets. Considering that this is a very short novella and it's probably free, this is definitely more than recommended! I was worried that discovering the roots of fantasy literature would be a chore but this one was pure pleasure! Excellent!
4.5 / 5
The Phoenix on the Sword is one of the first Conan stories written by R.E. Howard and the second one I've had the pleasure to read. And I was simply blown away! Let's make something clear... this one was written almost 80 years ago. Fantasy was a newborn baby then, just think that Lord of the Rings had not been yet published! And here comes Howard out of the blue to write pure pulp fantasy which is simply awesome and a joy to read.
If you know me as a reviewer, you know that I almost always point the negatives in things. I do that not because I'm a grumpy old man or a negative personality but because it is my belief that reviews should always point the bad things more than the positive things. But I digress! I was going to give this 5 stars but 2 things cut that thing a little down to 4+.
One is that Conan is hardly an interesting character. He's cool, he's amazing, he's fun but he's also a bit flat and predictable and thick. But if Howard's hero leaves something to be desired, the same can't be said for his antagonists! The baddies are also awesome and much more interesting than our hero. I love a good main antagonist (or more!) and Howard delivers!
The second thing that jarred me (also in the previous story that I read - Black Colossus) was that the ending was a bit rough, felt rather rushed and quickly done with. It didn't need too much more, just a couple of pages or so.
Still, even with these gripes, let me be clear about something. Howard writes so incredibly fresh, he even puts modern writers in shame! Here is the first thing you read, the very first line of this story:
“Over shadowy spires and gleaming towers lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn.”
Damn, if that doesn't make you want to read the rest, then either something is wrong with you or you are in the wrong place!
It was a pure joy to read this story as the writing is beautiful and fast and smooth, the pacing is perfect and the atmosphere is as thick as it gets. Considering that this is a very short novella and it's probably free, this is definitely more than recommended! I was worried that discovering the roots of fantasy literature would be a chore but this one was pure pleasure! Excellent!
4.5 / 5
charlesc_n's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
greyforest's review
4.0
An enjoyable pulpy first story of Conan, with vivid and visceral action, and fun and quaint dialogue. A decent start to what I know is going to be a legendary evolution of this character.
thejosh2099's review
3.0
As somebody who doesn't really read short stories or novellas very often, I have no idea how to rate them. All I know is that this was the first Conan story I have ever read, and that while it wasn't exactly what I was anticipating, it was still fun.
plaidbrarian's review
4.0
It's funny that the first Conan story published comes so late in the character's chronology (I'm presuming), but this is the first time I've read Howard's work and only a handful of Conan stories I've encountered in any medium, but I think I'll be back for more.
preiman790's review
4.0
The first of the Conan stories is by no means the best, it is in fact if judged purely on it's own merits simply adequate. However it is unfair to judge this work simply on it's own merits, instead one needs to take into account that this story was very much the birth of something more. The Phoenix On The Sword gives us Conan for the very first time, and unlike many first appearances of iconic characters you can see him here in his entirety. When one accepts this, issues of style and setting become much easier to forgive.
Howard was a master, not as a writer, his skills in that arena were always somewhat lacking, no instead Howard was a master story teller. It is this mastery for which we praise him, for it is a far rarer ability then simple skill with words.
Howard was a master, not as a writer, his skills in that arena were always somewhat lacking, no instead Howard was a master story teller. It is this mastery for which we praise him, for it is a far rarer ability then simple skill with words.
angrywombat's review
4.0
Yes!
This is how fantasy should be done - punchy, colourful, with suggestions of a depth of worldbuilding.
This is the first time we encountered Conan, and he's a barbarian King! Who is sick of actually being a king :) In five short chapters (and a really short story) we get political intrigue, history, mythological secrets, and great action!
This hasn't aged a bit... it feels like someone could have written it now.
This is how fantasy should be done - punchy, colourful, with suggestions of a depth of worldbuilding.
This is the first time we encountered Conan, and he's a barbarian King! Who is sick of actually being a king :) In five short chapters (and a really short story) we get political intrigue, history, mythological secrets, and great action!
This hasn't aged a bit... it feels like someone could have written it now.
nxllo's review against another edition
3.0
Non mi sento di dare più di 3/3, 5 stelle semplicemente per la storia in sé. L'idea era carina, l'esecuzione ottima ma non mi ha preso per tutto il tempo, cosa che un romanzo breve dovrebbe fare.