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topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
This is a collection of 18 of Howard's short stories/novellas, most of which were published in the early 1930's although several of them not until after his untimely death. Unlike most of his better known works such as Conan, Kull, Solomon Kane, etc., these stories are all historically based adventure stories. Lots of swashbuckling adventure here but no magic or supernatural elements. They were largely written towards the end of Howard's career and so we are treated to more refined writing than we tend to see with his earlier stories.
This volume includes several unpublished fragments and synopsis for other stories Howard had abandoned for one reason or another.
There is also a nice afterward written by Howard Andrew Jones that really puts these stories in context. Apparently, the market for this type of historical fiction was slim at that time; if that were not so we would probably have many more of them as it seems Howard really enjoyed writing them.
Several great heroes are introduced in these stories, among them Cormac FitzGeoffrey, Cahal and Haroun, Sir Miles, Giles the Rogue, and the titular sword woman, Dark Agnes. One story here also marks the first appearance ever of Red Sonya. Technically "Red Sonja" was a creation of comics writer Roy Thomas, adapting this medieval-era character of REH’s named “Red Sonya,” whose story appears in the story "Lord Of Samarcand". She is written in a realistic historical context, not at all the chain-mail bikini heroine of the comic books that she would soon become. Indeed, one can't help but wonder if Howard had lived a normal lifespan, just how many of these characters would have become as successful and iconic as Conan.
A must-read for Robert E. Howard fans and highly recommended for pulp-era historical fiction enthusiasts as well.
This volume includes several unpublished fragments and synopsis for other stories Howard had abandoned for one reason or another.
There is also a nice afterward written by Howard Andrew Jones that really puts these stories in context. Apparently, the market for this type of historical fiction was slim at that time; if that were not so we would probably have many more of them as it seems Howard really enjoyed writing them.
Several great heroes are introduced in these stories, among them Cormac FitzGeoffrey, Cahal and Haroun, Sir Miles, Giles the Rogue, and the titular sword woman, Dark Agnes. One story here also marks the first appearance ever of Red Sonya. Technically "Red Sonja" was a creation of comics writer Roy Thomas, adapting this medieval-era character of REH’s named “Red Sonya,” whose story appears in the story "Lord Of Samarcand". She is written in a realistic historical context, not at all the chain-mail bikini heroine of the comic books that she would soon become. Indeed, one can't help but wonder if Howard had lived a normal lifespan, just how many of these characters would have become as successful and iconic as Conan.
A must-read for Robert E. Howard fans and highly recommended for pulp-era historical fiction enthusiasts as well.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
Clashing swords set in a world of historical names, rather than fantasy (although I did note a hero saying 'Crom!' in one of them).
doowopapocalypse's review against another edition
3.0
Best for the inclusion of the Dark Agnes tales, there's a lot in here that was reworked into Conan plots or recycle from them.
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