Scan barcode
kastelpls's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
2.0
A racist and misogynistic series that still somehow remains thrilling to read. It’s hard to overstate how vile and fascinating it can be as it really does comprise the best and worst found in pulp fiction. It’s enjoyable, but I also find myself clashing with elements of anti-blackness, anti-semitism, and this embrace of eugenics-like thinking. The influence is at the very least unmistakable and Howard (unsurprisingly due to his affiliation) is much like Lovecraft in that regard: an author whose works have far more influence than the author will ever be. For that alone, it is worth reading for anyone able to handle this kind of content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
jgkeely's review
3.0
A handsome binding (regrettable use of the papyrus font notwithstanding), but I still prefer the Del Rey editions, which use Howard's original manuscripts, untouched by magazine editors or later, inferior authors like de Camp.
My Fantasy Book Suggestions
My Fantasy Book Suggestions
auroradomani's review
4.0
Favorites:
A Witch Shall Be Born
Shadows in Zamboula
Red Nails
The Hour of the Dragon
The Vale of Lost Women
A Witch Shall Be Born
Shadows in Zamboula
Red Nails
The Hour of the Dragon
The Vale of Lost Women
neverendingbooks's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gotterdammerung's review
5.0
By far the best pulp story writer I've ever come across. Howard's rich imagination had rarely been equaled in the subsequent 100 years, much less a character as memorable as the invincible Cimmerian.
Upon the second reread, Howard is even better than I remember - especially if you read the stories in a chronological order, from the Frost Giant's Daughter to the Hour of the Dragon. Sometimes the stories descend to formula with plot armor, the payoff is always satisfying.
You will not find a finer combination of the fantastic and the incredible in Howard's Conan stories.
Upon the second reread, Howard is even better than I remember - especially if you read the stories in a chronological order, from the Frost Giant's Daughter to the Hour of the Dragon. Sometimes the stories descend to formula with plot armor, the payoff is always satisfying.
You will not find a finer combination of the fantastic and the incredible in Howard's Conan stories.
hammard's review
2.0
Surprisingly dated. The stories are very repetitive, the characters are very flat and there is a rather irritiating thread of racialism.
More...