Rating: 
Summary: Conan the King
Review: "The Conan Chronicles, Volume 2: The Hour of the Dragon" is the second volume in a series collecting all of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, exactly as he wrote them. Most readers (myself included) are only familiar with the edited versions of these stories made available in the Conan pocketbooks of the seventies and eighties. The writing is lusty, bloody and vibrant. Conan is not for the easily offended.The Conan Chronicles presents the stories chronologically as seen by Conan, not as written. Howard's first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword" (included in the middle of this volume) already has Conan as King of Aquilonia. In the opening story, "Red Nails," he is still a pirate on the run, adventuring with Valeria of the Red Brotherhood. The only Conan novel, "The Hour of the Dragon" is also included. The stories are intense and captivating. It has been a true pleasure to rediscover Conan as a different, better character than I remember.
Rating:
Summary: Conan the King
Review: "The Conan Chronicles, Volume 2: The Hour of the Dragon" is the second volume in a series collecting all of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, exactly as he wrote them. Most readers (myself included) are only familiar with the edited versions of these stories made available in the Conan pocketbooks of the seventies and eighties. The writing is lusty, bloody and vibrant. Conan is not for the easily offended. The Conan Chronicles presents the stories chronologically as seen by Conan, not as written. Howard's first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword" (included in the middle of this volume) already has Conan as King of Aquilonia. In the opening story, "Red Nails," he is still a pirate on the run, adventuring with Valeria of the Red Brotherhood. The only Conan novel, "The Hour of the Dragon" is also included. The stories are intense and captivating. It has been a true pleasure to rediscover Conan as a different, better character than I remember.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Conan Book I've Read
Review: 'Hour of the Dragon' is the story of Conan's last big quest when he embarks on a journey to find the Heart of Ahriman, the only item that can destroy the resurrected wizard Xaltotun before he destroys the world. From one-on-one battles, to commanding armies, Conan stands tall in the book, even when he has been beaten down by his enemies. I ordered this book on a lark, not expecting to like it that much. I'm in a tiny minority of R.E. Howard fans... I'm not terribly fond of most of his Conan stories. But 'Hour of the Dragon' is a definate exception. It might be because Conan is older in the story, and is a king who has responsibilities beyond his own survival, but I found him much more engaging than in other tales. And so, I am once again left awestruck by the fact that an author who was writing over 70 years ago has yet to be topped by those who have been working in the genre he more or less invented in the decades that followed. This deluxe hardback is a welcome addition to my library. I like it even better than the other Grant edition I own ('Black Vulmea's Vengence') because the colour plates are by an artist whose style is more to my liking.
Rating:
Summary: Conspirators in Nemedia revive the evil wizard Xaltotun
Review: Conan's throne is threatened again. This time by Valerius, the son of King Numedides, the last king of the old dynasty that had ruled Aquilonia until the civil war that brought Conan to the throne. The conspirators know that Conan doesn't have an heir to carry on the line of succession. Conan's army is routed at the Battle of Valkia by King Tarascus and the Nemedians with the help of Xaltotun. Tarascus wants Conan dead while Xaltotun spares his life. Conan's meeting with Xaltotun is a failure because Xaltotun wants him to be a puppet. Conan refuses and he's taken back to his cell. He's rescued by the harem girl Zenobia who helps him to escape. Tarascus sends soldiers after him. Conan's rescued by the witch Zelata and her animals. She shows him what had come to pass and he returns to Aquilonia and sees the devastation caused by Tarascus.One of his allies, Sevrius Galannus, tells him that Valerius has ordered the death of the Countess of Albiona, the former Queen Marala of Ophir. He rescues her by posing as her executioner. They, in turn, are saved by Hardrathus, the priest of Asura, who shows him a coin from Archeron. It has the portrait of Xaltotun on it. They escape from Tarantia in a Pilgrim boat. Conan meets with his old ally Count Trocero, and they form an army to which all the broken men flock. In the final battle, Conan defeats the Nemedians with the help of the priests of Asura and Zelata. Xaltotun's body mumified body is placed back on his chariot which is drawn by horses that never tire. Conan and Tarascus agree that Zenobia should be his ransom and nothing else.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Great Dark Fantasy Here
Review: Having read a few dark fantasy novels in my day, I would definately classify this work as belonging in that sub-genre. If you are into good hard-hitting violence and are up for a rip-roaring ride through Robert E. Howard's Hyborian world, then this book is for you. Having been the only full length novel written featuring the legendary barbarian, Conan, Howard delivers a very solid piece of work with Hour of the Dragon. Powerful mages resurrect a being of astonishing power and set out to conquer the world. Of course, one of their first acts is to dispose King Conan who is a direct threat to this conquest. With some supernatural help, they succeed in this venture. The rest of this novel features a mad Conan that hacks his way back to the throne of Aquilonia. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: First Conan book by Howard I've read and I loved it
Review: Howard the creator of Conan is most definitely his master. His use of description is excellent and his exciting storyline kept me reading. I finished it a day. However, his treatment of the female characters leaves alot to be desired, but considering the time period it was written in it is still an excellent work of fiction and well worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: The standard by which all subsequent works must be judged
Review: Howard's only full-length Conan novel features the real deal. If you read this book before you read any of the more recent attempts to rewrite Conan, you will be hard-pressed to find its equivalent. While the role of king doesn't quite seem to suit Conan, most of this book portrays him in his role as the savage, independent wanderer, in search of a jewel with sorcerous powers. This book waxes more powerful as it progresses, with Conan finding himself among black pirates, searching through gloomy subterranean lairs, and confronting horrifying creatures. Conan meets a number of intriguing friends and foes along the way. Unlike many Conan novels, the feminine characters in this book have somewhat minor roles. So if you read Conan books for the "babe factor", look elsewhere. If you like the raw, full-orbed Conan as he was intended to be, you'll be very satisfied with this novel. A note on the Berkeley Medallion paperback edition - the cover proclaims this to be an "illustrated" edition. This is a slight exaggeration as only two rather mediocre pen-and-ink illustrations are found within! These have been taken from the original Weird Tales publication. The "full color fold-out poster" is all of 12 1/2 x 7 inches, and features a larger version of the cover, a rather fanciful Conan.
Rating:
Summary: The standard by which all subsequent works must be judged
Review: Howard's only full-length Conan novel features the real deal. If you read this book before you read any of the more recent attempts to rewrite Conan, you will be hard-pressed to find its equivalent. While the role of king doesn't quite seem to suit Conan, most of this book portrays him in his role as the savage, independent wanderer, in search of a jewel with sorcerous powers. This book waxes more powerful as it progresses, with Conan finding himself among black pirates, searching through gloomy subterranean lairs, and confronting horrifying creatures. Conan meets a number of intriguing friends and foes along the way. Unlike many Conan novels, the feminine characters in this book have somewhat minor roles. So if you read Conan books for the "babe factor", look elsewhere. If you like the raw, full-orbed Conan as he was intended to be, you'll be very satisfied with this novel. A note on the Berkeley Medallion paperback edition - the cover proclaims this to be an "illustrated" edition. This is a slight exaggeration as only two rather mediocre pen-and-ink illustrations are found within! These have been taken from the original Weird Tales publication. The "full color fold-out poster" is all of 12 1/2 x 7 inches, and features a larger version of the cover, a rather fanciful Conan.
Rating:
Summary: Howard's best work. I was enthralled throughout!!
Review: Howard's use of metaphors is stunning. I couldn't put it down. Of all the conan adventures this is definitely the best. Howard is truely a master writer
Rating:
Summary: Try the Original Recipe
Review: I can't add much to the reviews already present on this page; clearly this is a book that has left a strong impression on its readers. Read the book yourself and it will be easy to see why. Howard's mastery of pace and plotting puts him in a league with the greatest "thriller" writers: Haggard, Buchan, or Wilkie Collins. Moreover, Howard's ability to bring the sights, smells, and sounds of his invented Hyborian world to vibrant life is nearly unparalled in Fantastic Fiction. He's in a league with Tolkien (who, perhaps surprisingly, liked the Conan books--score one for Tolkien) when it comes to creating a sense of depth, but Howard's world is far grittier and more sensuous. However, while this is a great book, I'm going to be the only one to give it less than five stars. Not because Howard lacked the talent to write a five star book--he had talent to spare--but because he simply didn't have the time to make "Hour of the Dragon" as good as it should have been. There are passages that clearly could do with editing or rewriting; occasional infelicities of style; and minor inconsistencies in the plot. In spite of this, "Hour of the Dragon" will keep you up reading all night. If you've never read Howard before, you'll wonder why it's so difficult to find his books. So, pass up the pastiches and cinematic stereotypes. Give Bob Howard, of Peaster, TX a read and you won't be disappointed.
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