Rating: 
Summary: Conan and his creator at their best
Review: This book actually began life as a serial in "Weird Tales" in the 1930s. Robert E. Howard (REH) never actually wrote any Conan novels, all of Conan's tales were written for the magazine marketplace. But this is his only novel length Conan tale so it is considered by many to be the only REH Conan novel.That being said, it is easily one of the best Conan stories written. In the tale, Conan is the king of Aquilonia, but he has plenty of people conspiring to dethrone him. These conspirators raise the wizard, Xaltotun, from the dead to use his magic against Conan. They succeed in dethroning Conan when he is paralyzed by the wizard and unable to ride out into battle. After the battle they believe Conan is dead (big mistake) for a time, only he is actually in hot pursuit of the Heart of Ahriman, the only thing capable of defeating Xaltotun. Naturally, the Heart is not easily obtained and Conan journeys far and wide in his pursuit of it. The story is incredibly fast paced and for a relatively short novel, its packed with action and story. Of course, Conan succeeds at the end and regains his kingdom (as well as gaining a wife). Even though the story is at a mid-point in Conan's career, its an excellent starting point for those who are new to REH's work. As other reviewer's have noted, this story also exists in paperback as "Conan the Conqueror," although it has been edited to correct grammer and some of REH's politcally incorrect references. Heck, it was the first Conan story I ever read and it got me hooked. REH is a moody, atmospheric writer and much of his work, including this one, carries a sense of darkness to it. Even this book, where Conan ultimately is victorious carries that feeling to it. It tends to almost carry an air of that darkness, a feeling that no matter what Conan does, his victories will be short-lived and even he will not be able to defeat death when his time comes. For sword and sorcery fans, this is as good as it gets. Ignore the hoard of imitators who followed and stick to the master-- Robert E. Howard.
Rating:
Summary: This is the real thing
Review: This has to be the definite R.E. Howard edition. Buy this. Here are my reasons: 1. In large format, beautifully bound with a stylish grey-bordeaux dirt-cover, printed on heavy paper with 4 color-illustrations and a lot of calligraphic work, it surely looks impressive (and much more expensive than it actually is). I immediately ordered the others of the GRANT Edition and they now hold a special place on my bookshelve. 2. It's pure. Here we have R.E. Howard. No Camp, Nyberg or other substandard writers trying to make this "their" Conan. So this is far more grim and dark than you would expect. 3. The story is great. One would argue if it's the best, but since it's the only real novel, it cannot be compared to the short stories. I had not read it before and I was very moved to find such a treasure 20 years after my initial readings of the barbarian. 4. I don't know how many of these books are left, but since they were published more than 10 years ago (I still received the 1st ed.) I doubt that they will be available much longer. And if they're gone, you'll have to pay a lot - A LOT - to obtain them.
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: This is it. Robert E. Howard's ONLY Conan NOVEL. As far as fantasy novels go--and I've read TONS of them--this is an easy 5 stars. Your basic plot is this: Conan is getting older now, but that still doesn't mean that he's not a threat. Far from it!...I might add that this book is listed in at least one "top 100 fantasy novel" lists. If you like Edgar Rice Burroughs, pulp fiction, darker fantasy, then this is the book for you. Howard's writing is even poetic at times, something that lots of fantasy writers fail at doing. I wouldn't say that this is the best Conan yarn ever written--The Tree of Death chapter in A Witch Shall Be Born is probably the best--but it certainly comes close.
Rating:
Summary: Howard and conan cracking necks with alacrity
Review: True back breaking, choping, Conan in the hyberian age. A great first book for any Howard devotee. No one puts more action in a sentence the R.Howard and this book can be read by all age groups and enjoyed equally like most H0ward books. Give this to your kids a suppliment for those karate classes. Howard fans try Fritz Leiber books too.
Rating:
Summary: the Real Conan, the best part
Review: Well, I already stated what I think of this two volume series in my review of People of the Black Circle, so I'll not repeat myself; this part two of the Conan Chronicles is even better than part one, because it holds what I regard as the very best of the Conan Stories : the Phoenix on the Sword, the Scarlet Citadel, and the Hour of the Dragon. It may not be the best introduction to REH for somebody who does not know him (okay, I do have a weakness for his other creations, particularly his historical tales) but for those who like him, and Conan fans, this is a definite must, and I am happy to have it as part of my library.
Rating:
Summary: the Real Conan, the best part
Review: Well, I already stated what I think of this two volume series in my review of People of the Black Circle, so I'll not repeat myself; this part two of the Conan Chronicles is even better than part one, because it holds what I regard as the very best of the Conan Stories : the Phoenix on the Sword, the Scarlet Citadel, and the Hour of the Dragon. It may not be the best introduction to REH for somebody who does not know him (okay, I do have a weakness for his other creations, particularly his historical tales) but for those who like him, and Conan fans, this is a definite must, and I am happy to have it as part of my library.
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