Release Date: 08/12/11
SYNOPSIS:
Conan the Barbarian is one of the most famed figures in fantasy fiction. With the success of the new film starring Jason Momoa and Ron Perlman, the time is right to revisit Robert E. Howard's classic stories. Presented in chronological order over three books, all of Conan's life is here, from his wild adventures as a youth to the final tale of Conan the King. Howard's tales of the wanderer, the reaver, the thief, the Barbarian have never been surpassed. In this volume Conan learns the secrets of THE SCARLET CITADEL and THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON, and meets THE BLACK STRANGER and THE PHOENIX ON THE SWORD. A selection of other tales and fragments round out this new collection of a classic character.
REVIEW:
There are times in life when you want a book that doesn’t require you to think, gives you a high bloody body count and above all else satisfies the inner barbarian especially at Christmas Time when your brain for a split second suddenly realises that siblingcide is actually quite reasonable way of resolving your issues. So when you end up like this, a good dash of classic Conan does the job quite admirably.
As with all Howard’s writing it hits the spot, gives you high octane action and adds the usual amount of adventure dashed with women to sate you for quite some time. Finally add to this that it’s a great way to read the authors work in another compendium so that it makes it more manageable chunks and you’ll be more than a happy slaughterer. Great stuff.
Release Date: 10/11/11
SYNOPSIS:
Conan the Barbarian is one of the most famed figures in fantasy fiction. With the success of the new film starring Jason Momoa (of A GAME OF THRONES)and Ron Perlman, the time is right to revisit Robert E. Howard's classic stories. Presented in chronological order over three books, all of Conan's life is here, from his wild adventures as a youth to the final tale of Conan the King. Howard's tales of the wanderer, the reaver, the thief, the Barbarian have never been surpassed. In this volume Conan learns the secrets of the RED NAILS and the JEWELS OF GWAHLUR, meets THE SLITHERING SHADOW and THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE, visits THE POOL OF THE BLACK ONE and travels BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER. A selection of other tales and fragments round out this new collection of a classic character.
REVIEW:
The second book of tales from the Conan series that features the stories from “The People of the Black Circle” through to “Beyond the Black River” which takes the reader on a whole set of adventures with perhaps one of the best known fantasy characters of all time. It’s fun, it has plenty of action and as such with Howard’s writing the reader is in for a pulp fiction treat as the tales unfurl.
Add to this as usual, great prose, top notch characters and pace and as a reader I loved the chance to journey back to a time when fantasy was becoming popular again with the reader. A sad shame for the early death of the creator, it would be interesting to see what he’d have made of the success of the series. All in, this is a real treat and if you want something special to help encourage a young reader to move onto adult titles then the Conan series is one of the best ways to go.
Release Date: 13/10/11
SYNOPSIS:
Conan the Barbarian is one of the most famed figures in fantasy fiction. With the success of the new film starring Jason Momoa and Ron Perlman, the time is right to revisit Robert E. Howard's classic stories. Presented in chronological order over three books, all of Conan's life is here, from his wild adventures as a youth to the final tale of Conan the King. Howard's tales of the wanderer, the reaver, the thief, the Barbarian have never been surpassed. In this volume Conan learns the secrets of THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT and the ROGUES IN THE HOUSE, meets THE FROST-GIANT'S DAUGHTER and the QUEEN OF THE BLACK COAST and visits THE VALE OF LOST WOMEN and THE BLACK COLOSSUS. A selection of other tales and fragments round out this new collection of a classic character.
REVIEW:
Having loved the new Conan film, I was hip deep in wanting to revisit the original stories from Robert E Howard, this title not only introduces you but takes you on a combat, blood filled adventure which whilst dated now is a true classic of the genre. Add to this, great swathes of fodder, spartan prose backed by solid pace and the reader is in for a journey to take them back to the original. Great stuff.
Release Date: 01/08/11
SYNOPSIS:
Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer
Discover how it all began . . .
Conan the Barbarian spawned a hundred imitators. Find out why with these tales from his early life. From the Tower of the Elephant to Beyond the Black River, follow Robert E. Howard's greatest creation as he cuts a bloody swathe through the history of Hyborea.
Over 350 pages of epic action, personally selected by the makers of the new film and the greatest Robert E. Howard scholars.
A hero of mythic proportion, fashioned by a storyteller who helped define what a modern fantasy should be Raymond E. Feist
Conan. Warrior, Hero, Legend.
Rediscover the greatest hero of all time, in this official tie-in to the film of the summer, starring Jason Momoa (HBO and George R.R. Martin's GAME OF THRONES) and Ron Perlman (HELLBOY).
REVIEW:
With the new film hitting the screens on the 19th August (2011) people are going to be seeking out the tales of the original barbarian that stormed castles, robbed keeps and above all else made himself a king. Whilst dated to a certain degree (well they were written originally in the thirties) they’ve been bound together in this unique volume for the reader to get the full effect of this battle hardened warrior.
It’s a great way to introduce fantasy and with one of the most enduring characters of all time it clearly demonstrates why its loved the world over by fans. Whilst, for me, the nicest volume will always be the Centenary edition (released by Gollancz back in 2006) this is a great way to pick up the stories for a great price and will entertain readers as they await their latest fix as well as introduce newer fantasy fans to the hero. All in, this is a great piece of fun and one that will stand the test of time.
Release Date: 20/01/11
SYNOPSIS:
Robert E. Howard was a pulpwriter who turned his hand to everything from historical adventure and detective stories to Western and boxing fiction - and invented the genre now known as sword-and-sorcery: it is for these tales of heroic fantasy and horror that he is best remembered. His mighty heroes - including an English Puritan adventurer sent on redressing grievous wrongs, the king of a mythical, antediluvian empire contemporary with Atlantis, a Pictish warrior-king - all these brothers of the sword and more bestrode the pages of WEIRD TALES and the other pulp magazines of the twenties and thirties. This companion volume follows on from the success of the first Gollancz Big Black Book featuring Howard's world-famous barbarian king, and contains all the stories featuring his brothers-in-arms, collected together in chronological order, as fresh and atmospheric today as when they were first published in the pulp magazines of more than eighty years ago. Compiled by and with an Afterword by award-winning writer and editor Stephen Jones, and with cover image, frontispiece and internal pictures by the award-winning artist Les Edwards.
REVIEW:
The second leather bound title from Gollancz that brings the reader more tales from Robert E Howard originally published in the Pulp Magazines of the 20’s and 30’s. Rather than concentrating on Conan this time you get to meet more of Howards principle heroes like the Solomon Kane and Kull.
Beautifully presented this edition will be a wonderful addition to any readers collection and beautifully priced. Add to that some great writing, some characters who defined the stereotypes alongside some all action plots and you know that this book is one to be treasured.
BOOK BLURB:
Howard's swashbuckling fantasy stories feature the adventures of the enigmatic Conan: a free barbarian from distant Cimmeria who ventures into the splendid kingdoms of the south to find his fortune in the lost eons of the Hyborian Age between the sinking of Kull’s Atlantis and the dawn of history. Cunning thief, captain of mercenaries and corsairs, lover of sultry temptresses, Conan follows his destiny into demon-haunted treasure towers and across the plains of death. And at last, like Kull before him, he slashes his name across the scrolls of royalty as King Conan, usurper-lord of imperial Aquilonia.
REVIEW:
Originally considered pulp fiction in the original time to which it appeared, the author, afflicted with depression sadly departed this life thinking he was a hack, yet years later we all applaud his creativity and the characters he created have lived longer than a number of comic book heroes who are critically claimed. Sadly we’re still in a world where writing like this is overlooked. Yes it is dated, yes it has some content that may offend many modern sensibilities but the characters within are vivid. Many will associate the characters within as their celluloid alter ego’s but this collection of tales gives a flavour of the author for all to try. A great offering from Penguin and a good way to give Howard’s work a try to see this fantasy father figure in all his gory glory as his cast hack, slash and above all cleave their way into your imagination.
Release Date: 08/12/11
