Conan the Great

Conan the Great is a 1990 fantasy novel by Leonard Carpenter, set during Conan's reign as king of Aquilonia. The story centers on political conflicts between neighboring kingdoms and the machinations of supernatural forces seeking to manipulate power in the Hyborian Age. King Conan faces multiple threats to his realm, including invasions from rival kingdoms and the emergence of a mysterious advisor who gains his trust. The narrative involves military campaigns, court intrigue, and the balance between wisdom and power as Conan navigates his responsibilities as a ruler. The plot connects battlefield action with supernatural elements, focusing on how Conan's strength as a warrior intersects with his duties as king. Character relationships and political alliances shift throughout the story as various factions compete for control. This entry in the Conan series explores themes of aging, power, and the weight of leadership, examining how a barbarian warrior adapts to the complexities of kingship.

Not many reader reviews exist online for this lesser-known Conan novel. Readers noted the book's focus on Conan as an aging king rather than a young adventurer. Several reviewers appreciated seeing Conan deal with political intrigue and the responsibilities of leadership. Common criticisms include slow pacing, less action than typical Conan stories, and writing that doesn't capture Robert E. Howard's original style. One reader on Goodreads stated "the plot drags and Conan seems out of character compared to other portrayals." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (22 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (2 ratings) The limited number of reviews and moderate ratings suggest this book remains one of the more obscure entries in the Conan series, with readers divided on Carpenter's portrayal of an older Conan facing the challenges of kingship.

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🗡️ One of the few Conan stories that explores the barbarian's vulnerability to aging and mortality, showing a more nuanced side of the character than typically portrayed 👑 This novel is part of the "King Conan" series, which focuses specifically on Conan's years as ruler of Aquilonia - a period creator Robert E. Howard rarely wrote about 🎭 The character of Delvyn the dwarf represents a departure from typical Conan antagonists, employing subtle manipulation rather than brute force or overt sorcery 📚 Author Leonard Carpenter wrote 10 licensed Conan novels in total, contributing significantly to the expanded universe of the character during the Tor Books era (1982-2004) ⚔️ The book's focus on political strategy and court intrigue draws parallels to historical medieval power struggles, particularly those of the Carolingian and Plantagenet dynasties