Conan the Savage

Conan the Barbarian is sent to a brutal prison mine in Brythunia after a gambling dispute. After escaping, he finds refuge with a tribal community and forms a connection with a woman named Songa, until Brythunian soldiers bring destruction to their peaceful existence. A parallel storyline traces the rise of Tamsin, a sorceress whose traumatic childhood leads her to seek revenge against Brythunia's ruling class. Through her connection with a possessed doll and the minor deity Ninga, she ascends to become the kingdom's queen. The narrative tracks these two characters on a collision course, as both Conan and Tamsin pursue their separate quests for vengeance within the kingdom of Brythunia. Their inevitable confrontation centers on the struggle between primal strength and dark sorcery. The novel examines themes of revenge, power corruption, and the contrast between civilization's complexities and tribal simplicity. It presents a world where justice and peace prove equally elusive in both primitive and advanced societies.

Readers find this to be a mid-tier Conan pastiche, noting it has action but lacks the deeper world-building of other entries. Positive reviews mention: - Fast-paced combat scenes - Brutal survival elements in winter settings - Return to a more primitive, savage version of Conan - Effective descriptions of the harsh environment Common criticisms: - Plot relies too heavily on coincidences - Character motivations feel forced - Writing style doesn't match Howard's original tone - Side characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (6 reviews) One reader on Goodreads noted "decent action but formulaic storytelling." An Amazon reviewer praised the "gritty survival aspects" but felt the dialogue was weak. Several readers commented that while it's an entertaining read, it doesn't stand out among other Conan novels.

Kull: Exile of Atlantis by Robert E. Howard The tales of a barbarian king who rules ancient Atlantis contain the same sword-and-sorcery combat and primal wilderness settings found in Conan the Savage.

Kane of Old Mars by Michael Moorcock A warrior battles ancient civilizations and monsters on Mars in this sword-and-planet narrative that mirrors the primitive-versus-civilization conflict in Conan.

Bran Mak Morn: The Last King by Robert E. Howard The story follows a barbarian king of the Picts who fights against Roman invaders with the same fierce combat and tribal politics present in Conan the Savage.

The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane by Robert E. Howard A Puritan wanderer encounters dark magic and ancient evils while traveling through Africa, mixing the elements of swordplay and sorcery that define the Conan tales.

Imaro by Charles R. Saunders An African warrior travels through a fantasy version of ancient Africa, facing sorcerers and monsters in a narrative that captures the same sword-and-sorcery elements as Conan.

🗡️ The book was published in 1992 as part of the long-running series of Conan pastiche novels licensed by Conan Properties International. 🏰 Leonard Carpenter wrote ten Conan novels in total, making him one of the most prolific authors of the character after Robert E. Howard's original stories. 🌲 Brythunia, where the story is set, is a fictional kingdom in the Hyborian Age that roughly corresponds to ancient Poland and western Russia in Howard's worldbuilding. ⚔️ The mining camp storyline draws parallels to historical forced labor camps, adding a layer of social commentary rare in sword and sorcery fiction. 🔮 The dual narrative structure featuring both Conan and a sorceress was innovative for the series, which typically focused solely on Conan's perspective.