Conan the Renegade

Conan the Renegade is a sword-and-sorcery novel featuring Robert E. Howard's iconic character Conan the Barbarian. The story takes place in the kingdoms of Koth and Khoraja, where Conan serves as a mercenary in the Free Company led by Captain Hundulph. The plot centers on a rebellion against King Strabonus of Koth, led by Prince Ivor and supported by an amazon warrior band and a sorcerer named Agohoth. Conan rises through the ranks of the mercenary company while facing both military challenges and supernatural threats. The narrative focuses on military tactics and battlefield action, with Conan displaying his strategic abilities as a leader. While the story includes elements of dark fantasy and sorcery, the primary emphasis remains on martial combat and military campaigns. The novel explores themes of loyalty, power, and rebellion while maintaining the classical sword-and-sorcery elements that define the Conan series. It stands as a military-focused entry in the broader Conan canon.

Limited reader reviews are available online for this lesser-known Conan novel. Readers noted: - True to Robert E. Howard's original Conan character and writing style - Contains standard sword & sorcery action scenes - Plot moves at a steady pace Common criticisms: - Some dialogue feels forced or modern - Side characters lack depth - Middle section drags with unnecessary subplots Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (3 reviews) One GoodReads reviewer wrote: "An average Conan pastiche - competent but not memorable." Another noted: "Carpenter gets Conan's voice right but the story itself is forgettable." Most reviews suggest this is a middle-tier entry in the expanded Conan universe - readable for dedicated fans but not essential reading. Note: Review data is limited, with few detailed critiques available online.

The Black Company by Glen Cook Chronicles a mercenary company facing dark forces and military campaigns, with a similar focus on tactical warfare and soldier life in a fantasy setting.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames Features a band of mercenaries in a fantasy world where military companies operate like rock bands, sharing themes of camaraderie and tactical combat.

Red Knight by Miles Cameron Follows a mercenary captain leading his company through military campaigns while confronting both human enemies and supernatural threats.

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon Presents the journey of a shepherd who becomes a mercenary soldier and rises through military ranks in a fantasy world filled with combat and mystical elements.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay Chronicles military conflicts and power struggles in a fantasy realm inspired by Tang Dynasty China, featuring a warrior protagonist navigating political intrigue and warfare.

🗡️ The book is part of a series of Conan pastiches published by Tor Books in the late 1980s and early 1990s, expanding Robert E. Howard's original universe 🏰 The kingdom of Koth, where the story takes place, is one of the major Hyborian kingdoms created by Howard, known for its military strength and political instability ⚔️ Leonard Carpenter wrote eight Conan novels in total, making him one of the most prolific contributors to the expanded Conan universe after L. Sprague de Camp 👑 The Hyborian Age, the fictional era where Conan's adventures take place, was designed by Howard to be set between the sinking of Atlantis and the beginning of recorded history 🏺 The inclusion of Amazons in the story draws from actual historical accounts of female warriors in ancient civilizations, particularly the Sarmatians and Scythians of the steppes