Conan the Raider

Conan the Raider follows the iconic barbarian hero as he pursues a stolen jewel through the sun-scorched deserts of Shem. The pursuit leads him to join a band of tomb raiders led by Otsgar the Vanir, where Conan encounters deadly traps and mysterious guardians in ancient burial grounds. The action moves to the city of Abaddrah, where political intrigue surrounds the construction of King Ebnezub's tomb. Conan and his companions plan to plunder the royal catacombs while navigating complex relationships with various characters, including the Stygian woman Zafriti and Princess Afrit. The plot combines elements of classic sword-and-sorcery adventure with tomb raiding and political machinations. Ancient magic, undead warriors, and gladiatorial combat feature prominently in the story's conflicts. This entry in the Conan series explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the tension between civilization's wealth and barbaric strength. The tomb raiding premise provides a framework for examining the relationship between the living and the dead in ancient societies.

Readers rank this as a mid-tier Conan pastiche that delivers standard sword-and-sorcery action without breaking new ground. Fans appreciate Carpenter's descriptive writing of ancient tombs and desert settings. Multiple reviews note strong combat sequences and a quick-moving plot. Some readers point to effective horror elements involving the undead antagonists. Common criticisms focus on predictable story beats and lack of character development beyond Conan himself. Several reviews mention stilted dialogue and an underwhelming finale. Reader David M. notes "the villains feel generic compared to Howard's originals." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (6 ratings) Internet Speculative Fiction Database: 2.8/5 (5 ratings) The book ranks #19 of 46 on Goodreads' list of "Best of Conan" books. While not considered among the stronger pastiches, most reviews describe it as an acceptable entry for dedicated Conan fans.

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The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks A tale of a young man who learns he must wield a magical sword against dark forces threatening the Four Lands.

Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber Two swordsmen, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, undertake dangerous quests in a world of sorcery and treachery.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan A shepherd discovers his destiny as a powerful channeler who must fight the forces of darkness across multiple kingdoms.

Sword and Citadel by Gene Wolfe A torturer's apprentice rises to power through combat and cunning in a world that blends fantasy with science fiction elements.

🗡️ The Conan character was originally created by Robert E. Howard in 1932 and has inspired over 50 novels by various authors, including Leonard Carpenter's contributions. 🏺 The River Styx mentioned in the book draws from Greek mythology, where it was believed to be the boundary between Earth and the Underworld. 🏰 Shem, where part of the story takes place, is part of Howard's fictional Hyborian Age geography and was based on ancient Mesopotamian and Middle Eastern cultures. 📚 Leonard Carpenter wrote a total of nine Conan novels between 1986 and 1994, making him one of the most prolific contributors to the extended Conan universe. ⚔️ The tomb-raiding theme in the book reflects actual historical practices in ancient Egypt, where professional tomb robbers were so prevalent that pharaohs began building decoy chambers to protect their treasures.