Conan and the Treasure of Python

Conan and the Treasure of Python follows the legendary barbarian warrior as he accepts a commission to lead a search party into Kush. The mission centers on locating both a missing explorer and a mythical treasure he sought to find. The narrative takes Conan and his companions across perilous terrain, from treacherous waters plagued by pirates to the scorching expanse of an unforgiving desert. Along the way, they acquire a mysterious guide named Goma who harbors secrets about their ultimate destination. The expedition leads to the discovery of a hidden kingdom where political intrigue, dark magic, and monstrous creatures await. Conan must navigate complex alliances and face supernatural threats as the true nature of both the treasure and their guide comes to light. This entry in the Conan series draws inspiration from classic adventure literature, particularly H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines, while exploring themes of legitimacy, power, and the tension between civilization and barbarism. Roberts presents a more contemplative version of Howard's iconic character, though the story maintains the core elements of sword and sorcery action.

This book has limited online reader reviews and discussion, making it difficult to gauge broad reader sentiment. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced sword fights and action sequences - References to classic Conan elements like magic and monsters - The treasure hunt storyline - Consistency with Robert E. Howard's original Conan character Common criticisms: - Plot feels formulaic compared to other Conan novels - Side characters lack depth - Dialogue can be stiff Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (based on only 29 ratings) No verified Amazon reviews available One Goodreads reviewer noted: "A serviceable Conan adventure, but nothing exceptional." Another mentioned: "The Python character was intriguing but underutilized." The book generates minimal discussion on Conan fan forums and review sites, suggesting it's a lesser-known entry in the series.

King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard The story follows a hunting guide leading an expedition into uncharted African territory to find both a lost explorer and legendary treasure, featuring similar themes of exploration and hidden kingdoms.

The Eye of the Tiger by Wilbur Smith A treasure hunting expedition faces dangers at sea and on land while searching for a sunken Portuguese ship off the African coast, combining maritime adventure with lost wealth pursuit.

Swords Against Darkness by Andrew J. Offutt This sword and sorcery tale features a warrior battling supernatural forces and ancient magic while pursuing treasure in a forgotten city, echoing Conan's blend of combat and mysticism.

The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones Set in the 8th century Middle East, this tale follows a warrior and scholar seeking magical artifacts while confronting supernatural beings and navigating political intrigue.

The Lost City of Z by David Grann This non-fiction account chronicles Percy Fawcett's expedition into the Amazon searching for an ancient civilization, presenting real-world parallels to fictional treasure-hunting adventures.

🗡️ The kingdom of Kush was a real ancient civilization located in what is now Sudan, known for its powerful warriors and vast gold resources. 📚 Author John Maddox Roberts has written over 50 novels across multiple genres, including historical fiction and science fiction, beyond his Conan stories. ⚔️ The Conan character, created by Robert E. Howard in 1932, has appeared in over 50 novels by various authors, making it one of the most enduring franchises in sword and sorcery fiction. 🏺 Python was an ancient Greek city and sanctuary that housed the famous Oracle of Delphi, suggesting the book's title may reference both a literal treasure and classical mythology. 🖋️ Roberts was specifically chosen by Conan Properties to continue the official Conan saga, writing seven novels in the series between 1989 and 1997.