Conan and the Manhunters

In this sword and sorcery tale, Conan the Barbarian leads a band of thieves in the deserts near Turan after escaping imprisonment by Torgat Khan. The thieves target the Khan's treasury, which lies beneath a temple dedicated to the dark god Ahriman. To execute their heist, Conan accepts help from the wizard Volvolicus and his daughter Layla. The theft draws the attention of the Manhunters, an elite group of bounty hunters with unique abilities and a leader who rivals Conan in strength. The story pits Conan against both human and supernatural threats as he attempts to outmaneuver his pursuers while preventing the resurrection of an ancient evil. The narrative includes desert pursuits, magical conflicts, and strategic battles. This entry in the Conan series presents a more cerebral version of the legendary barbarian, emphasizing cunning alongside combat. The novel explores themes of leadership, loyalty, and the balance between physical prowess and tactical thinking.

Readers rate this as an average Conan novel that follows standard sword-and-sorcery conventions. Multiple reviews note Roberts' competent writing style while finding the plot predictable. Readers appreciated: - Fight scenes with clear action and pacing - Integration of established Conan lore - Character interactions between Conan and supporting cast Common criticisms: - Stock fantasy plot elements - Slow middle sections - Limited world-building beyond basic settings Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 reviews) Review quotes: "Solid action sequences but nothing groundbreaking" - Goodreads reviewer "Roberts understands Conan's character but plays it safe with the story" - Amazon review "Better than some pastiches but not remarkable" - Sword & Sorcery forum member Most readers place it in the middle tier of Conan novels - entertaining enough for fans but not a standout in the series.

Sword Woman by Robert E. Howard The chronicles of Dark Agnes de Chastillon, a 16th-century French swordswoman, contain the same mix of historical adventure and gritty combat found in the Conan tales.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames This tale follows mercenary warriors in a fantasy world where adventuring bands operate like rock tours, featuring the sword-and-sorcery action that Conan fans seek.

The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane by Robert E. Howard Howard's puritan adventurer battles evil across 16th-century Europe and Africa with sword and pistol in stories that match Conan's intensity and supernatural elements.

Jirel of Joiry by C. L. Moore The first female sword-and-sorcery protagonist battles through demon-haunted realms and dark dimensions with the same fierce independence as Conan.

The Coming of Corin by David A. Hardy A northern barbarian warrior faces sorcery and monsters in a Bronze Age setting that mirrors the world-building and combat focus of the Conan stories.

🗡️ John Maddox Roberts began his writing career crafting historical novels before venturing into fantasy, bringing a wealth of historical detail to his Conan stories. 🏺 The book's setting draws inspiration from ancient Persian mythology, with Ahriman being the evil spirit in Zoroastrianism who stands in opposition to Ahura Mazda, the wise lord. 🐪 The desert regions southwest of Turan in the Conan universe closely parallel the real-world geography of ancient Persia and Central Asia, areas Robert E. Howard extensively researched. ⚔️ The Manhunters concept was influenced by the historical tradition of professional bounty hunters in the Middle East, particularly during the Ottoman Empire period. 📚 This novel is part of a larger collection of Conan pastiches (stories written by authors other than original creator Robert E. Howard) that have kept the character alive since the 1950s.