Conan the Bold

Conan the Bold follows a young version of Robert E. Howard's legendary barbarian character as he embarks on a revenge mission. After suffering a devastating personal loss at the hands of Taharka, a ruthless outlaw from Keshan, Conan sets out to exact vengeance. The story tracks Conan's pursuit across multiple kingdoms and territories alongside Mad Kalya, a one-eyed female warrior who shares his drive for retribution against Taharka. Their chase leads them through fighting pits, across plains, and into increasingly dangerous confrontations with their target and his band of outlaws. This entry in the Conan series stands apart from typical sword-and-sorcery conventions by presenting a more calculated version of the protagonist. Roberts portrays a Conan who must rely on cunning and strategy as much as physical prowess during his relentless hunt. The novel explores themes of justice, vengeance, and the price of allowing hatred to define one's path. Through its revenge narrative, the book examines how the pursuit of retribution can forge unlikely alliances and transform those who undertake it.

Readers rate this book as an above-average Conan story, with many noting it captures Howard's original tone while expanding the character's early years. Readers appreciated: - The focus on Conan's formative teenage years - Detailed combat sequences - The revenge plot's straightforward momentum - Development of Conan's personality and motivations Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Less supernatural elements than other Conan tales - Some found the romance subplot unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Specific reader comments: "Roberts nails young Conan's voice without mimicking Howard" - Goodreads reviewer "Good action but drags between fights" - Amazon reviewer "More grounded and personal than typical Conan adventures" - Fantasy Fiction forum member The book ranks in the middle range of Conan pastiche novels according to fan site rankings and forum discussions.

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🗡️ John Maddox Roberts wrote over 10 different Conan novels, making him one of the most prolific authors to continue Robert E. Howard's legacy 🏰 Conan the Bold takes place during the "early years" of Conan's life, when he was around 18 years old - a period rarely explored in other Conan stories ⚔️ The character of Conan was originally created by Robert E. Howard in a series of stories for Weird Tales magazine in the 1930s 👑 Mad Kalya's character breaks from the typical "damsel in distress" trope common in sword-and-sorcery tales, presenting her as a skilled warrior equal to Conan 🌍 The kingdom of Keshan, where antagonist Taharka originates, appears in Howard's original Conan story "Queen of the Black Coast" as a legendary land rich in jewels and gold