Conan the Rogue

Conan the Rogue follows the adventures of the legendary barbarian after he loses his possessions gambling in Nemedia. A mysterious employer hires him to retrieve a valuable artifact from Sicas, a former silver mining town now controlled by criminal gangs. In Sicas, Conan enters a complex web of rivalries between the king's officials, street gangs, and a religious cult. He aligns himself with various factions while pursuing his mission to obtain a powerful magical object, all while helping a woman search for her missing sister. The story culminates in an explosive confrontation in Sicas town square, with multiple parties vying for control. The aftermath sends Conan toward Tarantia, where rumors of civil unrest in Aquilonia promise new opportunities. The novel explores themes of loyalty, corruption, and the thin line between criminal and hero in a world where power belongs to those cunning enough to seize it.

Readers describe this as a heist/caper story that differs from typical Conan tales. Reviews consistently note it shows a more calculating side of Conan rather than pure combat. Readers appreciated: - The complex plot with multiple twists - Conan using wit and strategy over brute force - The urban setting of Shadizar - The supporting cast of thieves and rogues Common criticisms: - Too much focus on schemes over action - Not enough sword-fighting sequences - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (134 ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Multiple readers compared it to heist movies, with one Amazon reviewer noting "It's Ocean's Eleven in the Hyborian Age." A Goodreads reviewer criticized: "The elaborate con game plot feels out of character for Conan."

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🗡️ The city of Sicas featured in the book is one of the few completely original locations created for Conan media outside of Robert E. Howard's original works. 🖋️ John Maddox Roberts is also known for his successful SPQR series of historical mystery novels set in ancient Rome, which spans 13 books. 🌏 The Hyborian Age, where Conan's adventures take place, is set approximately 12,000 years ago, between the sinking of Atlantis and the beginning of recorded history. 🎭 Nemedia, where the story begins, is one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Hyborian world and is considered the cultural rival to Aquilonia, often portrayed as more sophisticated and politically complex. 📚 This book represents a unique genre blend by combining noir detective fiction elements with traditional sword and sorcery, a combination rarely seen in other Conan stories.