Conan the Valorous

Conan the Valorous is a fantasy novel in the Conan the Barbarian series, written by John Maddox Roberts in 1985. The story follows Conan's return to his homeland of Cimmeria, where he becomes entangled in a quest involving sacred relics and powerful sorcerers. The narrative moves through multiple kingdoms of the Hyborian Age, including Koth, Nemedia, and the Border Kingdoms. Multiple forces converge on the sacred mountain of Ben Morgh in Cimmeria, where the local clans face threats from both the Vanir raiders and supernatural entities. The book blends traditional sword-and-sorcery combat with political intrigue and mystical elements. Several powerful magic users, including the Stygian sorceress Hathor-Ka and the Vendyan sorcerer Jaganath, play crucial roles in the story's events. Roberts' interpretation of the Conan character stands apart from other entries in the series through its emphasis on strategy and cunning rather than pure martial prowess. The novel explores themes of loyalty to one's homeland and the tension between civilization and barbarism that runs throughout the Conan mythos.

Readers find this a solid addition to the Conan series that explores his youth in Cimmeria. The book maintains a fast pace while building out the cultural details of Conan's homeland. Liked: - Deep dive into Cimmerian culture, customs and mythology - Strong action sequences - Depiction of young Conan's character development - Integration with existing Conan canon Disliked: - Some find the plot predictable - Less complex than other Conan stories - A few readers note pacing issues in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (121 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (15 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Finally explains why Cimmerians are so tough" - Goodreads reviewer "Good origin story but lacks the scope of Howard's work" - Amazon review "The cultural worldbuilding makes up for the basic plot" - Fantasy Fiction forum post

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🗡️ Author John Maddox Roberts has written multiple books in the Conan series and is also known for his acclaimed SPQR mystery series set in ancient Rome. 🏔️ Ben Morgh, the sacred mountain featured in the book, plays a significant role in Cimmerian mythology and is considered the dwelling place of their primary deity, Crom. ⚔️ Cimmeria, Conan's homeland, was inspired by Robert E. Howard's interpretation of the historical Cimmerians, who were an ancient Indo-European nomadic people. 🌟 This is one of the few Conan novels that extensively explores Cimmerian culture and society, making it particularly valuable to fans of the broader Conan mythology. 📚 "Conan the Valorous" was published during the period when Tor Books was actively expanding the Conan universe through carefully selected authors who could maintain Howard's original vision.