Conan the Fearless

Conan the Fearless is a sword and sorcery novel featuring Robert E. Howard's iconic character Conan the Barbarian, written by Steve Perry and published in 1986 by Tor Books. The story takes place in the city of Mornstadinos, where Conan works as a bodyguard for a magician and a young woman with power over fire elementals. Their adversary is a mage who seeks to capture individuals with control over elemental forces. The narrative involves multiple antagonists, including a demon, a witch, a were-panther senator, and a thief, all operating with their own agendas in the struggle for power over elemental magic. The book represents a more fantastical take on the Conan universe, emphasizing supernatural elements and magical conflicts rather than pure martial adventure. It stands as an example of how different authors have expanded Howard's original vision of the character.

Readers found this to be one of the weaker Conan novels, with many citing Perry's writing style as ill-suited for the character. Several reviews note that Perry's Conan lacks the raw savagery and primal nature established in Howard's original stories. Liked: - Fast-paced action scenes - Easy to follow plot - Accessible for new readers Disliked: - "Too modern" dialogue and word choices - Conan acts out of character - Plot feels formulaic - Magic elements overused "Reads more like generic fantasy than a Conan story," notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple readers point out that Perry's Conan uses contemporary phrases that break immersion. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (78 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (6 reviews) The book ranks near the bottom in several fan-compiled lists of Conan pastiche novels, with readers frequently recommending other authors' Conan works instead.

The Sword of Shadows by J.V. Jones A mercenary protects a magic wielder in a world where elemental powers determine the balance of power.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames A retired warrior returns to action in a world where monsters, magic, and medieval-style combat intersect.

Black Sun Rising by C. S. Friedman A warrior works with a sorcerer in a dark fantasy setting where supernatural forces compete for dominance.

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman A professional thief navigates a world of magic users, monsters, and competing factions while completing dangerous missions.

Priest of Bones by Peter McLean A fighter leads a group through a city filled with magic, political intrigue, and supernatural threats.

🗡️ Steve Perry, the author, has written numerous media tie-in novels including books for Star Wars, Aliens, and Tom Clancy's Net Force series. 🔥 The book's focus on elemental magic represents a departure from the typical dark sorcery found in most Conan stories, adding fresh dimensions to the established universe. 🌟 Mornstadinos, the Corinthian city where the story takes place, was created specifically for this novel and isn't featured in Robert E. Howard's original Conan works. 🐺 The inclusion of were-beasts connects to ancient Greco-Roman mythology, where lycanthropy was often associated with dark magic and cursed transformations. ⚔️ This novel is part of the extended Conan universe, which spans over 100 books by various authors, all building upon Howard's original 21 short stories and novels.