📖 Overview
Conan the Invincible follows the legendary barbarian hero in a tale of theft, pursuit, and dark sorcery across the Hyborian kingdoms. The story centers on magical pendants desired by multiple factions, including a league of sorcerers known as the Black Ring.
Conan becomes entangled in this deadly web when he accepts a theft commission from a mysterious merchant in Shadizar. His mission to steal the pendants from the King of Zamora sets off a chain of events that draws him into a larger conflict involving necromancers, demons, and ancient magic.
The narrative unfolds as a chase across harsh landscapes, featuring betrayals, unlikely alliances, and encounters with various dangers of the Hyborian Age. The story incorporates classic elements of sword and sorcery, including palace heists, desert pursuits, and confrontations with supernatural forces.
The novel exemplifies the core themes of the Conan series: the tension between civilization and barbarism, the corrupting nature of power, and the superiority of steel and courage over dark magic. Jordan's contribution to the Conan saga maintains the raw energy of Howard's original tales while adding his own perspective on the legendary character.
👀 Reviews
Readers find this book captures the spirit of Robert E. Howard's original Conan stories while adding Jordan's own storytelling style. Many note it stands above other Conan pastiches of the era.
Readers liked:
- Fast-paced action sequences
- Descriptive world-building
- Character development beyond simple hack-and-slash
- Faithful portrayal of Conan's personality
"Jordan nails Conan's voice and attitude" - Goodreads review
Readers disliked:
- Slower middle sections
- Some repetitive fight descriptions
- Romance subplot feels forced
"The villain's scenes drag on too long" - Amazon review
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (461 ratings)
Amazon: 4.2/5 (52 ratings)
LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (28 ratings)
The book ranks in the middle range of Jordan's three Conan novels according to fan forums and review aggregators. Most recommend it for both Jordan fans and Conan enthusiasts.
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Thongor and the Dragon City by Lin Carter A barbarian warrior battles sorcerers and monsters across a prehistoric lost continent while pursuing a magical artifact.
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks A descendant of ancient kings must retrieve a magical sword to defeat a warlock lord in a post-apocalyptic world where magic and technology intertwine.
Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber Two rogues, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, navigate through heists and supernatural encounters in the city of Lankhmar.
The Coming of Corin by Dave Duncan A northern barbarian infiltrates a city of sorcerers to steal a magical talisman while confronting ancient powers and dark magic.
🤔 Interesting facts
🗡️ This was Robert Jordan's first published novel, released in 1982 before his famous Wheel of Time series.
🏰 The book was part of Tor Books' revival of the Conan franchise, which produced dozens of new adventures featuring Robert E. Howard's iconic character.
🧙♂️ Jordan wrote seven Conan novels in total between 1982-1984, each expanding the character's mythology while staying faithful to Howard's original vision.
⚔️ The character of Conan was originally created by Robert E. Howard in a series of stories for Weird Tales magazine in the 1930s.
🌍 The Kezankian Mountains mentioned in the book are part of Howard's fictional Hyborian Age, set after the fall of Atlantis but before recorded history.