Conan and the Gods of the Mountain

In this Conan the Barbarian adventure novel, the legendary warrior and his companion Valeria navigate the dangerous jungles of Kush after escaping from the city of Xuchotl. Their journey to reach the coast leads them into an escalating tribal conflict. The story centers on three warring factions: the divided Kwanyi tribe, the Ichiribu people, and the mysterious God-Men of Thunder Mountain who possess supernatural abilities. Much of the action takes place in underground settings, featuring encounters with mystical forces like the Living Wind and confrontations with mythical creatures. The novel builds on Robert E. Howard's established Conan universe but charts its own path with new characters, locations, and mythological elements. This story operates as a direct sequel to Howard's "Red Nails" while expanding the world's lore. This entry in the Conan series explores themes of tribal loyalty, the relationship between power and prophecy, and the tension between ancient magic and human determination. The jungle setting serves as a backdrop for examining how different societies maintain order and wage war.

Reader feedback suggests this Conan novel falls short of fan expectations. Most readers place it among the weaker Conan pastiches. Readers noted a few positives: - The action scenes maintain decent pacing - The premise shows potential - Contains standard Conan adventure elements Common criticisms: - Flat, unmemorable characters - Predictable plot progression - Writing style lacks the visceral feel of Howard's original works - Several plot threads remain unresolved - Dialogue comes across as stilted One reader described it as "serviceable but forgettable Coran fare," while another noted it "reads like generic sword & sorcery with Conan's name attached." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (26 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (4 ratings) Note: This book has limited reader reviews available online compared to other Conan novels. Most discussion appears in forum posts rather than formal reviews.

Red Sonja: The Ring of Ikribu Chronicles a warrior woman's quest through ancient ruins and tribal territories, featuring similar sword-and-sorcery elements and mythological creatures.

The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson Follows a changeling warrior through Norse mythology-inspired realms where tribal politics intersect with supernatural forces.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan Presents a journey through mystical landscapes where prophecies and tribal conflicts shape the fate of its characters.

Sword Woman and Other Historical Adventures by Robert E. Howard Contains stories of warriors navigating political intrigue and ancient magic across primitive landscapes with comparable themes of survival and power.

Black God's Kiss by C. L. Moore Features a female warrior encountering supernatural entities and ancient powers in underground realms while dealing with competing factions.

🗡️ Valeria of the Red Brotherhood first appeared in Robert E. Howard's "Red Nails" and is one of Conan's most memorable female companions 🌿 Kush in the Hyborian Age is based on ancient African kingdoms and is located south of Stygia (ancient Egypt) 📚 Roland Green has written over 50 novels across multiple genres, including several books in the Conan series and numerous military science fiction works 🐍 The Golden Serpent in Conan lore connects to the larger serpent mythology present throughout Howard's Hyborian Age, particularly in Stygia where snake worship was common 🌏 The Hyborian Age, created by Robert E. Howard, is set roughly 10,000 years ago, between the sinking of Atlantis and the beginning of recorded history