When the Idols Walked

Brak the Barbarian continues his journey toward Khurdisan the Golden in this sword and sorcery adventure by John Jakes. First published as a magazine serial in 1964, the tale follows the northern warrior as he attempts to secure sea passage to his destination. The narrative centers on Brak's experiences at sea after raiders capture him and force him into galley slavery. His ordeal becomes more complex when supernatural forces emerge, including an ancient idol possessed by a vengeful witch. The novel connects to the larger Brak series while standing as its own complete story. The work incorporates elements of dark fantasy and classical sword and sorcery, exploring themes of freedom, vengeance, and the intersection of human ambition with supernatural power.

There are few reader reviews available online for this 1978 science fiction novel. The limited reviews on Goodreads suggest it was not one of John Jakes' more popular works. Readers liked: - The imaginative premise blending mythology with science fiction - Fast-paced action sequences - The ancient Egypt setting Readers disliked: - Underdeveloped characters - Predictable plot points - Writing quality below Jakes' usual standards One Goodreads reviewer noted it "reads like a first draft that needed more work," while another called it "forgettable pulp fiction." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.0/5 (based on 5 ratings, 1 review) Amazon: No ratings or reviews available LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (1 rating, 0 reviews) The book appears to be out of print and relatively unknown compared to Jakes' other works like the Kent Family Chronicles series.

Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard A warrior battles sorcerers and monsters in a mythical prehistoric age filled with dark magic and forgotten civilizations.

Shadow of the Sorcerer by David C. Smith A wandering swordsman confronts ancient evil in a sword-and-sorcery tale set among lost temples and demon-haunted ruins.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks A quest through a post-apocalyptic world combines elements of magic and ancient technology as heroes face supernatural threats.

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock An albino emperor wields a soul-stealing sword while navigating a world of chaos, demons, and dying civilizations.

The Sword and Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin Political intrigue merges with dark sorcery in a complex tale of warring kingdoms and ancient powers awakening.

🗡️ Brak the Barbarian's character was inspired by Robert E. Howard's iconic Conan the Barbarian, following a similar archetype of a northern barbarian warrior in a mythical ancient world. 🖋️ John Jakes went on to become better known for his historical fiction, particularly "The Kent Family Chronicles" and "North and South," which both became bestselling series. 📚 "When the Idols Walked" (1978) is part of a larger series of Brak the Barbarian stories that appeared in various fantasy magazines before being collected into novels. 🌊 The maritime elements in the novel reflect a growing trend in 1970s fantasy literature to expand beyond traditional sword and sorcery settings into nautical adventures. 🎭 The character of Brak first appeared in the magazine "Fantastic" in 1963, making him one of the longer-running sword and sorcery heroes of the pulp fantasy era.