Conan the Mercenary

Conan the Mercenary is the second book in Andrew J. Offutt's trilogy about Robert E. Howard's famous barbarian character. Published by Ace Books in 1980, the novel continues the storyline that began with Conan and the Sorcerer. The plot centers on a young Conan's involvement in political intrigue within the kingdom of Khauran. After protecting Lady Khashtris from attackers, Conan agrees to serve as her bodyguard in exchange for help recovering his trapped soul from a mystical mirror. The story incorporates elements of sorcery, deception, and court politics as Conan navigates a complex web of noble interests and hidden identities. The narrative connects to the broader Conan universe by featuring characters who appear in other tales from the franchise. This entry in the Conan series explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the tension between political power and personal freedom. The novel stands as an example of how later authors expanded upon Howard's original sword-and-sorcery framework while maintaining its core elements.

Readers consider this one of the better Conan pastiches, noting its faithfulness to Robert E. Howard's original characterization. The story's pacing and action sequences earned particular praise in online discussions. Liked: - Detailed sword fighting descriptions - Character interactions between Conan and Tamira - World-building that matches Howard's tone - Focus on mercenary/military aspects Disliked: - Some find the plot predictable - Middle section drags according to multiple reviews - Less supernatural elements compared to other Conan tales - Dialogue can be stiff Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 reviews) "Offutt gets Conan right - brutal, cunning, but with his own code of honor," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "The military campaign details feel authentic but sometimes slow the story."

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock The tale of an albino emperor who wields a soul-drinking sword combines sorcery and political intrigue in a way that mirrors Conan's adventures.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks A story of a young hero who must navigate political alliances while confronting dark magic follows similar patterns to Conan's mercenary journey.

Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Fritz Leiber Two mercenary companions face swordplay and sorcery in urban settings that echo Conan's experiences as a hired blade.

The Dragon Lord by David Drake A historical fantasy following a mercenary in Arthur's Britain contains the same mix of military action and mystical elements found in Conan's tales.

Kane: Bloodstone by Karl Edward Wagner The story of an immortal warrior-sorcerer dealing with ancient magic and political machinations delivers the same blend of sword and sorcery that defines Conan's world.

🗡️ Andrew J. Offutt wrote this novel as part of a trilogy, making it one of the most structured multi-book storylines in the expanded Conan universe. 🏰 The kingdom of Khauran, where the story takes place, was first introduced in Robert E. Howard's original story "A Witch Shall Be Born," showing Offutt's commitment to established lore. 📚 Offutt wrote both science fiction and sword & sorcery under multiple pen names, including John Cleve and John Denis, producing over 400 published works in his career. ⚔️ The novel explores Conan's early career as a mercenary, set chronologically between his time as a thief and his later adventures as a pirate, filling a crucial gap in his timeline. 🎭 The "trapped soul" plot element represents a rare instance in Conan literature where the protagonist faces a supernatural threat to his own being rather than just physical dangers.