3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely offbeat, but worthwhile, May 26, 2004
This review is from: Conan The Formidable (Mass Market Paperback)
OK, first things first. I am not a Conan purist, but I have purist tendencies. I like the grim, fatalistic atmosphere, the clenched-jaw determination, and all that. That being said, I do enjoy innovation when it comes to Conan...very judicious innovation. Perry pulls it off in my opinion.
At the story's outset, Conan is just moseying along, with a sword, loincloth, a few Shemitish coppers or somesuch and the usual destination of Shadizar or Arenjun or wherever in mind to go steal/kill/get hired as a merc. The usual. He's minding his own business when he encounters a set of circumstances that invlove a race of giants, their mortal enemies the little green jungle dwarves (chiseled teeth, poison speers, etc) and a spell casting travelling showman with his own captive freakshow, to which he adds Conan for a time.
So Conan gets involved in three story lines that all converge in one battle on a barren, rocky plateau. He kills, conquers, hews and cleaves and generally lives true to form. Conan stays in character for the most part, gets lusty thoughts, goes berserk here and there in a crazed barbarian bloodlust and spends an appropriate amount of time brooding gloomily.
As I said, this is offbeat, but serves as an interlude between other, larger stories and is as such entertainingly bizarre. Conan in this story relies on instinct, native cunning, barbarian vitality and undaunted courage. While the backdrop is outlandish even by Howard's standards, it's an enjoyable interruption from the ordinary and the character is true to form. No, not everybody will like it, but not everybody enjoys Conan in the first place. Keep in mind that this is sheer escapist fun and you'll be good to go.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
woven tales, October 25, 2010
As Conan books go, this is a little off of the norm, not bad, just different. The life styles, and customs of the groups of characters, are interwoven well and gives the reader a sense of empathy for each individual group, even if they are in deathly opposition. The ending was of no great suprise, but the book was well written, and held interest with subtle & blatent plot & character alliances and changes.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
just a dumb book, October 27, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Conan The Formidable (Mass Market Paperback)
Conan encouters little green men, giants, a wolfman, a catwoman, a wizard, and a four armed mutant -- all this and less in a story only a juvenile can enjoy. Thankfully, the book was short.
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