Imaro

http://cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/weblog/algae-2011-07.html#imaro ( )

Great African twist on the sword-n-sorcery sub-genre. ( )

Here's some good stuff. A sword and sorcery hero I hadn't come across before, except in a story or two perhaps. So nice work by Night Shade for bringing these back again.

Apparently the books are changed, taking out a novella that had a tribal massacre in it - maybe not the best idea, as the one that replaced it isn't that good. Presuming the other one was, of course.

Saunders second world seems to be like a sprawling, huge Africa, offering some variety from your usual Northern European-style forests, snow, and wolves that other such heroes might run around in. A touch of Ion Idriess style here, even if from a different era and a different point of view.

Sword and Sorcery fans should definitely try this one out, and there is a sequel, and a third book in an older editions, as well as a collection about a female counterpart that I have read a story about before, of similar quality.

The quality of the Imaro stories is certainly more on a par with Karl Edward Wagner's Kane as opposed to some of the lesser and later work.

I'd call this a 4.25, and if it was a shorter story that was lowest rated, I'd probably round up.

Imaro 1 : I Leave A Warrior Behind - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Turkhana Knives - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : The Place Of Stones - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : The Afua - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Horror In the Black Hills - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Betrayal In Blood - Charles R. Saunders

Imaro's mother gives him up to her tribe, for training.

3.5 out of 5

A rival tribe's sorcerer's band picks the wrong young warrior and beast to sacrifice.

4 out of 5

Imaro works out where the sorcerer at the heart of his problems dwells. Has sword and spear.

4 out of 5

Imaro makes friends by crocodile rescue, but runs afoul of an outlaw band.

3 out of 5

A demon to kill, some brigands to lead.

3.5 out of 5

Imaro's growing outlaw power base and band convinces two different armies to join forces and deal with him.

3.5 out of 5

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2008/07/imaro-imaro.html ( )

IMARO
By Charles Saunders

I used to think of Sword & Sorcery as the province of the Big Three: Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, and Michael Moorcock. After reading Imaro I may have to make that the Big Four.

http://fireandsword.blogspot.com/2007/08/imaro-by-charles-saunders-i-used-to.htm...

Conan. Elric. Imaro. and Kane. :-) ( )