Conan the Avenger

Björn Nyberg should really be attributed as the principle author, not Robert E. Howard (Conan's creator), as it's Mr Nyberg who writes the actual story. His style is good in its own right, but he doesn't in any way mirror the brilliance of Mr Howard.

I enjoyed this in parts rather than on the whole. I felt that too many scenes where Conan faced great danger were resolved to quickly or/and easily. Little suspense was in evidence like one would expect in a Howard-composed Conan tale.

But, as L. Sprague de Camp notes in the introduction, Björn Nyberg's first language is not English, so with this in mind I admire his efforts in filling in another gap in the Conan chronology.

This is a single story, set after Conan is king of Aquilonia. Zenobia, ex-slave girl & his queen, is kidnapped & he must go adventuring to save her. Lots of opportunities for him to hook up with old comrades & prove that he's not just a legend, but still has what it takes.I didn't care for the cover art, especially his face, although the scene is actually a good one. The writing isn't as impressive as some of the other books, but all told it was a pretty good Conan story, especially for those who have read his other adventures, since they're oft referenced. There's a wonderful scene where he threatens a young gate guard to let him in or "I'll raise a horde & sack this town!" The older gate guard let's him through & cautions the younger show more one that just such a thing had once happened and, although he doesn't know it, by this very man! It's a very fun read. show less

There are many reasons to dislike this book - but the deux ex machina ending with Conan praying to his god, Crom, at the end (and Crom actually helping) is the foremost reason. The geography is screwed up, but the initial plot is kind of fun.

Conan loses girl, Conan finds girl, Conan chops....something dies, probably in more than one dimension. this is a pastiche volume, mostly by

F/SF

Björn Nyberg y L. Sprague de Camp: El regreso de Conan; Robert E. Howard: La Edad Hyborea (II)