Kull: Exile of Atlantis by Robert E. Howard
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Book Reviews of Kull: Exile of Atlantis
Book Review: Kull: Exile of Atlantis
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent book to read if you like Conan like books. A reader has to pay close attention as the story line changes rather quickly at times. I wish the publishers would publish this book in larger print.
I give this book 5 thumbs up.
D. Eckart
Book Review: Kull Rocks
Summary: 5 Stars
Howard does it again, There is no one like Howard, that will put a sword in your hand and a woman at your feet and make you feel like a alpha male.Book Review: Arguably, the origin of Sword and Sorcery...
Summary: 4 Stars
I, like many readers, started my reading in Robert E. Howards' world with his House-hold-name character, Conan. After reading those, I wanted to read more of his works (and the 'completed' stories, as well as new ones, by lesser writers, was not going to suffice).
If you are like me, then KULL:EXILE OF ATLANTIS is a great place to start. I had seen the poor film version in the 90's, and let me just say that the REAL Kull is nothing like him. Many might assume that Kull was merely a 'work in progress' of Fantasy for Howard; honing his skills in preparation to Conan. That would be selling these stories short. Kull and Conan are very similar in physical appearance (save eye color), however philisophically, they are very different. Conan did end up as King of Aquilonia, but Kull begins his story as the new Usurper, and it goes on form there, not culminating in it. And with this 'barbarian King' perspective at the forefront, there is many different avenues explored. Aside from the usual attempts at Coups by resentful noblemen, Kull has philisophical discussions with many learned court attendants, about the nature of space and time. This leads to very unique stories not found in Conan including Time Travel, and Astral Plaining. Weird, wonderful stuff to 'Cosmic' fiction fans.
In this collection you will find many of Howard's best stories, including 'THE SHADOW KINGDOM', "BY THIS AXE I RULE", SWORDS OF THE PURPLE KINGDOM", and his out-of-time tale, "KINGS OF THE NIGHT". These stories are not only as thrilling as the Conan stories, but also help fill-in the Pre-Hyborian age to anyone wondering what the world was like before the sinking of Atlantis and the rise of the Stygian Kingdom and onward. In addition, stories like "THE SCREAMING SKULL OF SILENCE", and "THE STRIKING OF THE GONG" tie in neatly to H.P. Lovecraft's 'cosmic horror' ideas.
Finally to those familiar with Michael Moorcock's ELRIC series, The obvious influence should be testament alone to the influence these stories have had. This DEL REY edition of the KULL stories is a welcome edition, with stories completed by HOWARD ONLY making the cut. This means there are several fragments, which may be a turn off to casual readers. But to Howard completists, this is the real deal. That makes this collection a challenge, but at the same time don't let that detract you from some true gems in short fantasy fiction. Howards is, by today's standards of Epic Fantasy, very accesible. If you are at all serious about visiting the ancestors of modern Fantasy, you will not be let down by this collection.
Book Review: Precurser to Conan
Summary: 4 Stars
Although some argue that "The Shadow Kingdom" is the first Sword and Sorcery story ever published, I'm not sure that I agree. In my opinion, the earlier Solomon Kane stories could also be classified as belonging in this genre, the only real difference being a historical background rather than a fictional one. As fans of Howard already know, King Kull is sort of a prototype of Conan, and to be honest, by and large the stories are not as good as the Conan ones. Still, there are a lot a jewels here.
"The Shadow Kingdom" is, in my opinion, the obvious standout, and it should have been the basis for the ill conceived Kevin Sorbo fiasco. Kull battles a race of serpent men who can assume human form and have infiltrated all levels of society.
"By This Ax I Rule" was never published during Howard's lifetime, and was rewritten as the first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword", which is also a better story in my opinion. The climactic fight scene, which is virtually the same in both versions, is trademark Howard: extreme graphically described violence and headlong action at a breakneck pace. That's one of the things that makes Howard's stories so fun to read over and over; they thrill you on a purely visceral level. When it comes to writing an exiciting action scene, Howard has no peers, past or present.
One of the most enigmatic things about the character Kull, which Howard never clarifies, is his asexuality. Kull has no interest in the opposite sex at all. Is he a virgin? Howard seems to be saying that he is. Why? Howard never explains. Anyone who has read the Conan stories knows that his sexual prowess is almost as legendary as his prowess with a broadsword. Why is such a manly character as Kull, so full of testoterone, so disinterested. I was hoping that the editor would give his thoughts on the subject, but he says very little about it.
The artwork is spectacular. I hope that they'll be releasing a deluxe full color edition in the future, but Wandering Star is now already a year behind on releasing "Conan of Cimmeria volume 3", which leads one to wonder about the financial health of this publishing house.
All and all, this is a good read for the casual fan Sword and Sorcery, and an essential addition to the serious Howard collector's library of works. I'm withholding giving it 5 stars simply because the latter Conan stories are so much better.
Book Review: Kull..King and Exile
Summary: 4 Stars
It may come as a surprise to many readers of the Conan stories that Robert E. Howard (1906-36) left behind a considerable body of additional works. Seeking out books or stories by Howard has always been a difficult, if not impossible undertaking. Except for Conan most of Howard's other fiction is either long out of print or had never been published except for the original magazine appearance in the 1930's. Even the Conan stories are an editorial mess. My Lancer paperback Conan editions from the 1960's were "co-authored" by Lin Carter and de Camp. How that was accomplished 30 years after Howard's very early demise is very questionable. Therefore I was very pleased to see that Del Rey/Ballantine was issuing a series of books by Howard. The publisher must be commended for an extremely well designed set of books and way more importantly for the editorial research. Archives and manuscripts were checked to reconcile the texts. Each book in the series is fully illustrated with new artwork. The trade size paperbacks are sturdy and handsome and a welcomed addition to the interested readers library.
Kull - Exile of Atlantis is another volume in the excellent Del Rey/Ballantine Robert E. Howard series.
I found the 11-page introduction essay somewhat disappointing. The tone was very academic and seemed to me that the author assumed we were already well verse in Howard's body of works.
A very helpful page just prior to the contents listing details when the stories were first published. Included are several story drafts and story fragments - talk about being complete!
I had never read Kull stories before and, not surprising, kept thinking I was reading a Conan story. Nonetheless Howard was a natural storyteller and tall tale weaver. He shows a knack for economical descriptions of action scenes that provide the reader with a real POV feeling. Kull is not very introspective. As a king he seems bored with the protocol of the court and yearns for, well, the battlefield.
A considerable plus in this book are the numerous illustrations. Almost every other page has a panel. Artist Justin Sweet captures the narrative events with great gusto.