The Bloody Crown of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 2)
by Robert E. Howard
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert E. HowardEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-11-23
ISBN: 0345461525
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Reviews of The Bloody Crown of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 2)
Book Review: The Trouble with Girls
Summary: 5 Stars
With apologies to the creators of The Trouble with Girls I chose this title for my review because each of the 3 complete and 1 unfinished stories assembled herein demonstrate the problems the female of the species can pose even to such a unique concentration of testosterone as Conan of Cimmeria.
Having tried and loved both Conan 2.0: Kull: Exile of Atlantis and the first volume of Conan 3.0: The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian: The Original Adventures of the Greatest Sword and Sorcery Hero of All Time!, I was very much looking forward to the present volume, and once again Robert E. Howard (and for that matter, Del Rey) did not disappoint!
Introduction by Rusty Burke: Interesting and useful, especially to a newbie like me. Mr. Burke makes the point that the Hyborian Age is not really an imaginary world like that of a J.R.R. Tolkien for example but rather a nexus where largely recognizable elements from different historical eras could come together for the sake of the story.
"The People of the Black Circle": A nicely tangled knot of conflicting conspiracies that Howard manages to keep straight while at the same time producing in the Devi Yasmina one of his most fully developed and satisfying female characters, a worthy rival/love interest for Conan. The trouble with girls here? Sometimes they have careers that conflict with potential romance. Can the Chief of all the Afghulis and the Queen of Vendhya find happiness together? Apparently not. Also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows.
"The Hour of the Dragon": The only Conan novel Howard ever wrote and the last Conan story chronologically. More than a bit derivative, this is clearly "The Scarlet Citadel" writ large, with a large debt owed to "Black Colossus" as well. Nevertheless, the sum is greater than its parts, and the result is a fascinating tale of a mature Conan, determined to regain the throne a younger Conan would have walked away from because of what he genuinely perceives as his obligations to his subjects, even the cowardly ungrateful ones who embraced the usurper before his savage misrule revealed their folly in doing so. The trouble with girls here? Sometimes they need rescuing at enormous personal risk (Countess Albiona). Sometimes they need rescuing even though they would normally be able to take care of themselves then reward you with riddles they refuse to explain (Zelata, the witch). Sometimes they rescue you and leave you owing them (Zenobia). Sometimes they are vicious bloodsuckers, quite literally (Akivasha, the vampire).
"A Witch Shall Be Born": More than a bit overdone as the monstrous Salome skates along the borders of self-parody, but it contains one of the deservedly most famous scenes in all the Conan stories. The trouble with girls here? Sometimes they have Evil Twin sisters you don't know about. Sometimes they crucify you just for pissing them off, which in this case only makes you mad.
Miscellanea: Collection of synopses, drafts, notes, and serial recaps for the 3 published stories, useful to the Howard scholar. Most importantly it also contains the Untitled Synopsis and Untitled Draft of an unfinished novel that was probably a false start written before "The Hour of the Dragon". Basically what there is of it is a pale imitation of "Xuthal of the Dusk" that makes Conan a guest star in his own story. The trouble with girls here? Sometimes they are so sweet and innocent they make the most heartless rogues want to protect them.
"Hyborian Genesis Part II" by Patrice Louinet: Continuation of informative notes on the creation of the Conan stories.
"Notes on the Conan Typescripts and the Chronology" and "Notes on the Original Howard Texts": Mostly of use to the Howard scholar.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this Del Rey series: The Conquering Sword of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 3), Bran Mak Morn: The Last King, The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane, The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows, The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2: Grim Lands, The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard, and El Borak and Other Desert Adventures.
Note: In reading this volume and reviews of same I have been made aware of what I will call the Zenobia Problem: did Howard mean for Conan to mean it when he vowed to make her Queen of Aquilonia? I believe Howard did intend for Conan to keep his vow for reasons this Howard newbie has not seen mentioned elsewhere, making me willing to toss in my two cents: as a start towards fulfilling a kingly duty Conan had until now neglected,...
providing an heir.
Several times it is indicated by Conan's still loyal subjects that if there had only been a legitimate heir, even an infant, then he or she would have provided a rallying point for the loyal and reduced considerably the temptation for Aquilonians to crown the usurper. Conan had obviously resisted all previous attempts to get him to marry, partly out of selfish willfulness, but also probably despising the court intrigue they no doubt entailed, but the opportunity to reward a (very) attractive woman who loved him enough to risk her life repeatedly to save his AND to stick it to the nobles by raising a slave to the level of queen would likely prove irresistible to a man who was finally willing to face up to ALL the responsibilities of being king.
Summary of The Bloody Crown of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 2)
In his hugely influential and tempestuous career, Robert E. Howard created the genre that came to be known as sword and sorcery?and brought to life one of fantasy?s boldest and most enduring figures: Conan the Cimmerian?reaver, slayer, barbarian, king.This lavishly illustrated volume gathers together three of Howard?s longest and most famous Conan stories?two of them printed for the first time directly from Howard?s typescript?along with a collection of the author?s previously unpublished and rarely seen outlines, notes, and drafts. Longtime fans and new readers alike will agree that The Bloody Crown of Conan merits a place of honor on every fantasy lover?s bookshelf.
THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE
Amid the towering crags of Vendhya, in the shadowy citadel of the Black Circle, Yasmina of the golden throne seeks vengeance against the Black Seers. Her only ally is also her most formidable enemy?Conan, the outlaw chief.
THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON
Toppled from the throne of Aquilonia by the evil machinations of an undead wizard, Conan must find the fabled jewel known as the Heart of Ahriman to reclaim his crown . . . and save his life.
A WITCH SHALL BE BORN
A malevolent witch of evil beauty. An enslaved queen. A kingdom in the iron grip of ruthless mercenaries. And Conan, who plots deadly vengeance against the human wolf who left him in the desert to die.
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