The Bloody Crown of Conan

By: Robert E. Howard

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

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 volume gathers together three of Howard's longest and most famous Conan stories:

"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.

©2003 Conan Properties International, LLC. (P)2009 Tantor

Don't read this if you're a Tolkien or Martin fan.

When your listening you realize that the authors of Game of Thrones & Lord of the Rings cannibalized the Conan stories. When I finished all 3 books I was ashamed that I liked either series.

Great Conan must read

Robert E. Howard some of his best work slashing and hacking blood & gore
Greatest work for Conan fans every where

Conan King of Aqulonia

Loved it! Robert E. Howard was a master storyteller. The narrator does an excellent job. Hour of the Dragon is a spectacular piece of storytelling.

Fine performance with one small nit-pick

This definitive series is doubtless the best version of Howard’s Conan, presented as it is in order of publication. The performance here is superb with one minor exception: The word “Celt” is pronounced like kelt, not selt, unless you’re just a baseball fan. And that word is used a lot in this volume. Be prepared to grind your teeth a bit when being yanked out of Howard’s world by this and other mispronunciations. Once I could let this go the experience became top notch.

Unbelievable

As great as always. I'm listening to a nearly one hundred year old story from an author who made meager wages on various short stories, when he may have been a millionaire in this age. His talent reveals that. Such a shame he died so tragically by his own hand when something much larger than life was created by the same. I pray for your soul, Howard, and am grateful for the work you did. The Conan stories are truly phenomenal.

Awesome! Crom and Steel! Long live Conan!

Three great (and longer than usual) Conan stories. The narration by Todd McLaren is as great as usual. Long live Conan. "Crom and Steel!!!!"

Wonderful presentation of the best Conan material

This book contains some of the most polished Conan stories ever written. Such a collection of Howard's unadulterated Conan tales has been a long time in coming. For those new to the exploits of Conan this collection is wonderful place to start.

Todd McLaren is equal to the task of conveying the atmosphere of the Hyborian Age with his range of masculine emotions. He has the requisite deep bass and emotive snarl for these characters. His voice for Conan is dead-on perfect.

Long time fans of Conan will especially enjoy three essays by Patrice Louinet that are included at the end of the book. These essays provide an important literary analysis of Howard and his work. Howard is finally getting the credit that fans have long known he deserves.

A must for fantasy and conan fans

A must for fantasy and Conan fans, with some of Robert E Howard more in depth Conan tales, this is great writing beautifully produced.

Fantastic and Essential

Howard is the blueprint for all Sword&Sorcery. He is the earth upon which giants stand!

The second Conan book in a collection of Robert E. Howard stories that is as important as the first. People often say that a good writers stand on the shoulders of giants. Howard is the earth on which the giants of High Fantasy and Sword&Sorcery stand. He is the big bang that sparked a whole new genera during his short time on earth.

If your a fan of Fantasy and Weird Fiction then this is one of three essential authors you must read. The other two being H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith who were Howard's contemporaries and friends.

Conan stories have always kept my attention. I and a few of my friends

the number one thing I hate about Howards Conan stories, they always come to an end 😢.