What do you think?
Rate this book
Adventures of Conan
Conan, The Bold
When his would-be bride and her family are savagely killed by Taharka of Keshan, the young Conan of Cimmeria vows his unrelenting revenge. From the fighting pits of Croton to the plains of Ophir, Conan pursues Taharka to a battle to the death.
Paperback
First published April 15, 1989
2 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
John Maddox Roberts
125 books251 followersaka Mark Ramsay
John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.
John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 27, 2022
Conan the Bold (surprising that adjective hadn't been used yet as a title by April of '89, eh?) is another good pastiche by Roberts, which sees a very young Conan setting out from Cimmeria on a quest for vengeance on a gang of slavers, in company with the fierce and lovely young Kalya. It's an engaging story with a lot of wandering and sword-slinging action. Roberts' prose is not Howard's, but is clear and efficient, more like offutt or Jordan than Carter or Anderson. Very cool Ken Kelly cover, though I don't recall Conan battling a pterodactyl in the narrative.
April 7, 2025
Fast furious action that could have taken place in REH’s world. It’s a simple tale of revenge. The castings of a mysterious cult seemed cobbled on.
November 17, 2008
Chris - Ah Conan,
Though written after creator Robert E. Howard's death, Roberts does a good job bringing the same pacing a 'magic' familiar with most Conan tales.
It's a longer tale them most of Howard's stories, but Roberts keeps things moving, and does a great job keeping interest and bringing elements to a head.
Also of note, Robert Jordan had written two Conan novels which I have not yet had a chance to read. Could be good fun-
'The Conan chronicles' and 'The further chronicles of Conan'
Though written after creator Robert E. Howard's death, Roberts does a good job bringing the same pacing a 'magic' familiar with most Conan tales.
It's a longer tale them most of Howard's stories, but Roberts keeps things moving, and does a great job keeping interest and bringing elements to a head.
Also of note, Robert Jordan had written two Conan novels which I have not yet had a chance to read. Could be good fun-
'The Conan chronicles' and 'The further chronicles of Conan'
December 7, 2015
A straight up good Conan story. Chronicles Conan's first journey beyond Cimmeria. I like it as it is not trying too hard to be Howard and avoids all the excessive "thy, thou's" and other flowery stuff some were guilty of when they wrote Conan stories.
September 8, 2019
maddox roberts, steve perry, robert jordan conan novels from TOR are AWESOME!!
realyl original
lots of interaction and criss crossing of plot
never boring! sometimes funny
realyl original
lots of interaction and criss crossing of plot
never boring! sometimes funny
March 5, 2021
This book actually has some of the better character development I’ve seen in the Conan story. The female protagonist is actually a developed character with her own interesting backstory,unique fighting style and armament. This is not something you see too frequently in these stories. The same goes for the antagonists, they were a bit more flushed out and also have their own motivations and concerns. On the other hand there are a couple of subplots that really didn’t go anywhere and I think There could have been a little more action ....oh and just as an FYI Conan does not fight that big winged monster that is on the cover of this book ,spoiler alert I guess?
September 8, 2022
Trevlig, inte speciellt intelligent, fantasy med tema hämnd. Känns italiensk peplum, både i sitt sätt att skriva och i sitt fokus på ödestyngda mystiska präster som delar ut magiska (farliga) droger.
Uppskattar man det, och kommer över boken billigt, är den värd några kvälls och morgontimmar.
Uppskattar man det, och kommer över boken billigt, är den värd några kvälls och morgontimmar.
April 13, 2008
Close but he's not Robert Howard
June 3, 2022
"The people you slew were not nameless. Their names live in the songs of their kin, and they are written here." He tapped his wide chest, over the heart. "Their spirits cry out for your blood, and they shall have it!"
Now THIS was the return to form I needed from these pastiches. A very good instalment from John Maddox Roberts, Conan the Bold tells the story of a teenage Conan embarking out of his homeland of Cimmeria on a mission of vengeance. The characters are fleshed out, the story is fast-paced and rarely misses a beat, and there are plenty of quotes and excerpts that show Roberts' generally strong understanding of Howard's character.
That being said, there is one flaw with this pastiche that I can't overlook, and that's Roberts' decision to have Conan venture all the way to the River Styx between Shem and Stygia at such a young age. Conan the Bold is set before even Howard's The Tower of the Elephant, where Conan is meant to be fairly fresh out of Cimmeria, and Howard definitely didn't envision Conan taking such a vast adventure at such a young age. While the story can still arguably fit into the Conan "chronology", it shows Roberts' main flaw of sometimes taking too many liberties with the character of Conan and the world of the Hyborian Age. I had this qualm with Conan the Valorous too, where Crom directly intervenes at one point in the story despite this entirely going against what Crom is and stands for. Ah well. At least he didn't describe Cimmeria as "treeless" this time!
Still, all that aside, this was a damn good pastiche that ticked a lot of Conan boxes, and was one that I consistently enjoyed. Four stars from me, which is a very welcome rating after a few unfortunate duds in the Tor run. Let's hope this is the beginning of another upward trend in this extensive collection!
Now THIS was the return to form I needed from these pastiches. A very good instalment from John Maddox Roberts, Conan the Bold tells the story of a teenage Conan embarking out of his homeland of Cimmeria on a mission of vengeance. The characters are fleshed out, the story is fast-paced and rarely misses a beat, and there are plenty of quotes and excerpts that show Roberts' generally strong understanding of Howard's character.
That being said, there is one flaw with this pastiche that I can't overlook, and that's Roberts' decision to have Conan venture all the way to the River Styx between Shem and Stygia at such a young age. Conan the Bold is set before even Howard's The Tower of the Elephant, where Conan is meant to be fairly fresh out of Cimmeria, and Howard definitely didn't envision Conan taking such a vast adventure at such a young age. While the story can still arguably fit into the Conan "chronology", it shows Roberts' main flaw of sometimes taking too many liberties with the character of Conan and the world of the Hyborian Age. I had this qualm with Conan the Valorous too, where Crom directly intervenes at one point in the story despite this entirely going against what Crom is and stands for. Ah well. At least he didn't describe Cimmeria as "treeless" this time!
Still, all that aside, this was a damn good pastiche that ticked a lot of Conan boxes, and was one that I consistently enjoyed. Four stars from me, which is a very welcome rating after a few unfortunate duds in the Tor run. Let's hope this is the beginning of another upward trend in this extensive collection!
October 30, 2018
A tale of Conan's early days. Conan has gone on one of his first forays outside of Cimmeria and it ended badly. Returning to his homeland he stays with a Cimmerian family while he heals from his wounds. He becomes close with a young girl and even considers settling down. While out hunting the family is killed by slavers. Conan swears vengeance on the slavers and thus the story unfolds.
Conan quickly tracks down the 6 remaining slavers and begins the process of killing them. Along the way he meets a one-eyed madwoman who has also sworn vengeance on one of the slavers in particular. Together they travel most of the known world over several months finding and losing the slavers, going from Cimmeria all the way to the River Styx. Leaving bodies wherever they go.
An entertaining chase, the best part being that Conan starts out not even knowing what his quarry looks like, and the people he is chasing don't understand why this northern giant keeps showing up and trying to kill them. Conan's main opponent is one of the toughest men he has ever faced, but the fellow would rather run away than take part in a fair fight, so he does again and again. Conan gets his first taste of civilization and finds he enjoys the luxury but not how it makes men weak and soft. A pretty straightforward tale where Conan gets to exhibit much of his barbarian skill set: swordplay, climbing, stealth, strength, tracking, and military awareness. Nice book.
Conan quickly tracks down the 6 remaining slavers and begins the process of killing them. Along the way he meets a one-eyed madwoman who has also sworn vengeance on one of the slavers in particular. Together they travel most of the known world over several months finding and losing the slavers, going from Cimmeria all the way to the River Styx. Leaving bodies wherever they go.
An entertaining chase, the best part being that Conan starts out not even knowing what his quarry looks like, and the people he is chasing don't understand why this northern giant keeps showing up and trying to kill them. Conan's main opponent is one of the toughest men he has ever faced, but the fellow would rather run away than take part in a fair fight, so he does again and again. Conan gets his first taste of civilization and finds he enjoys the luxury but not how it makes men weak and soft. A pretty straightforward tale where Conan gets to exhibit much of his barbarian skill set: swordplay, climbing, stealth, strength, tracking, and military awareness. Nice book.
September 14, 2017
Roberts does something bold himself—he opens with Conan in Cimmeria! I’m not sure how I feel about that. Conan scholars might tell you that it is important to his character that Howard’s Conan never appear in Cimmeria, and that no other Cimmerian appear in his stories. We do not see Conan with his family or his own clan. By this point he has already spent time as a prisoner north of Cimmeria and exploring the Pictish wilderness. He could never bear being confined by the rules and authority of his tribe, and he’s itching to see the world at the beginning of the book. The murder of the Cimmerian family he is staying with sets him on a quest for revenge that will take up the entire book and cover half the map.
Roberts again gives Conan a love interest with moxie—“Mad Kalya,” who lacks nothing for style. She has her own quest for revenge. She is missing one eye and speaks with a rasp. She wanders like a female, medieval Man With No Name wearing a poncho and an eye patch. Under the poncho? A literal chainmail bikini, only with one breast bare.
There is a fantasy angle involving meddling Old Ones, but it isn’t very interesting or important. There are also some fantastical drugs. Leonard Carpenter’s Conan the Hero is another Tor Conan book that reflects the 80s/90s fear of drugs. But really this is a revenge story that comes down to bloody swords.
Roberts again gives Conan a love interest with moxie—“Mad Kalya,” who lacks nothing for style. She has her own quest for revenge. She is missing one eye and speaks with a rasp. She wanders like a female, medieval Man With No Name wearing a poncho and an eye patch. Under the poncho? A literal chainmail bikini, only with one breast bare.
There is a fantasy angle involving meddling Old Ones, but it isn’t very interesting or important. There are also some fantastical drugs. Leonard Carpenter’s Conan the Hero is another Tor Conan book that reflects the 80s/90s fear of drugs. But really this is a revenge story that comes down to bloody swords.
April 26, 2020
This is one of the better Conan stories. It details one of his adventures from around the age of 17. A wounded Conan is recovering with a Cimmerian homestead when slavers strike. Conan swears revenge and thus begins a tale of Conan tracking down the culprits that slew the family that helped him.
The author does a good job of logically weaving a story together. He brings in some elements of Conan learning skills from new companions, though learning woodcraft from a Pict is pretty much beyond the scope of acceptability. There are definite sections of the book as Conan keeps tracking down his enemy and thwarting his crimes only to have him escape. Thus the author leads Conan all the way from the northern wastes to Stygia.
Also I'm not sure where this story would fit into the Conan 'chronology' as the author tries to paint this as one of Conan's first forays out of his barbaric lands. It seems to ignore the stories of The Thing in the Crypt and The Tower of the Elephant.
The author does a good job of logically weaving a story together. He brings in some elements of Conan learning skills from new companions, though learning woodcraft from a Pict is pretty much beyond the scope of acceptability. There are definite sections of the book as Conan keeps tracking down his enemy and thwarting his crimes only to have him escape. Thus the author leads Conan all the way from the northern wastes to Stygia.
Also I'm not sure where this story would fit into the Conan 'chronology' as the author tries to paint this as one of Conan's first forays out of his barbaric lands. It seems to ignore the stories of The Thing in the Crypt and The Tower of the Elephant.
October 13, 2022
I rather liked this particular Conan book and I really wasn't expecting too. Conan books are generally all the same and it can get kind of boring if that's all you're reading, but I don't, so this was kind of a nice pallet cleanser.
Chronologically, this is Conan's 1st adventure and he's the youngest version of himself that we've ever seen. We also get the briefest of glimpses of Cimmeria. Howard purists will hate this, but I'm of a whatever opinion on that.
With Conan, you can pull a title out of a hat and just start with whatever you hit. You are not missing out on ANYTHING if you don't read them in chronological order. I am sure there is a site somewhere that has figured that out, but seriously, it's in no way necessary.
Nothing really special to call out about the book other than I generally enjoyed it. Therefore, if you blood is up and you need a dose of Conan in your life, this book will work just fine.
Chronologically, this is Conan's 1st adventure and he's the youngest version of himself that we've ever seen. We also get the briefest of glimpses of Cimmeria. Howard purists will hate this, but I'm of a whatever opinion on that.
With Conan, you can pull a title out of a hat and just start with whatever you hit. You are not missing out on ANYTHING if you don't read them in chronological order. I am sure there is a site somewhere that has figured that out, but seriously, it's in no way necessary.
Nothing really special to call out about the book other than I generally enjoyed it. Therefore, if you blood is up and you need a dose of Conan in your life, this book will work just fine.
October 14, 2020
Young Conan sets out on a quest to avenge his murdered family. He teams up with a girl that walks around with one breast bared, because this is a Conan novel, and he doesn't fight the pterodactyl on the cover.
This feels the least like a Conan story of Roberts' offerings so far, perhaps because the lead is still a lad and has not yet grown into the juggernaut of death we know and love. Instead it's a pretty generic fantasy with half naked ladies, knife throwing tricksters, and smatterings of the occult. The author seems to realise this, and tries to hamfist in a secondary plot that develops on the "chosen by fate" aspect that Howard always dropped about Conan, but it doesn't really fit. But Hyboria feels real, so you never get sick of reading.
This feels the least like a Conan story of Roberts' offerings so far, perhaps because the lead is still a lad and has not yet grown into the juggernaut of death we know and love. Instead it's a pretty generic fantasy with half naked ladies, knife throwing tricksters, and smatterings of the occult. The author seems to realise this, and tries to hamfist in a secondary plot that develops on the "chosen by fate" aspect that Howard always dropped about Conan, but it doesn't really fit. But Hyboria feels real, so you never get sick of reading.
May 21, 2020
A nice long story of vengeance with a lot of "cat and mouse". It was entirely different from the other books and had less supernatural (although it did have a bit of it). A fun book with interesting characters and plenty of action. Pretty good book, I recommend it.
October 27, 2017
An enjoyable pastiche that doesn't fit in the Conan timeline unfortunately. JMR is arguably the best of the pastiche writers and though this isn't his best work it is still well worth a read.
March 13, 2020
I haven't read Conan in ages - this one was really good.
March 17, 2021
Solid Conan story, no real comlpaints. It's an odd choice that the author keeps describing things that the characters are not considering or perceiving...
May 6, 2016
Great fun, very interesting adventure, awesome female co-star, good times!
January 4, 2009
Conan pastiche.
August 5, 2016
Yawn I am just not feeling this. It keeps putting me to sleep.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews