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Adventures of Conan
Conan the Guardian
In ancient Argos, fabled city by the sea, Conan of Cimmeria discovers that behind a facade of law, the intrigues of trading houses can be no less deadly than the wars he had left behind. Even a merchant prince can dabble with sorcery, and the schemes of event he most beautiful nobles can lay snares for unwary feet. But those who think to use the Cimmerian, to brush him aside and grasp what he has sworn to protect, will discover that they face no ordinary man. He is-- Conan the Guardian
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 15, 1991
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208 people want to read
About the author
Roland J. Green
88 books28 followersRoland James Green is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and editor. He has written as Roland Green and Roland J. Green; and had 28 books in the Richard Blade series published under the pen name 'Jeffrey Lord'.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 20, 2022
After biding his time as a triple-A utility infielder in Columbus, Conan finally gets the call to Cleveland and becomes Conan the Guardian. No, wait, never mind, that's a different story.
This one is actually my favorite of the Green Conan pastiches. It's a more carefully plotted and thoughtful novel than most of his others, and reminded me much more of his Wandor books than of the Blade books that he wrote as Jeffrey Lord. There's quite a bit of political intrigue and palace machinations, and Conan is a more restrained and thoughful protagonist here, using his mind and guile more than his broadsword. He plays matchmaker for a young couple rather than just running roughshod through the entire female citizenry. There are evil sorceries afoot, but nothing apocalyptic. It's a fun, thoughtful Conan story.
This one is actually my favorite of the Green Conan pastiches. It's a more carefully plotted and thoughtful novel than most of his others, and reminded me much more of his Wandor books than of the Blade books that he wrote as Jeffrey Lord. There's quite a bit of political intrigue and palace machinations, and Conan is a more restrained and thoughful protagonist here, using his mind and guile more than his broadsword. He plays matchmaker for a young couple rather than just running roughshod through the entire female citizenry. There are evil sorceries afoot, but nothing apocalyptic. It's a fun, thoughtful Conan story.
January 24, 2024
A not-so-complicated Conan story, in this one our hero gets caught up in the feud between the houses of a town and is asked to be the guardian of a young woman, who naturally finds it hard to resist his charms. Predictably this conflict is resolved violently, despite the involvement of magical powers, and in the end Conan shows his altruistic side again. Nothing unusual in this book but nothing boring either.
Μία όχι ιδιαίτερα περίπλοκή ιστορία του Κόναν, σε αυτήν ο ήρωας μας εμπλέκεται στη διαμάχη μεταξύ των οίκων μιας πόλης και καλείται να γίνει ο φύλακας μίας νεαρής γυναίκας, η οποία φυσικά δυσκολεύεται να αντισταθεί στην γοητεία του. Αναμενόμενα αυτή η διαμάχη επιλύεται με βία μέσα, παρά την εμπλοκή μαγικών δυνάμεων, και στο τέλος ο Κόναν δείχνει ξανά την αλτρουιστική του πλευρά. Τίποτα ασυνήθιστο σε αυτό το βιβλίο αλλά και τίποτα βαρετό.
Μία όχι ιδιαίτερα περίπλοκή ιστορία του Κόναν, σε αυτήν ο ήρωας μας εμπλέκεται στη διαμάχη μεταξύ των οίκων μιας πόλης και καλείται να γίνει ο φύλακας μίας νεαρής γυναίκας, η οποία φυσικά δυσκολεύεται να αντισταθεί στην γοητεία του. Αναμενόμενα αυτή η διαμάχη επιλύεται με βία μέσα, παρά την εμπλοκή μαγικών δυνάμεων, και στο τέλος ο Κόναν δείχνει ξανά την αλτρουιστική του πλευρά. Τίποτα ασυνήθιστο σε αυτό το βιβλίο αλλά και τίποτα βαρετό.
July 7, 2011
I have not read a Conan book since my early teens. I devoured this in part because of the memories it stirred and because it was a classic tale of sword and sorcery . Demons that are bigger than the universe, enemies on every front, a power hungry sorcerer and a beautiful maiden in each arm is just an everyday occasion for this barbarian. The writing and storyline can not match the depth nor the imagination of the series originator Robert E. Howard. But it sure keeps alive the thunder in the veins of his Cimmerian cult hero.
January 31, 2023
This is Roland Green's second Conan pastiche, and while it's nothing spectacular, it's a noticeable step up from his first instalment, Conan the Valiant. Here, we get to see Conan battle a handful of monsters, navigate a plot of political scheming in Argos, and put his mighty thews to the test against sorcery once more. Conan is Conan, and we spend most of the book with him too, which is a nice change from some of the other pastiche authors who write stories in which Conan makes up 50% of the book at best - and sometimes much less. Some of the supporting cast were also fairly strong, especially Livia and Harphos who both have realistic characterisations and show genuine growth.
And yet, although this book is a step up for Green as a writer, it still falls victim to the flaws that were present in his last pastiche - if not quite so heavily, at least. The prose is hit and miss, sometimes strong but also sometimes messy and unclear to the point of needing to reread sections to fully understand what's going on. And, in typical Green fashion, he can't help but focus excessively on nudity, including once again forcing characters to be naked even in the midst of battle. This book also references Conan first seeing cities as a slave, which only ties in with the Schwarzenegger films, not Howard's actual Conan canon. These flaws, paired with forgettable villains whose motives I honestly could no longer remember before I even finished the book, lodge Conan the Guardian firmly in its spot as a middling entry in the extensive run of Tor's Conan pastiches.
Still, it ends on its highest note, pitching Conan against Lovecraftian slime from the depths of the earth - the Watchers, in their brief appearances, were better villains than the actual sorcerer and his master! - and it did a good job of reeling me back in when my interest had grown lukewarm. All in all, Conan the Guardian is a decent pastiche and one I wouldn't be averse to reading again. Not the best, but far from the worst.
3 stars from me, but a fairly strong 3 stars at that.
And yet, although this book is a step up for Green as a writer, it still falls victim to the flaws that were present in his last pastiche - if not quite so heavily, at least. The prose is hit and miss, sometimes strong but also sometimes messy and unclear to the point of needing to reread sections to fully understand what's going on. And, in typical Green fashion, he can't help but focus excessively on nudity, including once again forcing characters to be naked even in the midst of battle. This book also references Conan first seeing cities as a slave, which only ties in with the Schwarzenegger films, not Howard's actual Conan canon. These flaws, paired with forgettable villains whose motives I honestly could no longer remember before I even finished the book, lodge Conan the Guardian firmly in its spot as a middling entry in the extensive run of Tor's Conan pastiches.
Still, it ends on its highest note, pitching Conan against Lovecraftian slime from the depths of the earth - the Watchers, in their brief appearances, were better villains than the actual sorcerer and his master! - and it did a good job of reeling me back in when my interest had grown lukewarm. All in all, Conan the Guardian is a decent pastiche and one I wouldn't be averse to reading again. Not the best, but far from the worst.
3 stars from me, but a fairly strong 3 stars at that.
January 3, 2019
Conan enters the overly officious country of Argos with his Free Company. They are not welcome but Conan earns entry by killing a crocodile. The city is run by merchants, and sorcery is outlawed, but one merchant has secretly hired a sorcerer to increase his power through a complex plot pitting two other merchant families against each other. To increase his chances of success he convinces one of the target houses to hire Conan and his men so he will have a man inside. Conan proves to be more of an obstacle than the merchant planned and the merchant must flee to the hills to complete his plan. Conan chases him with expected results.
Different from other Conan books. Conan is not ignorant of palace intrigue but this time the plot involves not the regular threat of men with swords but a lot of petty sorcery. Conan is manipulated not for his sword arm but to incite jealousy among the two saucy wenches heading the target households. The wizard is not Thoth-Amon but little more than a hedge wizard with limited powers, but as the only sorcery in Argos that makes him powerful enough. HIs magic is little more than the ability to make furniture move and hide the faces of the enemy, and love potions. Conan's biggest enemy is the local police and their endless list of capricious laws. Conan does plenty of slaying and maiming, but he is also unusually restrained and uses the flat of his sword and his fists regularly. The goal of the plot is not to overthrow a kingdom or raise some long dead god, but to increase the wealth of a greedy merchant through an arranged marriage and the control of her foppish son. The sorcerer wants only to bring legality back to magic and start a school of magic. Not everything Conan does is world shaking, though inadvertently the actions of the merchant and the sorcerer do in fact shake the earth before the end is reached.
Satisfyingly entertaining without being overly memorable.
Different from other Conan books. Conan is not ignorant of palace intrigue but this time the plot involves not the regular threat of men with swords but a lot of petty sorcery. Conan is manipulated not for his sword arm but to incite jealousy among the two saucy wenches heading the target households. The wizard is not Thoth-Amon but little more than a hedge wizard with limited powers, but as the only sorcery in Argos that makes him powerful enough. HIs magic is little more than the ability to make furniture move and hide the faces of the enemy, and love potions. Conan's biggest enemy is the local police and their endless list of capricious laws. Conan does plenty of slaying and maiming, but he is also unusually restrained and uses the flat of his sword and his fists regularly. The goal of the plot is not to overthrow a kingdom or raise some long dead god, but to increase the wealth of a greedy merchant through an arranged marriage and the control of her foppish son. The sorcerer wants only to bring legality back to magic and start a school of magic. Not everything Conan does is world shaking, though inadvertently the actions of the merchant and the sorcerer do in fact shake the earth before the end is reached.
Satisfyingly entertaining without being overly memorable.
September 2, 2020
En lättläst och halvspännande politisk intrig i ett slags fejkgrekland, som har mer gemensamt med hittiternas riken (så vitt vi kan se av korrespondens skriven av deras grannar, och det de skrev på summeriska, vilket är rätt lite, men rätt tätt vad gäller samhällsinstitutioner).
Fördelen med boken är att den sprider agens över flera karaktärer, och undviker misstaget med "ondskefulla" skurkar. Detta är inte en så speciellt hög ribba.
Fördelen med boken är att den sprider agens över flera karaktärer, och undviker misstaget med "ondskefulla" skurkar. Detta är inte en så speciellt hög ribba.
February 4, 2023
I kept thinking this book was going to turn the corner because the bad guy magic user had soem powerful stuff but it fizzled really badly. The concepts were decent. Ghost written for sure. Ending was written by like someone who works at home depot.
January 10, 2019
Good escapist fare.
July 12, 2011
The best of Roland Green's CONAN books -- but still no match for the Robert E. Howard originals!
This Conan adventure takes place not in a barbaric kingdom of warriors, but in a Greek-like civilization of wealthy traders and highly civilized dealings. There's a beautiful princess who needs help, and since her enemies are using evil sorcery Conan is glad to help destroy them.
Frankly there isn't as much combat in this story as you might expect. Conan is more of a bodyguard. The princess is impressed with him, but her love interest is a rather geeky young prince. Conan basically plays matchmaker between the two young people.
What this adventure needed was more battles, more swordplay, and more romance for Conan. Something tells me that this series was aimed at preteens, however, so a lot has been toned down. It's a real shame, since the settings and the premise were intriguing.
This Conan adventure takes place not in a barbaric kingdom of warriors, but in a Greek-like civilization of wealthy traders and highly civilized dealings. There's a beautiful princess who needs help, and since her enemies are using evil sorcery Conan is glad to help destroy them.
Frankly there isn't as much combat in this story as you might expect. Conan is more of a bodyguard. The princess is impressed with him, but her love interest is a rather geeky young prince. Conan basically plays matchmaker between the two young people.
What this adventure needed was more battles, more swordplay, and more romance for Conan. Something tells me that this series was aimed at preteens, however, so a lot has been toned down. It's a real shame, since the settings and the premise were intriguing.
March 6, 2012
Bought for IDR 5K from 2nd event of Drive Books Not Cars Jakarta
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Update:
The battle with the water dragon kind of done very quick. That's a dragon! Don't know that killing a dragon underwater could be "that easy". But hey, this is Conan we're talking about!
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Update:
All women seems can't resist the barbarian charm...
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Update:
The battle with the water dragon kind of done very quick. That's a dragon! Don't know that killing a dragon underwater could be "that easy". But hey, this is Conan we're talking about!
======
Update:
All women seems can't resist the barbarian charm...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2009
Conan pastiche.
July 31, 2011
A surprisingly weaker addition to my vast library of Conan the Barbarian books. Hyboria is probably my favorite fantasy setting, but Roland J. Green didn't do much with it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews