Conan - La Fenice sulla lama [Conan - The Phoenix on the Sword]

The Dark Storm Conan Chronology #27

by Robert E. Howard

Dal genio di Robert E. Howard, la prima, originale avventura di Conan il Barbaro. Gotico, epico, selvaggio.

From the genius of Robert E. Howard, the first, original adventure of Conan the Barbarian. Gothic, epic, wild.

Please This audiobook is in Italian.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Sword and Sorcery, Adventure, Pulp, Classics

Audible Audio

First published December 1, 1932

About the author

Robert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard wrote "over three-hundred stories and seven-hundred poems of raw power and unbridled emotion" and is especially noted for his memorable depictions of "a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror."

He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.

—Wikipedia

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why 5 stars for a 1932 pulp fantasy fiction short story?

Because this was the first appearance of Conan the Cimmerian AKA Conan the Barbarian AKA King Conan etc etc.

Why has Chuck Norris never portrayed Conan in film? Because the convergence of two such sources of cosmic awesomeness could result in the creation of a flash of brilliance so intense that its result can only be speculated upon.

Robert E. Howard only walked around on this earth a little longer than did Jimi Hendrix or Hank Williams (he died aged 30, the other two 27 and 29 respectively) but like Jimi and Hank, his contribution and influence have lived well beyond his brief stay amongst us. Conan has been a cult persona of the magnitude of Tarzan, James Bond and Oz spawning decades of comics, a franchise of further adventures authored by such writers as L. Sprague de Camp and Poul Anderson, films, and countless tributes and references in multiple media. Conan's influence has been a part of fantasy fiction ever since.

As a pimply teenager in suburban America, I had a stack of Conan and King Conan comics and to this day (though my collection has diminished in size and attention) my prize is still a Conan #3. which I understand could garner over $500 if in mint condition (mine is not).

The mighty Conan swings swords and battle axes, busts more than a couple of skulls and generally has a high barbaric time of things. Observant fans will notice the mention of the arch Stygian villain Thoth Amon and the unmistakable influence of Howard's friend H.P. Lovecraft.

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Phoenix on the Sword is a novella-length Robert E. Howard story starring King Conan. The very first Conan story, it tells of an attempted coup of the throne held by Conan.

Ascalante is an outlaw that has subjugated the Stygian wizard Thoth-Amon and has enlisted the help of four co-conspirators to sow dissent among the people of Aquilonia. On the night the assassins attempt their coup, the four enlist 16 rogues to augment their numbers (let's be honest, Conan's body count) and sneak into the castle while the inebriated king lies asleep. A guard is paid off to divert the security detail, while the villains approach the sleeping king’s chamber.

In a dream, Conan is gifted an insignia of a phoenix on his sword (what a cool motif that I wish would have been capitalized on more) by Epimetreus the Sage a long dead protector of Aquilonia. When Conan wakes holding his sword, he realizes that a figure of a phoenix is now on his sword.

The story is told with flourishing and pompous verbosity, but when the action sequences get going, the language becomes a lot more dynamic and svelte. These stories continue to thrill me from when I was young. They appeal still, now that I am older.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Phoenix on the sword. Robert E Howard. Thoth Amon former wizard to King Cteson of Stygia, now powerless and a slave for Ascalante, former count of Thune, now leader to murderous conspirators. Gromel the giant commander of the the black legion. Dion a fat wealthy baron of Attalus. Volmana Dwarfish count of Karaban. Rinaldo minstrel in the court of an old King Conan recently of Aquilonia. Through devious plotting and decoys to distract loyal guardsmen, these assasins and 20 others fall upon sleeping Conan. But by Ishta, premonition dream and a visit from a 1500 year old dead wizard Epemitreus who carves a phoenix on a sword, he awakens and has the sword on hand, huh...magic.. his first strike out kills Gromel the giant, but it breaks, now Conan is struggling against many grabs an axe, but they have to come at him in a confined space ante chamber doorway area that lead to his bed chamber, in ones and twos, finally bloody and battered but victorious, but enter Thoth Amon now freed and he has killed Ascanlante regained his magical ring and powers, he conjurs a hideous monster to slay Conan, but no age and with only the broken sword he slew this monster apparently thats the only way. Its a reread I bought the massive hard cover 927 page collected works. I'm still blown away by the simple yet engrossing story telling, this is the first appearance of Conan, hes old but still dangerous as hell. Its been said that Howard wrote his stories with a dark ghostly Conan behind him saying what to write. Yeah, by Crom

[Baal Of · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many years ago when I was a kid living in Saudi Arabia, which would have put me in either 4th or 5th grade, I had a friend who lived in one of the other foreigner camps. His brother, who was a few years older than us, had a collection of Conan and Doc Savage paperbacks. The brother was a jerk, or at least I perceived him as such. Probably he was just a typical teenager who didn't want to be bothered with his younger brother and dorky friend. For a very long time I associated both those characters with him, and so I never actually read any Conan for a very long time. Now I've finally rectified that omission, and well, I'm a bit surprised. This story read way better than I expected, given it is squarely in the pulp genre, and the background world building is both more fleshed out, and more subtle than I would have guessed. Of course Conan is a hero of epic proportions, surviving single-handedly an assault by 20 men, but he takes several wounds so he is not untouchable. And there is sorcery to accompany the swords, with the appearance of a scheming Stygian, Thoth-Amon. Fun stuff, appropriate for vacation reading.

[Bentley ★ Bookbastion.net · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought on a whim, a collection of pulp fantasy short stories that really laid the ground work for the genre of fantasy that we know and love today. This story was included in the collection and was my first experience with Conan the Cimmerian, aka Conan the Barbarian, and I daresay it won't be my last given how much I enjoyed it.

The worldbuilding is definitely heavier than I think any short story probably has the right to be, but what was there was pretty awesome. I already love the world, and the way that Howard makes the reader work to piece together the lay of the land and the characters, kingdoms and ancient evils within it.

The fantastic elements of the story were top notch. A combo one/two punch of sword and shield warfare mixed with cosmic horror, there's plenty to love and find interest in here. I was invested enough by the end that I already want to know what happens next, as well as what happened before. I understand that this story is actually set in the latter years of Conan's life and larger story, so clearly there's a lot to catch up on.

[Benjamin Uke · Rating 5 out of 5]

"story of a fearsome monster spawned in darkness before the first man crawled out of the slimy sea."
This is the first Conan the Barbarian story. Ever.

Conan has recently seized the crown of Aquilonia from King Numedides after he strangled the tyrant upon his throne. A rebel Four, disparate leaders who each want Conan dead for their own reasons and exploitable flows, have been brought together by Ascalante, who seeks to use them as part of his own bid for the crown of Aquilonia. His chiefest slave is Thoth-Amon, once a powerful sorcerer of Stygia who seeks his lost ring of power.

"When I was a fighting-man, the kettle-drums they beat;
The people scattered gold-dust before my horse's feet;
But now I am a great king, the people hound my track
With poison in my wine-cup, and daggers at my back."
—The Road of Kings

The story revolves around the conspirator's attempt in assassinating King Conan when he is unprepared and defenseless. Great writing and a alliteration, best fantasy story I've read so far this year.

[Wayne Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die, dogs--I was a man before I was a king.
-The Road of Kings

So...twenty-five against one? Bring it on, and good luck with that. I haven't seen such horrible odds since a corrupt posse had William Tell Sackett surrounded in the hills. So much for that posse and so much for the outlaws who dared to stand against the Cimmerian's sword.

I cut my teeth on comic books as a child and Conan was always one of my favorites. He was the original sword and sorcery hero and there has never been another warrior who could match the raw barbaric ferocity of Conan.

Crom, but how I miss my adventures with Conan the barbarian.

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very first Conan story and it definitely sets the tone for Conan as a character and the series. This is everything Conan embodies done right in quite a short read. This story introduces an absolute powerhouse of a character in an atmospheric and very memorable, gripping and intense story.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've put off reading Conan way too long, thinking it hadn't held up well after so many years, but it's time to remedy that! This was a boatload of fun. I'm surprised and enthralled by the quality of Howard's lyrical prose, the foreboding otherworldly presences and eldritch evils, and the rich lore and ancient mystery lurking in Conan's world. More please!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars. This story contains the first appearance of Conan in print. It takes place at a time when Conan was King of Aquilonia having secured the throne by strangling the former king, Numedides, on his throne (in true Conan fashion). This story introduces the reader to Conan's world full of barbarians, wizards and monsters including, the evil sorcerer Thoth-Anon. EXCELLENT (5.0 STARS)

[Jayakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant battle scenes:

"His barbaric soul was ablaze, and the chants of old heroes were singing in his ears."

"He was like a tiger among baboons as he leaped, side-stepped and spun, offering an ever-moving target, while his ax wove a shining wheel of death about him."

Great atmosphere:

"Over the shadowy spires lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn."

Conan, the King is about to be usurped by his enemies lead by Ascalante, wannabe king of Aquilonia. But Conan is paid a visit in his dreams by Epemitrius, the sage and his sword is blessed with a phoenix. This helps him fight his enemies, both human and otherworldly, better. I think Hollywood has not been able to capture the truly grotesque and cosmic horror of fantasy novels. My first Conan story by Robert. E. Howard.

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with WBM

RAWR!! Come at me bro!

I'm so glad we're reading Conan! This was such a fun read. I loved the dramatic, poetic way the book was spoken/written. Made me feel barbaric! In fact, I tossed my salad (I should rephrase that, but not gonna) and chomped at a big turkey leg for dinner. SAVAGE!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E Howard - 5/5 stars

This was actually one of the original short stories by Robert E Howard -- creator of Conan. I’ve been meaning to read more of his stories for a while. I remember having read Conan: The Conqueror, which was a very good read as well.

The story starts off with Conan as King Conan of Aquilonia, a civilized and mighty Kingdom in Robert E Howard’s world. It may appear odd to readers new to Conan stories that he is a King. His barbaric ways tend to run counter to the ways of a typical ruler in Aquilonia. In my mind Conan was ever the barbarian, and the muscle-packed warrior. However, the story develops quite well by introducing conspirators who threaten Conan’s rule for power and greed, and there is a bit of sorcery introduced.

Some of the sorcery seems a bit farfetched, but it is also done with a pinch of surprise and mysticism that is very pleasurable to read.

I hope to read another Robert E Howard story immediately.

[Christopher Preiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of the Conan stories is by no means the best, it is in fact if judged purely on it's own merits simply adequate. However it is unfair to judge this work simply on it's own merits, instead one needs to take into account that this story was very much the birth of something more. The Phoenix On The Sword gives us Conan for the very first time, and unlike many first appearances of iconic characters you can see him here in his entirety. When one accepts this, issues of style and setting become much easier to forgive.
Howard was a master, not as a writer, his skills in that arena were always somewhat lacking, no instead Howard was a master story teller. It is this mastery for which we praise him, for it is a far rarer ability then simple skill with words.

[Quintin Zimmermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story that introduced the mythical Conan to the world and the rest, as they say, is history.

"Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet."

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining reading 📘

I read this as part of the Conan: The Barbarian complete collection in 2017

Robert E. Howard is one of my favortite authors. I started reading the Conan paper back novels in the 1960s. I would highly recommended this novel and author to reads of action novels. 2017

[Kimberly Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I would have picked up a Conan book if not for the influence of the group Fantasy Aficionados here on Goodreads. However, I am glad I did. Howard's imagery paints a picture. Even in this first book I can see the strong influence these books have had on the fantasy genre. I was fascinated with how Howard wove ancient cultures into the narrative. I recognized Greek, Jewish, Iranian and Egyptian. My one little quibble is that I didn't feel invested in the characters - not unexpected with a short story. But I love to make friends with characters so I'll just have to read more of these.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short novella and a great introduction to Conan, he's a barbarian, strong and battle driven, yet. He is not stupid at all. He actually seems to be very well educated and cunning.

There's also some strange Lovecraftian tone to the whole thing. I'll look into that and keep reading the stories of course.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and pulpy, as when Conan's axe cleaves you from skull to teeth.

[Aditigro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Antonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5
The Phoenix on the Sword is one of the first Conan stories written by R.E. Howard and the second one I've had the pleasure to read. And I was simply blown away! Let's make something clear... this one was written almost 80 years ago. Fantasy was a newborn baby then, just think that Lord of the Rings had not been yet published! And here comes Howard out of the blue to write pure pulp fantasy which is simply awesome and a joy to read.
If you know me as a reviewer, you know that I almost always point the negatives in things. I do that not because I'm a grumpy old man or a negative personality but because it is my belief that reviews should always point the bad things more than the positive things. But I digress! I was going to give this 5 stars but 2 things cut that thing a little down to 4+.
One is that Conan is hardly an interesting character. He's cool, he's amazing, he's fun but he's also a bit flat and predictable and thick. But if Howard's hero leaves something to be desired, the same can't be said for his antagonists! The baddies are also awesome and much more interesting than our hero. I love a good main antagonist (or more!) and Howard delivers!
The second thing that jarred me (also in the previous story that I read - Black Colossus) was that the ending was a bit rough, felt rather rushed and quickly done with. It didn't need too much more, just a couple of pages or so.
Still, even with these gripes, let me be clear about something. Howard writes so incredibly fresh, he even puts modern writers in shame! Here is the first thing you read, the very first line of this story:
“Over shadowy spires and gleaming towers lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn.”
Damn, if that doesn't make you want to read the rest, then either something is wrong with you or you are in the wrong place!
It was a pure joy to read this story as the writing is beautiful and fast and smooth, the pacing is perfect and the atmosphere is as thick as it gets. Considering that this is a very short novella and it's probably free, this is definitely more than recommended! I was worried that discovering the roots of fantasy literature would be a chore but this one was pure pleasure! Excellent!
4.5 / 5

[Manuel Alfredo Collado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalmente me he decidido por leer a Robert E. Howard, y he empezado nada menos que por su más afamada creación: Conan el Cimmerio.

Esta decisión viene impulsada, en parte, por mi afán de leer las obras de los integrantes más importantes del círculo de Lovecraft, aunque ciertamente la figura de Conan destaca por sí sola y es más que reconocida. Por supuesto, el reconocimiento no pasa más allá de la mera superficie debido a las adaptaciones del personaje a diferentes medios, los cuales, como suele ser habitual, nunca terminaron de captar correctamente la esencia del bárbaro (o eso me promete el prefacio del compendio de relatos que he escogido).

La forma en la que he decidido introducirme en la Era Hiboria ha sido, como no podía ser de otra forma, por medio de la primera aparición del personaje. Suelo preferir leer las obras de los autores por orden de publicación (como la mayoría, supongo), porque te permite observar la evolución del autor como escritor, además de poder simular lo que sería seguir las historias del personaje igual que los primeros lectores; pero es que el propio Robert E. Howard consideraba que esa forma de narrar los eventos de la vida de Conan por medio de saltos temporales es parte de la esencia, como si el propio bárbaro te estuviese contando sus hazañas en una taberna.

La historia es simple y corta, sin demasiadas pretensiones. Conan ya es rey de Aquilonia, pero, al contrario de lo que pueda parecer, no a todo el mundo le gusta que le gobierne un bárbaro, por lo que asistiremos a una confabulación en contra del rey, que por unos motivos u otros desembocará en una orgía (pequeñita, porque es un relato muy corto) de espadas y hechicería.

Como digo, la trama no tiene mucho misterio, pero está muy bien escrita y se deja leer, y como es el nacimiento de una figura legendaria creo que se merece 4 estrellas.

[Liam Mulvaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have been too harsh with Robert E. Howard. I dnf'ed his stories about the Picts; stopped after reading a sentence from Kull, the conqueror; sold my copy of Solomon Kane but kept all the levels of Conan on Kindle. Thankfully, I will read the next one on my laptop before I commit myself to buy any Del Rey publications. By Crom, this story was enjoyable!

The Phoenix on the sword is one of the best novellas out there. You rely mainly on the perspectives of the antagonists to get an understanding of who King Conan is. The antagonists underestimate the cunning nature of this blue-eyed, politically-weary character and assume that he could be easily removed.

Surprisingly, even though boorish and broody, King Conan is also cheerful. He has allies whom he trusts. I didn't think it possible he could crack a joke; a reason, I believe, why the 1982 movie was such a success and the recent movie a tragic flop because the screenwriters understood Conan's complexity. Yes, he lives by the sword and would rather chop his enemies to pieces. But as he remarks to Prospero killing men isn't the answer to his woes.

4/5

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Conan tale, a rewrite of the Kull tale By This Axe I Rule but with one mundane subplot swapped out for a more mystical one involving Thoth-Amon. It's pretty great stuff, I feel like it's actually not as good as the original tale, but I do enjoy Thoth-Amon's presence here.

Comics:
Marvel Conan the Barbarian Annual 2
Darkhorse King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[David Segovia · Rating 4 out of 5]

El Fénix en la espada forma parte de los relatos del universo de Conan. Si bien la trama es predecible y lineal, se pueden observar algunos puntos interesantes al ahondar más en sus orígenes.

Por un lado, Conan, el nuevo rey de Aquilonia, la nación más rica del mundo luego de la caída de la idílica hiperbórea, se le retrata como una persona no muy a gusto con su nueva vida, la cual es diametralmente opuesta a la libertad de su pueblo originario.

Es en ese entorno en donde el rey trata de esgrimir la espada contra oponentes invisibles como la burocracia y un poder oculto que tratara de derrocarlo.

Esas ideas del autor, son un ejemplo, que Conan era el alter ego de Howard, el cual plasma en la obra los efectos a los que uno se debe enfrentar cuando el entorno cambia en base a los nuevos poderes que surgen, en el caso del autor, este presenció el radical cambio de Texas producto del auge del petróleo.

En conclusión, es un relato interesante, me gustaría seguir explorando el universo de Aquilonia y sus alrededores.

[Ulrich Krieghund · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is interesting that the first introduction to Conan would be when the Cimmerian was king of Aquilonia in the winter of his years with most of his adventures behind him.

Whoever ends up sitting on the Iron Throne in George R.R. Martin's saga would do well to heed Conan's lament:

"I did not dream far enough, Prospero. When King Numedides lay dead at my feet and I tore the crown from his gory head and set it on my own, I had reached the ultimate border of my dreams. I had prepared myself to take the crown, not to hold it. In the old free days all I wanted was a sharp sword and a straight path to my enemies. Now no paths are straight and my sword is useless."

[Abisam · Rating 3 out of 5]

does this really count as a book?? it was like 4 chapters but OH. well. i enjoyed it vv much. i was a little hesitant to do the classic fantasy vibe but it’s pretty cool and very entertaining. it made me do research about pulp magazines and those are mad cool. interesting how stuff the cool peeps thought was lame then is so dope now. anyway connan is cool i guess and the villains has 10/10 depth

[Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Crom! Conan the Cimmerian is legend! Robert Ervin Howard achieved greatness in creating an enduring character and warrior in Conan in the early 1900's, and thus setting into motion the sword and sorcery genre. Conan is raw! All these tales of the barbarian are well worth a read.

[Jay Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into the literature of Robert E. Howard, and this was a solid, fast paced introduction to Conan the Cimmerian. It was a very short story though, I am hoping that the story will grow across future books...