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Age of Conan Hyborian Adventures: Heretic of Stygia #1
Age of Conan Hyperborean Adventures Scion of the Serpent
Anok Wati, a young warrior of the streets, strikes a pact with an ancient and forbidden god who gives him a seemingly impossible task. To unravel the mysteries of the past and avenge his father's death, Anok must join the sinister cult of the snake-god Set--and destroy them from within.
- GenresFantasySword and Sorcery
277 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
J. Steven York
56 books37 followersOriginally hailing from the piney woods along the Alabama/Florida border, J. Steven York has wandered between many genres (science fiction, fantasy, mystery) and points on the map.
Though he now lives on the Pacific shore in Oregon, his current mystery series "Panorama Beach," is set in the sunny Florida panhandle during the 1960s, and its fictional environs are inspired by his real-life ancestral roots there, and his happy visits to the gulf coast when he was a child.
Though he now lives on the Pacific shore in Oregon, his current mystery series "Panorama Beach," is set in the sunny Florida panhandle during the 1960s, and its fictional environs are inspired by his real-life ancestral roots there, and his happy visits to the gulf coast when he was a child.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 19, 2017
At one point a character proposes a risky trade/theft expedition to obtain a supply of expensive birth control directly from its source, subverting the various monopolies. It would be perfect for the setting, adventurous, self-serving, intricate in logistics, and hugely lucrative to those involved. And I found myself wishing to follow that journey instead of this one.
Like Blood of Wolves I never really warmed to the story, the characters, or the arc of the series. The magic was too non-Howardian in its overt use and mechanics, the central character was too decent at heart, and the story stepped from the dynamics of the Odji slums into the much-less-interesting Temple of Set.
Of all the characters, the ambitious and amoral Dejal is the most interesting, both for his manipulations at the beginning and a complex set of motivations that make him both recruit Anok and to resent Anok's success.
But in all of the characters--aside from Fallon the Cimmerian, who proposed the birth control adventure--there's the sense that all would rather be elsewhere, doing something else. All are acting out of deep-seated obligation rather than enthusiasm, and that carries through in the writing.
Like Blood of Wolves I never really warmed to the story, the characters, or the arc of the series. The magic was too non-Howardian in its overt use and mechanics, the central character was too decent at heart, and the story stepped from the dynamics of the Odji slums into the much-less-interesting Temple of Set.
Of all the characters, the ambitious and amoral Dejal is the most interesting, both for his manipulations at the beginning and a complex set of motivations that make him both recruit Anok and to resent Anok's success.
But in all of the characters--aside from Fallon the Cimmerian, who proposed the birth control adventure--there's the sense that all would rather be elsewhere, doing something else. All are acting out of deep-seated obligation rather than enthusiasm, and that carries through in the writing.
January 4, 2018
A pastiche set in Howard's Hyborian world, but from a very different view point. Surprisingly good --- evocative writing, interesting characters. This was apparently a tie-in to launch an MMO (which I don't play), and unfortunately parts of the later section felt like the author was given certain instructions to make sure it was consistent (the exploration of the Temple of Set has some weird deadfalls and what not that scream VIDEO GAME), and it took away from the story. Also, the sorcery is much too flash-bang Harry Potter stuff (shout out a power word), whereas Howard's sorcery is usually slow and extremely powerful.
Still, as a fun, evening read on a cold night, it was great, and I'll finish the series of three.
Still, as a fun, evening read on a cold night, it was great, and I'll finish the series of three.
June 15, 2024
Well written in the spirit of Conan! Interesting peak in the cult of Set. Unexpected gut punch twist. No spoilers!
Want to Read
December 14, 2010Me lo compré en la edición española de Timunmas. Seguro la suba hoy o mañana. (Ejem... Bueno, tardé unos 13 meses en subirla, pero bueh...)
April 19, 2013
muy flojo, me ha costado un mundo terminarlo, aunque se anima un poco al final
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews