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3 Blades Against Darkness
191 pages, Paperback
Published October 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 30, 2025
This was an interesting collection of Conan, Kull, and Solomon Kane short stories. You can tell the author had a lot of fun writing them. I read the kindle version slightly over 200 pages. There were some interesting concepts. Like most who attempt Howard’s Iconic characters, they generally pale in comparison to the original material. This was no different. I would say the author’s Kull stories were the best. Each story was actually pretty decent stuff. The dialogue and mannerisms were off, which is the usual case. Most read like fanzine stuff, but I enjoyed it. Under $5 on Kindle, so reasonable for what it is.
January 21, 2026
3.5 rounding up. Obviously this is not Howard. There are times where the characters acted off and I think there could be some better language. Overall not bad. On par with the new Titan stories. I enjoyed all the call backs to older stories. The Kull ones were the best.
March 11, 2026
"Howard's writing, particularly his Conan, Kull, and Solomon Kane stories, that are packed with adventure in which the hero fights for his life against evil. This makes the protagonist a hero, especially if he is also fighting to save the lives of others. This is what young men should aspire to be: a hero fighting for others against dark forces."
These are enjoyable reads, with no complaints, and criticisms more conversational than anything. Solomon being in dark environments facing off against supernatural monsters and inner demons worked the best for me here, in comparison to Howard's tales. Conan's stories were good but the character was not Howardian Conan to me. More like a Cimmerian cousin who hasn't quite grown into his confidence yet. I appreciate Gaspar's theme of heroic sacrifice for young men to emulate.
1. The Scroll of Anoch
"The only time a Cimmerian is at peace is when he is at war."
2. Moon Over the Black Forest
"Puritans do not object to drinking. Only drinking to excess."
3. Daggers At My Back
"When I usurped Borna, I was certain it was for the good of the country, and at first, the people appeared happy with my kingship. That soon changed. It was not long before people were remembering Borna fondly and began singing his praises and talking of erecting a statue to the late lamented king." "The mob is most often dissatisfied and though they may be a minority, they are usually the loudest and can often sway others to their cause. Civilized men always consider what they are rightly owed. There's no satisfying them, Kull."
4. Rendezvous with Death
5. The Long Journey Home
"He often thought he had no home but was a wanderer of the earth, bringing God's justice to the wicked."
"Like many of his travels, he simply walked where God led him."
6. What Yesterday May Bring
"The way of the gods are mysterious, indeed."
7. Uneasy Lies the Head
"Kingship was not what he thought it would be. There was more politics than warfare, more petty compromises than combat. Lately, Conan wondered if this was truly what he wanted."
"'You still live?' he heard the wizard say. Conan, threw a superhuman effort, managed to stand up. 'is that all you've got?' Conan spat at the wizard.."
These are enjoyable reads, with no complaints, and criticisms more conversational than anything. Solomon being in dark environments facing off against supernatural monsters and inner demons worked the best for me here, in comparison to Howard's tales. Conan's stories were good but the character was not Howardian Conan to me. More like a Cimmerian cousin who hasn't quite grown into his confidence yet. I appreciate Gaspar's theme of heroic sacrifice for young men to emulate.
1. The Scroll of Anoch
"The only time a Cimmerian is at peace is when he is at war."
2. Moon Over the Black Forest
"Puritans do not object to drinking. Only drinking to excess."
3. Daggers At My Back
"When I usurped Borna, I was certain it was for the good of the country, and at first, the people appeared happy with my kingship. That soon changed. It was not long before people were remembering Borna fondly and began singing his praises and talking of erecting a statue to the late lamented king." "The mob is most often dissatisfied and though they may be a minority, they are usually the loudest and can often sway others to their cause. Civilized men always consider what they are rightly owed. There's no satisfying them, Kull."
4. Rendezvous with Death
5. The Long Journey Home
"He often thought he had no home but was a wanderer of the earth, bringing God's justice to the wicked."
"Like many of his travels, he simply walked where God led him."
6. What Yesterday May Bring
"The way of the gods are mysterious, indeed."
7. Uneasy Lies the Head
"Kingship was not what he thought it would be. There was more politics than warfare, more petty compromises than combat. Lately, Conan wondered if this was truly what he wanted."
"'You still live?' he heard the wizard say. Conan, threw a superhuman effort, managed to stand up. 'is that all you've got?' Conan spat at the wizard.."
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews