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The Dark Storm Conan Chronology #15

by Robert E. Howard

Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. He is well known for having created the character Conan the Cimmerian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. Voracious reading, along with a natural talent for prose writing and the encouragement of teachers, conspired to create in Howard an interest in becoming a professional writer. One by one he discovered the authors that would influence his later work: Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. It's clear from Howard's earliest writings and the recollections of his friends that he suffered from severe depression from an early age. Friends recall him defending the act of suicide as a valid alternative as early as eighteen years old, while many of his stories and poems have a suicidal gloom and intensity that seem prescient in hindsight, describing such an end not as a tragedy but as a release from hell on earth.

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

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

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

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard moves the focus away from Conan a little more than usual in A Witch Shall Be Born. Center stage often spotlights two sisters, one a queen and the other a witch who wishes she were queen, and then does something about it. In the end, Conan stomps in from stage right to save the day, but it was nice to see some variety in the storytelling.

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the previous story felt quite familiar, though executed really well, this story feels much more original. It’s all about a queen whose evil twin impersonates her to take her throne. And in the end it’s up to Conan to save the day.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action-packed "sword and sorcery" novella featuring Conan the Barbarian. Violent and over-the-top, but alot of fun to read. The story centers on an evil-twin witch who impersonates her sister, the queen, in order to take over the Khauran kingdom. Will she succeed in her evil plan? Not if Conan has anything to do with it! (Can be found at Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42227 )

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read. I can totally see how the series influenced GRRM!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treat. Sword and sorcery at its best. One of my more favorite Conan tales, it has many facets and interesting storytelling elements. Many times Conan is mentioned almost as a supporting character, and then Howard brings him front and center in an awesome way. It's just splendid Howard storytelling at its best.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful entertaining fantasy listening 🔰😀

A will written thriller fantasy adventure novel by Robert E. Howard book thirteen in the Conan Series about a witch returning to the castle where her sister is queen. The witch takes the queens place and the battle begins. I first read this novel in 2018 and recommend this novel and series to readers of fantasy. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 of novels 🔰🏰😃2022

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

[Víctor Martín-Pozuelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es el relato/novella en el que Conan se pasa un capítulo entero CRUCIFICADO EN EL DESIERTO hasta que le rescatan muy de milagro. Joder: es que SABES que es Conan y que no le va a pasar nada pero aún así hay tensión.

También aquí es donde hay un divertido enfrentamiento dialéctico entre el líder de un ejército que da trabajo a Conan y el propio Conan: el comandante dice que gracias a él Conan está donde está y que sin él no se habría comido un colín, y que por eso tiene que obedecerle ciegamente. Conan le dice que no, que él está donde está porque ha sangrado y sudado como cualquiera, y que por el mero hecho de ser líder o dirigir a una compañía pues no te mereces que te traten como a un dios. ¿Os suena?

Son estas cosas las que luego, por algún motivo, no han llegado a los relatos/novelas de fantasía épica de los 80 en adelante.

Lo que sí se ha repetido en la literatura de género fantástico más habitualmente es la violencia sexual contra las mujeres como forma de mostrar el carácter de un villano.

Vaya tela, ¿no?

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing free quick read on the go. Like a short trip through the most lurid Frank Frazetta painting imaginable, unashamedly steaming and dripping with sex and gore. I laughed the whole way through at the over the top prose. If Conan himself wrote for Harlequin Romance, this would be his first book.

[Sandrus · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time I read a story of Robert Howard. It was quite short and it is not easy for me to rate it as my expectations were quite high because Conan the Barbarian was and is such a well known character and Howard has many fans - I was uncertain between 3 or 4 stars but I will give it three as I think the story is a bit of a cliché.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb translation. Highly recommended.

[Taqwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

رواية ممتعة أنهيتها بجلسة واحدة
مناسبة لمحبين الرعب والشعوذة

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one where he's crucified like in the movie. The witch and the queen got some filthy ass exploitation tension going on, kudos Howard ya slimeball.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Conan tales with the iconic scene of Conan left for dead on a cross with only buzzards circling overhead. After an identical twin (who is also a witch) steals the crown, only Conan suspects treachery. He survives the cross and builds up an army to take back the city.

[Andrés Iglesias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena historia con un poco de todo. La mala, malosa es un poco sosa, pero la historia en general es buena. A Conan le sienta bien una historia un poco más larga.

[hyoono · Rating 1 out of 5]

عن توأمين تفترقان منذ الصغر ، لتصبح احداهما حاكمة البلد ، بينما الاخرى ساحرة تسعى للاطاحة بحكم اختها.
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بما ان الاحداث في الرواية متسارعة ، لم اشعر بالملل ، جميلة تصلح كوجبة خفيفة بين الكتب الدسمة.
للاسف ظلمتها الترجمة الحرفية السيئة المليئة بالاخطاء الاملائية والتعبيرية.

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طريقة السرد اعتمدت على رواية كل شخصية لحدث معين ، انعكس هذا الامر ايجابيا وسلبيا على الرواية ، كان من الجميل معرفة الاحداث من وجهات نظر مختلفة ، لكن احيانا تضيع بين الشخوص الكثيرة فلا تعرف من راوي الاحداث الجديد.

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اقتباس ١ : " بحثت عن رجل لمساعدتي واخترت الصقر لانه يفتقر بشكل تام لجميع الخصائص التي تجعل من المرء شخصًا جيدًا "

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اقتباس ٢ : " ‏ولكن انتم ايها الرجال المتحضرون ابناء المدن رقيقون وحياتكم لا تنهش اجسادكم كما تفعل معنا. ان ثباتك واستمرارك في الحياة يعتمد على إلحاقك العذاب بالاخرين وليس على تحمله "

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اسم الكتاب : #ستولد_ساحرة
الكاتب : #روبرت_هوارد
دار النشر : #دار_ومكتبة_اوركيد
الطبعة : الثانية ٢٠٢٢
عدد الصفحات : ٩٥
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#كتب #أمة_اقرأ_تقرأ #كتاب #اقتباسات #مكتبة #كتبي #كتب_عربية #اشركني_قراءتك #إقرأ #كتاب_من_مكتبتي #كتاب_أنصح_به #تحدي_القراءة

[Seth Kenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conan crucified!

A witch (as advertised).

Battles and conflict and stuff.

This is a great Conan story. The villainess is both intriguing and one-dimensional at the same time; you don't know much about her, but what you do know makes you long to learn more. Why does she hate her sister so much? what's her actual goal? why was she sent away to die?

Often, at least in bad fantasy, the bad guy is the cooler of your main characters. It's a problem; you have a do-good, naïve, innocent good guy who you can't stand to be around, and a really awesome bad guy who has neato spells and a great wardrobe. What to do?

Well, this is not a problem in Conan. The villains tend to be smart and ruthless, but despicable. You really want to be on Conan's side.

I feel like the titular character in this one is a pretty cool character, but in no way is she anyone I'd want to take sides with. That's good. And so is Conan. And so is this book.

[Seth Skorkowsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Sword and Sorcery pulp from Robert E. Howard.

The story takes place with a ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ scenario where a queen is replaced by an evil twin. Conan is captain of the city guards, and knows something is wrong, but he is captured, crucified, and left for dead. I doubt it’s too much of a spoiler to say that he escapes and seeks vengeance.

Conan is the hero of this story, however he appears in only about half of it. The rest of the time, we follow other characters living in the conquered city, both good and evil. There a few info-dumpy moments, and Howard tends to tell versus show some important moments that I would love to have seen. However, when the action does happen, it’s awesome.

For those familiar with the 1982 film, you might recognize some portions, such as Conan’s crucifixion and killing a vulture with his teeth.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Taramis is dethroned by her evil twin Salome, a twin that was once thrown out into the desert and left to die because she was born with the mark of a witch. The outcasted sister builds up her powerful magic and hatred over the years and turns it against the kingdom that left her to die. The sister steals Queen Taramis’s place on the throne and commits countless atrocities in her name.

Conan comes along to make the evil sister pay for her crimes and restore the glory of the true queen. It’s a thrilling tale of deception and sisterly betrayal. I ended up feeling a bit sorry for the villain this time around, I can't blame her for hating a world that cursed her to such a tragic fate the moment she was born. Salome is one of the most sympathetic villains in the entire Conan the Barbarian series.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard wrote this in his 20s
in a tiny area of Texas
no where near any metropolis.
Just woods and sand,
as in this case,
the settings of Conan.

How many 20-year- olds do you know these days that could create such a well written tale?
I find it extraordinary.

The crafting of his story with multiple main characters, swapped individuals, the main hero somewhat in the background, the desperation and elation presented.
Wow!
I admit to reading these for the wonder of the production, than subject matter, which I typically don't care for: science fiction.

But this isn't science fiction, there is some note of possible sorcery written through the view of other characters, but, really, this is a barbarian lot, whether they call themselves such or not, whose world view was more limited than Howard's.

Great story telling by a kid!

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 10 out of ten points

[Johnnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read. It is better writing than I expected, still pulp fiction style, but Howard gives life to the characters and purpose to their actions. Conan is not the dumb brute of the movies but smart, sly and not to be fully trusted, but still a beast on the battlefield. Here he does little fighting but organizes the whole rescue the princess scenario. The question is where are the modern day heroes who will not just correct wrongs but punish utterly all injustice and destroy any who thwart the right? Conan, though a Barbarian is that man.

[David B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witch usurps the throne of Khauran and grinds it under her evil thumb. Fortunately, the captain of the queen’s guard is a certain barbarian who goes by the name of Conan.

The epic sweep that Robert E. Howard packs into this slim novelette is pretty remarkable. He is writing at the height of his power here, as exemplified by the brutal crucifixion scene that eventually made its way into the Schwarzenegger movie many years later.

[Steve Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard spins a good adventure yarn, but in this his ant-Semitism becomes apparent. Conan is crucified by ““thick-bodied Shemites with curled blue-black beards and hooked noses”, only to survive and rise again (sound familiar?).

I discovered Conan over forty years ago. I won’t hesitate to read him, but I also won’t hesitate to criticize his racist and anti-Semitic characterizations, which aren’t excused by the times he lived in.

[Andrei Duduman · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte în care suspansul și acțiunea sunt prezente la fiecare pagină. Un concentrat de sword&sorcery ieșit chiar din mașina de scris a unuia dintre părinții genului și potențat de o traducere cum rar am întâlnit.

[Martin Mcgoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Conan story! Definitely over the top and ridiculous at times, but excellent pulp reading.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic conan story.

[Анатолій Волков · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Родится ведьма» Очень интересный рассказ, впрочем, как и многие в серии про Конана-варвара. В стране Кауран есть существует проклятие, раз в поколение рождается ведьма с отличительной чертой в виде родинки полумесяца на груди. В один из дней в покоях короле Тарамис магическим образом появляется ее близнец, сестра, которую все считали погибшей. Сестра и есть та самая ведьма, которую еще грудным ребенком оставили погибать в пустыне. Теперь же она жаждет мести и свергает свою добрую сестру, и под ее именем начинает свое правление. Конан в этой истории выступает начальником стражи, но после переворота его арестовывают и распинают на кресте. Вскоре Конана освобождает один разбойник и берет его в свои помощники.
Рассказ не только интересный, но и образный. Во-первых, хорошо прописана сцена, где распятый Конан борется за жизнь до последнего вздоха, даже когда не может пошевелить не руками, не ногами. Во-вторых, разбойник, который освобождает Конана является (внимание!) гетманом запорожских казаков, каково, в хейборейскую эру то, и пофиг что зовут его на скандинавский манер – Ольгердом, никто не идеален. В-третьих, автор не скупится на описание женской наготы и любвеобильности Конана.

[Shannon Schmelzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoy this Conan tale. This one, I think, stands out because it doesn't tick off all the normal somewhat cliche Conan boxes.

We have this insane witch Salome who really stands out from a lot of the normal "evil sorcerers" found in Conan stories.

Instead of starting off as a mercenary, we have Conan starting off as the captain of this Queens guard and going from there, ending with him heading off to more mercenary work.

We have a lot of focus on other characters, like Valerius. Who is actually the one who saves the queen instead of Conan. And Conan doesn't "get the girl" at the end. Which makes Queen Tamaris stand out as the first woman who hasn't swooned over Conan by the end of the story.

Then there is Conan's quite fair treatment of Olgerd. Conan has always had a his own code of honor, but I feel like we see it really on display here and he comes out much more favorably to me than in some of his other stories.

So, ultimately, i think that is why I like this story so much. I actually like Conan more here then in a lot of his other stories. Conan is always badass, but not always likeable.

[Vítor Batista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tem o início mais cativante que já li, o setup foi feito precisamente para te colar à página.
Desta vez a história foi contada de modo indireto, por cartas, personagens a relatarem a outros, etc, e o suspense mantém-se a cada parágrafo.

Dos poucos livros que mereciam serem adaptados a televisão ou filme e que têm todos os ingredientes para serem um guião.

O método indireto para contar histórias foi muito bem utilizado e encontrei me cativado pelo lore e pelas personagens e as suas perspectivas, tornando cada cena mais excitante e um puzzle a resolver.

De início achei estranho Conan já estar numa posição tão elevada num reino para poder ser livre, mas as peripécias e as promessas feitas ao seu resgatante conseguiu assegurar uma justificação realista para a largada de Conan em novas aventuras.

Howard tem jeito para manter o momentum de uma história, e neste exemplo temos literalmente o início da narrativa com in medias res e a última página deixa ingredientes para uma futura narrativa. É fácil imaginar que mais histórias da sua vida estão entre as que Howard escreveu, e as que acontecem nos meses que passam nos contos mas que não couberam nas revistas.

[Balazs Badics · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this dark fantasy tale set in the Conan the Barbarian universe, Queen Taramis of Khauran is overthrown by her twin sister Salome, a sorceress marked by an ancient curse. Salome assumes Taramis’s identity and plunges the city into tyranny, aided by mercenaries and dark magic. Conan, once the captain of the queen’s guard, is cast out, nearly crucified, and must rally allies to restore justice. The story explores themes of identity, betrayal, and resilience, with one of the most iconic scenes in the Conan saga showcasing his endurance and strength.

A Witch Shall Be Born is a gripping entry in the Conan series, rich with intrigue, sorcery, and rebellion. Howard’s storytelling is vivid and fast-paced, delivering memorable moments that highlight Conan’s indomitable spirit. The twin dynamic between Taramis and Salome adds a compelling layer of psychological tension. While the supernatural elements are minimal, they serve the plot effectively without overshadowing the human drama. Overall, it’s a satisfying and atmospheric read that showcases Howard’s flair for pulp adventure.

[Brian R Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a typical sword and sandal, Conan tale, “A Witch shall be Born” is where we come across some the most iconic Conan imagery and quotes.
From Conan freeing himself from crucifixion, to the two quotes that sum up what it means to be a barbarian and to survive in not only Conan’s world.

“But not all men seek rest and peace; some are born with the spirit of the storm in their blood, restless harbingers of violence and bloodshed, knowing no other path...”

"You are more fit to inflict torture than to endure it," said Conan tranquilly. "I hung there on a cross as you are hanging, and I lived, thanks to circumstances and a stamina peculiar to barbarians. But you civilized men are soft; your lives are not nailed to your spines as are ours. Your fortitude consists mainly in inflicting torment, not in enduring it. You will be dead before sundown.”