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Treasure Of Tranicos
CONAN in all his glory:
Amid the treachery of pirates, the intrigue of a doomed count, the fury of savage Picts, the flashing eyes and flowing hair of beautiful women, fierce swordplay and the deadly vengeance of a black magician, the greatest her Hyboria has ever known picks his way like a clever and deadly hunting cat. For Conan knows what he wants - and what he must do to get The Treasure of Tranicos.
One of the greatest Conan stories Howard ever wrote will come alive before oyur very eyes in page after page of fabulous illustrations by the master fantasy artist Esteban Maroto. Here are Conan and his world as Howard envisaged them: all the High Adventure, the magic, the daring and excitement of the original Conan in an all-new profusely illustrated edition!
Amid the treachery of pirates, the intrigue of a doomed count, the fury of savage Picts, the flashing eyes and flowing hair of beautiful women, fierce swordplay and the deadly vengeance of a black magician, the greatest her Hyboria has ever known picks his way like a clever and deadly hunting cat. For Conan knows what he wants - and what he must do to get The Treasure of Tranicos.
One of the greatest Conan stories Howard ever wrote will come alive before oyur very eyes in page after page of fabulous illustrations by the master fantasy artist Esteban Maroto. Here are Conan and his world as Howard envisaged them: all the High Adventure, the magic, the daring and excitement of the original Conan in an all-new profusely illustrated edition!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1980
5 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Robert E. Howard
2,979 books2,641 followersRobert 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 1, 2020
3.5 stars. A good Conan story, though Conan doesn't make his appearance until fairly late, with more than the usual amount of blood shed. However, the parts I thought could be most interesting - the ancient demon trapped in a cave guarding the long lost pirate treasure, and the sorcerer
Thoth-amon seeking his vengeance against a nobleman on the run - were kind of glossed over in favor of battles with the native Pict tribes and a focus on the intrigue within the group of Conan's rivals turned associates in a tenuously negotiated pact to jointly seek out the treasure.
Thoth-amon seeking his vengeance against a nobleman on the run - were kind of glossed over in favor of battles with the native Pict tribes and a focus on the intrigue within the group of Conan's rivals turned associates in a tenuously negotiated pact to jointly seek out the treasure.
January 2, 2025
Oltre il fiume nero - ****
Appena leggo le prime pagine, eccomi subito immerso nelle atmosfere cupe, violente e misteriose che sono REH riesce a creare.
Era da tempo che non leggevo qualcosa della saga di Conan eppure appena è apparso nel racconto l'ho riconosciuto.
Conan è il prototipo dell'uomo selvaggio, primordiale che non concepisce la civiltà, anzi crede che essa sia solo un mero momento di passaggio, alla fine l'uomo tornerà ad essere barbarico.
Adesso condividere ciò o meno non è importante, perchè l'elemento che appassiona è la scrittura di REH,
così ricca di sfumature e affascinante per la costruzione di un mondo così lontano e dove la magia nera ne fa da padrone.
Il racconto che ho appena letto è "Oltre il fiume nero": un aquiloniano di nome Balthus si trova disperso in una foresta,
poi, non sa nemmeno lui come, si ritroverà immerso in una battaglia all'ultimo sangue.
Tra negromanti, bestie infernali e soprattutto Pitti, la storia volgerà in qual direzione?
Ombre a Zamboula - ***1/2
Quando inizio un racconto di REH è come entrare in un mondo primitivo ed ancestrale,
dove forze sovrannaturali cercano di fare del genere umano un sol boccone. Così Conan, spudoratamente l'alter ego dell'autore che era sì gigante, ma per nulla barbaro, anzi veniva bullizzato sempre, si fa protagonista per sconfiggere queste demoniache presenze.
Alle volte scade troppo nel tamarro e le presenze femminili sono solo un accessorio, ma le atmosfere e le ambientazioni sono fenomenali!
Chiodi Rossi - ***1/2
Racconto lungo questo Chiodi rossi. Troviamo Conan in fuga con una ragazza, una piratessa guerriera e i due si trovano invischiati in un mistero più grande che potessero mai immaginare nei loro peggiori incubi. Riusciranno a cavarsela senza soccombere nel più oscuro oblio?
Avventura marcatamente conaniana: mostri dalle viscere della Terra, guerrieri assetati di sangue, misteri che affondano le radici nel passato più ancestrale e quel piccolo e sano humour inconfondibile dello scrittore.
Ideale per staccare un po' dalla realtà ed immergersi nella fantasia più sfrenata e immaginifica, firmata REH!
Il Dio nel sarcofago - ***
Parte quasi come un giallo investigativo, che già accostato a REH risulta strano, per poi svilupparsi come un maelstrom di suoni ed atmosfera cupa e di apocalissi imminente. Le spadone sferragliano come non mai e la storia dentro la storia, rende l'atmosfera alla perfezione.
Il tesoro di Tranicos - ****
Uno dei racconti più lunghi della saga di Conan. Qui lo vediamo avere a che fare con una storia di pirati, bucanieri, tesori, demoni e belle fanciulle. Quello che sbalordisce è che nonostante gli argomenti combacino, Howard riesce sempre a tenermi incollato alle pagine, che queste siano poche e fulminee, che quando in questo racconto, dove la storia prende forma piano piano. Lasciate perdere le riflessioni filosofiche e immergetevi in un'atmosfera cupa, devastante in un periodo dove si ha poco a che fare con la tranquillità, perché il Male è in agguato in ogni dove!
La figlia del Gigante del Gelo - *****
Il migliore racconto della raccolta e forse il migliore in assoluto della saga di Conan. Quando Conan alla fine di una battaglia lunga e distruttiva, sia per il corpo che per la mente, ecco che una visione cambierà completamente la…
Qui la scrittura, già densa di sfumature crepuscolari, si fa ancora più spettrale e onirica!
La vallata delle Donne Perdute - ****1/2
Un racconto che era iniziato in modo confusionario, non riuscivo a stargli dietro, rileggendo interi passaggi. Ma dopo qualche pagina, ecco che i personaggi e l'ambientazione inizia a prendere forma e gli avvenimenti si fanno sempre più frenetici e la rivelazione finale hanno chiuso alla perfezione questa serie di racconti dove…
Le opere di Howard fanno scintille
Di solito leggo con sufficienza e con goliardico divertimento, le frasi appiccicate sulle copertine dei libri, appioppate da altri autori, per pubblicizzare il libro in questione. Ma questa frase di Stephen King ci calza, proprio, a pennello!
Appena leggo le prime pagine, eccomi subito immerso nelle atmosfere cupe, violente e misteriose che sono REH riesce a creare.
Era da tempo che non leggevo qualcosa della saga di Conan eppure appena è apparso nel racconto l'ho riconosciuto.
Conan è il prototipo dell'uomo selvaggio, primordiale che non concepisce la civiltà, anzi crede che essa sia solo un mero momento di passaggio, alla fine l'uomo tornerà ad essere barbarico.
Adesso condividere ciò o meno non è importante, perchè l'elemento che appassiona è la scrittura di REH,
così ricca di sfumature e affascinante per la costruzione di un mondo così lontano e dove la magia nera ne fa da padrone.
Il racconto che ho appena letto è "Oltre il fiume nero": un aquiloniano di nome Balthus si trova disperso in una foresta,
poi, non sa nemmeno lui come, si ritroverà immerso in una battaglia all'ultimo sangue.
Tra negromanti, bestie infernali e soprattutto Pitti, la storia volgerà in qual direzione?
Ombre a Zamboula - ***1/2
Quando inizio un racconto di REH è come entrare in un mondo primitivo ed ancestrale,
dove forze sovrannaturali cercano di fare del genere umano un sol boccone. Così Conan, spudoratamente l'alter ego dell'autore che era sì gigante, ma per nulla barbaro, anzi veniva bullizzato sempre, si fa protagonista per sconfiggere queste demoniache presenze.
Alle volte scade troppo nel tamarro e le presenze femminili sono solo un accessorio, ma le atmosfere e le ambientazioni sono fenomenali!
Chiodi Rossi - ***1/2
Racconto lungo questo Chiodi rossi. Troviamo Conan in fuga con una ragazza, una piratessa guerriera e i due si trovano invischiati in un mistero più grande che potessero mai immaginare nei loro peggiori incubi. Riusciranno a cavarsela senza soccombere nel più oscuro oblio?
Avventura marcatamente conaniana: mostri dalle viscere della Terra, guerrieri assetati di sangue, misteri che affondano le radici nel passato più ancestrale e quel piccolo e sano humour inconfondibile dello scrittore.
Ideale per staccare un po' dalla realtà ed immergersi nella fantasia più sfrenata e immaginifica, firmata REH!
Il Dio nel sarcofago - ***
Parte quasi come un giallo investigativo, che già accostato a REH risulta strano, per poi svilupparsi come un maelstrom di suoni ed atmosfera cupa e di apocalissi imminente. Le spadone sferragliano come non mai e la storia dentro la storia, rende l'atmosfera alla perfezione.
Il tesoro di Tranicos - ****
Uno dei racconti più lunghi della saga di Conan. Qui lo vediamo avere a che fare con una storia di pirati, bucanieri, tesori, demoni e belle fanciulle. Quello che sbalordisce è che nonostante gli argomenti combacino, Howard riesce sempre a tenermi incollato alle pagine, che queste siano poche e fulminee, che quando in questo racconto, dove la storia prende forma piano piano. Lasciate perdere le riflessioni filosofiche e immergetevi in un'atmosfera cupa, devastante in un periodo dove si ha poco a che fare con la tranquillità, perché il Male è in agguato in ogni dove!
La figlia del Gigante del Gelo - *****
Il migliore racconto della raccolta e forse il migliore in assoluto della saga di Conan. Quando Conan alla fine di una battaglia lunga e distruttiva, sia per il corpo che per la mente, ecco che una visione cambierà completamente la…
Qui la scrittura, già densa di sfumature crepuscolari, si fa ancora più spettrale e onirica!
La vallata delle Donne Perdute - ****1/2
Un racconto che era iniziato in modo confusionario, non riuscivo a stargli dietro, rileggendo interi passaggi. Ma dopo qualche pagina, ecco che i personaggi e l'ambientazione inizia a prendere forma e gli avvenimenti si fanno sempre più frenetici e la rivelazione finale hanno chiuso alla perfezione questa serie di racconti dove…
Le opere di Howard fanno scintille
Di solito leggo con sufficienza e con goliardico divertimento, le frasi appiccicate sulle copertine dei libri, appioppate da altri autori, per pubblicizzare il libro in questione. Ma questa frase di Stephen King ci calza, proprio, a pennello!
May 24, 2013
OK, 5 stars might be a little high, maybe not the best Robert E. Howard story, but I loved re-reading it. I wrote a book report on it when I was in 5th grade. I remember drawing a poster of Conan as part of the report. I used a picture of Conan by John Buscema and Alfred Alcala from a Savage Sword of Conan for reference. I replaced the flagon of ale in the original drawing with a broadsword - cuz violence is more acceptable than inebriation, or something. Even in 5th grade I was nerdy enough to be interested in the fact that the story was originally written as "Vulmea's Revenge" with the unfortunately named Vulmea as the protagonist instead of Conan, then rewritten with Conan, and then even later edited and finished by L. Sprague DeCamp to fit into Conan continuity even better. And the Savage Sword story was based on "Vulmea's Revenge" not "The Treasure of Tranicos", and blah blah blah. So the 5 stars goes towards the experience of reading the book, not so much its literary quality. Which, come to think of it is always how I rate books... Anyhow, Conan dressed up like a pirate pimp is good stuff!
August 28, 2011
This is version a of Robert E. Howard's story, The Black Stranger, which has been slightly expanded and revised by L. Sprague de Camp.
A rollicking adventure of pirates, savages, exiled aristocrats, hidden treasure, evil wizards, fiendish demons and, of course, damsels in distress. Through this Conan cuts a bloody swathe, but uses brain as much as brawn to enmesh his opponents in an intrigue of greed and distrust by which he hopes to divide and conquer, and haul away the treasure for himself.
Despite not being "pure Howard", this is an excellent story and can easily stand beside his original works with its head held high.
This edition is enlivened by the illustrations of Esteban Moroto, though why he draws the Picts in the form of Papuans escapes me.
A rollicking adventure of pirates, savages, exiled aristocrats, hidden treasure, evil wizards, fiendish demons and, of course, damsels in distress. Through this Conan cuts a bloody swathe, but uses brain as much as brawn to enmesh his opponents in an intrigue of greed and distrust by which he hopes to divide and conquer, and haul away the treasure for himself.
Despite not being "pure Howard", this is an excellent story and can easily stand beside his original works with its head held high.
This edition is enlivened by the illustrations of Esteban Moroto, though why he draws the Picts in the form of Papuans escapes me.
December 30, 2024
Ο μι τζι. Τι απαράμιλλη αηδία ήταν αυτή. Ένα audiobook 3,5 ωρών, που αναλύονται ως εξής:
10 λεπτά περιπέτεια με τον Κόναν
2 ώρες και είκοσι λεπτά κοπελούδες και τελειωμένοι "πολιτισμένοι λευκοί", πειρατές και τέτχοια
και τα ρέστα μέτριος Κόναν με λίγο υπερφυσικό
Δε θα γίνεις Χάουαρντ ποτέ, καημένε Λι, καημένε Λι.
10 λεπτά περιπέτεια με τον Κόναν
2 ώρες και είκοσι λεπτά κοπελούδες και τελειωμένοι "πολιτισμένοι λευκοί", πειρατές και τέτχοια
και τα ρέστα μέτριος Κόναν με λίγο υπερφυσικό
Δε θα γίνεις Χάουαρντ ποτέ, καημένε Λι, καημένε Λι.
January 1, 2009
Another rewritten Robert E. Howard story by L. Sprague De Camp. Howard had two versions of this basic story, a Conan one and a Black Vulmea one. I like the Black Vulmea one best. This book also really added some negatives to the story from my point of view.
On the other hand, the interior illustrations by Estaban Maroto are pretty good.
On the other hand, the interior illustrations by Estaban Maroto are pretty good.
June 19, 2022
What a fool I was, walking into a used bookstore and asking, what I thought was the simple question, "Do you have any Robert E Howard?" as if it would be simple enough to get a few more stories about Conan the Barbarian, a character with whom my first experience involved Arnold Schwarzenegger. As one of the 'Lovecraft Circle' I'd picked up a book of Robert Howard's best of, realized he was none other than the creator of that legendary Cymerrian, and I desired more.
Little did I know that Conan the Barbarian was so fraught with pretenders, imitators, revisions and other complications. This book, the Treasure of Tranicos, is apparently one such story, originally written by Howard about a non-Conan character, later revised, with names changed in order to be included as a 'Conan' story.
Signs of the change are not NOT there, but I'm sure the fact that Howard's characters all being burly, manly, half-savage pinnacles of masculinity aided in the change.
All that being said, I enjoyed this. It's a simple story told in a complex manner, with different elements arising and butting heads, and in anyone else's hands it might have felt bloated and boring. But Howard has a knack for action that kept things exciting and vivid. As usual with this kind of story, if you're looking for anything in the way of strong female characters or racial sensitivity this is far from any place you'll find such things. But if you can overlook such gaping inadequacies, then the Treasure of Tranicos can fill a couple nights with reading entertainment, like a bigger, bloodier version of Treasure Island that also has a monster thrown in for good measure.
Little did I know that Conan the Barbarian was so fraught with pretenders, imitators, revisions and other complications. This book, the Treasure of Tranicos, is apparently one such story, originally written by Howard about a non-Conan character, later revised, with names changed in order to be included as a 'Conan' story.
Signs of the change are not NOT there, but I'm sure the fact that Howard's characters all being burly, manly, half-savage pinnacles of masculinity aided in the change.
All that being said, I enjoyed this. It's a simple story told in a complex manner, with different elements arising and butting heads, and in anyone else's hands it might have felt bloated and boring. But Howard has a knack for action that kept things exciting and vivid. As usual with this kind of story, if you're looking for anything in the way of strong female characters or racial sensitivity this is far from any place you'll find such things. But if you can overlook such gaping inadequacies, then the Treasure of Tranicos can fill a couple nights with reading entertainment, like a bigger, bloodier version of Treasure Island that also has a monster thrown in for good measure.
September 23, 2023
This is the first Conan novel I've read and it was a very pleasant experience.
Aided by the gorgeous illustrations created by Esteban Maroto the novel flows at a fast, action-filled pace through exotic jungles, demons, pirates, and heroic barbarians.
Any lovers of fantasy will definitely enjoy this.
Aided by the gorgeous illustrations created by Esteban Maroto the novel flows at a fast, action-filled pace through exotic jungles, demons, pirates, and heroic barbarians.
Any lovers of fantasy will definitely enjoy this.
February 16, 2018
One of the first Conan stories that I read and it had a great deal of influence on me as a writer. While much of it has been altered from the original story it still is a great addition to the Conan library.
June 9, 2023
A great quick read! One thing I love about these Conan short stories is how easily accessible they are. I just finished quite a lengthy fantasy series and this was a great quick palette cleanser. Of coarse Robert E. Howard never disappoints!
November 13, 2024
Wonderfully illustrated volume by Estaban Maroto. This is an edited version of REH's The Black Stranger. I just read the original version, so just flipped through this for the illustrations and to note some of the changes.
March 30, 2025
Bullet Points:
*lots of padding
*Very limited Conan in the first 50%
*Would have made a better 6 chapter short story than a novel.
*Is racist
*Conclusion: for people who want to read all of the Robert E. Howard Conan.
*lots of padding
*Very limited Conan in the first 50%
*Would have made a better 6 chapter short story than a novel.
*Is racist
*Conclusion: for people who want to read all of the Robert E. Howard Conan.
September 16, 2021
Howardův původní příběh ukázal na novou námořní kariéru pro Conana; jednou z hlavních de de Campových změn bylo přimět místo toho k revoluci, která přivede Cimmerian na trůn Aquilonie.
June 20, 2022
First Conan book I’ve read. Definitely not a progressive masterpiece, as you might imagine by the cover, and it’s a bit of a silly adventure novel, but has an interesting plot.
September 20, 2024
I've read this several times now, and it gets better every time!
February 16, 2016
Robert E. Howard is my all time favorite writer, but for many years much of his work was heavily edited. This is another of the heavily edited collections of Robert E. Howard's stories. I am a purist when it comes to a writers works. I know some of these stories are no longer PC but they should be read as Howard wrote them and understood that he wrote in another time period. Don't read this book unless you just can't find any others of Howard's unedited books to read. Message me if you need a list of what is good from this awesome fantasy and action writer.
May 18, 2020
This is my favorite Conan book thus far. I've read about 15. I like pirates, so there's that, and I like the characters he created and the dynamics between them. Very fun.
January 6, 2010
Originally published as The Black Stranger
Read
December 2, 2010Great cover, and incredibly illustrated, the drawings are what I love about this novel.
April 28, 2012
One of my favorite Robert E. Howard stories. I am re-reading it now. It is also known as The Black Stranger.
September 1, 2015
L. Sprague de Camp does a fair patch up of a Howard classic. Read this many times over the years.
February 6, 2011
A CLASSIC!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews