Cary Nord

This was a wonderful collection of early Conan's adventures. It starts with exquisite introduction given through small group of foreign conquerors (unfortunately Stygia - or some elements of it - seems to be in full force yet) roaming Cona's remote lands hundreds of years after his death. While investigating the newly conquered lands this group comes across what looks like to be Conan's final resting place and story starts.

And what a story. We follow Conan as he seeks adventure in the far north seeking the ancient world of Hyperborea. We follow him as he assists Aesir against Vanir warrior bands that ravaged Aesir's land during the ever lasting feud between two. In these stories Conan meets the true Northerners, their way of life, meets strange monstrous giants in the far north and gets enchanted [to border of madness] by beautiful yet bloodcurdling daughter of the ancient gods and finally reaches the mythical Hyperborea where he will learn that myths and stories are sometimes so different from the reality.

Stories are usual Conan action story, we follow him as he makes pacts with honorable men and fights the treason and cowardice, suffers from the betrayal and great loss and has one of his first encounters with the magic that ends especially bad for him (which explains his dislike for magic and wizards). I especially liked the story arc placed in Hyperborea, land of dark-magic immortals that have grown tired of .... life itself.

Entire story is full of links and references to ancient myths and people and these just add to the [already great] overall experience.

Art is excellent and what is more important consistent throughout the story arcs. Panorama's of the wild North and various creatures - be it ones encountered by Conan or those we learn about from the stories about creation of Hyperborea - are so wonderfully drawn, they are truly epic.

Recommended to all fans of heroic fantasy and Conan in particular.… (més)