Book Review: Conan The Liberator

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[4 stars]

Conan The Liberator
L. Sprague DeCamp , Lin Carter
Class/Genre: Fantasy
Series: Conan
Tor, Jun 2002, $24.95, 256 pp.

A fortyish Conan leads an army trying to overthrow the maniacal tyranny of king Numedides of Aquilonia. Conan believes his rebel force has a great chance of defeating the king’s forces led by General Procas and consequently expects to topple a monarch who abuses children and kills concubines on some of mad whim.

Conan and his advisors anticipate and plan a war they expect fought in which blade goes against blade. Instead, the evil sorcerer Thulandra Thuu and his servant Alcina intercede. Soon a mysterious illness threaten to do what the king’s forces have failed to do, destroy the rebel army unless Conan can find some way of saving himself, his soldiers and ultimately the people of Aquilonia.

This is a reprint of an exciting sword and sorcery tale released over two decades ago. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with non-magical and esoteric action as expected from the novels starring the pre-history hero. Conan remains dauntless while trying to do what he believes is right while his deadly foe Thuu will return for another day (or is that novel if this reviewer’s memory holds see CONAN THE SWORDSMAN).

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner