Conan and the Emerald Lotus

With the notable exception of Karl Edward Wagner's The Road Of Kings, there is no finer Conan pastiche than this. This novel is flawlessly executed fantasy fun from start to finish. You'll never want it to end; it's a compulsive page-turner that puts lesser Conan pastiche writers to shame. Other reviewers have gone into their reviews in far more depth than I have time for at the moment, so I'll just say they are right! Buy this novel now. You won't regret it!

Hocking has written a masterful sword and sorcery story. Driving action, evil sorcerors, compelling plot that never lets-up, lovely damsels--and Conan besides, written as no one but REH has written of him. When it comes to pastiche Conan, this may well be the best I have EVER read. Conan is more complex in Hocking's hands, just as he was with REH. Hocking has also mastered Robert E. Howard's compelling narrative, the brooding tension beneath... in short this is simply the best new sword and sorcery I've read in ages. Bring us some more Conan by Hocking! Please!

This book is a thrill ride from beginning to end, with Conan very much the Barbarian as presented by Robert E. Howard. His motivations are true Conan, lust and a desire to rid himself of the influence of sorcery. He has a noble streak, a very wide violent streak, and a wry humor throughout. It's nice to see an author who doesn't treat Conan as a mindless killing machine, but someone who, while "uneducated", has more insight into human behavior than the characters around him. Plus, the plot moves along quickly with lots of swordplay and a welcome touch of weird, Lovecraftian horror that adds to the Howardesque atmosphere of the novel. A great read!

In this unusual Conan novel, we are carried into the Hyborian world of Robert E. Howard. This author, unlike many other Conan writers, really knows his stuff. He obviously has a great respect for the old Weird Tales pulp adventures. This action packed saga features several sorcerors, including one attractive female, a stalking killer zombie, a band of Stygian outlaws, and ends up in a spectacular carven palace similar to Petra. Truly the heighth of adventure, Conan has to face a terrible Cthulhu monster and a giant grim idol of Nyarlathotep, all for the sake of the unthinkable emerald lotus, a plant and drug that came down from the stars in ages past that gives its user unlimited magic power and a inescapably deadly addiction. Hocking has crafted a tale of pulse-pounding excitement and fascinating narrative. Highly recommended.

Great book with lots of action. Hocking is a great story teller. I've read all of the Conan books. This is one of my favorites.