Conan and the Sorcerer (Conan Illustrated)

First of all, it must be said that Conan, as portrayed in this novel, and the subsequent novels by the author (Conan the Mercenary and The Sword of Skelos, forming a loose trilogy)is a bit too talkative and knowledgeable for his age, which is given as 17. That aside, these three novels are simply too enjoyable for that to detract from the overall reading experience. Offut's style is quite different form that of Robert E. Howard, Conan's creator, but is appropriate for a Conan adventure nevertheless. There is plenty of action, despicable villains, and, of course, several irresistable women. Conan wades through the bloodshed and sorcery, and emerges almost unscathed, and a little wiser for his experiences. There is also an injection of humor that enhances the novel. Along with the marvelous artwork, this book is quite a package. One should definitely seek out the larger-sized trade paperback edition if possible, but by all means, read this novel either way. It will not disappoint, and you'll find yourself seeking out the next two novels in the series.