Tarra Khash: Hrossak!: Tales of the Primal Land

Without spoiling, Tarra Khash is a name and Hrossak is sort of a race. Several stories are told. 2:30 A.M...I have got to go to sleep! I finish it the next morning. Although I am a huge Lumley fan, this genre is not my usual read. Oh my!!!!! Not to bore you, but I have a small shelf in my home for books which I plan to read again. It's there. I simply cannot wait to immerse myself again, in the Golden Krakens, then old King Fregg, or the Lamia! You will not be sorry.

Brian Lumley has won many awards for his writing, with very good reason. He is a master storyteller, knowing how to create characters, plots and good old fashion tales of horror that just flat out entertain. And while his stories are often promoted as being in "the tradition of H.P. Lovecraft," his voice is truly his own. The six tales within this book are seamlessly integrated so that they can be read as a novel, rather than as a collection of short fiction. They tell of the Hrossak Terra Khash, a fearless barbarian adventurer who roams Theem'hdra in search of women, drink and his next fortune. Nothing terribly complex here, just good stories--well told. Recommended.

With the exciting first fantasy tale, readers will quickly understand why Brian Lumley is an award winning author whose fans are fanatical about his work. The six tales that make up this anthology all occur in the Primal Land and star fascinating barbarian Tarra Khash as he roams from one epic sword and sorcery adventure to another on the island continent of Theem'hdra. Each contribution is a strong entry that enables the reader to feel they accompany the antihero on his escapades as Tarra seeks fortune, and females with drink to fill in the in between time, but often faces evil sorcerers, nasty demanding gods, and murderous thieves who seem easier to confront in combat vs. some of the women he shares his bed with. Fantasy readers will enjoy this compilation that feels like a cross between Howard and Lovecraft and will want to journey with Tarra on his previous exploits in the Primal land (see THE HOUSE OF CTHULHU). Harriet Klausner