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Brak the Barbarian #2
Brak the Barbarian Versus the Sorceress
Making his way south toward the gold land of Khurdisan, Brak must first traverse the desolate territory of the Manworm--a land gripped by terror of things unknown & awful--a land of unseen watchers & horrifying riddles--a land ravaged by the evil of Nordica Fire-Hair, the beautiful, hypnotic sorceress whose occult experiments include human sacrifice.
160 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1969
About the author
John Jakes
438 books998 followersJohn William Jakes, the author of more than a dozen novels, is regarded as one of today’s most distinguished writers of historical fiction. His work includes the highly acclaimed Kent Family Chronicles series and the North and South Trilogy. Jakes’s commitment to historical accuracy and evocative storytelling earned him the title of “the godfather of historical novelists” from the Los Angeles Times and led to a streak of sixteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers. Jakes has received several awards for his work and is a member of the Authors Guild and the PEN American Center. He and his wife, Rachel, live on the west coast of Florida.
Also writes under pseudonyms Jay Scotland, Alan Payne, Rachel Ann Payne, Robert Hart Davis, Darius John Granger, John Lee Gray. Has ghost written as William Ard.
Also writes under pseudonyms Jay Scotland, Alan Payne, Rachel Ann Payne, Robert Hart Davis, Darius John Granger, John Lee Gray. Has ghost written as William Ard.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 10, 2013
A few examples of the problems I had with this book:
* Nordica Fire-Hair, the primary antagonist, is the daughter of a modest alchemist in this unnamed kingdom. Her father dies under mysterious circumstances. She is now gathering an army to herself in her mountaintop fortress. Where did she get a mountaintop fortress? It wasn't her father's, was it?
* The plot revolves around the modest alchemist devising a formula for the transmutation of base metal into gold. But when her suddenly-demon-worshiping daughter invokes this ritual, she's using the name of an elder god not generally known and not revered by her father. So did her father devise a formula that he never intended to use that invokes a foul being that he does not honor?
It goes on like this. It felt like Jakes had some idea about what pieces he wanted to include--a kingdom in distress, the Manworm, the gathering of a conquering army, a completely immoral source of funding--and then hammered them roughly into shape. It doesn't help that he telegraphs every plot point, making Brak look like a perpetual holder of the Idiot Ball as his understanding lags well behind the reader.
* Nordica Fire-Hair, the primary antagonist, is the daughter of a modest alchemist in this unnamed kingdom. Her father dies under mysterious circumstances. She is now gathering an army to herself in her mountaintop fortress. Where did she get a mountaintop fortress? It wasn't her father's, was it?
* The plot revolves around the modest alchemist devising a formula for the transmutation of base metal into gold. But when her suddenly-demon-worshiping daughter invokes this ritual, she's using the name of an elder god not generally known and not revered by her father. So did her father devise a formula that he never intended to use that invokes a foul being that he does not honor?
It goes on like this. It felt like Jakes had some idea about what pieces he wanted to include--a kingdom in distress, the Manworm, the gathering of a conquering army, a completely immoral source of funding--and then hammered them roughly into shape. It doesn't help that he telegraphs every plot point, making Brak look like a perpetual holder of the Idiot Ball as his understanding lags well behind the reader.
August 26, 2008
Old school sword & sorcery novels with Frank Frazetta covers are awesome. Period.
I know this has nothing to do with the story. Shut up.
I know this has nothing to do with the story. Shut up.
November 24, 2017
The second book in John Jakes’ Conan tribute series continues Brak’s journey southward toward Khurdisan only to have his path forced into a side adventure by the powers that be. Nordica is a beautiful sorceress intent on capturing Brak’s life force to further her own evil ends but just in case that isn’t enough, there is something deeper behind her sinister plot. Events from previous stories converge as Brak finds himself in the lair of none other than the followers of Yob-Haggoth, the big bad of the series. Brak’s old nemesis Septegundus as well as Ariane have prominent roles to play in this adventure as well.
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit more than the first book, probably because this was a single novel-length adventure (even though originally published in serial form) instead of a series of connected short stories. It allowed for much better character development and that “getting-to-know” Brak serves the series well. I almost always enjoy these sorts of sword and planet adventure stories and am willing to overlook the occasional over-the-top writing or plot hole. Jakes does a better job than most however and it was clear even back in 1963 that he would have a nice writing career ahead of him.
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit more than the first book, probably because this was a single novel-length adventure (even though originally published in serial form) instead of a series of connected short stories. It allowed for much better character development and that “getting-to-know” Brak serves the series well. I almost always enjoy these sorts of sword and planet adventure stories and am willing to overlook the occasional over-the-top writing or plot hole. Jakes does a better job than most however and it was clear even back in 1963 that he would have a nice writing career ahead of him.
July 6, 2025
Lin Carter wrote a review for this book and mentioned “Conan moves through the pages of John Jakes”. This couldn’t be farther from the truth lol. While some elements are there, Brak seems to never know what’s going on, and talks like a dork.
This book had potential, but I feel like a lot was rushed, and a lot of it is recycled from book 1; not much happens.
Overall I give the book 2.5 stars
This book had potential, but I feel like a lot was rushed, and a lot of it is recycled from book 1; not much happens.
Overall I give the book 2.5 stars
May 27, 2011
It's been a while since I read the first book in the Brak the Barbarian saga, but now it was time to continue the saga and read the next book.
So what is it all about? Brak the Barbarian continues his journey south, towards Khurdisan, the fabled city of his dreams. In the first book he was ever on the road, visiting strange places, but now Brak has come to some unknown place that reminds me a little of an english feudal farm community. However, before he finds that place, he is forced into the Pit of the Manworm where he rescues a girl named Elinor, meets a weird old man and hears the voice of Septegundas. Oh, he also finds his pony half-way eaten on the road.
The beginning is great. We learn that Brak is nothing like Conan... he has lots of weaknesses and is incapable of slaying even a simple hellhound called Scarletjaw. I loved the setup as it gave me a chance to learn a bit about Brak, however, from here it becomes one long walk towards the altar.
On the way there, we are introduced to Nordica Fire-hair, the witch who dominates the hellhound and, in fact, the small community. An old lord called Strann, his son, Prins Pemma and a bunch of other minor characters. Apparently, Nordica has taken over the rule of the community and for one specific reason...
Yep, I won't say any more about the plot.
Did I like the book? Well, as I said, the beginning was great, but from there, the story becomes a little back and forth. I had hoped to learn a bit more about the setting, but didn't learn a whole lot to be honest. I liked the idea of Nordica, but she should have been a bump on the way, not the center of the entire book.
Overall, worth reading but had it been 30 pages longer, I probably would have rated it much worse. I hope the next in the saga returns Brak to the road.
So what is it all about? Brak the Barbarian continues his journey south, towards Khurdisan, the fabled city of his dreams. In the first book he was ever on the road, visiting strange places, but now Brak has come to some unknown place that reminds me a little of an english feudal farm community. However, before he finds that place, he is forced into the Pit of the Manworm where he rescues a girl named Elinor, meets a weird old man and hears the voice of Septegundas. Oh, he also finds his pony half-way eaten on the road.
The beginning is great. We learn that Brak is nothing like Conan... he has lots of weaknesses and is incapable of slaying even a simple hellhound called Scarletjaw. I loved the setup as it gave me a chance to learn a bit about Brak, however, from here it becomes one long walk towards the altar.
On the way there, we are introduced to Nordica Fire-hair, the witch who dominates the hellhound and, in fact, the small community. An old lord called Strann, his son, Prins Pemma and a bunch of other minor characters. Apparently, Nordica has taken over the rule of the community and for one specific reason...
Yep, I won't say any more about the plot.
Did I like the book? Well, as I said, the beginning was great, but from there, the story becomes a little back and forth. I had hoped to learn a bit more about the setting, but didn't learn a whole lot to be honest. I liked the idea of Nordica, but she should have been a bump on the way, not the center of the entire book.
Overall, worth reading but had it been 30 pages longer, I probably would have rated it much worse. I hope the next in the saga returns Brak to the road.
March 28, 2023
It’s passable. I enjoyed the first book which was a collection of short stories quite a bit but this just fell short. I appreciate this books tie backs to the original villains from the debut short story, but the call backs just didn’t come together well. Also, as much as S&S plots can be obvious this was just too obvious and Brak continually denying it was frustrating.
I appreciate the thematic elements and call backs Jakes was going for but it just doesn’t come together into a decent plot. It’s not terrible but it’s definitely disappointing after the solid first book.
I appreciate the thematic elements and call backs Jakes was going for but it just doesn’t come together into a decent plot. It’s not terrible but it’s definitely disappointing after the solid first book.
July 25, 2008
Another novel of Brak.
April 6, 2025
In summary:
Brak is like Conan but not as good at his job. If this seems like your jam, consider a Conan story instead.
Brak is like Conan but not as good at his job. If this seems like your jam, consider a Conan story instead.
October 5, 2024
2.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Brak the Barbarian, trying to reach the rich lands of the far south, becomes mired in a local dispute between the lord and a sorceress. But maybe she has a link to his past after all?
Review
Most people are familiar with John Jakes through his historical novels, which I haven’t read. I came to him through his 1969 short novel, Secrets of Stardeep, which I read as a child, and loved. I’m afraid the rest of his SFF work just isn’t as good.
This second Brak novel was published in 1969, the same year as Stardeep, but you’d be hard pressed to believe it’s the same author. While Stardeep was sensitive and reasonably subtle, this is a straight, and not very successful homage to Robert Howard’s Conan stories. While I think that Jakes tries here to make Brak more believable, the result is that he’s constantly stumbling into trouble, being captured, and escaping more through luck than prowess or wit. Other tropes of the genre – mysterious, poorly clad women, sorcerors, creatures, etc – are standard and unsurprising.
Much as I’ve tried to believe in Jakes, I’m starting to think Stardeep was the fluke. This novel is readable, but repetitive and simply not very innovative or interesting.
Opprobrium to Open Road Media for publishing this second book in a joint volume with the fourth book and two random Brak stories. Why didn’t they publish 1 and 2 together, 3 and 4 together, and 5 with the shorter stories?
Summary
Brak the Barbarian, trying to reach the rich lands of the far south, becomes mired in a local dispute between the lord and a sorceress. But maybe she has a link to his past after all?
Review
Most people are familiar with John Jakes through his historical novels, which I haven’t read. I came to him through his 1969 short novel, Secrets of Stardeep, which I read as a child, and loved. I’m afraid the rest of his SFF work just isn’t as good.
This second Brak novel was published in 1969, the same year as Stardeep, but you’d be hard pressed to believe it’s the same author. While Stardeep was sensitive and reasonably subtle, this is a straight, and not very successful homage to Robert Howard’s Conan stories. While I think that Jakes tries here to make Brak more believable, the result is that he’s constantly stumbling into trouble, being captured, and escaping more through luck than prowess or wit. Other tropes of the genre – mysterious, poorly clad women, sorcerors, creatures, etc – are standard and unsurprising.
Much as I’ve tried to believe in Jakes, I’m starting to think Stardeep was the fluke. This novel is readable, but repetitive and simply not very innovative or interesting.
Opprobrium to Open Road Media for publishing this second book in a joint volume with the fourth book and two random Brak stories. Why didn’t they publish 1 and 2 together, 3 and 4 together, and 5 with the shorter stories?
September 19, 2026
A good action-adventure novel in a fantasy setting that is unfortunately only marred by some clumsy plot turns towards the end of the book. Did it take me to another time and place? Yeah, a bit. It was a great book to read 5 or 6 pages before I went to bed every day, to put my mind in another realm and forget the troubles of the world today. For that it was definitely worthwhile, yet not a classic. I have the 3rd book in the series and will read that probably before the end of the year but I don't know if I'm as keen to finish the series as I was after reading the first book of Brak the Barbarian.
March 1, 2020
So bad it's almost good
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March 10, 2021Star Book publication
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 20, 2023Easy read. Jakes gives us a barbarian who is less capable than Conan, but no less interesting.
November 15, 2023
I know Brak is a total clonan, but Jakes writes with such verve and energy that I don't care. Another fun, action-packed read.
January 10, 2025
Not deep or particularly clever but fun like swords & sorcery should be.
March 12, 2017
A Conan - rip off with all the usual elements.
I did not read this to the end.
I did not read this to the end.
May 19, 2014
When I read the first book in the series, Brak the Barbarian, I was struck with how Jakes managed to create a hero who was both reminiscent of Howard's Conan while and yet distinctly his own person. Given Howard's dominance of the pulp-fantasy, swords and sorcery field with Conant that is no small achievement in itself. Sadly it's an achievement Jakes wasted in 'Brak the Barbarian Versus the Sorceress'.
In the beginning of the story we find our Brak much as we left him, just a few miles farther down the road but otherwise still plodding along toward Khurdisan. That is, until an ill timed rock slide changes his path and puts him on a collision course with his old nemesis, Ariane, daughter of Septegundus the Amyr of the vile deity Yob-Hoggoth. Now I know what you'r saying right now, "OMG! Spoiler alert!" Well you'd have a point except it's not really much of a spoiler. By the time Brak figures out that Nordica Fire-Hair is actually possessed by the spirit of Ariane, daughter of Septegundus, you'll have long come to that conclusion yourself - and how could you not? Jakes practically beats it into your head that Nordica is possessed by Ariane. In fact the only person who doesn't figure it out until it's too late is Brak.
Speaking of Brak, I was heartily disappointed with how Jakes 'evolved' the barbarian hero from a sort of 'everyman's Conan' to an almost sad-sack bumbler. Seriously, given two obvious choices Brak will invariably make the wrong one and frustrate you, the reader, who will no doubt be screaming (mentally), "No, you fool! Don't do that!". Also, despite charging into battle bravely again and again, Brak not only never fails to fail, he keeps getting the crap kicked out of him in such vicious ways that one can only wonder at how he managed to make it to the end of the story. Seriously, he's hit in the head by spear butts and sword pommels so many times he should have brain damage. Then again, brain damage would explain a lot of his behavior.
Despite the strong start the story rapidly fades into a mish-mash of stock story tropes of the sword & sorcery genre which are presented in an often confusing manner - seriously, the convoluted decision making process Jakes has Brak using simply boggles the mind - and yet Jakes still manages to deliver a decent, if not good, story. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because of the author's writing ability, in the hands of a lesser writer this would have been a 1 star story easily.
In the beginning of the story we find our Brak much as we left him, just a few miles farther down the road but otherwise still plodding along toward Khurdisan. That is, until an ill timed rock slide changes his path and puts him on a collision course with his old nemesis, Ariane, daughter of Septegundus the Amyr of the vile deity Yob-Hoggoth. Now I know what you'r saying right now, "OMG! Spoiler alert!" Well you'd have a point except it's not really much of a spoiler. By the time Brak figures out that Nordica Fire-Hair is actually possessed by the spirit of Ariane, daughter of Septegundus, you'll have long come to that conclusion yourself - and how could you not? Jakes practically beats it into your head that Nordica is possessed by Ariane. In fact the only person who doesn't figure it out until it's too late is Brak.
Speaking of Brak, I was heartily disappointed with how Jakes 'evolved' the barbarian hero from a sort of 'everyman's Conan' to an almost sad-sack bumbler. Seriously, given two obvious choices Brak will invariably make the wrong one and frustrate you, the reader, who will no doubt be screaming (mentally), "No, you fool! Don't do that!". Also, despite charging into battle bravely again and again, Brak not only never fails to fail, he keeps getting the crap kicked out of him in such vicious ways that one can only wonder at how he managed to make it to the end of the story. Seriously, he's hit in the head by spear butts and sword pommels so many times he should have brain damage. Then again, brain damage would explain a lot of his behavior.
Despite the strong start the story rapidly fades into a mish-mash of stock story tropes of the sword & sorcery genre which are presented in an often confusing manner - seriously, the convoluted decision making process Jakes has Brak using simply boggles the mind - and yet Jakes still manages to deliver a decent, if not good, story. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because of the author's writing ability, in the hands of a lesser writer this would have been a 1 star story easily.
January 3, 2016
Classic sword and sourcery. Some of the dialogue is rather leaden and the story leaps from drama to drama but all good fun. Archtypical Barbarian hero, a la Conan. Clear inspiration (amongst several others) for Sir Terry Pratchett to parody with Cohen the Barbarian
May 15, 2014
It was OK. Nothing to write home about.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews