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Solomon Kane #7
Wings in the Night
Wings in the Night collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from July 1932 to May 1933. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all -- Conan the Cimmerian -- and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1932
14 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Robert E. Howard
2,996 books2,651 followersRobert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard wrote "over three-hundred stories and seven-hundred poems of raw power and unbridled emotion" and is especially noted for his memorable depictions of "a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror."
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 6, 2022
Solomon Kane, Devon's King of Swords, in a cold hand mystery at its best. It's about some wingmen, an ancient curse, harpies, brutal slaughter and Kane's brutal revenge. If you like sword and sorcery this horror meets fantasy meets Solomon Kane, the landless wanderer, is among the best in the genre. He is one of the most impressive dark heroes ever. I enjoyed this violent adventure a lot and can highly recommend it.
October 17, 2024
[Short story read in The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2]
An epic Solomon Kane tale of bat-men attacking a tribe in Africa descending from the Harpies of ancient legend. Things don't go well for Kane in an interesting turn,
An epic Solomon Kane tale of bat-men attacking a tribe in Africa descending from the Harpies of ancient legend. Things don't go well for Kane in an interesting turn,
January 27, 2021
Wings in the Night - 4/5
The horror and violence were kicked up quite a few notches this time around. The violent imagery and depictions of genocide at the hands of grotesque, harpy-like creatures was an elegantly brutal sight to behold. I also enjoyed seeing the intense psychological impact that witnessing this kind of imagery had on Kane himself as he is normally so stoic and rational.
Seeing such a calm and detached man go mad with guilt and self-doubt was surprisingly rough. This was especially evident when the secondary protagonist was decapitated by one of the monsters and Kane began conversing with the victim's severed head in hopes of gaining consolement for his extreme bout of grief. I think this might just be the best story in the entire series along with Moon of Skulls.
***
Worms of the Earth - 4/5
King Bran Mak Morn seeks vengeance against the Roman governor Titus Sulla after witnessing the crucifixion of one of his comrades. He seeks aid from a race of grotesque monsters lurking in the dark depths of an ancient cave called the Worms of the Earth. He offers them a holy relic as a bargain, only to realize that these creatures are much more horrifying than he could’ve possibly imagined.
So horrifying in fact, that Bran revokes his offering in fear. It’s shocking to think that there’s something so horrifying lurking in the darkest depths of the world that you wouldn’t even wish for the evilest man on the planet to be subjected to their cruelty. In the end, Bran chooses to show mercy to the man that he once swore to kill. The fantasy and horror aspects of this story were very well done.
***
The Phoenix on the Sword - 4/5
Conan is a hardcore badass that puts many modern fantasy *heroes* to shame. He might not be the deepest in terms of character, but you have to admire the sheer amount of adrenaline, excitement and gory intensity he delivers with nearly every scene in which he is involved.
***
The Scarlet Citadel - 4/5
Intense and brutal, with mysterious sorcery and an enraged Conan to hype it up. Finishes with a huge and visceral clash with a mountain’s worth of bodies left in the wake.
***
The Cairn on the Headlands - 3/5
A reincarnation story where the protagonist is shown his past life as an ancient warrior from many centuries ago with the power of a magical relic. The story feels like an early prototype of American Gods, where Norse gods and Greek mythology clash with the modern world in strange yet entertaining ways. It rambled on a bit too long and was a little hard to follow at times but it was a cool story.
***
The Tower of the Elephant 4/5
This story really serves to flesh out the lore and history of Conan, adding a ton of context and emotional value to all of the previous stories as well as all that came after it. The action and adventure is as exciting as ever, and Conan’s meeting with a Lovecraftian entity is reminiscent to the wonderfully eldritch encounter in the Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath.
***
Poetry - 4/5
There are various poems in this collection and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. They read like black metal and viking metal lyrics which I've always been a huge fan of so I have a soft spot for this prose style.
The horror and violence were kicked up quite a few notches this time around. The violent imagery and depictions of genocide at the hands of grotesque, harpy-like creatures was an elegantly brutal sight to behold. I also enjoyed seeing the intense psychological impact that witnessing this kind of imagery had on Kane himself as he is normally so stoic and rational.
Seeing such a calm and detached man go mad with guilt and self-doubt was surprisingly rough. This was especially evident when the secondary protagonist was decapitated by one of the monsters and Kane began conversing with the victim's severed head in hopes of gaining consolement for his extreme bout of grief. I think this might just be the best story in the entire series along with Moon of Skulls.
***
Worms of the Earth - 4/5
King Bran Mak Morn seeks vengeance against the Roman governor Titus Sulla after witnessing the crucifixion of one of his comrades. He seeks aid from a race of grotesque monsters lurking in the dark depths of an ancient cave called the Worms of the Earth. He offers them a holy relic as a bargain, only to realize that these creatures are much more horrifying than he could’ve possibly imagined.
So horrifying in fact, that Bran revokes his offering in fear. It’s shocking to think that there’s something so horrifying lurking in the darkest depths of the world that you wouldn’t even wish for the evilest man on the planet to be subjected to their cruelty. In the end, Bran chooses to show mercy to the man that he once swore to kill. The fantasy and horror aspects of this story were very well done.
***
The Phoenix on the Sword - 4/5
Conan is a hardcore badass that puts many modern fantasy *heroes* to shame. He might not be the deepest in terms of character, but you have to admire the sheer amount of adrenaline, excitement and gory intensity he delivers with nearly every scene in which he is involved.
***
The Scarlet Citadel - 4/5
Intense and brutal, with mysterious sorcery and an enraged Conan to hype it up. Finishes with a huge and visceral clash with a mountain’s worth of bodies left in the wake.
***
The Cairn on the Headlands - 3/5
A reincarnation story where the protagonist is shown his past life as an ancient warrior from many centuries ago with the power of a magical relic. The story feels like an early prototype of American Gods, where Norse gods and Greek mythology clash with the modern world in strange yet entertaining ways. It rambled on a bit too long and was a little hard to follow at times but it was a cool story.
***
The Tower of the Elephant 4/5
This story really serves to flesh out the lore and history of Conan, adding a ton of context and emotional value to all of the previous stories as well as all that came after it. The action and adventure is as exciting as ever, and Conan’s meeting with a Lovecraftian entity is reminiscent to the wonderfully eldritch encounter in the Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath.
***
Poetry - 4/5
There are various poems in this collection and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. They read like black metal and viking metal lyrics which I've always been a huge fan of so I have a soft spot for this prose style.
December 5, 2018
Почти всички разкази в този том ги бях чел и преди, но ги препрочетох с голямо удоволствие - тук вече Хауърд навлиза в стихията си :)
Wings in the Night - Соломон Кейн се сражава с летящи чудовища. - 4/5
Worms of the Earth - най-добрият разказ за Бран Мак Морн. Бран търси свръхестествена помощ, за да отмъсти на римските нашественици. - 5/5
The Phoenix on the Sword - ето го и първия разказ за Конан. Класика, та дрънка. - 5/5
The Scarlet Citadel - една от по-малко интересните истории за Кимериеца, най-вече защото повтаря до голяма степен идеите от предния разказ. - 4/5
The Cairn on the Headland - най-слабият в тази подборка и единственият, който не бях чел. Повтаря в общи линии сюжета на The Horror from the Mound, с малко допълнителни елементи, които обаче не го правят по-добър, само по-муден. - 3,5/5
The Tower of the Elephant - Конан среща извънземно, хъ-хъ-хъ! Кефи заради оригиналността си и по-различния поглед към образа на бъдещия крал. Екзотичен сетинг, яка атмосфера и напрежение от началото до края. - 5/5
Обща оценка - 5/5!
Wings in the Night - Соломон Кейн се сражава с летящи чудовища. - 4/5
Worms of the Earth - най-добрият разказ за Бран Мак Морн. Бран търси свръхестествена помощ, за да отмъсти на римските нашественици. - 5/5
The Phoenix on the Sword - ето го и първия разказ за Конан. Класика, та дрънка. - 5/5
The Scarlet Citadel - една от по-малко интересните истории за Кимериеца, най-вече защото повтаря до голяма степен идеите от предния разказ. - 4/5
The Cairn on the Headland - най-слабият в тази подборка и единственият, който не бях чел. Повтаря в общи линии сюжета на The Horror from the Mound, с малко допълнителни елементи, които обаче не го правят по-добър, само по-муден. - 3,5/5
The Tower of the Elephant - Конан среща извънземно, хъ-хъ-хъ! Кефи заради оригиналността си и по-различния поглед към образа на бъдещия крал. Екзотичен сетинг, яка атмосфера и напрежение от началото до края. - 5/5
Обща оценка - 5/5!
June 10, 2019
The horror and violence were kicked up quite a few notches this time around. The violent imagery and depictions of genocide at the hands of grotesque, harpy-like creatures was an elegantly brutal sight to behold. I also enjoyed seeing the intense psychological impact that witnessing this kind of imagery had on Kane himself as he is normally so stoic and rational.
Seeing such a calm and detached man go mad with guilt and self-doubt was surprisingly rough. This was especially evident when the secondary protagonist was decapitated by one of the monsters and Kane began conversing with the victim's severed head in hopes of gaining consolement for his extreme bout of grief. I think this might just be the best story in the entire series along with Moon of Skulls.
Seeing such a calm and detached man go mad with guilt and self-doubt was surprisingly rough. This was especially evident when the secondary protagonist was decapitated by one of the monsters and Kane began conversing with the victim's severed head in hopes of gaining consolement for his extreme bout of grief. I think this might just be the best story in the entire series along with Moon of Skulls.
October 1, 2024
Wings in the Night is the fourth volume of a series that collects the fiction and poetry of Robert E. Howard as it originally appeared in Weird Tales magazine. This volume (Kindle version) has six short stories and four poems.
In “Wings in the Night” Solomon Kane encounters an African village besieged by harpy-like creatures. He does what he can to help the village and the story ends with him exacting savage revenge on the entire race of creatures. I liked how the legends surrounding the creatures tie into mythology. This is the final Solomon Kane story published during Howard’s lifetime.
I’ve enjoyed all the Solomon Kane stories from the previous volumes. The character and his stories are unique, an interesting mix of adventure and horror. I’m looking forward to seeking out and reading the stories that were published after Howard’s death.
“Worms of the Earth” begins with Bran Mak Morn witnessing the execution of one of his men. Next we follow Mak Morn as he plans revenge on the Roman commander responsible. His encounter with a witch seems to be the inspiration for a similar scene in the movie Conan the Barbarian from 1982. His plan turns out to be even more terrible than he expected.
““Phoenix on the Sword” is the historically important first Conan story. While it started out as a rewrite of an unsold Kull story, “Phoenix” establishes the very unique character of Conan, and sets in place the history and many of the attributes of the Hyborian Age, from which all later stories would flow.” - Paul Herman from his introduction.
“Phoenix on the Sword” begins with the “Know, oh prince” quote setting up the world of Conan. In this story a group of conspirators plan to assassinate Conan, King of Aquilonia. They hire an outlaw, Ascalante to help them but he has plans of his own. Ascalante has a slave, Thoth Amon, a former Stygian sorcerer who also has plans of his own. Things look grim for Conan but he gets some supernatural help from a long dead sage.
Although the first two parts are a lot of set up, the set up is interesting. When Conan is advised to hang the poet Rinaldo who is believed to be working with the conspirators, Conan responds with, “No Prospero, he’s beyond my reach. A poet is greater than any king.” Conan then seems a little sad as he talks about his younger days and the northern lands. Something I like about Howard’s stories are the hints of melancholy that run throughout.
I liked this story a lot but I want to read the original Kull story as well. I find it fascinating that we got Conan because Howard didn’t give up after the first version was rejected.
In the beginning of “The Scarlet Citadel,” King Conan and his knights are betrayed while heading to help a supposed ally. His knights are cut down and he is imprisoned in a dungeon of the wizard Tsotha-lanti. While in the dungeon Conan’s former allies attempt to take his throne. In the dungeon he faces an enemy from his past as well as a variety of nightmarish creatures. In the scene with the old enemy we learn that Conan was known as Amra the Lion in his pirating days. I like how this story and the previous one foreshadow Conan’s adventures from his younger days. Luckily Conan finds some unexpected help, escapes the dungeon, puts on his armor and joins a huge battle. The final confrontation with Tsotha-lanti had me shouting with excitement. What an ending!
“The Cairn on the Headland” is a modern age story that begins with two men debating about the origins of a cairn in Ireland. One man argues that the battle marked the end of the Viking raids and Viking religion. This was another “open the tomb and bad things happen” kind of story with the theme of Christianity vs. Norse Mythology. There’s also a link to the Cthulhu Mythos. This story was okay but I was surprised at what we found out about the norse gods at the end.
This story has a bit of a history. When the Turlogh O’Brian historical adventure story, “The Spears of Clontarf" didn't sell, Howard added fantasy elements and the story became “The Grey God Passes” also known as “The Twilight of the Grey Gods.” That story didn’t sell either. Howard was finally able to sell it after changing the setting to modern times and adding a horror element. The first two versions were eventually published after Howard passed. I’ll have to seek those out. I have a feeling that I’ll like the earlier versions more than this one.
We meet a younger Conan in “The Tower of the Elephant.” In this story Conan sneaks into a tower to steal a jewel, “The Elephant’s Heart,” belonging to the evil sorcerer Yara. Conan runs into another thief and they work together to try to avoid traps. Parts of this story are also an inspiration for a scene in the 1982's Conan the Barbarian. While I feel that the scenes in the movie are very well done, they pale in comparison to this story. At the end Conan discovers the cosmic secret to the jewel and the source of Yara’s magic. Outstanding.
We also learn more about the god Crom which helps the reader understand how the barbarian thinks. Howard writes, “His gods were simple and understandable; Crom was their chief, and he lived on a great mountain, whence he sent forth dooms and death. It was useless to call on Crom, because he was a gloomy, savage god, and he hated weaklings. But he gave a man courage at birth, and the will and might to kill his enemies, which, in the Cimmerian's mind, was all any god should be expected to do.”
As in the previous volumes I liked the poetry. Unfortunately this volume includes Howard’s final poetry submissions to Weird Tales.
“REH quit sending poetry to Weird Tales, as he was paid by the word, and he quickly found out that a simple 16 line poem doesn’t pay nearly as well as a 10,000 word story, especially when the editor will only include one work per author.” - Paul Herman, from his Introduction.
In my reviews of the previous volumes I wrote that I really enjoyed reading Howard’s stories in the order that they appeared in Weird Tales. They’re not always in the order that he wrote them but they’re close. It’s allowed me to see his progression as a writer and has allowed me to see how he reworked something when it didn’t sell. That’s the case again with this volume but this time with the added bonus of almost every story being a standout. They’re all fast paced, exciting, and have strong endings. But it’s more than that. There’s also strong characterization and themes like individualism and the decaying of civilizations throughout. Howard was on fire when he wrote these stories.
Looking forward to reading volume five!
Wings in the Night (Solomon Kane) (5/5)
Arkham (poem)
An Open Window (poem)
Worms of the Earth (Bran Mak Morn) (4/5)
The Phoenix on the Sword (First Conan) (4/5)
The Scarlet Citadel (Conan) (5/5)
The Cairn on the Headland (Cthulhu Mythos) (from Strange Tales) (3/5)
The Tower of the Elephant (Conan) (5/5)
Autumn (poem)
Moonlight on a Skull (poem)
In “Wings in the Night” Solomon Kane encounters an African village besieged by harpy-like creatures. He does what he can to help the village and the story ends with him exacting savage revenge on the entire race of creatures. I liked how the legends surrounding the creatures tie into mythology. This is the final Solomon Kane story published during Howard’s lifetime.
I’ve enjoyed all the Solomon Kane stories from the previous volumes. The character and his stories are unique, an interesting mix of adventure and horror. I’m looking forward to seeking out and reading the stories that were published after Howard’s death.
“Worms of the Earth” begins with Bran Mak Morn witnessing the execution of one of his men. Next we follow Mak Morn as he plans revenge on the Roman commander responsible. His encounter with a witch seems to be the inspiration for a similar scene in the movie Conan the Barbarian from 1982. His plan turns out to be even more terrible than he expected.
““Phoenix on the Sword” is the historically important first Conan story. While it started out as a rewrite of an unsold Kull story, “Phoenix” establishes the very unique character of Conan, and sets in place the history and many of the attributes of the Hyborian Age, from which all later stories would flow.” - Paul Herman from his introduction.
“Phoenix on the Sword” begins with the “Know, oh prince” quote setting up the world of Conan. In this story a group of conspirators plan to assassinate Conan, King of Aquilonia. They hire an outlaw, Ascalante to help them but he has plans of his own. Ascalante has a slave, Thoth Amon, a former Stygian sorcerer who also has plans of his own. Things look grim for Conan but he gets some supernatural help from a long dead sage.
Although the first two parts are a lot of set up, the set up is interesting. When Conan is advised to hang the poet Rinaldo who is believed to be working with the conspirators, Conan responds with, “No Prospero, he’s beyond my reach. A poet is greater than any king.” Conan then seems a little sad as he talks about his younger days and the northern lands. Something I like about Howard’s stories are the hints of melancholy that run throughout.
I liked this story a lot but I want to read the original Kull story as well. I find it fascinating that we got Conan because Howard didn’t give up after the first version was rejected.
In the beginning of “The Scarlet Citadel,” King Conan and his knights are betrayed while heading to help a supposed ally. His knights are cut down and he is imprisoned in a dungeon of the wizard Tsotha-lanti. While in the dungeon Conan’s former allies attempt to take his throne. In the dungeon he faces an enemy from his past as well as a variety of nightmarish creatures. In the scene with the old enemy we learn that Conan was known as Amra the Lion in his pirating days. I like how this story and the previous one foreshadow Conan’s adventures from his younger days. Luckily Conan finds some unexpected help, escapes the dungeon, puts on his armor and joins a huge battle. The final confrontation with Tsotha-lanti had me shouting with excitement. What an ending!
“The Cairn on the Headland” is a modern age story that begins with two men debating about the origins of a cairn in Ireland. One man argues that the battle marked the end of the Viking raids and Viking religion. This was another “open the tomb and bad things happen” kind of story with the theme of Christianity vs. Norse Mythology. There’s also a link to the Cthulhu Mythos. This story was okay but I was surprised at what we found out about the norse gods at the end.
This story has a bit of a history. When the Turlogh O’Brian historical adventure story, “The Spears of Clontarf" didn't sell, Howard added fantasy elements and the story became “The Grey God Passes” also known as “The Twilight of the Grey Gods.” That story didn’t sell either. Howard was finally able to sell it after changing the setting to modern times and adding a horror element. The first two versions were eventually published after Howard passed. I’ll have to seek those out. I have a feeling that I’ll like the earlier versions more than this one.
We meet a younger Conan in “The Tower of the Elephant.” In this story Conan sneaks into a tower to steal a jewel, “The Elephant’s Heart,” belonging to the evil sorcerer Yara. Conan runs into another thief and they work together to try to avoid traps. Parts of this story are also an inspiration for a scene in the 1982's Conan the Barbarian. While I feel that the scenes in the movie are very well done, they pale in comparison to this story. At the end Conan discovers the cosmic secret to the jewel and the source of Yara’s magic. Outstanding.
We also learn more about the god Crom which helps the reader understand how the barbarian thinks. Howard writes, “His gods were simple and understandable; Crom was their chief, and he lived on a great mountain, whence he sent forth dooms and death. It was useless to call on Crom, because he was a gloomy, savage god, and he hated weaklings. But he gave a man courage at birth, and the will and might to kill his enemies, which, in the Cimmerian's mind, was all any god should be expected to do.”
As in the previous volumes I liked the poetry. Unfortunately this volume includes Howard’s final poetry submissions to Weird Tales.
“REH quit sending poetry to Weird Tales, as he was paid by the word, and he quickly found out that a simple 16 line poem doesn’t pay nearly as well as a 10,000 word story, especially when the editor will only include one work per author.” - Paul Herman, from his Introduction.
In my reviews of the previous volumes I wrote that I really enjoyed reading Howard’s stories in the order that they appeared in Weird Tales. They’re not always in the order that he wrote them but they’re close. It’s allowed me to see his progression as a writer and has allowed me to see how he reworked something when it didn’t sell. That’s the case again with this volume but this time with the added bonus of almost every story being a standout. They’re all fast paced, exciting, and have strong endings. But it’s more than that. There’s also strong characterization and themes like individualism and the decaying of civilizations throughout. Howard was on fire when he wrote these stories.
Looking forward to reading volume five!
Wings in the Night (Solomon Kane) (5/5)
Arkham (poem)
An Open Window (poem)
Worms of the Earth (Bran Mak Morn) (4/5)
The Phoenix on the Sword (First Conan) (4/5)
The Scarlet Citadel (Conan) (5/5)
The Cairn on the Headland (Cthulhu Mythos) (from Strange Tales) (3/5)
The Tower of the Elephant (Conan) (5/5)
Autumn (poem)
Moonlight on a Skull (poem)
November 20, 2022
Good story, lots of gore and violence.
Was surprised it linked to other ancient tales
Was surprised it linked to other ancient tales
October 30, 2015
I've been a big fan of the “Weird Works” collections of Howard's stuff since I picked up the first one three years ago, and this large trade edition of volume didn't disappoint. It's got Bran Mak Morn, Solomon Kane, 3 Conan tales, a one-off and some poems.
Among the Conan tales is one of the more famous ones, “The Tower of the Elephant”, which is also the first Conan story I ever read, years ago. It's loaded with colorful fantasy goodies and Lovecraft-type cosmic goodness, which made it well worth re-reading. “The Phoenix on the Sword” and “The Scarlet Citadel” both have their appeal, but I've got my favorites just like you'll have yours.
I don't usually take too much away from Howard's poetry. It's no smear on him, I just don't tend to gravitate towards it unless it's applied to a story. However, the last poem in this volume, “Moonlight on a Skull”, stuck out. I suspect it meant to resonate just where it was since the reader has also just “opened a volume dark and rare”.
Among the Conan tales is one of the more famous ones, “The Tower of the Elephant”, which is also the first Conan story I ever read, years ago. It's loaded with colorful fantasy goodies and Lovecraft-type cosmic goodness, which made it well worth re-reading. “The Phoenix on the Sword” and “The Scarlet Citadel” both have their appeal, but I've got my favorites just like you'll have yours.
I don't usually take too much away from Howard's poetry. It's no smear on him, I just don't tend to gravitate towards it unless it's applied to a story. However, the last poem in this volume, “Moonlight on a Skull”, stuck out. I suspect it meant to resonate just where it was since the reader has also just “opened a volume dark and rare”.
February 19, 2025
"Africa, the Dark Continent, land of shadows and horror, of bewitchment and sorcery, into which all evil things had been banished before the growing light of the western world!"
May 17, 2025
Sometimes I pick up old sci fi just to torture myself. Would not recommend to anyone in the 21st century, even the target audience, which could only be christofascists/white supremacists.
May 11, 2024
4 / 5
[This review is solely for the short story named Wings in the Night]
I have to admit, this short story was a huge surprise and exceeded all my expectations. Let me explain why...
Wings in the Night is a short story by Robert E. Howard featuring Solomon Kane, who is his second well-known character, being often in the shade of the famous Conan the Barbarian (or Cimmerian if you'd like). I've read a lot of Conan stories, probably around 15-20 and I've found them average, sufficiently entertaining (if I turned my brain off for a while) but lacking any real literary value. Some were interesting, atmospheric and well written, some were acceptable and some were horrible and abhorrent. I had reached a point where I was so fed up and tired with Howard's Conan BS that I had decided to stop reading his stories. But, this is not a Conan story review; it's a Solomon Kane story review. So, when yesterday I was looking for something really short to fill an evening's worth of reading, I happened upon this free (Project Gutenberg) short story and with trepidation I touched on the first page on my e-reader...
Well, color me surprised! The style was so different that I could hardly recognize Howard's writing behind it. Kane is much more down to earth and relatable. He often describes his feelings and thoughts, and treats life as a normal mortal would. Truth be told here, the plot is a bit stupid and quite indifferent. I blame that on the story's age (it was written in 1932...!!). I liked the African setting as I've been craving for something African-inspired for a while, but the plot and it's development are very very basic.
Still, there was a huge surprise in store and that was the prose actually. Howard writes beautifully here. Every paragraph is full of atmosphere. I want to make special mention of his descriptions, similes and especially his metaphors. There were moments where I stopped and re-read and re-read a sentence because it was so intense and heavy with implied atmosphere.
Check those out:
"A shuddering, white-faced dawn crept over the black hills to shiver above the red shambles that had been the [spoiler]."
or
"Through colossal, black basaltic corridors of night, Solomon Kane fled for a thousand years. Gigantic winged demons, horrific in the utter darkness, swept over him with a rush of great bat-like pinions and in the blackness he fought with them as a cornered rat fights a vampire bat, while fleshless jaws drooled fearful blasphemies and horrid secrets in his ears, and the skulls of men rolled under his groping feet."
I was honestly not expecting that. I really thought I was done and done with Howard and now this happens and makes me want to explore more Solomon Kane stories.
Needless to say, I heartily recommend this free short story whether you have read and tried Robert E. Howard's works before or not.
4 / 5
[This review is solely for the short story named Wings in the Night]
I have to admit, this short story was a huge surprise and exceeded all my expectations. Let me explain why...
Wings in the Night is a short story by Robert E. Howard featuring Solomon Kane, who is his second well-known character, being often in the shade of the famous Conan the Barbarian (or Cimmerian if you'd like). I've read a lot of Conan stories, probably around 15-20 and I've found them average, sufficiently entertaining (if I turned my brain off for a while) but lacking any real literary value. Some were interesting, atmospheric and well written, some were acceptable and some were horrible and abhorrent. I had reached a point where I was so fed up and tired with Howard's Conan BS that I had decided to stop reading his stories. But, this is not a Conan story review; it's a Solomon Kane story review. So, when yesterday I was looking for something really short to fill an evening's worth of reading, I happened upon this free (Project Gutenberg) short story and with trepidation I touched on the first page on my e-reader...
Well, color me surprised! The style was so different that I could hardly recognize Howard's writing behind it. Kane is much more down to earth and relatable. He often describes his feelings and thoughts, and treats life as a normal mortal would. Truth be told here, the plot is a bit stupid and quite indifferent. I blame that on the story's age (it was written in 1932...!!). I liked the African setting as I've been craving for something African-inspired for a while, but the plot and it's development are very very basic.
Still, there was a huge surprise in store and that was the prose actually. Howard writes beautifully here. Every paragraph is full of atmosphere. I want to make special mention of his descriptions, similes and especially his metaphors. There were moments where I stopped and re-read and re-read a sentence because it was so intense and heavy with implied atmosphere.
Check those out:
"A shuddering, white-faced dawn crept over the black hills to shiver above the red shambles that had been the [spoiler]."
or
"Through colossal, black basaltic corridors of night, Solomon Kane fled for a thousand years. Gigantic winged demons, horrific in the utter darkness, swept over him with a rush of great bat-like pinions and in the blackness he fought with them as a cornered rat fights a vampire bat, while fleshless jaws drooled fearful blasphemies and horrid secrets in his ears, and the skulls of men rolled under his groping feet."
I was honestly not expecting that. I really thought I was done and done with Howard and now this happens and makes me want to explore more Solomon Kane stories.
Needless to say, I heartily recommend this free short story whether you have read and tried Robert E. Howard's works before or not.
4 / 5
January 25, 2017
I downloaded free copies of "Weird Works" Volumes 1, 2, & 4 to read the short stories that were new to me. Transpires that all the unread material were short poems, so I soon got through these books.
I'm no fan of poetry, but Howard's style is palatable. The prose tales in this collection are the main attraction and I recommend them to anyone new to the works of this great writer.
I'm no fan of poetry, but Howard's style is palatable. The prose tales in this collection are the main attraction and I recommend them to anyone new to the works of this great writer.
January 23, 2016
This fourth volume of the the collected Robert E Howard continues the face paced action. Fantastic stories that take you right into the action. These stories are presented unedited as they originally appeared in the magazine. Highly recommended
June 24, 2024
This might be the best Howard collection to give to someone who is new to his work and wants to check it out. Three of the best Conan stories, one of the best Solomon Kane stories, a classic horror story in Cairn on the Headland, and a handful of poems.
September 2, 2014
Nothing like a classic.
December 13, 2023
yay racism
March 25, 2020
REH's works printed in Weird Tales starting in 1932, the year he goes from being just another pulp author to a giant in the field. It begins with another Solomon Kane tale, one where the mad Quaker goes totally insane and commits an act of genocide. Then we have "The Worms of the Earth", commonly considered REH's best short story, where Bran Mac Morn delves into dark magic to defeat the Roman advance into Britain. The Black Stone, the Picts, and a little bit of Cthulhu Mythos make for a great horror story. And then the seminal instance in his career, the first appearance of Conan the Barbarian in "The Phoenix on the Sword". Even so, this is not Conan of Cimmeria, King of Aquilonia, but Kull of Atlantis, King of Valusia with the names changed. Though a good story, it's not the Conan we know. This is a king on an unsteady throne fighting off treachery and an attempt at assassination, not a lone barbarian of the wastes surviving by his wits and his sword. It does, however, include the first appearance of Thoth-Amon, Stygian wizard and long time Conan nemesis. Even Thoth-Amon is not yet himself, here a slave forced to serve another, not the undying sorcerer who sends death across the globe from his tower in the wastes of Stygia. Even with these differences we do see the genesis of what Conan will become when he says, "Slaying is thirsty work."
With "The Scarlet Citadel" we begin to see a bit more recognizable Conan. He is still king, but now he is alone and faces down entire armies, powerful wizards, and a giant snake. Conan is at his best when his only resource is his mighty thews. This we see in the first true Conan tale, "The Tower of the Elephant," where a younger Conan follows the life of a thief and faces down lions and spiders and elephants, oh my.
A short story collection featuring Solomon Kane, Bran Mac Morn, and Conan is not one to be missed.
With "The Scarlet Citadel" we begin to see a bit more recognizable Conan. He is still king, but now he is alone and faces down entire armies, powerful wizards, and a giant snake. Conan is at his best when his only resource is his mighty thews. This we see in the first true Conan tale, "The Tower of the Elephant," where a younger Conan follows the life of a thief and faces down lions and spiders and elephants, oh my.
A short story collection featuring Solomon Kane, Bran Mac Morn, and Conan is not one to be missed.
May 29, 2024
"Крылья в ночи" Герой этой серии рассказов Соломон Кейн – англичанин-пуританин, живущий в XVI веке, путешествует по миру и каждый раз находит для себя мистические и странные приключения. Этот герой (в отличии от многих других) у Говарда получился интересным и самобытным.
Кейн спасаясь от преследования людоедов, где-то на просторах Африки попадает в место, где живут гарпии, те самые из древнегреческих мифов, столь же жуткие и кровожадные. Они терроризируют местное племя, которое оказалось в ловушке попав сюда много лет назад. С одной стороны, людоеды не дают им покинуть эту местность, с другой постоянные налеты гарпий не дают этим людям вздохнуть и пожить спокойно. Кейн решает помочь несчастным, но у него не сразу все получается. В рассказе хороша концовка, Кейн пусть и не слишком изыскано, но все, же нашел разумный способ избавиться от чудовищ.
Кейн спасаясь от преследования людоедов, где-то на просторах Африки попадает в место, где живут гарпии, те самые из древнегреческих мифов, столь же жуткие и кровожадные. Они терроризируют местное племя, которое оказалось в ловушке попав сюда много лет назад. С одной стороны, людоеды не дают им покинуть эту местность, с другой постоянные налеты гарпий не дают этим людям вздохнуть и пожить спокойно. Кейн решает помочь несчастным, но у него не сразу все получается. В рассказе хороша концовка, Кейн пусть и не слишком изыскано, но все, же нашел разумный способ избавиться от чудовищ.
April 4, 2022
Hauntingly gruesome, yet compelling.
May 16, 2023
Ultra violent, but very well-written and gripping action.
October 27, 2021
Blood, flames, wings, hypocrisy. Any time a man wants to see a monster he just has to find a mirror.
January 18, 2024
The stand out stories are The Wings in the Night and Worms of the Earth. Solomon Kane and Bran Mok Morn are both more interesting characters than Conan is.
The first two Conan stories, The Phoenix on the Sword, and The Scarlet Citadel are both mid at best. Conan is almost totally boring in each. The Tower of the Elephant is of course a classic, but Conan is the least interesting thing about the story.
The first two Conan stories, The Phoenix on the Sword, and The Scarlet Citadel are both mid at best. Conan is almost totally boring in each. The Tower of the Elephant is of course a classic, but Conan is the least interesting thing about the story.
March 1, 2023
Maybe the best Solomon Kane story I've read so far. Kane has ventured into Africa where there is a horrible balance between a dwindling village and the nearby monsters who are feeding on it (through grotesque, systematic sacrifices). Kane undertakes to rid the village of the monsters.
December 30, 2014
This is a Soloman Kane pulp fiction tale written by Robert Howard author of the Conan the Barbarian books and many more. This man had an imagination and the writing skill to make it real to the reader. These books were written in the 1930's but hold up remarkably well. After reading this one I want more.
Set in Africa this one concerns a race of gargoyle-like creatures who prey on the tribes. Soloman Kane comes across this during his explorations to his terror. He is the hero so yes he saves the day, but not until he suffers and is forced to fight to the death.
Set in Africa this one concerns a race of gargoyle-like creatures who prey on the tribes. Soloman Kane comes across this during his explorations to his terror. He is the hero so yes he saves the day, but not until he suffers and is forced to fight to the death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
I was enjoying this until literally the last page, when it became a screed about the conquering Aryan hero triumphing where the dark-skinned lesser races always fail (and yes, "Aryan" is the word REH uses, in this and many other stories).
yay racism indeed
yay racism indeed
August 13, 2013
Sempre piacevole lettura.
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