Almuric (Planet Stories) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Jul 18, 2008 Charles rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

This was Howard's entry into the Sword and Planet field established by Burroughs with his John Carter books. Howard puts his own unique spin on the subgenre. However, there's pretty good evidence that Howard didn't actually write the last chapter and there is some mystery as to who completed the novel.

There are several editions of this novel available, including a hardback version. ...more

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Dec 02, 2008 Derek rated it liked it

Shelves: sword-and-planet

I really, really, really wanted this book, but in hindsight somewhat regret paying full price.

This is the story you'd get if you were to somehow mix H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Rice Burroughs; a falling civilization on a primal world, with dark menaces just out of the torchlight.

The casual racism and chauvanism were disconcerting. ...more

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Aug 21, 2015 Gracy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I found this short (~150 ebook pages) novella very enjoyable. It's almost an exploration of tropes, and while that has apparently turned some people off, I liked the way the narrator/protagonist reflects on the state of man on Earth and on Almuric, I liked his treatment of the issue of feminism, and I liked how although he tries to find good/humanity in the various races of Almuric, sometimes evil is evil for evil's sake and that's all there is to it. Solid writing from Howard, and at this lengt ...more

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Oct 03, 2017 Benjamin Chandler rated it liked it · review of another edition

A relatively decent pulp adventure on another world, sort of REH's take on a John Carter-like novel, filled with plenty of testosterone and blood.

Fighter Esau Cairn is transported to another world in another galaxy where he battles fierce beasts, swarthy warriors, hyaena men, and demon-like people. He makes his way into (im)polite society and finds a young lady to love, but these activities are almost secondary to the unending violence encountered and dealt on the wild planet.

It's fine. The writ ...more

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