Status Updates From The Conan Chronicles

Just finished the story The Slithering Shadow and really enjoyed it. Only two more stories left in this collection - hoping to finish it before the new year.

By finishing the story 'People of the Black Circle', it marks the end of Cimmerian September 2025 by being able to finish it on the final day of the month. Ending on a slightly flat note, as I wasn't really a fan of this one. Maybe my expectations were too high going into it, as I know this is generally deemed a fan favourite by most. It marks my 28th REH related story this month to round off Cimmerian September!

The next story in this collection was The Devil in Iron. Yet again, another Conan story blending a variety of genres together, potentially a reference to HP Lovecraft’s mythology in that the name Dagon was used for a location. To me, Howard knew what worked here and did a great job hitting those heights.

I've now finished the story Shadows in Zamboula. Another which I've really enjoyed, featuring a different setting to what I've read so far in these Conan stories. What appears to be Conan saving the day, turns into actually Conan having his own interests in mind in true mercenary fashion. Great fights scenes and elements of sorcery.

Just finished the story A Witch Shall Be Born. An obvious inspiration (in parts) for certain scenes in the film. Another enjoyable story that doesn’t just focus on the Witch, but also a large scale battle. This story isn’t actually heavily Conan focused, but he plays more of a side character. Which makes it not one of the best, but still an enjoyable read and helps to avoid repeated stories.

Just finished Shadows in the Moonlight. I enjoyed this one - loved the jungle setting on an island, and how Conan had to hide from pirates which were then the least of his worries when he encountered a beastly man-ape. The next story is one of my most anticipated in the collection, A Witch Shall be Born. A great start to 2025’s Cimmerian September.

Just finished the story Black Colossus. The first time we see Conan take command of an army of soldiers, and against a dark magician, was thrown in the deep end. Not my favourite Conan story I’ve read so far, but still enjoyable, and furthers the character development of Conan up to this point. Next up, Shadows in the Moonlight.

First time picking this up for a while - I’ve just read the draft of the story The Snout in the Dark. Whilst it is a draft, it’s more as a fragment as this is barely a beginning of a story. For me, this could have been developed into a really interesting story had REH completed it. But I’m still glad it’s included as it gives an incite to the city Punt. And Conan being promoted to captain of the guard.

Just finished the story, The Vale of Lost Women. Not the best in the collection, but a good story nonetheless. Definitely a product of its time with the terms used in the story, though you can’t take anything away from the writing here, and the ending dabbling into weird fiction with Conan fighting a bat-like God. It won’t be on my list of top Conan stories, but it is memorable to say the least.

Just finished Queen of the Black Coast, and I’d say it’s one of my favourites of the collection so far. Really enjoyed it, and with a slightly longer page count, it allowed for changes of pacing, whilst being entertaining all the way through. I’ll take a break now from the collection, before reading the next story The Vale of Lost Women.