Author
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
1906-1936
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard (1906-1936) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
The Moon of Skulls
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The Hour of the Dragon
"The Hour of the Dragon" by Robert E. Howard is a fantasy novel first published serially from December 1935 to April 1936. King Conan of Aquilonia faces his greatest challenge when conspirators resurrect an ancient sorcerer to overthrow him. Defeated, captured, and freed by a brave slave girl, Conan must undertake a perilous quest across the Hyborian Age to reclaim his throne. This sword and sorcery epic combines necromancy, foreign occupation, and adventure in Howard's only full-length Conan novel.
Red Nails
"Red Nails" by Robert E. Howard is a novella serialized in Weird Tales magazine from July to October 1936. It follows Conan the Cimmerian and warrior Valeria as they discover Xuchotl, a mysterious jade city enclosed by an emerald dome. The city's remaining inhabitants are locked in a deadly blood feud that has consumed their civilization for generations. As Conan and Valeria become entangled in ancient rivalries, sorcery, and betrayal, they must navigate a decaying world where survival means confronting both human treachery and supernatural forces.
The People of the Black Circle
"The People of the Black Circle" by Robert E. Howard is a novella published in three parts in Weird Tales magazine in 1934. Set in a mythical prehistoric India, the story follows Conan as he kidnaps Princess Yasmina while battling the sinister Black Seers of Yimsha who plot world conquest. This tale of sorcery, political intrigue, and forbidden attraction is considered a classic of Conan lore, praised for its epic scope, Hindustan flavor, and deeper exploration of magic beyond typical sword-and-sorcery conventions.
Shadows in the Moonlight
"Shadows in the Moonlight" by Robert E. Howard is a short story first published in April 1934. This sword and sorcery tale follows Conan the Cimmerian as he flees with a woman named Olivia to a mysterious island in the Vilayet Sea. There they encounter ancient ruins with lifelike statues, a lurking creature hurling boulders, and a crew of pirates. As night falls, Olivia's disturbing dream about the statues may prove prophetic, threatening everyone on the cursed island.
Jewels of Gwahlur
"Jewels of Gwahlur" by Robert E. Howard is a short story first published in 1935. Set in Howard's fictional Hyborian Age, the tale follows Conan the Cimmerian as he ventures into the mythical African kingdom of Keshan, seeking legendary jewels hidden in an ancient city. Multiple treasure hunters converge on Alkmeenon, where a mummified oracle guards the riches. Conan must navigate supernatural mysteries, rival thieves, political intrigue, and deadly guardians in his quest for the fabled Teeth of Gwahlur.
Shadows in Zamboula
"Shadows in Zamboula" by Robert E. Howard is a Conan story first published in November 1935. When Conan spends the night in a cheap tavern in the desert city of Zamboula, he discovers streets filled with roaming cannibals and deadly political intrigue. The barbarian hero must navigate treacherous innkeepers, a hypnotic high priest, and a formidable strangler while becoming entangled in a dangerous scheme involving a satrap's mistress and her insane lover.
The hills of the dead
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Kings of the night
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The Hyborian Age
"The Hyborian Age" by Robert E. Howard is an essay written in the 1930s that maps the fictional prehistory underlying his Conan the Cimmerian stories. Created to maintain consistency across his tales, Howard's detailed chronicle traces cataclysmic events, the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, and the racial origins of his invented nations. This ambitious world-building exercise links his Kull and Conan narratives into a shared universe, borrowing liberally from actual history and myth to craft a sprawling prehistoric saga that spans thousands of imagined years.
Queen of the Black Coast
"Queen of the Black Coast" by Robert E. Howard is a short story first published in May 1934. Set in the fictional Hyborian Age, this Conan tale follows the Cimmerian warrior as he becomes a pirate alongside Bêlit, the fierce Queen of the Black Coast. Together they plunder coastal villages and raid merchant ships, forging a legendary partnership built on both violence and romance. When they venture up a mysterious river and discover ancient ruins filled with treasure, they encounter supernatural horrors that will test Bêlit's promise that not even death could separate them.
Beyond the Black River
"Beyond the Black River" by Robert E. Howard is a short story first published in May–June 1935. Set in the fictional Hyborian Age, it follows Conan the Cimmerian as he battles a savage Pictish tribe led by the wizard Zogar Sag in the unsettled wilderness beyond the Black River. When a frontier fort faces overwhelming assault, Conan and a young settler named Balthus must warn defenseless colonists before they're slaughtered in a massive raid that threatens to reclaim an entire province.
A Witch Shall Be Born
"A Witch Shall Be Born" by Robert E. Howard is a sword and sorcery novella written in 1934. When an evil twin witch replaces the rightful queen of Khauran, Conan the Cimmerian refuses to serve the impostor and faces brutal crucifixion for his defiance. The story follows Conan's survival and quest for vengeance as the witch's reign plunges the city into terror and ruin. Featuring one of the most memorable scenes in the Conan series, this tale explores themes of duality, paranoia, and the eternal conflict between barbarism and civilization.
The shadow kingdom
"The Shadow Kingdom" by Robert E. Howard is a fantasy novelette first published in August 1929. When Kull, a barbarian from Atlantis, conquers the ancient kingdom of Valusia and claims its throne, he discovers something far more dangerous than rival warriors. An alliance with the mysterious Brule the Spear-Slayer reveals a terrifying conspiracy: serpent-like beings lurk in the shadows, using magic to steal identities and rule from behind masks of deception. Kull must question everything—including his own reality.
The Devil in Iron
"The Devil in Iron" by Robert E. Howard is a sword and sorcery story first published in August 1934. When a greedy fisherman accidentally awakens an ancient demon named Khosatral Khel on a remote island, a cyclopean fortress rises from the ruins. Meanwhile, Conan the Cimmerian is lured into a trap on the same island by an evil Turanian governor. Conan must battle mercenaries, giant serpents, and the iron-fleshed demon himself in this tale of resurrection and survival.
Gods of the North
"Gods of the North" by Robert E. Howard is a short story that was published in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1930s. This story centers around themes of myth, battle, and enchanting encounters, likely exploring the mystical elements of Norse mythology. The narrative follows Amra of Akbitana, a warrior who finds himself alone on a bloodied snowfield after a fierce battle. As he grapples with fatigue and disorientation, he encounters a beautiful and beguiling woman who draws him in with her enchanting presence, leading him away into the snowy wilderness. As Amra pursues her, he must contend with giants and the underlying threat of death. Ultimately, he realizes he has been lured by Atali, the frost-giant’s daughter, a figure who leads warriors to their doom. The story combines elements of fantasy with the brutal reality of warfare, culminating in a haunting exploration of temptation and mortality.
The mirrors of Tuzun Thune
"The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune" by Robert E. Howard is a fantasy short story published in 1929. King Kull of Valusia, plagued by existential despair, seeks answers from Tuzun Thune, a mysterious wizard who shows him an enchanted mirror. As Kull returns day after day to gaze at his reflection, he becomes obsessed with the world within the glass, neglecting his kingdom. But the mirror may hold more than philosophical truth—it might be part of a deadly conspiracy that threatens reality itself.
Skull-face
"Skull-Face" by Robert E. Howard is a work of fiction written in the late 1920s and falls within the genre of weird and horror tales. The narrative introduces Stephen Costigan, an American hashish addict who becomes entwined in a dark web of drug use, visions, and sinister characters. Throughout the story, the presence of a chilling and enigmatic antagonist, known as the Skull-Faced Man, looms large, suggesting themes of addiction and moral decline amidst a backdrop of tension between Eastern mystique and Western civilization. The opening portion of the story illustrates Costigan's haunting dreams influenced by hashish, leading him into encounters with fantastical and horrific imagery, including the Skull-Faced Man and a beautiful girl named Zuleika. As he struggles with his addiction and the surreal experiences that come with it, he finds himself drawn into a world of opium dens, danger, and malevolent forces. His gradual awakening to the reality of his situation hints at deeper plots involving drug trafficking and a powerful, shadowy figure who seeks to manipulate him. The narrative explores themes of despair, the consequences of addiction, and a burgeoning mysterious plot that promises danger and intrigue.
Black hound of death
"Black Hound of Death" by Robert E. Howard is a dark horror tale written in the early 20th century. This gripping short story delves into themes of vengeance, brutality, and the supernatural, exploring the terrifying transformation of a man into a beastly figure linked to ancient horrors. The narrative unfolds in the American South, amidst the eerie atmosphere of dense pinelands. The story follows Kirby Garfield, who embarks on a mission to warn Richard Brent of a dangerous escaped convict, Tope Braxton, and an even more ominous threat, Adam Grimm. As Garfield navigates the dark wilderness, he encounters grisly murders, horrifying creatures, and an atmosphere steeped in dread. The tale culminates in a horrifying confrontation where it is revealed that Adam Grimm, once a human, has been transformed into a monstrous figure—a "werewolf" of sorts, driven by revenge against Brent for a past betrayal. The chilling narrative pulls the reader into a world filled with primal fear, violence, and the consequences of unchecked malevolence.
Skulls in the stars
"Skulls in the Stars" by Robert E. Howard is a novella that falls within the realm of horror and dark fantasy, likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the mysterious and sinister happenings in an eerie setting, involving a haunted moor and a vengeful spirit. It captures the themes of bravery against dark forces, as the protagonist confronts supernatural evils. The narrative follows Solomon Kane, a Puritan hero, as he embarks on a journey to Torkertown. Despite warnings from the villagers to avoid the treacherous moor road, Kane is drawn to face the terror that has claimed the lives of many. Upon his arrival, he encounters the remnants of a recent victim and learns that a demonic entity haunts the moors, killing indiscriminately. His investigation leads him to old Ezra, a miser linked to a ghostly avenger—Gideon, his insane cousin, whom he murdered. In the climax, Kane ensures the soul of Gideon is appeased by allowing his spirit to exact revenge on Ezra, intertwining fate, guilt, and the supernatural in a gripping tale of horror.
Black Canaan
"Black Canaan" by Robert E. Howard is a short story published in 1936. Set in the backwoods of the American South, it follows Kirby Buckner as he returns home after receiving a cryptic warning. He discovers his homeland threatened by a mysterious conjure man named Saul Stark, who plans to lead an uprising. Buckner encounters a bewitching quadroon woman whose supernatural powers hold him captive, drawing him toward a terrifying voodoo ceremony where dark magic and deadly rituals await in the swamps of Canaan.
Rattle of bones
"Rattle of Bones" by Robert E. Howard is a short story written in the early 20th century, specifically during the 1920s. This tale falls into the genre of horror-fantasy and features themes of vengeance and the supernatural. The story is set in a dark and foreboding tavern located in a mysterious forest, where the eerie atmosphere sets the stage for a confrontation with fate and retribution. In the narrative, two travelers, Solomon Kane and Gaston l'Armon, find themselves at the ominously named Cleft Skull Tavern, where they sense an unsettling tension. The story escalates as Kane discovers a hidden room containing a skeleton shackled to the floor, and soon, the treachery of his companion, Gaston, is revealed. The tale takes a dark turn when the tavern's host, a man driven to madness by his past and the horrors he inflicted upon others, attempts to kill Kane. However, the dead magician's bones, freed by Gaston, come back to claim vengeance. The climax reveals a macabre twist as the skeleton takes its final revenge on the twisted host, blending elements of supernatural horror with the harsh realities of human cruelty.
The grisly horror
"The Grisly Horror" by Robert E. Howard is a gripping tale of horror and heroism, presented as a short fiction piece that likely emerged in the early 20th century, specifically during the 1930s. The story unfolds in the dark, oppressive landscapes of the Mississippi swamps, centering around themes of ancient curses, grotesque entities, and the primal terror woven into the very fabric of the land. The narrative dives deep into the dark secrets of a family, the Ballvilles, and portrays the struggle between forces of evil and the resilient spirit of the protagonist. The plot follows Bristol McGrath, a man drawn back to his ancestral homeland by a telegram claiming the love of his life, Constance Brand, still lives. As he ventures into the haunted territory of the Ballville estate, he encounters horrific sights, including the tortured remnants of Richard Ballville, Constance’s captor. McGrath’s quest leads him to uncover the nefarious plans of John De Albor, a man connected to an ancient cult worshiping a deadly entity, Zemba, a horrific creature reminiscent of a monstrous ape. The story crescendos into a frantic race against time as McGrath fights not only for Constance's safety but also battles the dark forces tied to the cursed history of the region, leading to a climactic confrontation against both De Albor and the monstrous Zemba. Ultimately, it encapsulates themes of love, vengeance, and the savage horrors that lie just beneath the surface of civilization.
Dig me no grave
"Dig Me No Grave" by Robert E. Howard is a short horror story written in the early 20th century. The narrative delves into themes of dark magic, evil legacies, and the occult, centering on the eerie events following the death of a man named John Grimlan. It weaves elements of supernatural horror and psychological dread, making it a compelling tale for fans of gothic fiction. The story unfolds as Kirowan and his friend John Conrad receive unsettling news about the death of the reclusive and sinister John Grimlan. Conrad is tasked with fulfilling Grimlan's bizarre last wishes, which include an arcane ritual involving black candles and an ancient incantation. As they navigate Grimlan’s dark house filled with ominous markings and forgotten secrets, they encounter a mysterious oriental figure and experience a terrifying ritual that culminates in the supernatural and unexplainable. Ultimately, they witness a climactic horror that suggests Grimlan's long-cultivated ties to dark forces lead to a chilling and inevitable conclusion, leaving them to grapple with the horrors unleashed by his legacy.