Blood of the Serpent by S.M. Stirling is a prequel to Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian stories, promising to bring readers back to the brutal and savage world of Hyboria. However, despite the excitement of returning to Conan’s world, this novel falls short of expectations in many areas, leaving this reader underwhelmed and somewhat disappointed.

One of the biggest issues with the book is its pacing. While Stirling clearly has a strong grasp of the Hyborian setting and does his best to capture the raw, violent atmosphere of Howard’s original works, the story itself often feels sluggish. Instead of the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled adventures fans might expect from a Conan tale, the plot drags in several places, weighed down by excessive exposition and a lack of forward momentum. For a character as dynamic as Conan, the novel spends too much time on repetitive conflicts and slow-moving scenes that don’t add much to the overall narrative.

Conan himself, though recognizable, doesn’t shine as brightly as he should. Stirling’s portrayal of the iconic barbarian feels somewhat flat, lacking the vitality and charisma that made him a standout figure in the original tales. While Conan’s brute strength and cunning are present, there’s a sense that this version of the character doesn’t quite live up to his larger-than-life persona. Instead of being drawn deeper into his early adventures, readers may find themselves disconnected from the story and the character’s journey.

The world-building is another area where the novel falters. Although Stirling does a good job of evoking the gritty, dangerous world of Hyboria, the setting doesn’t feel as immersive or engaging as it should be. The descriptions of cities, wildernesses, and ancient ruins come across as somewhat generic, lacking the vivid detail that could have made the world come alive. For a series that relies so heavily on atmosphere, this is a significant drawback.

Another major issue is the lack of emotional depth. Blood of the Serpent struggles to create any real connection between the reader and the characters. The dialogue feels stilted at times, and the interactions between characters don’t carry the weight or tension necessary to make the stakes feel meaningful. Conan’s foes are menacing on the surface, but there’s little complexity to them, leaving the conflicts feeling shallow and predictable.

While the novel does have its moments of action and intrigue, these instances are too few and far between to save the story from its overall mediocrity. The sword fights and battles, while competently written, lack the visceral excitement that fans of Conan’s adventures have come to expect. The supernatural elements also feel underdeveloped, never fully capitalizing on the potential to create a sense of dread or wonder.

Ultimately, Blood of the Serpent is a novel that may appeal to die-hard Conan fans looking for any new material set in Hyboria, but for readers expecting a thrilling return to the world of sword and sorcery, it’s a letdown. The novel struggles to capture the essence of what made the original Conan stories so iconic, and while it’s clear that Stirling respects the source material, his execution falls short of delivering a truly engaging and memorable tale.

Blood of the Serpent receives three out of five rockets from me. Despite its potential, it fails to live up to the legacy of Conan and the vibrant world of Hyboria, making it a disappointing read for fans of the genre.