Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
Robert E. Howard is famous for creating such immortal heroes as Conan the Cimmerian, Solomon Kane, and Bran Mak Morn. Less well-known but equally extraordinary are his non-fantasy adventure stories set in the Middle East and featuring such two-fisted heroes as Francis Xavier Gordon--known as "El Borak"--Kirby O'Donnell, and Steve Clarney. This trio of hard-fighting Americans, civilized men with more than a touch of the primordial in their veins, marked a new direction for Howard's writing, and new territory for his genius to conquer.The wily Texan El Borak, a hardened fighter who stalks the sandscapes of Afghanistan like a vengeful wolf, is rivaled among Howard's creations only by Conan himself. In such classic tales as "The Daughter of Erlik Khan," "Three-Bladed Doom," and "Sons of the Hawk," Howard proves himself once again a master of action, and with plenty of eerie atmosphere his plotting becomes tighter and twistier than ever, resulting in stories worthy of comparison to Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. Every fan of Robert E. Howard and aficionados of great adventure writing will want to own this collection of the best of Howard's desert tales, lavishly illustrated by award-winning artists Tim Bradstreet and Jim & Ruth Keegan.From the Trade Paperback edition.
El Borak and Other Desert Adventures: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This collection of pulp adventure stories features intense violence, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat typical of 1930s adventure fiction. Contains period-typical ethnic stereotypes and colonial attitudes that require historical context.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, violence, and blood (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers who love classic pulp adventure will enjoy the two-fisted action and exotic Middle Eastern settings.