Not really one for me sorry. I'm a fan of the original Conan stories but while doing it's best to stick to that style - the story in this one didn't really grab me as much as I thought it would.

Conan is one of my favorite characters, so I was really excited going into this one. I wasn't expecting the greatness of the writing of Robert E. Howard, but I gotta admit that S.M. Stirling did a darn fine job with the character. This felt very authentic and true to the world of Conan and is a great addition to Howard's legacy. It was a bit wordy in places, and could have used a bit more "weird fantasy" vibe, but overall it was well-done and enjoyable. As a Conan fan, I approve!

An enjoyable adventure romp in true Conan style. This felt very authentic to the Conan world and gave quite a lot of background and hints about the previous books. Fans of Conan will enjoy reading about how Conan and Valeria first met. The Conan books have always been very formulaic, and I was pleased that this was followed pretty closely. There's action, there's violence, there's the traditional Conan horniness, dark magic and a plot that involves Conan trying to steal things and get laid. A lot of the older Conan books can feel a bit icky on the female representation, but Conan isn't Conan if he isn't trying to get jiggy with someone. I liked that Valeria was presented as a tough, strong, sexy woman who could look after herself, and was fully prepared to say no and kick a man in the ball's to make her point. She still has vulnerabilities and isn't immune to Conan's "assets", but isn't just swooning over at the sight of a barbarian in a loincloth.

The only reason I didn't give it five stars is it is a bit wordy in places unnecessarily, which I felt made the novel drag in places. I think it could have been cut by a third and would have been perfect.

3.5 upped to 4
When you write a pastiche about a mythical hero you know that there'll be a lot of comparison and critics. When you read a pastiche you know that you will read a book about a well known character with some differences.
That said I liked how Stirling recreated Conan and did a good job in delivering an entertaining story with an interesting world building.
My only issue is that the book is too long and the story drags a bit in more than one part and Conan seems a little less barbarian than the original
I recommend if you want to read a new adventure featuring Conan.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A pastiche in the tradition of Conan pastiche. So obviously it’s not as good as Robert E. Howard but Stirling is still a fine writer. He needs more oomph and weird that sword & sorcery is known for, though.

This book has no comparison to the writings of Robert E. Howard. It was a colossal effort to get through reading “Blood of the Serpent”. If you are expecting sword and sorcery, skip to the rear where Robert E. Howard’s story “Red Nails” is included. In fact, the first two pages, of Howard’s story, give you the plot of Stirling’s “Conan-Blood of the Serpent”. Read this first so you can skip massive pages of Stirling’s boring writing. His book reads more like an African travelogue with details of leaves, brush, insects and animals instead of plot, characterization and story.
The meager story of “Blood of the Serpent” is of Conan relegated to mercenary border work, leading a group of settlers and slaves to a gold mine near the southern regions of Stygia. After a slave revolt and some stolen gold Conan returns to his border barracks. After his compatriot, Valeria, kills a high Stygian official and runs for the border, Conan follows. This is all a prelude to the better story, “Red Nails”. Here, Conan and Valeria discover a hidden city where two clans fight each other for supremacy, and where the king and queen of one clan have devious plans for Conan and Valeria.

Just to get this out of the way I have to say nobody will write Conan better than it’s creator Robert E Howard. Nobody. But I really like the world that was created and think it’s fun to see other authors take a opportunity to write in that setting and see their take on Conan. These stories are usually called “pastiches” by fans. I think that this one is pretty good, better than many I’ve read, but not quite up to the level of someone like John Maddox Roberts. My favorite original Conan story is Red Nails and in it Valeria mentions a meeting with Conan in Sukhmet; this story is how they originally met (according to Stirling) and what follows. Plenty of action and adventure follow this encounter! The advance copy I got had a beautiful map and occasional illustrations which was really nice. I’ll always welcome more Conan adventures!

Having long been a fan of Conan I was intrigued to see what the author would do with our Cimmerian in this book, I was not disappointed, it evoked memories of my first reading the books and then the comics (I still read those) great story, more please