The Fantasy 101 › Books Like

Books Like Conan

Howard, 1932 · #21 on the Epic Fantasy 101 Booklist · 91/120 · adapted for screen

A Cimmerian barbarian cuts his way through the Hyborian Age as thief, pirate, mercenary and king.

Its strongest scores: genre standard and mood. The five books below have the closest scores across all eleven criteria.

If you liked Conan, read:

1. The Black Company

   Cook, 1984 · #28 on the list · 87/120

   A mercenary company's annalist records their service to a sorceress called the Lady, and what it costs them.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

2. The Witcher

   Sapkowski, 1992 · #35 on the list · 85/120

   Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, finds the men who hire him are often worse than the beasts. He is bound by destiny to a princess named Ciri.

   Close on mood, structure, further reading, creative details.

3. A Song of Ice and Fire

   Martin, 1996 · #14 on the list · 94/120

   Noble houses tear Westeros apart over the Iron Throne. Meanwhile an older threat gathers beyond the Wall in the north.

   Close on mood, structure, creative details, real-world blend.

4. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser

   Leiber, 1939 · #50 on the list · 80/120

   A towering northern barbarian and a small, quick thief roam the city of Lankhmar, stealing, drinking and getting into trouble with wizards.

   Close on mood, theme, structure, further reading.

5. Elric

   Moorcock, 1961 · #27 on the list · 88/120

   Elric, the albino emperor of Melniboné, is kept alive by drugs and by Stormbringer, a black sword that drinks souls. He brings ruin to those he loves.

   Close on mood, structure, further reading, creative details.

How the scores work: each book is rated 1 to 10 on eleven criteria; real-world blend and climax and fights count double, for a maximum of 120. See the full Fantasy 101.