I found this somewhat-battered trade paperback among the charity-sale books at the local Hannafords. It's a new story about the early life of Robert E. Howard's famed barbarian hero, Conan, with eye-catching black-and-white illustrations by Esteban Maroto.

I've only read a few of Howard's "Conan" stories so I don't know how well this one compares to the canon, but I enjoyed this story; lots of lavish descriptions, from an attempt to rob a well-guarded mansion to a confrontation with a powerful spectre in the middle of a desert. Lots of fighting, lots of trickery, danger, sorcery, treasure - and quite a few illustrations of people not wearing very much. [In some cases, even less than is described in the text; one can tell what the artist preferred!]

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'm putting this book into Laevina's Fantasy/SF/Horror book box (see the forum post for the mailing order). The box will be on its way to BCer Oldbroad in Washington later today. Enjoy!