8 h 11 minAudiobook2 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 201 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 201 pagesAbout this book
What is a king worth when his crown is gone and his sword cannot defeat the enemy?
In Robert E. Howard’s The Hour of the Dragon, Conan rules Aquilonia by strength, not birthright. But enemies turn war and ancient sorcery against him. They restore the sorcerer Xaltotun to life, and Conan loses his throne to a power that courage alone cannot overcome.
Imprisoned, Conan finds help in Zenobia, a young woman willing to risk her life for him. Beyond captivity lies hostile country and a dangerous pursuit of the Heart of Ahriman. This powerful jewel offers an answer to Xaltotun’s magic, but reclaiming a kingdom demands more than a strong sword arm.
What you’ll discover
- A king without his crown Follow Conan as he draws on his past as a warrior, thief, and wanderer.
- Sorcery beyond the battlefield Face Xaltotun, whose ambitions reach far beyond the plans of those who summon him.
- Courage in a prison Meet Zenobia, whose choice to help Conan places her own safety at risk.
- The hunt for a jewel Pursue the Heart of Ahriman through dangers that carry Conan far beyond Aquilonia.
- More than brute strength Discover how memory, patience, and a keen eye for courage matter alongside steel.
Is it for you?
Readers who enjoy dangerous quests, dark magic, and capable heroes will relish a Conan adventure where a kingdom depends on more than swordplay.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
Who’s who
- ConanThe king of Aquilonia must draw on his life as a warrior, thief, and wanderer after losing his throne.
- XaltotunAn ancient sorcerer brought back to life pursues ambitions far greater than those of the men who summon him.
- ZenobiaA young woman helps the imprisoned Conan, risking her own safety for a king whose enemies believe him beaten.
- The Heart of AhrimanThis powerful jewel restores Xaltotun to life and becomes central to the struggle against his magic.
- AquiloniaConan’s kingdom becomes the prize in a struggle between foreign invaders, ambitious nobles, and its displaced king.
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- Hardcover
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- Large print paperback
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- Large print hardcover
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The Hour of the Dragon
by Robert E. Howard· 1935
A deposed king fights to reclaim his throne from sorcerers.
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Language: Français
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1 of 5
Conan has won the throne of Aquilonia by force, but holding it requires more than strength. Powerful enemies want him removed. Some seek wealth and influence; another wants the crown for himself. To overcome the king, they bring back Xaltotun, a sorcerer from the long-dead empire of Acheron, using a jewel called the Heart of Ahriman. They expect his magic to serve their plans. His ambitions reach much further than theirs.
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The author
Robert E. Howard
1906–1936 · American fantasy writer
Robert E. Howard was an American author born in Peaster, Texas, in 1906. He lived much of his life in Cross Plains, Texas, where he died in 1936. He wrote fantasy, horror, adventure stories, and poetry. His stories featuring Conan appeared in the magazine Weird Tales during the 1930s.
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What is The Hour of the Dragon about?
Conan loses the throne of Aquilonia when a conspiracy backed by ancient magic defeats him. He must survive captivity, seek a powerful jewel, and gather support to reclaim his kingdom before the sorcerer Xaltotun can carry out his own plans.
Is The Hour of the Dragon also called Conan the Conqueror?
Yes. The Hour of the Dragon has also appeared under the title Conan the Conqueror. It is Howard’s only full-length Conan novel, first published in serial form in Weird Tales in 1935 and 1936.
Do I need to read other Conan stories first?
No. The Hour of the Dragon stands on its own, with Conan already ruling Aquilonia. His past as a thief, pirate, and wandering fighter helps explain his skills, but the novel gives readers enough context to follow his struggle.
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