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A review by lakserk
Bran Mak Morn: The Last King by Robert E. Howard
4.0
The first part, consisting of the published Pictish stories of Howard (plus 2 poems), is (almost) pure gold. Apart from the first story (Men of the Shadows) which offers a lot of background (somewhat clumsily), the rest are top specimens of historical Sword & Sorcery with a horror edge. Worms of the Earth and Kings of the Night are flawless, with The Dark Man and The Lost Race following close behind.
The second part consists of miscellaneous writings (stories, fragments, a play, an essay, etc) concerning Bran Mak Morn and the Picts, some of them written by an adolescent Howard. They are of lesser quality but of interest to the avid aficionado.
Finally, there are 3 exhaustive appendices, concerning Howard and the Picts (a chronology, an essay and notes on the texts).
The art of Gary Gianni is amazing and plentiful (though, understandably, only present in the first half) making the book a work of art. Definitely recommended, if just for the first part.
The second part consists of miscellaneous writings (stories, fragments, a play, an essay, etc) concerning Bran Mak Morn and the Picts, some of them written by an adolescent Howard. They are of lesser quality but of interest to the avid aficionado.
Finally, there are 3 exhaustive appendices, concerning Howard and the Picts (a chronology, an essay and notes on the texts).
The art of Gary Gianni is amazing and plentiful (though, understandably, only present in the first half) making the book a work of art. Definitely recommended, if just for the first part.