If you are drawn to Robert E. Howard’s tales, you probably enjoy stories filled with sword and sorcery, dark fantasy, and pulp fiction adventures. His writing often features strong, brooding heroes, brutal action, and ancient, mysterious worlds.
Readers who love Conan the Barbarian or Kull of Atlantis may be searching for authors with a similar style. Here is a list of writers who capture that same spirit in their own works.
They explore comparable themes of primal heroism, savage landscapes, and the struggle against dark forces.
H.P. Lovecraft is a master of cosmic horror and weird fiction whose stories explore unknown forces beyond human understanding.
If you enjoy the dark and mysterious worlds created by Robert E. Howard, Lovecraft offers tales immersed in ancient mysteries, forbidden knowledge, and otherworldly terrors. His novella “At the Mountains of Madness” follows an ill-fated Antarctic expedition.
Scientists uncover the ruins of an ancient civilization hidden beneath the ice. As they piece together the lost history, they uncover truths about alien beings and a buried past that threatens their sanity.
Lovecraft builds suspense through isolated settings, forgotten dangers, and revelations that defy reality. His writing can shock readers with glimpses into powers that lie far beyond mortal comprehension.
Edgar Rice Burroughs is a classic author for anyone who enjoys Robert E. Howard’s adventurous storytelling and vivid fantasy worlds. Burroughs is best known for creating the iconic character Tarzan, yet his sci-fi fantasy novel “A Princess of Mars” is equally memorable.
The book introduces John Carter, a Civil War veteran mysteriously transported to Mars—or “Barsoom,” as its inhabitants call it—where he discovers a world full of strange creatures, dangerous battles, and elaborate civilizations.
Carter doesn’t just survive: he quickly becomes a formidable warrior and hero admired by the Martian tribes. The action is fast-paced and full of surprises, while the Martian landscapes Burroughs paints are vivid and atmospheric.
If epic tales set in fantastic worlds appeal to you, Burroughs’ novels are definitely worth exploring.
Fritz Leiber was an influential figure in sword and sorcery fiction, often mentioned alongside Robert E. Howard. His book “Swords and Deviltry” is the perfect entry point into his famous series about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
These two rogues meet by chance in the dangerous, shadowy streets of the city called Lankhmar. Each has his own reasons for seeking adventure, treasure, and escape from their pasts. They quickly become partners, confronting dark sorcery, treachery, and mysterious foes.
Leiber mixes action with wit, bringing his gritty world alive with memorable characters and sharp dialogue. Fans of Conan will find much to enjoy in this gritty, magical tale of friendship and danger.
If you enjoy the adventurous tales of Robert E. Howard, you might also appreciate the imaginative worlds of Clark Ashton Smith. Smith’s work, “The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies,” gathers remarkable and imaginative short stories set in vivid, ancient lands.
The collection includes fascinating places like Zothique, Earth’s last continent, filled with sorcery, sinister rulers, and thrilling quests. The stories blend thrilling adventure with eerie magic and decadent civilizations in decline.
Smith creates atmospheres that draw readers into mysterious realms full of dangers, wonders, and memorable encounters.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s tales of sword and sorcery might also appreciate Michael Moorcock’s work. Moorcock is best known for creating the famous albino swordsman, Elric of Melniboné, in the novel “Elric of Melniboné.”
The book follows Elric, the emperor of a decadent and cruel empire, who must navigate betrayal, dark magic, and his own cursed sword, Stormbringer. Elric is unlike typical heroic figures—he relies on drugs and sorcery to survive.
His adventures are filled with moral ambiguity, tragic choices, and supernatural forces. Moorcock’s vivid worlds and complex characters offer a fresh perspective for fans of pulp fantasy seeking new adventures.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s adventurous tales and vivid storytelling might also appreciate Poul Anderson. Anderson was a prolific science fiction and fantasy author known for his hero-driven narratives and richly crafted worlds.
A great example of his style is the classic novel “The Broken Sword.” Set in a dark age Britain overshadowed by Norse mythology, the story follows Skafloc, a man caught between worlds when kidnapped as a baby by elves.
He grows up among them, unaware of his true origins or the cursed, powerful sword that will bind his fate. Battles, love, betrayal, and myth blend together as Skafloc struggles with identity and destiny in a war-torn landscape.
Anderson’s storytelling captures the same energy and mythic intensity that readers love in Robert E. Howard’s work.
Lin Carter was an American fantasy author who made a name for himself in sword-and-sorcery fiction. His adventurous stories and imaginative worlds offer plenty for readers who enjoy the excitement of Robert E. Howard’s Conan tales.
In “Thongor and the Wizard of Lemuria,” Carter introduces Thongor, a fearless barbarian warrior from the ancient continent of Lemuria. Thongor battles savage beasts, dark magic, and sinister villains, while seeking powerful allies to prevent the world’s descent into chaos.
The book features exciting battles, magical relics, and a vividly painted lost continent, satisfying readers who crave bold heroes and thrilling adventures.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s tales of rugged heroes and epic battles will likely appreciate David Gemmell. Gemmell’s novels feature strong characters faced with intense challenges, vivid battle scenes, and a gritty style.
His book “Legend” introduces readers to Druss, an older warrior drawn back into one last desperate fight to defend the fortress of Dros Delnoch against impossible odds.
Druss’s courage, the vivid portrayal of siege warfare, and the themes of heroism and sacrifice combine to create a powerful and stirring story. If you enjoy fierce battles, memorable heroes, and stories about courage against overwhelming forces, give David Gemmell a read.
If you enjoy the gritty sword-and-sorcery tales of Robert E. Howard, you might appreciate the works of Glen Cook. His novel “The Black Company” follows a hardened mercenary band known as the Black Company. They fight and survive through harsh and violent confrontations.
The narrative is dark and rugged. It captures the harsh realities and moral ambiguity of warfare and loyalty.
With mysterious sorcery, shady alliances, and wars spreading across kingdoms, the story beautifully portrays the lives of soldiers caught between powerful and ruthless forces.
Glen Cook crafts a world full of danger and morally complex characters, which can easily appeal to a fan of Robert E. Howard’s distinctive storytelling style.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s stories of bold heroes and fantastic worlds may find C.L. Moore equally fascinating. Moore wrote vivid pulp-era tales combining adventure, fantasy, and science fiction.
One prime example is “Jirel of Joiry”, which follows Jirel, a fiery warrior queen who rules her medieval land with fierce determination. She ventures into dark, dangerous supernatural worlds to protect her realm, confronting chilling horrors and powerful beings.
The blend of swordplay, magic, and vivid storytelling makes it clear why Moore’s writing still captivates readers today.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s adventurous tales might also appreciate L. Sprague de Camp. He writes vividly about fantasy worlds and heroic characters.
In de Camp’s novel “The Tritonian Ring,” Prince Vakar embarks on a dangerous journey to save his kingdom from a terrible prophecy. He faces sorcery, mythical creatures, and power struggles as he searches for a ring with mysterious powers.
The story moves quickly and features vivid battles, magic, and heroism—elements sure to engage Howard fans.
Books by Andre Norton often transport readers to imaginative worlds full of adventure and bravery, themes that fans of Robert E. Howard will appreciate.
Norton’s novel, “Witch World,” introduces Simon Tregarth, a former soldier escaping a dangerous past, who enters an entirely new dimension through a magical portal. There, he faces sorcerous threats, alliances, and mystical conflicts in a land filled with magic and danger.
Readers who enjoy Howard’s bold heroes, expressive storytelling, and vivid battles will find plenty of excitement in Norton’s richly crafted adventures.
Books by Henry Kuttner offer rich adventures and imaginative worlds for anyone who enjoys Robert E. Howard. Kuttner taps into similar themes of heroism, dark fantasy, and ancient mysteries.
In his book “The Dark World,” readers meet Edward Bond, a World War II veteran pulled into a parallel universe filled with sorcery and chaos. Bond learns he’s actually Ganelon, an infamous warlord in this shadowy realm.
Faced with secrets from a forgotten past, he must fight powerful foes to save a world teetering on the brink. Fans of Conan’s daring quests and perilous battles will find much excitement in Kuttner’s storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard’s tales might also appreciate L. Ron Hubbard’s energetic storytelling and vivid worlds. Hubbard is known for his classic pulp fiction adventures filled with daring heroes, wild settings, and unforgettable action.
In his book “Battlefield Earth,” humanity has been conquered by a ruthless alien species called the Psychlos. After a thousand years of oppression, humans live barely above animals.
The story follows Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, a courageous and resourceful character determined to reclaim Earth and lead a fight for freedom against impossible odds.
Fans of heroic struggles, fast-paced plots, and impressive world-building will find something special in Hubbard’s imaginative storytelling.
Karl Edward Wagner was an American author best known for his dark fantasy and horror stories. Fans of Robert E. Howard’s “Conan” stories might appreciate Wagner’s gritty, sword-and-sorcery adventures and morally ambiguous heroes.
One standout collection is “Death Angel’s Shadow,” a trio of deadly tales featuring Wagner’s brooding antihero Kane.
In this book, Kane—an immortal warrior with a violent past—ventures into dark and foreboding lands filled with supernatural forces, ancient curses, and sinister magic.
The vivid action scenes, complex characters, and eerie atmosphere will feel familiar to readers who enjoy Howard’s style. If you’re hungry for raw and ruthless fantasy, Karl Edward Wagner’s work is worth reading.