Robert E. Howard was an American author famous for his fantasy and adventure stories. He created iconic character Conan the Barbarian featured in The Hour of the Dragon.
If you enjoy reading books by Robert E. Howard then you might also like the following authors:
Clark Ashton Smith writes fantasy stories full of rich imagery and poetic language. His tales blend fantasy with dark horror, often set in strange, ancient worlds, filled with arcane magic and mysterious creatures.
If you enjoy Howard's vivid worlds, you might appreciate Smith's collection, The City of the Singing Flame, packed with fascinating, otherworldly narratives.
H.P. Lovecraft is famous for his unique brand of cosmic horror, where characters confront terrifying unknown forces lurking beyond human understanding. Like Howard, he builds suspense through vivid descriptions and imaginative settings.
You might enjoy his novella, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, a tense story filled with suspense, dark secrets, and chilling discoveries.
Fritz Leiber creates fast-paced sword and sorcery adventures, featuring witty characters and intriguing plots. He brings a sense of humor and cleverness into his fantasy stories, similar to the thrilling excitement found in Howard's work.
You should try Leiber's collection, Swords and Deviltry, which introduces iconic fantasy heroes Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Michael Moorcock offers epic yet morally complex fantasy fiction. He frequently explores characters who struggle against chaos and inner turmoil, blending heroic adventure with philosophical depth—something you'll recognize in Howard's stories.
His novel, Elric of Melniboné, follows a tortured antihero who questions good and evil as he wields a powerful, cursed blade.
Edgar Rice Burroughs is great at writing energetic adventures and heroic quests, filled with action and exotic locales.
Your experience with Robert E. Howard's muscular style and fierce heroes would likely lead you to enjoy Burroughs' classic story, A Princess of Mars, where hero John Carter battles to survive and thrive on an alien world.
Karl Edward Wagner is great for readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard's gritty atmosphere and complex heroes. He writes fantasy stories rooted in dark myth, vivid action, and characters with ambiguous morality.
One notable book is Darkness Weaves, which stars his signature antihero Kane—a powerful warrior whose adventures explore the darker side of fantasy.
Lin Carter's work will appeal to readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard's adventure-driven fantasies and exotic lands. Carter builds colorful worlds filled with magic and legendary heroes, creating vivid and imaginative tales inspired by classic pulp tradition.
One of his notable works is Thongor and the Wizard of Lemuria, an exciting sword-and-sorcery tale packed with thrilling adventures.
Fans of Robert E. Howard may appreciate Poul Anderson's masterful storytelling, which combines intense action sequences with detailed world-building and a sense of wonder.
Anderson often weaves together fantasy, history, and mythology, resulting in engaging stories and memorable characters. Check out The Broken Sword, a tale filled with brutal battles, potent magic, and a gripping narrative inspired by Norse mythology.
L. Sprague de Camp shares Howard's fascination with adventurous heroes and ancient empires. He mixed humor and cleverness into his storytelling, portraying thrilling and action-packed quests against colorful backdrops.
Fans of classic sword-and-sorcery will enjoy The Tritonian Ring, a lightly humorous adventure filled with mythical creatures, sorcery, and dashing heroes.
Readers who enjoy Robert E. Howard's thrilling battles, strong heroes, and ethical challenges should try David Gemmell. Gemmell creates vividly realistic characters who confront challenging situations with courage and honor.
A great starting point is Legend, introducing readers to Druss, an aging but heroic warrior who makes a stand against impossible odds, emphasizing honor, bravery, and sacrifice.
Jack Vance writes imaginative worlds filled with adventure, intrigue, and a touch of dark humor. His stories often blend fantasy and science fiction, full of exotic landscapes, sly wit, and memorable characters.
Fans of Robert E. Howard who enjoyed the sword-and-sorcery genre will likely appreciate Vance's The Dying Earth, a collection set in Earth's distant future where magic and technology blend seamlessly.
Leigh Brackett crafts tales filled with thrilling action, vivid settings, and bold heroes. Known for mixing elements of adventure, fantasy, and science fiction, she creates fast-paced storytelling similar to Howard's narratives.
Readers might enjoy her vivid planetary romances, especially The Sword of Rhiannon, a story of adventure and ancient mysteries on Mars.
Abraham Merritt specializes in creating mysterious lost civilizations and atmospheric tales filled with suspense and wonder. He is a pioneer in blending fantasy with elements of horror and lost-world adventures, much like Howard.
Readers interested in ancient secrets and dark thrills should try Merritt's The Moon Pool, a journey into a hidden subterranean world.
C.L. Moore writes gripping adventures filled with imaginative visuals and strong characters in eerie, harsh worlds. Her stories often explore themes of heroism, danger, and the unknown, qualities reminiscent of Howard's writing style.
Fans might appreciate Moore's Jirel of Joiry, featuring a fierce medieval warrior who battles dark forces.
Henry Kuttner offers readers action-packed tales with sharp dialogue, innovative plots, and supernatural elements. His writing shares Howard's talent for crafting dramatic tension and fast-moving narrative.
Readers who appreciate distinctive fantasy adventures might enjoy Elak of Atlantis, featuring a swashbuckling hero facing magical threats and ancient mysteries.