The Hour of the Dragon is escapist entertainment, intended to transport its readers into a world of wonders and magic. It is high adventure; its main character, Conan, loses a kingdom and regains it as he fights a great and evil wizard from the mythical past. The novel is admirably written, featuring vivid descriptions, a well-paced plot, and a multitude of twists and surprises.

At his best, Howard is a first-rate storyteller. His particular talent is in presenting descriptions of scenes in exciting ways. Anyone who has ever been bored by a long description in a story can appreciate this exceptional ability: "The long tapers flickered, sending the black shadows wavering along the walls, and the velvet tapestries rippled. Yet there was no wind in the chamber. Four men stood about the ebony table on which lay the green sarcophagus that gleamed like carven jade. In the upraised...