Read Conan Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on June 26, 2026

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The Conan the Barbarian series, a seminal creation by Robert E. Howard, has captivated readers for nearly a century, earning its place as one of the most influential fantasy works of all time. Conan, a towering figure of strength, cunning, and primal instinct, has become an archetype in the genre. His stories are set in the mythical Hyborian Age, a prehistoric time filled with treacherous sorcery, dangerous beasts, and blood-soaked battles. While the figure of Conan has evolved in pop culture through films, comic books, and video games, the heart of his mythos lies in Howard’s original stories.

For many readers, entering the world of Conan is not just about following a mighty hero through endless adventures; it’s about delving into a universe where the line between good and evil is often blurred, where the complexities of human nature and survival are explored through visceral and action-packed narratives. But where does one start with a series that spans multiple decades and has been expanded by other writers? This guide will not only introduce you to the background of the Conan books but also provide a reading order and discuss what makes this series truly stand out.

List Of Conan Books In Order

The Phoenix on the Sword (1932)	Details
The Scarlet Citadel (1933)	Details
The Tower of the Elephant (1933)	Details
Black Colossus (1933)	Details
The Slithering Shadow (1933)	Details
The Pool of the Black One (1933)	Details
The Hand of Nergal (1934)	Details
The People of the Black Circle (1934)	Details
A Witch Shall Be Born (1934)	Details
Jewels of Gwahlur (1935)	Details
Beyond the Black River (1935)	Details
The Black Stranger (1936)	Details
The Devil in Iron (1936)	Details
The Hour of the Dragon (1935)	Details
Conan the Conqueror (1947)	Details

More On Conan Books In Chronological Order

1. The Phoenix on the Sword (1932)

This is Conan’s very first appearance in print! Originally a short story, it introduces Conan as the King of Aquilonia, a land he’s just taken by force. Things get complicated when a conspiracy to dethrone him is revealed. It’s a wild mix of swordplay, magic, and political intrigue. We see Conan as both a barbarian and a leader, trying to balance the world of men with his untamed warrior spirit.

2. The Scarlet Citadel (1933)

In this one, Conan finds himself locked away in the dungeons of a sinister sorcerer after being betrayed. But he’s not one to be held down for long. The story is packed with thrilling moments as Conan battles his way out of a prison and back into the fray, fighting both magic and soldiers. It’s a true testament to Conan’s will to survive, escape, and reclaim his throne.

3. The Tower of the Elephant (1933)

A tale about Conan as a young man on a quest for treasure. The target? The legendary Tower of the Elephant, which is rumored to house a priceless gem guarded by a bizarre and powerful being. Conan’s no stranger to danger, but in this story, he faces not just physical combat, but the moral complexities of what it means to steal from something or someone that doesn’t deserve it.

4. Black Colossus (1933)

This story puts Conan in the middle of a major battle against an ancient evil. A ruthless sorcerer named Natohk has risen, and he’s gathering armies to conquer the world. Conan is hired to help a princess defend her kingdom, but things get even more intense when he realizes he might be the one to face off against the sorcerer himself. It’s a gripping tale of adventure, tactics, and raw strength.

5. The Slithering Shadow (1933)

Set in the exotic and mysterious land of Stygia, this one finds Conan entangled in a deadly web of ancient magic, betrayal, and a beautiful woman. Conan must navigate through a labyrinth of treachery and monstrous creatures to survive and outwit the forces of evil trying to kill him. If you like high-stakes adventure and otherworldly horrors, this one’s for you.

6. The Pool of the Black One (1933)

In this adventure, Conan finds himself aboard a pirate ship, where he uncovers a dark secret surrounding a treasure and a cursed pool. This story brings a lot of swashbuckling action and intrigue, with Conan battling both supernatural forces and human adversaries. The pacing is relentless, making it a fun and fast read.

7. The Hand of Nergal (1934)

A tale filled with sorcery and old gods, this one shows Conan caught in a web of dark magic. After a series of attacks and a mysterious artifact, Conan finds himself taking on a powerful sorcerer. The blend of horror and swordplay is one of the things that really makes this story stand out from others in the series.

8. The People of the Black Circle (1934)

Set in the Kingdom of Khoraja, Conan is drawn into a conflict between sorcerers, royalty, and rebels. When a beautiful princess is targeted by an evil sorcerer, Conan steps in, as usual, to play the hero in his own gritty style. But as always, the path is dangerous, filled with ambushes and dark plots. This one’s got a little bit of everything: magic, betrayal, war, and a badass protagonist!

9. A Witch Shall Be Born (1934)

Conan faces off against one of the deadliest women in the series-Taramis, a princess who’s as conniving as she is powerful. This one’s got betrayal, gladiatorial combat, and intense action, all tied together by a tale of revenge and an ancient curse. Conan gets captured and must fight his way out again, all while dealing with the politics of the kingdom.

10. Jewels of Gwahlur (1935)

In this one, Conan is on a treasure hunt (because who isn’t, right?) through the wild and dangerous lands of the ancient city of Gwahlur. But the treasure he’s seeking is guarded by a dark cult and deadly traps. As usual, Conan’s wits, strength, and will to survive are put to the test, but the real draw is the mystery surrounding the treasure he seeks and the power it holds.

11. Beyond the Black River (1935)

Conan is in the thick of frontier battles in this one, as the once-civilized land falls into chaos. He has to face off against wild beasts, raiders, and even supernatural forces as he fights to protect the settlement on the frontier. This one dives deeper into Conan’s life as a leader, focusing on his strategic mind and his fierce commitment to those who depend on him.

12. The Black Stranger (1936)

A pirate adventure that’s also filled with political intrigue! Conan’s path crosses with a shipwreck and some intense rivalries between pirates, traders, and kingdoms. As a typical Conan story, it’s filled with sword fights and action, but it also explores the concept of what loyalty and betrayal mean in a world where power is everything.

13. The Devil in Iron (1936)

In this one, Conan’s fighting against an ancient civilization that’s trying to rise again. An army of mystical warriors and a mysterious island make for one hell of an adventure as Conan has to deal with not just physical threats, but ancient magic. It’s a classic tale of Conan’s never-ending struggle against forces beyond human understanding.

14. The Hour of the Dragon (1935)

This is the longest Conan novel, and it’s epic in every sense of the word. Conan has been overthrown and is fighting to regain his throne. The plot is huge, spanning kingdoms and involving political scheming, magic, and revenge. You get to see Conan at his most vulnerable and at his most dangerous as he battles both physical enemies and the supernatural.

15. Conan the Conqueror (1947)

In this final tale of Conan’s reign, we see the culmination of his journey as a king. His kingdom faces internal strife, and Conan must deal with both external threats and personal challenges. It’s a fitting end to Conan’s arc as he battles both his past and his future. The mix of grand battles and intimate moments makes this a standout in the series.

Background On Conan Books

The origin of Conan the Barbarian lies in the imagination of Robert E. Howard, an American writer born in 1906. Howard was deeply influenced by the ancient myths and heroic epics of the Greeks, Romans, and Norse, and he created Conan as a symbol of primal strength and a rejection of civilization’s constraints. His first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword," was published in 1932 in Weird Tales, a pulp magazine known for publishing supernatural and weird fiction. From there, Howard went on to write a staggering number of stories, many of which were serialized across several issues of Weird Tales and other pulp magazines, contributing to Conan’s mythic stature.

Howard’s stories, despite their brevity, often tackled big themes such as civilization versus barbarism, the nature of power, and the human condition. They were written with a raw energy that reflected the violent and chaotic world Conan inhabited. Conan, the Cimmerian warrior, rose from humble beginnings as the son of a blacksmith to become a thief, pirate, mercenary, and king. His adventures often take him through vast deserts, untamed jungles, and forgotten ruins, where he battles monsters, wizards, and other dark forces.

Although Howard passed away in 1936, the Conan series continued to flourish. His work was published posthumously, and several other authors, including L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Roy Thomas, took up the mantle of writing additional stories. They expanded the world of Conan, sometimes adhering closely to Howard’s original vision, and other times taking liberties to create more accessible narratives for contemporary audiences. Today, Conan remains a cornerstone of sword-and-sorcery fiction, influencing everything from fantasy literature to video games and films.

Reading Order Explained

Conan’s journey through his fictional universe spans multiple decades and numerous stories. Understanding how to approach the series can be daunting for a first-time reader, as there are various collections, standalone stories, and anthologies. However, the core works that truly define the character can be boiled down into a structured reading order. While there is no official chronological timeline for the stories, there are some widely accepted ways to approach the reading order.

1. The Complete Conan Chronicles (A Series Of Anthologies)

   The best place to start is with The Complete Conan Chronicles series, which consolidates most of Robert E. Howard’s original stories. These collections often group stories by their initial publication order or thematic significance. There are two primary volumes, The Complete Chronicles of Conan and The Conan Chronicles, Volume 2, which will give you a comprehensive view of the original stories.

2. The Conan The Barbarian Series By L. Sprague De Camp And Lin Carter

   After Howard’s death, the Conan universe was expanded by authors like de Camp and Carter. Their works were published in a chronological order based on the events in Howard’s stories, filling in the gaps and adding to Conan’s saga. Some readers opt to include these stories for a broader sense of Conan’s development. Titles like Conan the Barbarian (1967) or Conan the Adventurer (1968) are considered integral parts of the Conan canon by many, even though they are written by other authors.

3. Conan Novels And Anthologies

   Many later novels, such as Conan the Destroyer (1982) and Conan the Conqueror (1950), were not written by Howard, but they continue Conan’s story in new and exciting ways. These books add to the larger world, incorporating both Howard’s original characters and those created by others.

For readers interested in a more expansive view of the Conan universe, Conan the Barbarian graphic novels and comics can be considered, as they bring new life to the stories in the visual medium. Marvel’s original Conan comics (1970-1990) and the more recent Dark Horse Comics versions (2003-2018) are excellent supplements, especially for fans of the visual storytelling aspect.

What I Like About The Series?

The Conan series is often lauded for its action-packed adventure, but what makes it stand out among its contemporaries is the sheer depth and atmosphere Robert E. Howard imbued into his creation. Here’s what I personally enjoy about the series:

1. The World-Building

   The world of Conan, known as the Hyborian Age, is one of the most richly developed settings in fantasy literature. It is a place where ancient civilizations have risen and fallen, leaving behind ruins and forgotten magics. Each story seems to take place in a different part of this vast world, showcasing a diversity of cultures, landscapes, and myths. From the frozen mountains of Cimmeria to the lush jungles of the Black Kingdoms, Howard’s world is alive and ever-changing.

2. Conan As A Character

   What makes Conan fascinating is his complexity. He is not just a simple barbarian. He is a man shaped by his harsh environment, possessing a deep sense of honor and personal code, but one that often clashes with the more civilized world. Unlike many modern heroes, Conan does not shy away from violence, yet he is not driven solely by bloodlust. His motivations-survival, freedom, and personal ambition-are timeless and relatable, despite the fantastical setting.

3. Philosophical Depth

   Beneath the blood-soaked battles and thrilling adventures, Howard’s stories explore deep philosophical themes. Conan may be a barbarian by birth, but his actions often force readers to question the nature of civilization, the true meaning of power, and whether humanity is doomed to repeat cycles of violence. This philosophical depth sets Conan apart from the typical sword-and-sorcery hero.

4. Action And Adventure

   And of course, the action! Conan’s stories are filled with swashbuckling duels, ambushes, and heroic confrontations. Each battle scene is vividly described, and Howard’s prose ensures that the stakes are always high, whether Conan is facing a monstrous beast, a treacherous villain, or a rival king. The tension and excitement never wane, making each story a thrilling ride.

Should You Read Conan Books In Order?

The question of whether you should read the Conan books in order is a bit of a mixed bag. While there is a chronological order to the stories, starting with the early tales of Conan’s youth and continuing through his various adventures, the books can be enjoyed even if you choose to read them out of order. Each story is relatively self-contained, meaning that you can enjoy most of them without needing to follow a strict sequence. However, there are benefits to reading them in order, especially if you want to understand Conan’s character development over time.

The early stories help to shape Conan’s persona as a wandering adventurer, and the later stories offer deeper insights into his leadership and kingship, which is a pivotal arc for the character. Reading the stories in order provides a sense of narrative progression, where Conan matures from a wild barbarian to a leader who commands armies and rules kingdoms. It allows readers to track the evolution of Howard’s writing style and the growth of the world he created.

If you’re someone who prefers to dive into things from the start and experience a coherent journey, reading the books in order is certainly the way to go. But if you’re more interested in individual stories that highlight Conan’s various adventures, reading out of order won’t detract from the experience.