Red Sonja

June 1, 2024

Award-winning comics writer Simone reinvented the sword-wielding Red Sonja character (created 50 years ago as a companion for Conan) in comics and now writes an original prose tale featuring the iconic heroine. Unknown horrors have emerged in her homeland, and she must return home to help--and face her past. Prepub Alert.

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Starred review from September 23, 2024
Veteran comics writer Simone’s triumphant debut novel, the title character of which was created by pulp novelist Robert E. Howard and later appeared in Marvel comics, quickly immerses readers in a lush fantasy world. At 10, Sonja is the sole survivor of a brutal attack on her village in the land of Hyrkania. Despite that trauma, she grows up to become a legendary warrior with a lust for life. Now Sonja is on the run from her latest lover, Queen Ysidra, from whom she’s stolen a valuable asp-shaped circlet. The theft puts the queen and her elite guards on Sonja’s trail; it also makes Sonja the quarry of Sylus Temptree, an assassin working for the Falcon, the criminal who ordered her to steal the circlet in the first place. Sonja’s flight coincides with several horrific attacks in her homeland, committed by monsters that drag their victims to their deaths underground, a menace that Sonja eventually must reckon with. Simone leavens the frequent violence with humor and makes her heroine feel simultaneously larger-than-life and deeply human. The result is an exciting new chapter for a cult-favorite character.

October 1, 2024
Comic book writer Simone revitalizes Robert E. Howard's legendary warrior Red Sonja with a story that balances fierce combat with emotional depth. As Sonja navigates a dangerous world, she encounters a windmill hidden in a secluded glade, a moment that deeply moves her and highlights the vulnerability that exists underneath her hardened exterior. T his emotional complexity is further explored when Queen Ysidra proposes that Sonja settle down and abandon her wandering ways. However, Sonja's fierce independence leads her to reject this offer, culminating in a brutal battle with Ysidra and her guards, where Sonja's formidable fighting skills are on full display. Simone's narrative deftly combines action with introspection, making Red Sonja more than just a tale of blood and steel. It's a story of identity, freedom, and the struggle between desire and duty. This novel will resonate with fans of character-driven fantasy appreciating both the heart and the sword of a warrior.

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