Imaro - Charles R. Saunders

Here's some good stuff. A sword and sorcery hero I hadn't come across before, except in a story or two perhaps. So nice work by Night Shade for bringing these back again.

Apparently the books are changed, taking out a novella that had a tribal massacre in it - maybe not the best idea, as the one that replaced it isn't that good. Presuming the other one was, of course.

Saunders second world seems to be like a sprawling, huge Africa, offering some variety from your usual Northern European-style forests, snow, and wolves that other such heroes might run around in. A touch of Ion Idriess style here, even if from a different era and a different point of view.

Sword and Sorcery fans should definitely try this one out, and there is a sequel, and a third book in an older editions, as well as a collection about a female counterpart that I have read a story about before, of similar quality.

The quality of the Imaro stories is certainly more on a par with Karl Edward Wagner's Kane as opposed to some of the lesser and later work.

I'd call this a 4.25, and if it was a shorter story that was lowest rated, I'd probably round up.

Imaro 1 : I Leave A Warrior Behind - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Turkhana Knives - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : The Place Of Stones - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : The Afua - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Horror In the Black Hills - Charles R. Saunders
Imaro 1 : Betrayal In Blood - Charles R. Saunders

Imaro's mother gives him up to her tribe, for training.

3.5 out of 5


A rival tribe's sorcerer's band picks the wrong young warrior and beast to sacrifice.

4 out of 5


Imaro works out where the sorcerer at the heart of his problems dwells. Has sword and spear.

4 out of 5


Imaro makes friends by crocodile rescue, but runs afoul of an outlaw band.

3 out of 5


A demon to kill, some brigands to lead.

3.5 out of 5


Imaro's growing outlaw power base and band convinces two different armies to join forces and deal with him.

3.5 out of 5




4 out of 5