12 Iconic Sword and Sorcery Books You Can Read

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Also known as heroic fantasy, sword and sorcery is fiction where mighty warriors pit themselves against dark forces, supernatural creatures, and powerful evil. All they have is their blade, their brawn, and the companions they meet on the way.

This is a fantasy genre that emerged sometime in the 1930s, quickly establishing tropes that continue to enjoy popularity even today. From freedom-loving warriors to evil, controlling wizards, this is the genre that inspired many to seek adventure.

Sword and Sorcery Books

Below is a selection of works that embody sword and sorcery. Some are classic works that established the genre while others are more modern stories that continue building on the foundations set by their predecessors.

1. The Coming of Conan by Robert E. Howard

This is a collection of the first eight stories that feature Howard’s iconic characters, Kull the Conqueror and Conan the Barbarian. The latter, in particular, has become one of the faces of the Sword and Sorcery genre, becoming a template of sorts for subsequent heroes.

2. Jirel of Joiry by C.L. Moore

One of the first female heroes of the Sword and Sorcery genre, Jirel of Joiry is a flame-haired warrior-ruler who constantly battles the supernatural. Some of her adventures include venturing into a parallel world in a quest for vengeance, breaking a curse put on her people, and battling a sorcerer for a stone of immense power.

3. Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber

The first collection of Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser sequence features four of the titular duo’s adventures in the world of Nehwon. It establishes their partnership, their greatest loves, and the circumstances of how they met. 

4. Darkness Weaves by Karl Edward Wagner

Cursed to wander eternally, Kane is an antihero who travels through different realms and periods, battling supernatural forces in the process. His quest to end his life takes him to the city of Kanaan, where he is embroiled in the struggle for control of a powerful artifact.

5. Legend by Devid Gemmell

The Nadir are out for blood and all that stands against them is a lonely fortress destined to fall. Druss, old and tired, comes down from the mountains to fight what might be his final battle.

But Druss the Legend has won lost causes before—and this time he’s not alone. Among the hopeless stand warriors ready to step up and claim their own legends.

6. Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock

After his father’s death, Elric stands as the new ruler of the dying kingdom of Melniboné. Betrayed and left to die by his cousin, he must traverse the Dragon Isle to reclaim his throne and his lady love. In doing so, he discovers Stormbringer, a sentient sword that feeds on souls—which might include his own.

7. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski 

Geralt is a Witcher who travels the world and hunts monsters for coin. Hardened by training and enhanced by a mysterious elixir, he is a deadly opponent to both human and supernatural foes. 

But not every monster is a straightforward abomination. Some clothe themselves in human skin, some are harmless creatures, and still others prove to only be human.

8. Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Warriors eventually grow old and weak—even the men of Saga, a band of legendary mercenaries known and feared throughout the Heartwyld. With their glory days past, the mercs have moved on and grown apart.

That is, until Clay finds one of his ex-bandmates on his doorstep, pleading for help. There are things worth coming out of retirement for, including saving a friend’s daughter from a city besieged by all kinds of monsters.

9. Sword-Dancer by Jennifer Roberson

Tiger, a famous Southron sword-dancer, is hired by a mysterious Northern woman to guide her across the desert in search of her brother. The woman, Del, is a sword-singer every bit as deadly as he is. The desert is treacherous, full of magical and martial dangers that challenge the duo at every turn.

10. Imaro by Charles R. Saunders

Imaro is a young man who struggles for acceptance and recognition due to his mixed heritage. And yet, he grows into an exceptional warrior rarely seen by the Ilyassai.

Departing from the tribe, he pits himself against beasts, demons, and men. And as his fame rises, preordained events come to pass and he must deal with dangerous powers seeking to recruit or end him.

11. Tempus by Janet Morris

This is a collection of stories featuring Tempus Thales, a skilled warrior, and his Sacred Band of Stepsons. They engage in battles, encounter mythical creatures, and confront ancient forces as they search for adventure in a world rife with gods and sorcery.

12. The Hammer and the Blade by Paul S. Kemp

Egil is a warrior-priest of a fallen god. Nix is a rogue who knows enough magic to be annoying. Together, they seek wealth and adventure but seem to only fall prey to lost causes.

This time, it’s their fault though. When they kill the guardian of a long-lost crypt, an ancient pact is rendered null. The duo is pulled into the machinations of a powerful wizard, forced to rely on their wits and skills to survive whatever is coming.

Sword and Sorcery Fiction

Sword and sorcery fiction is rooted in the myths and legends of heroes and heroines battling forces much more powerful than they are. Bravery, magic, and the clash of steel weave together a thrilling landscape that many readers crave.

It’s not just about the escapism and catharsis though. At their core, these tales talk about courage in the face of adversity, the strength of the human spirit, and the boundless possibilities of your imagination. 

What Sword and Sorcery books do you recommend? Share them in the comments below!

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