British Fantasy Award–winner Lumley pays homage to Robert E. Howard's Conan in the six fantasy tales of his second Primal Land collection (after 2005's The House of Cthulhu
). Barbarian Tarra Khash wanders the world of Theem'hdra, an island continent, where he more than holds his own against sorcerers, lamias and cutthroat thieves. In the opener, "Treasure of the Scarlet Scorpion," Tarra carries a stash of rubies from the scorpion god. From long exposure, Tarra is immune to the creature's sting; not so his doomed jailer, Nud Annoxin, when the god comes to call. In contrast to this baldly told tale is the poignant "Told in the Desert," in which an entire race faces a tragic end. These entertaining, unpretentious stories in the pulp tradition show Lumley at his relaxed best. (Apr.)
