Gods of Opar [Hardcover]

In 1974, Philip José Farmer wrote the novel "Hadon of Ancient Opar" inspired by ideas from the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and with the permission of Burroughs estate. This was a tale of Swords and 'sorcery' about the forgotten civilization Khokarsa that existed in Central Africa in prehistoric times. This story was PJF's a paean to the works of Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and H. Rider Haggard while adding Phil's typical modern slant and sensibilities. There was swashbuckling, exotic flora and fauna, daring-do and connections to the stories in his Wold Newton Universe. Two years later, Phil published a sequel "Flight from Opar" with the promise of a third story to come shortly. That story "Song of Kwasin" was outlined but only partly written. In the early 2000s, the outline and partial manuscript was uncovered and Phil completed the novel in collaboration with Christopher Paul Carey before Phil's death in 2009.

This series was one of my favorites in the 1970s and I have eagerly awaited the promised sequel for 38 years. I had the privilege to read an advanced copy of "Song of Kwasin" and it showcases the wonderful imagination and story telling of Philip José Farmer completed with loving care by his collaborator. This is a terrific story and a fitting sequel to the other two novels in this series.

This omnibus volume published by Subterranean Press includes all three novels and contains bonus materials about the Khokarsan civilization. This is the first time that ANY of the Khokarsa series have been printed in hardcover. It is a large sturdy volume that will be a collector's item. The stories are great deal of fun and the various 'Easter eggs' relating to the Wold Newton Universe make this a must have for any Phil Farmer fan.

Those who have read the first two Khokarsa novels will be ecstatic to have them together in this volume. They have been waiting with anticipation for the sequel for almost four decades. Now the entire series is available in a well made heirloom volume with a magnificent cover and many extras.

Treat yourself to this wonderful collection of stories by the late Grand Master of Science Fiction, Philip José Farmer.

"Hadon of Ancient Opar" and "Flight to Opar" are classic books that any Edgar Rice Burroughs and Philp Jose Farmer most likely already own. Don't let that discourage you though, they are merely icing on the cake in this package. This is all about "The Song of Kwasin" by Philip Jose Farmer and Christopher Paul Carey. Working from Farmer's outline, Carey crafts a sword and sorcery epic with Kwasin as the main character, concluding the trilogy that has been left hanging for decades.

To be honest, ever since Kwasin appeared in Hadon of Ancient Opar, he was the character I wanted to see take center stage. No disrespect to Hadon is intended, Kwasin is just larger than life and far more fun of a character to read about. In many ways he out-Conan's Conan. He is an epic hero that undergoes quite a journey on the island of Khokarsa. His traveling companion is his weapon, The Ax of Victory. This weapon first appeared in Allan & The Ice Gods by H. Rider Haggard and in the previous two Opar novels. The Ax plays a part in more H. Rider Haggard novels as well, so its a lot of fun to see the Ax's history play out through this lost age, Africa 10,0000 B.C. when the Sahara Desert is actually an inland sea.

For fans of the Wold Newton Universe, this is a must buy. You will see connections to the works of Farmer, Burroughs and Haggard, and also witness Kwasin eclipse every other hero in the Wold Newton Universe. He is that impressive of a character and this is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. Besides the writers mentioned above, Robert E. Howard readers should really enjoy this. The comparison to Conan is not unwarranted, and thats coming from someone who reads the Robert E. Howard Del Rey Conan collections (Conan done right).

If this is the first time reading the Opar series, boy are you in for a treat. If you are returning, then this is what you have been waiting for. Enjoy a seven foot monster crush people two or three at a time with his Ax of Victory. Enjoy "The Song of Kwasin".

In the 1970's, Philip José Farmer conceived the brilliant idea of conflating the concepts of H. Rider Haggard and Edgar Rice Burroughs into a epic trilogy of heroic fantasy. Essentially, Mr. Farmer fashioned an ancient civiliazation linking the lost cities from Haggard's She and Allan Quartermain series with Opar form the Tarzan books. This was a breathtaking endeavor which led to two classic books, HADON OF OPAR anf FLIGHT TO OPAR. For various reasons that are too complicated to discuss, the third volume became hopelessly delayed.

Fortunatley. Farmer found a worthy collaborator in the talented Christopher Paul Carey. The final volume, THE SONG OF KWASIN, has nw been completed with Mr. Farmer's active participation (shortly before his death), and it totally exceeds expectations. Kwasin, who was a suuporting character in the two earlier Opar books, becaomes a fascinating protagonist in the third volume. One part Hercules and one-part Goliath, Kwasin is an incredibly complex character. In many ways, he is a more compelling hero than his cousin Hadon, who was the focus of the first two books.

Now the entire trilogy is collected in one volume.