The House of Cthulhu: Tales of the Primal Land Vol. 1 (Tales of the Primal Land)

Overview: Tales of the Primal Land is a three book series of Cthulhu Mythos stories by legendary British author Brian Lumley. Set in Earth's ancient immemorial past on the pre-Atlantean island continent of Theem'hdra. The first book in the series 'The House of Cthulhu' introduces Theem'hdra and the Wizards, Monsters, Barbarians and Elder Gods who dwell there by way of a series of connected stories and is primarily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith ( The Hyperborea & Zothique stories). Book two introduces our hero Tarra Kash ( Think Conan as a Cossak rather than a Barbarian ) and continues his many adventures through book three, the second and third books are more influenced by Robert E. Howard and are a blend of Sword & Sorcery and Lovecraftian Horror. A great series that spans several genres and introduces characters who would feature or reappear in later Lumley works such as the Sorcerers Mylakhrion the Immortal and Teh Atht. The House of Cthulhu introduces the weird and wonderful world of Theem'hdra, an island continent of wonders and terrors, where brave men die terrifying deaths, awe-inspiring sorcerers hurl powerful magic at each other, and monsters abound. This is classic Lovecraftian horror from one of the masters of the form, British Fantasy Award-winner Brian Lumley. The volcanic eruption that created the island of Surtsey in 1967 also revealed a long hidden cache of documents that told the fantastic history of Theem'hdra as written by the sorcerer Teh Atht. Building on translations begun by the scholar Thelred Gustau-who vanished under mysterious, some say magical, circumstances-Brian Lumley brings the saga of the Primal Land to readers of today. Here, the wizard Mylarkhrion-most powerful of the terrible magicians who walked the earth in those long-ago days-battles sorcerers jealous of his knowledge, power, and wealth. His own apprentice, thinking he knows all of his master's secrets, challenges him-but Mylarkhrion has one final trick up his sleeve . . . . When the assassin Humbuss Ank, who specializes in killing wizards, makes Mylarkhrion his target, he avoids or destroys nearly all of the sorcerer's traps, forcing Mylarkhrion to a final, desperate gamble for survival. But even Mylarkhrion has a weakness, a lust for power that drives him to summon the Great One, Cthulhu, and so call doom upon himself! The fabled riches of the House of Cthulhu draw thieves and warriors from throughout the civilized-and uncivilized lands, but none escape with so much as a single gemstone, for they discover that Cthulhu's House is not a temple but a dwelling-place. Surely the Elder God lives there still, waiting for an unwary person to open the portal between his world and ours . . . . The House of Cthulhu introduces the weird and wonderful world of Theem'hdra, an island continent of wonders and terrors where brave men die terrifying deaths, awe-inspiring sorcerers hurl powerful magic at each other, and monsters abound. This is classic Lovecraftian horror from one of the masters of the form, British Fantasy Award winner Brian Lumley. The volcanic eruption that created the island of Surtsey in 1967 also revealed a long-hidden cache of documents that told the fantastic history of Theem'hdra as written by the sorcerer Teh Atht. Building on translations begun by the scholar Thelred Gustau—who vanished under mysterious, some say magical, circumstances—Brian Lumley brings the saga of the Primal Land to readers of today. Here the wizard Mylakhrion—most powerful of the terrible magicians who walked the Earth in those long-ago days—battles sorcerers jealous of his knowledge, power, and wealth. His own apprentice, thinking he knows all of his master's secrets, challenges him—but Mylakhrion has one final trick up his sleeve....When the assassin Humbuss Ank, who specializes in killing wizards, makes Mylakhrion his target, he avoids or destroys nearly all of the sorcerer's traps, forcing Mylakhrion to a final, desperate gamble for survival. And Mylakhrion has a weakness, a lust for power that drives him tosummon the Great One, Cthulhu, and so call doom upon himself! The fabled riches of the House of Cthulhu draw thieves and warriors from throughout the civilized—and uncivilized—lands, but none escape with so much as a single gemstone, for they discover that Cthulhu's House is not a temple, but a dwelling place. Surely the Elder God lives there still, waiting for an unwary person to open the portal between his world and ours.... Brings readers an exciting world to discover and explore. The island continent of Theem'hdra, rimmed by oceans that teem with terrible creatures of the deep, with mountain ranges that were once home to ancient races and now are home to monsters, with Lost Cities and teeming trade centres where anything, or anyone, can be bought and sold...