Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

I recently saw a few of the Dray Prescot sword & planet series at a used book shop, but passed on them as I know little about the series and they were later volumes. I've heard of it off and on over the years, but never saw any of the books before. Anyone read any of the series? Is it worth getting into? I know there are something like 50 volumes that are divided into cycles of around 5 volumes each. That seems like a big investment to get into if I find I like the books.

I'm a big fan of the Dray Prescot series and have reviewed almost all of them here on Goodreads, except for the last few which I still have to read. I started with book 20: A Sword for Kregen, and was hooked. I then went back to the earlier ones. The best ones, in my opinion, are between about 12 and 24. But the earlier ones do set the stage. Each book is pretty much a standalone, although it probably helps some to know about earlier adventures. The books are also short, usually less than 200 pages, so they aren't a huge investment in time.

The author on the early ones is listed as Alan Burt Akers, but it's really Kenneth Bulmer, the British writer, who wrote the entire series. There's definitely an ERB/Barsoom vibe to them. They were also an influence on my Talera series of Sword and Planet books.

Charles wrote: "I'm a big fan of the Dray Prescot series and have reviewed almost all of them here on Goodreads, except for the last few which I still have to read. I started with book 20: A Sword for Kregen, and ..."
OH SNAP!, I had already looked over first one of these, but I was under the impression these were something from an indie author. Didn't realize they were well known.

LOVE the Dray Prescot series. I started reading them back in college (1975-1978).

I was thrilled that they were mostly available for the Kindle, and now have translated the German-only versions so I have the entire series.

Randy wrote: "I was thrilled that they were mostly available for the Kindle, and now have translated the German-only versions s..."

It was probably 1978 when I discovered the first one, in a used bookstore while I was in college. I've got them all too but haven't read the last five or so. I even started a pastiche at one point but never went very far with it. Definitely an influence on my Talera series, though.

Love this series as well. I have only gotten a handful of books in to the series but it is a fun series so far. Definitely the kind of series that is great to read when you want some fast paced adventure that can be read all in a relatively short sitting.

Aaron wrote: "Love this series as well. I have only gotten a handful of books in to the series but it is a fun series so far. Definitely the kind of series that is great to read when you want some fast paced adv..."

I envy you. I sort of wish I had a bunch of the early ones to read for the first time again.

I have felt that way about a number of series. Unfortunately when I reread them they don't always have the same pizzaz that they once did. But fortunately my memory is failing me more and more so give me a few more years and they will all be new again :-) LOL