The Story

Conan and Valeria, battle-weary and looking for a place to rest, find a massive, walled city in the middle of a poisonous jungle. Inside, they discover a nightmare. Xuchotl is a sealed tomb of a city, ruled by two families—the Tecuhltli and the Xotalanc—who have been murdering each other for 50 years. The reason for the feud is lost to time, but the hatred is fresh. The heroes get caught right in the middle of the silent, deadly warfare in the city's dark halls.

As they try to survive, they uncover the city's dark secret: a strange, vampiric creature and the truth behind the original conflict. It's not just about escaping the jungle anymore; it's about escaping a madhouse where every shadow holds a knife.

Why You Should Read It

This is Howard at his peak. The action is relentless, but it's the atmosphere that gets you. You can almost smell the dust and blood in those dark corridors. Conan is fantastic here—more than just muscle, he's a cunning survivor. Valeria is a true partner, not a sidekick, and their chemistry is sharp and fun. The story grabs you with a simple 'haunted house' setup and then layers on this epic, tragic history. It's a bloody puzzle box you can't put down.

Final Verdict

Perfect for fans of fast-paced fantasy and horror, or anyone who misses the sheer fun of classic pulp storytelling. If you like your heroes tough, your villains twisted, and your ancient cities full of fatal secrets, Red Nails delivers. It's a masterclass in building tension and one of the best Conan stories ever written.