Red Sonja Novels Return in New Omnibus Edition
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Table of Contents
For over four decades, the original Red Sonja novels have been out of print and increasingly difficult to find. That’s about to change – and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I’ve wanted to read these books for years. But try finding them? On eBay in Germany, a single volume regularly sells for €20–50. For six books, you’re easily looking at well over €150 just to read them all – assuming you can even find complete copies in decent condition.
Now, for roughly €30–35, I can read the entire series in one omnibus. This is exactly the kind of reprint the sword and sorcery community has been waiting for.
The Omnibus
Orbit Books (a Hachette imprint) is releasing the Red Sonja Omnibus in January 2027, collecting all six novels by David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney in a single 1,072-page volume.
According to Hachette’s listing, this marks the first time these books have been collected together. And I don’t remember anything to the contrary.
The trade paperback will retail at $34.99 (USD), with an ebook edition available for $16.99. Amazon already has it up for pre-order as the Red Sonja Omnibus.
The Original Novels
Smith and Tierney wrote six Red Sonja novels for Ace Books between 1981 and 1983, all featuring iconic Boris Vallejo cover art:
- The Ring of Ikribu (1981)
- Demon Night (1982)
- When Hell Laughs (1982)
- Endithor’s Daughter (1982)
- Against the Prince of Hell (1983)
- Star of Doom (1983)
These books have been out of print for decades, with used copies often commanding high prices from collectors. The omnibus finally makes them accessible to a new generation of readers. I cannot wait!
I do hope the covers are included individually in the book as they are awesome – Vallejo is indeed a master!
The Authors
David C. Smith is a prolific sword and sorcery author with 29 novels to his name, including the award-winning Robert E. Howard: A Literary Biography. His connection to Howard scholarship makes him a fitting custodian for Red Sonja’s literary adventures.
Richard L. Tierney (1936–2022) was a poet, scholar, and fiction writer whose work expanded the sword and sorcery genre. His Simon of Gitta stories and his influential essay “The Derleth Mythos” cemented his reputation in fantasy and weird fiction circles. Sadly, Tierney passed away in February 2022, but this omnibus ensures his Red Sonja work will reach new readers.
Red Sonja’s Origins
Red Sonja was created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973, inspired by Robert E. Howard’s Red Sonya of Rogatino from “The Shadow of the Vulture.”
While Howard’s character was a 16th-century swashbuckler, Thomas transplanted the concept to the Hyborian Age, creating the chainmail-bikini-clad warrior we know today.
The character has spawned dozens of comics, multiple films (including the 1985 Brigitte Nielsen version and the 2025 reboot), and these six novels – which remain the most substantial prose adventures Red Sonja has received.
There was also a novel from Red Sonja a couple of years ago – Red Sonja: Consumed. It was…alright. Red Sonja consumed review is here.
There’s also a new Red Sonja film, which was a decent effort. It’s pretty low budget, and only had one day at the cinemas but lets hope it paves the way for more Sword & Sorcery films.
Why This Matters
For fans of Conan and Hyborian Age fiction, the Red Sonja novels occupy a unique space. They’re set in the same world as Conan’s adventures, written by authors steeped in sword and sorcery tradition, and they’ve been effectively lost to time for forty years.
At over 1,000 pages, the omnibus represents serious value – and a chance to experience Red Sonja as a fully developed literary character rather than just a comics icon.
The Red Sonja Omnibus is available for pre-order now, with release scheduled for 19th January 2027.
If you want to explore Red Sonja’s comics adventures while you wait, The Adventures of Red Sonja Omnibus collects the classic Marvel tales from Roy Thomas and Frank Thorne – essential reading for any fan of the She-Devil with a Sword.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Red Sonja novels are there?
Six novels were written by David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney, published by Ace Books between 1981 and 1983. The new omnibus collects all six.
When does the Red Sonja Omnibus come out?
The omnibus releases on 19th January 2027 from Orbit Books.
How much does the Red Sonja Omnibus cost?
The trade paperback is $34.99 (USD) and the ebook is $16.99.
Are the Red Sonja novels connected to Conan?
Yes. Red Sonja exists in the same Hyborian Age setting as Conan, and the character was originally introduced in Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian comics in 1973.
Who created Red Sonja?
Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith created Red Sonja for Marvel Comics, basing her loosely on Robert E. Howard’s character Red Sonya from “The Shadow of the Vulture.”
