Saddle up and ride into the wild, thrilling world of Horseclans, a post-apocalyptic saga where immortal warriors, telepathic horses, and saber-toothed cats roam a ravaged North America! Created by Robert Adams, this science fiction-fantasy blend delivers gritty sword-and-sorcery action in a world reshaped by nuclear devastation. With its vivid battles and larger-than-life characters, Horseclans invites you to explore a brutal yet captivating future.
Set in the 27th century, the series follows Milo Morai, an undying mutant who leads the nomadic Horseclans across a primitive landscape. Blending epic fantasy with post-apocalyptic survival, Adams’ creation is a rollicking adventure for fans of Conan-style heroics and dystopian worlds.
How Horseclans Began
Robert Adams, a former soldier turned writer, launched Horseclans in 1975 with The Coming of the Horseclans. His military background and fascination with history infused the series with meticulous detail and visceral combat. Inspired by the likes of Robert E. Howard, Adams crafted a world where civilization’s collapse birthed a new, barbaric era. His goal? Pure, unapologetic escapism, free of heavy-handed messages, as he noted in the series’ first book.
The Horseclans series grew to 18 novels, with Adams weaving a complex timeline that demands sequential reading. His detailed world-building and action-packed storytelling made Horseclans a cult favorite among fans of post-apocalyptic and military fantasy.
The Heart of Horseclans
The series kicks off with The Coming of the Horseclans, where Milo Morai returns to lead the Horseclans toward their prophesied homeland, battling decadent city-dwellers and the sinister Witchmen—scientists who steal bodies to cheat death. Swords of the Horseclans follows, deepening the clan’s migration with fierce clashes and telepathic bonds. Revenge of the Horseclans introduces Bili the Axe, a mortal warrior whose brutal charisma steals the spotlight. Later, Horseclans Odyssey shifts focus to a young clansgirl, offering a fresh perspective on the saga.
Horseclans thrives on themes of survival, conquest, and rebuilding civilization. Its setting—a North America reverted to medieval barbarism—pulses with gritty realism, from sword fights to telepathic alliances with animals. Adams’ style is relentless, packed with gory battles and libertarian undertones, though modern readers may note dated elements like misogyny or excessive violence. Still, the series’ raw energy and intricate world keep it compelling.
The fantastical elements, like the Undying immortals and telepathic horses, blend sci-fi and fantasy seamlessly. The Witchmen, with their pre-apocalyptic tech, add a chilling antagonist, while the Horseclans’ nomadic culture evokes Mongol hordes with a post-nuclear twist.
Why Horseclans Resonates
Horseclans carved a niche in post-apocalyptic fiction, predating many modern dystopian tales. Its influence echoes in the detailed worlds of authors like S.M. Stirling, and fans still praise its non-stop action and vivid covers by artist Ken Kelly. Though not a mainstream hit, the series’ cult status endures, with readers drawn to its unapologetic embrace of barbaric adventure.
Despite criticisms of dated social attitudes, Horseclans remains a time capsule of 1970s pulp fantasy, offering a raw, immersive escape. Its blend of historical grit and speculative wonder keeps fans returning, especially through reprints by Mundania Press.
- Publication Years: 1975–1988
- Number of Books: 18 novels, plus two short story anthologies
- Key Artist: Ken Kelly, known for iconic covers
Ready to charge into a world of swords, telepathy, and immortal warriors? Grab The Coming of the Horseclans and gallop into Robert Adams’ unforgettable post-apocalyptic epic!