When Hell Laughs

She lived in a savage world in an uncivilized age—a world ruled by man and governed by the sword. They called her Red Sonja—for her flame-red hair, for the smouldering fire of her pride which gave her sword arm a strength few men could match and none had ever defeated. In the very land where Conan the Gmmerian wields his powerful blade, this beautiful and deadly warrior-maid battles dark sorceries...and her own dark soul.

On the prison Isle of Os Harku, where the sweepings of Aquilonian society are thrown—traitors, murderers, thieves, and those whose crimes are too terrible to name—a dark force lies entrapped that feeds on the evil of the men around it. An ancient demon, the life force of one of Hell's own, it snares Athu, a venal Shemite sorcerer, and drives him to attempt escape from the Isle, and to quest for the entrance to Hell. With the aid of a sorcerous storm, the prisoners of Os Harku take a ship, and make their escape. But on that ship is the flame-haired woman warrior, the only Aquilonian brave enough, or bitter enough, to try to stand between a demon and the gates of Hell.