When Hell Laughs — David C. Smith; Richard L. Tierney

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.