The Guns of Avalon (Amber Series #2)

Rating:
Summary: Like the Perfect Kingdomitself ,everything builds from here.
Review: As if it wasn't enough that many of the incidents in this volume set the stage for all the Amber books to follow; as if it wasn't enough that his use of language conjures images of majesty, grandeur and, yes, low animal cunning, I found Zelazny's use of the writerly technique foreshadowing (no pun intended) awe-inspiring. Everything builds from here - Corwin's memories of Moire and his brief affair with Lorraine lead up to his encounter with Dara and suggest the direction that will eventually lead. Corwin's adventures with the Black Circle forge his decisions about duty, kingship, and that which lies beyond the Black Road. While Nine Princes in Amber could be a stand-alone novel, this book is the linchpin which holds together all the Amber books to come.

Rating:
Summary: A phenominal continuation
Review: Book two of Rodger Zelazny's first series of Amber novels follows Corwin, prince of Amber on his path to unseat his usurper brother Eric from the throne of Amber. After having his eyes burnt out with hot irons and five years of imprisonment, Corwin has grown new eyes and escaped.
I found this novel to be one of the more interesting of the original Amber novels. You get more of a feel for Corwin than you did in the first book of the series. The characteristics of a scion of Amber that makes them such interesting characters are all there, the scheming, the majesty, the style, even the pettiness.
Having discovered a compound that will work as gunpowder in the mystical realm of order he sets out to move once more in his quest to take the throne for himself. The characters are interesting and the style is enchanting. The only thing I would have liked to have seen elaborated on was the nature of pattern magic. As it was none of those details were really dealt with at all until the beginning of the second series (With Trumps of Doom).
If you have not read this series before get Nine Princes in Amber and treat yourself to one of the great science fiction/fantasy series of all time.

Rating:
Summary: A phenominal continuation
Review: Book two of Rodger Zelazny's first series of Amber novels follows Corwin, prince of Amber on his path to unseat his usurper brother Eric from the throne of Amber. After having his eyes burnt out with hot irons and five years of imprisonment, Corwin has grown new eyes and escaped.
I found this novel to be one of the more interesting of the original Amber novels. You get more of a feel for Corwin than you did in the first book of the series. The characteristics of a scion of Amber that makes them such interesting characters are all there, the scheming, the majesty, the style, even the pettiness.
Having discovered a compound that will work as gunpowder in the mystical realm of order he sets out to move once more in his quest to take the throne for himself. The characters are interesting and the style is enchanting. The only thing I would have liked to have seen elaborated on was the nature of pattern magic. As it was none of those details were really dealt with at all until the beginning of the second series (With Trumps of Doom).
If you have not read this series before get Nine Princes in Amber and treat yourself to one of the great science fiction/fantasy series of all time.

Rating:
Summary: The Amber Chronicles
Review: Ever been blinded and imprisoned in a dungeon by your own brother, then escaped through a magical porthole when your eyes grew back? If so, this is the book for you, especially if you came to your freedom only to ponder the weighty question: 'What next?'

In this second book of the original Amber series, Zelazny brings his protagonist Corwin back from the edge of physical and mental ruin. In this sense, it is the most driven and intriguing novel of the series. It also continues the loose analogy to the Rocky series, part two of which has the hero recover from defeat and return with a passionate vengeance. There's even a training sequence and an old enemy made into an ally in 'Guns' to strengthen the comparison. Of course, Burgess Meredith isn't in the book, but no work of fiction is perfect.

Without too much trouble, Zelazny extends himself beyond the ouevre of Stallone, raising the issues of family devotion and betrayal, lust for power, and the close relationship and fuzzy distinction between good and evil. What more does a growing mind need?

Rating:
Summary: Worthy continuation of a classic fantasy series
Review: Guns of Avalon is a truly worthy sequel to the Nine Princes of Amber. What makes this book so fun is Zelazny tells his tale in a completely different tenor and tone then the first book. In the first book we had no idea what was going on. We were as lost as the main character is through out the book. In this novel the main Character, Corwin, is more aware of events and so we are allowed, as the reader, to be more aware of events.

I think it is a remarkable coincidence that I had just picked up "The Fabric of Reality" by David Deutsch just prior to reading this novel and it is remarkable how well Deutshe's theory of Multiverses fits into the Amber Chronicles. Don't get me wrong. I am not one of those people who wish to make their favorite fantasy into reality, but thinking scientifically while reading a classic fantasy yarn was very enjoyable.

A worthy sequel to Nine Princes of Amber. This, and most of Zelazny's novels, are usually out of print. It would be worthwhile to attempt to get a copy of this book either through Amazon's out print book search or your local used books store. Good luck.

Rating:
Summary: Just finished it.
Review: I have read very few books whose climax is towards the beginning but I'm thinking that it has to do with the series as a whole and I don't believe you should read them as individuals.

What a mess our hero was in at the end of book one. All I can say is that the series only gets better. I just finished Guns of Avalon and I could not stop! I had to start Sign of the Unicorn right away. The intrigue thickens as the relatives start to show their motives.

I have to go finish the third book now. If you like any kinds of Robert Jordan-esque fantasy or you have read all of Tolkien and are looking for another great series look no further.

Rating:
Summary: "Guns" a strong sequel
Review: The adventures of Corwin continue in "Guns of Avalon," the second book of the sprawling Amber series. Zelazny's story is a bit fractured this time around, but he builds up some important new characters and developments, as exiled prince Corwin tries to get back the throne of Amber.

Corwin has escaped the clutches of his usurping brother Eric, and comes to the land of Lorraine (I'm not making this name up). One of his old enemies, Ganelon, is the head honcho of that place, so Corwin has to watch his step. Lorraine is being menaced by an army of evil shadow creatures, lead by a goat-headed being that threatens everyone and everything in that land.

Then he travels to Avalon with Ganelon, to meet his brother Benedict, who has no ambition but lots of military skill. Corwin is after "jeweler's rouge," which can be used like gunpowder, and Avalon is the place to get it. While he's there, he encounters Benedict's great-granddaughter Dara, and slips into an affair with her -- except that Dara is not what she seems, and the threat to Amber is more than just Eric.

Don't even try reading "Guns of Avalon" unless you've already read "Nine Princes in Amber" -- the Amber series is like a pair of novels, and each story is divided into five novel-chapters. While the two stories in "Guns" don't seem to have much in common, they are both vital parts of the ongoing Amber story. But it's a little weird to read them at first, since they seem so disconnected.

With new worlds to explore, Zelazny expands his writing -- everything is more detailed and wild in this story, from the unpronounceable demon to the talking cats. But he keeps that spare, sardonic edge to his writing. No matter how much detail he includes, it always feels carefully stripped down. Even the dialogue is simple and to the point.

Corwin is a little less engaging in this book, since he's sneaking around rather than openly attacking. Well, the guy was trapped in a dungeon for five years -- it's to be expected. But by the climax, he's back in fighting form. And the supporting characters (from the devious Dara to straightforward Benedict) are impossible to grasp. Good guys turn out to be bad, and vice versa -- everyone has ulterior motives, and is secretly plotting.

The Amber series picks up steam in "Guns of Avalon." While the two-story plotting is a little disconcerting, the scheming characters and brilliant worldbuilding make this a worthy sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Worse of this Series but still a good book.
Review: This series is great. This book is not. If you read this book, when compared to the other Amber novels, you will understand why this book is a disappointment.

First, this book has two stories within it. I could be wrong, but it seems like the stories found here were parts of a magazine series put together to form one book. The first story, outside of some of the same characters, has little to do with the second story found here. As such, I will treat each story seperately and judge them accordingly.

If you can, skip the first story. It was horrible. It lacked every good quality which made the first book such a classic. In the first book Corwin, with no memory and recovering from an assassination attempt, still manages to gather forces together which eventually allow him to challenge his brother Eric for the thrown of Amber. When he loses, his eyes are cut out and his is imprisoned for life. While he does suffer, he still dreams of revenge and eventually escapes from prison with the hopes of attacking and beating Eric in the future. In every sense of the word, Corwin is a hero.

In this book, Corwin is a coward. He runs away from Amber to Avalon. While there, he seems to be afraid of one of his old henchmen, Ganelon, who is the leader of a group of men he finds there. Eventually revealing himself to Ganelon, they join force to fight a strange foe found in the forest. This story is a "2" in my eyes. It was predictable. It was boring. It added nothing to this series.

The second story, however, is much better. Corwin, trying to return to Amber, mets one of his brothers. He also plans again for the thrown and mets someone who may be his brother's granddaughter. He fights and runs, but seems to regain some of the character found in the first book.

I have read book 3, and the second part of this book leads nicely into it. It is only for this reason that I would recommend reading this book. Since the whole series, overall, is quite good, I just thought those of you who might get discouraged by the beginning of this book should take note: it does get better. Zelazany is a good writer, he just was a little off beat in the first story.

Rating:
Summary: Worse of this Series but still a good book.
Review: This series is great. This book is not. If you read this book, when compared to the other Amber novels, you will understand why this book is a disappointment.

First, this book has two stories within it. I could be wrong, but it seems like the stories found here were parts of a magazine series put together to form one book. The first story, outside of some of the same characters, has little to do with the second story found here. As such, I will treat each story seperately and judge them accordingly.

If you can, skip the first story. It was horrible. It lacked every good quality which made the first book such a classic. In the first book Corwin, with no memory and recovering from an assassination attempt, still manages to gather forces together which eventually allow him to challenge his brother Eric for the thrown of Amber. When he loses, his eyes are cut out and his is imprisoned for life. While he does suffer, he still dreams of revenge and eventually escapes from prison with the hopes of attacking and beating Eric in the future. In every sense of the word, Corwin is a hero.

In this book, Corwin is a coward. He runs away from Amber to Avalon. While there, he seems to be afraid of one of his old henchmen, Ganelon, who is the leader of a group of men he finds there. Eventually revealing himself to Ganelon, they join force to fight a strange foe found in the forest. This story is a "2" in my eyes. It was predictable. It was boring. It added nothing to this series.

The second story, however, is much better. Corwin, trying to return to Amber, mets one of his brothers. He also plans again for the thrown and mets someone who may be his brother's granddaughter. He fights and runs, but seems to regain some of the character found in the first book.

I have read book 3, and the second part of this book leads nicely into it. It is only for this reason that I would recommend reading this book. Since the whole series, overall, is quite good, I just thought those of you who might get discouraged by the beginning of this book should take note: it does get better. Zelazany is a good writer, he just was a little off beat in the first story.