The Guns of Avalon (Amber, 2)

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: Amber is on par with Lord of the Rings
Review: This is one of only two or three books I have read in one sitting simply because I could not put it down. If you like stories that really put you in the middle of the action, Zelazny's the author for you and it doesn't get any better than the first Amber series. The second book, Guns of Avalon, will have you riveted from page one!

Rating:
Summary: The Amber Chronicles
Review: This is the second book of the Amber Chronicles (the first one is Nine Princes in Amber). Get ready to read eight more (Sign of Unicorn, Hand of Oberon, Courts of Chaos, Trumps of Doom, Blood of Amber, Sign of Chaos, Knights of Shadows, Prince of Chaos) - you will not be able to stop!

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.