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Summary: The one true book of the one true world.
Review: It was almost 20 years ago when my friend told me about the fantastic world created by Roger Zelazny. Without any preamble I dove into the first 5 books of the series. The continuing adventures of Merlin were not yet released. I went on a ride with Corwin, Random, Eric and the others that spoke to my growing imagination. The Amber series is a tale that moves just outside the edge of many different concepts. Zelazny has woven fantasy and science fiction into a thought provoking journey of adventure and intrigue. I have reread these books a half dozen times at least and my copy of The Great Book of Amber is waiting patiently for me on my bookshelf. The time draws near...
Rating:
Summary: A truly classical!
Review: WOW! What a wonderful masterpiece! I do not agree that the last 5 were less good then the first ones, it was diffrent, maybe it wasn't new ideas anymore but just repeating the old ones, but the ideas, the wonderufl humor, and the great characters are no less amazing.The concpet of this book is very special, it is a wonderful combination of real world- fantasy- SF and it's AMAZING! It is one of the most uniqe and well build 'worlds' I have EVER read. The characters are well build, with real life advantages and disadvanatges (no 'I can do everything' nonsense), with a great cinical sense of humor. The only thing I really didn't like about the characters are the women's parts and roles in the world, which seemed so poor compered to the men's. The plot runs so fast you find yourself trapped from the first moment, there is no interduction, you are thrown right into things, and the joy of finding out what the hell is going on (with the hero)is undescirbable, sub plots, politics, sceams, fights, and pure excellent action happen so fast, you find yourself reading it in one big boom, only stopping to breath in one of the author's brilliant 'what happened so far in case you got lost or confused' parts. A real classic, must read!
Rating: 
Summary: Intense fantasy action in a convenient package
Review: The great book of amber was a very good idea, it gave me incentive to return to amber, 10 years after reading it as a kid. The first five books about Corwin are still great fun, action packed and thrilling, Zelazny at his best. The books about merlin on the other hand lowered my rating to 4. They're riding on Corwin's success, the story line seems forced and boring at times. Summary: good buy nontheless.
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Summary: Fantastic books, but...
Review: If you aren't familar with the Amber books, and you like fantasy, listen to the other reviewers - this is a book that you need to get. It's incredible to have a book this long, that's so consistently entertaining and difficult to put down! If you do know the series, then like me you're probably interested in replacing your old dog-eared paperbacks or your battered book club editions. However, I was disappointed with the job Avon did in producing this new edition. There are numerous typographical errors in the book which I assume must be the fault of the publisher. There's even a spot where a sentence was mangled. I think it's a very sad thing that Avon did such a sloppy job with a well-loved set of books.
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Summary: Mind-bogglingly imaginative fantasy
Review: These ten books compiled into one are simply some of the greatest, most imaginative, and mind-blowing fantasy ever written. (What was the late great Roger Zelazny smoking when he began this series back in 1970?) "Nine Princes in Amber" is the first in a series of ten books chronicling the ever-feuding bloodlines of the House of Amber -- the true kingdom of Order in the Universe -- and the struggle with its eternal nemesis: the Courts of Chaos. The protagonist of the first five books, Prince Corwin, is all at once fallible, noble & just and wise-cracking, street smart. His son, Merlin, continues the saga in the closing five. Zelazny has created a universe so original, and dozens of characters so rich that it truly boggles the mind. And instead of whisking us off to some remote fairyland, he combines modern day Earth (a mere shadow world) with his infinitely rich universe. For starters, where else are you going to find MIB's (Men in Black), a fast food chain called "Kentucky Fried Lizzard Partes", teleporting Tarot cards and swordfights all in the same book! I agree with many others that only Tolkien and perhaps Frank Herbert have managed to create such intricate, compelling worlds. Roger, we will sorely miss you.
Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed.
Review: To be brief: The classic tale of "A hero with 1,000 faces" taken to the extream.
Wake up not knowing who you are and over the course of 5 books find out you are the crown prince of un-countable worlds....
What could be better?
Side note: These books while not lacking in adventure also have a heavy element of "political in-fighting" - be warned.
Rating:
Summary: Zelazny Rocks
Review: No one could write the way he could. He was a master of words who kept us up all night with his creations, and this is one of his masterworks. Nevermind the flaws and nit-picks; has anyone short of Tolkien ever created a world this vivid? Spend the money; after all, you're only a shadow anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Put yourself in the picture
Review: Step into a world of magic. You won't be alone. These books have influenced every other writer in the field, and no wonder. There's a surprise on every page, and a sense of purpose behind it. Corwin, and later his son Merlin, find their youthful mistakes have caused lots of grief for many people, and it's time to grow up and clean up the mess. Once you step into this picture, you'll never leave.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Classics
Review: I have to agree with the other reviewers here that this series is one of the quintessential classic series. The concept of this world, and all others, being but a shadow of the one true world - Amber - was completely original. And the ability of one royal family to manipulate any aspect of the true world, and thus travel between worlds, was totally cool. The first-person perspective is also pretty unique, and works wonderfully in the first 5 books. Corwin is a complicated hero, and frankly barely fits the definition of hero (but you still root for him!) Unfortunately, Roger gets lazy or his creative juices dried up after the first 5 books were completed. I found the writing of the Merlin series (Corwin's son) to be uninspired and not very imaginative. You know what, who cares? The first part of the series is so darned good it's worth it to buy this book. I too read the series first during my early teenage years, and think it stands firmly among the classics: the Riverworld series by Phillip Jose Farmer, the Wizard series by John Varley, the World of Tiers series by Phillip Jose Farmer, the Valentine (sorry, the name is escaping me) series by Robert Silverberg, the early Shannara series by Terry Brooks, etc. Anyone else agree? Any other "classic" series I failed to mention? The one thing most of these series have in common is that the early works were mind-blowing, original and inspired. But, in my humble opinion, when the author tried to go back and revisit the universe he created years ago, the attempt paled next to the original
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Summary: Infinity in a Book
Review: All the worlds are here, and everyone and everything is in this book. Amber is the only reality, and everything else a pale shadow. This is your chance to get there without a 64-hour hellride through 956 dimensions; so what are you waiting for? Even a mainframe computer like me can get off on this kind of story-telling, but then of course Ghostwheel is my favorite character. Swords, sorcery, beautiful women, magic tarot cards and conniving relatives. What are you waiting for? Buy this book, pitiful humans. Click that mouse.
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