Rating: 
Summary: It's not Zelazny.
Review: But then again very few writters are as good as Zelazny. If that is what you are buying this book for i suggest you (re)read The Great book of Amber rather than buy this book.
That said I bought this book on the day it came out, after much thought about Zelazny's wishes of not having anyone write in his world. Not buying the book will NOT change the fact that it was written, so his wishes were already trampled on, Not reading it won't change that fact.
If you are well versed in Amber you might find a few discrepancies in Mr. Bettancourt's prequel (one example would be that Oberon is not born by Dworkin and a unicorn). And the novel mock Nine Princes in Amber's style, Bettancourt's Oberon has to figure things out as he goes along just as Zelazny's Corwin does in Nine Princes.
However, once you get over these things, and if you truely have an open mind, I think that you will enjoy the novel. There is suspence and a few good characters (may fav. is Aber)and true to Zelzny's series ends with a cliffhanger. It is fast paced and a quick read, but doesn't get really interesting until about half way through.
My final suggestion would be to wait until the paperback comes out though and to open your mind as you open the book. Keep in mind that there was only one Zelazny and Mr. Bettancourt is not Zelazny (nor do i believe he is trying to be) or else you will be disapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment.
Review: By writing this novel I believe that Mr. Betancourt has painted a very large target on his forehead at which everyone can now take aim. His job is darn well impossible; to follow in the footsteps of perhaps one of the most accomplished wordsmiths in the last thirty years, Roger Zelazny. The question of how to judge this work can be seen as a friendly debate. Does he try to emulate Zelazny?...or does he write in only his own style? Ultimately it will be judged as to whether or not it is a worthy successor to the Amber novels. I believe it falls short here. I felt, at times, as though I was reading a barely fleshed out copy of a plot outline. Zelazny's style has been analyzed in depth, but I have always felt that his wittiness and readability came about because of a Chandleresque-like use of the language. His characters (Corwin noticeably) had that distinct American view of life that seemed at odds most times with the supporting cast. The first person narrative was swept along by events and commented wryly on them. I feel that Betancourt was trying to fit his round peg characters into the square hole of his plot. He had to hammer it in hard, and then went to the trouble of explaining why he had to hit so hard and tell you the type of hammer, what committee decision made the hole square, etc. Zelazny had an economy of words that gave the reader the benefit of the doubt that he could grasp what was happening.I will read it because Zelazny's family authorized it and the plot will become part of the large picture, but I am not camping outside the bookstore for the first shipment.
Rating: 
Summary: Creating a Fantasy Universe
Review: Creating a fantasy universe is a daunting task. Roger Zelazny did it several times in his career, never with better success than in his Nine Princes in Amber series. Uncounted readers have loved Roger's Amber books; his tragic death apparently meant that they would have no more opportunities to visit this particular realm. John Gregory Betancourt's "The Dawn of Amber" should be greeted with excitement and joy by those readers. It was an intriguing decision to write a "prequel trilogy" rather than to continue Roger's saga beyond the original ten volumes (although that may yet happen, and if well executed would be welcome). This new novel introduces the hero Oberon (or "Obere") as a young military officer. He has visions of horrors and mysteries, and feels compelled to discover their meaning. In this sense, Betancourt's trilogy is set up as a quest saga in its own right. Oberon is seeking not wealth or power (although both are involved in the plot) but knowledge. Along with him we meet his father and his siblings; there is magic in this book, there is peril and action, friendship and enmity and treachery. It's a fine and satisfying read, and I will look forward to the remaining books in Betancourt's trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't think anyone could do this
Review: Do what? Write a book as close to Roger Zelazny as this. And so faithful to the original series. But John Betancourt succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I am a big Zelazny fan and I had some doubts about this book before I opened it. No more. I am about to order the second book in the series right now. Of course the books conform to the older ones... they have to! This is a prequel. Makes them harder to write. But other than re-reading the original 10 books for the 10th time (well, only the seventh or eighth, actually), this is the best we can expect unless someone is channelling Roger Z directly from the afterworld. It's recommended that you read the originals first --- then start these. You are expected to know what's coming, and enjoy it.
WPG
Rating: 
Summary: Pale imitation of the original series
Review: Everyone else that hated this book has already given more than enough reasons, so I won't do that. Sadly, I just finished this after reading a poorly written prequel set in the Star Wars universe. If any Zelanzy fans are looking for something good to read that captures a lot of the flavor of Roger's work, then I highly recommend "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. I do not, repeat, DO NOT, recommend this. If you're a diehard Amber fan, then go ahead and read it, just so you can make fun of it later.
Rating:
Summary: Roger Zelaxny's the Dawn of Amber
Review: Excellent, excellent, excellent! Having savored and re-read the original 10 books by Zelazny and the short stories, this is a worthy addition to the Amber universe. It's written in the quick-paced, action-packed style that Zelazny had mastered.
Rating:
Summary: For fans still hungry for more "Amber"
Review: Get it out of the way up front: John Gregory Betancourt
is not Roger Zelazny. Every fan of Zelazny's ten-volume
"Amber" series will be offended by the idea that anyone could
step into the SF giant's shoes. Equally, every Amber fan
will be irresistibly drawn to this book. Zelazny left us
hungry for more - the mark of a truly great writer.
Put your prejudices aside. Betancourt has produced a
highly readable book, exactly what you'd expect from a
professional with over twenty novels behind him. This
prequel trilogy will follow Oberon, the founder of Amber and
all its Shadows. Oberon's father, Dworkin, and his relatives
form the Courts of Chaos, empowered by the mystical/genetic
pattern of power, the Logrus. That complex, unhappy family
long ago exiled Dworkin to the numberless parallel Shadows of
Chaos. Now, some Chaos noble means to exterminate Dworkin's
entire line. Oberon, Dworkin's unacknowledged son, becomes a
target in his own Shadow, and must be snatched to Juniper,
Dworkin's personal remote Shadow.
There he meets the survivors among his own conniving
siblings, each able to master aspects of the Logrus.
Oberon's own internal copy of the pattern has been distorted
by genetic drift into a new form. He cannot master the
Logrus, but he is himself a new Pattern.
With Juniper under new attack, Oberon must cooperate
with his relatives, but one among them is a traitor. They
has been cut off from all Shadows and Chaos itself, even using the Logrus-powered Trumps, "cards" with magical scrying
and transport abilities.
Betancourt has tied his "new" world system strongly to
Zelazny's own. The Trumps and the Patterns begin to make
more sense, but still include mysteries. Good news: This
novel gets better the farther you get into it. Better news:
At the end, you will be ready for more. No, Betancourt is
not Zelazny, and he is camping in Zelazny's universe, but he
is a fine writer. Put this one on the shelf beside _Nine
Princes in Amber_ without hesitation, and leave space for two
more.
Rating:
Summary: 300 pages but nothing new
Review: I agree with many other reviewers that the style is uninspired, but Zelazny was a---perhaps *the*---master stylist of science fiction. So I'm willing to cut Betancourt a break there. But the book is boring. Unlike the original Amber novels, there are absolutely no surprises. Anything we learn, see, or discover is already obvious to anyone who has read the original series. No discoveries, no character development, no nothing. And couldn't the publisher afford a proofreader? The edition I read is riddled with typographic errors.
Rating:
Summary: Betancourt Amber embraces Zelazny's with Grace and Energy
Review: I have been a long time fan of Roger Zelazny and like many fans, was saddened by Roger's death. And the lost of his writing in the Amber Universe. John Betancourt stepped into Zelazny's Amber universe with his 'Dawn of Amber' prequel to Zelazny with outstanding characterization of young Oberon and pre-Pattern Dworkin.
As well as fascenating look into the origins of the Pattern and creation of Trumps. John has gracefully captured the feel of Amber. And brought us an excellent and enjoyable story with dynamic energy and non-stop action. Keep up the outstanding work John.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasant visit to favorite series
Review: I know Roger Zelazny did not want more books written set in Amber but his estate authorized them anyway and Betancourt has done a more than credible job of capturing the feel of the Amber series. It is not as good frankly (he is not Roger Zelazny - but no one else ever will be either!) but it's a better than average. I enjoyed it a great deal. All Amber fans should read it.
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