Rating: 
Summary: The last thing Zelazny would ever want
Review: Just to prevent people from being misled by the positive comments ofthe readers here, and by the editorial review, this book is not in any way approved by Zelazny, despite what the cover says.Zelazny was very strongly opposed to this book ever being written and time and time again stated that he didn't want anyone writing any books for Amber. It wasn't until after his death that they felt they could do this becuase he was no longer around to complain. I find that vulgarly offensive to his memory and feel that anyone who buys this book is insulting Zelazny.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Zelazny, but...
Review: Let's begin with the obvious. John Gregory Betancourt is not Zelazny. Zelazny is dead, and so is his unique voice. However, "Roger Zelazny's the Dawn of Amber" is a well written tribute to Zelanzy's Amber series. As a prequel to Zelazny's books, it presents the story of Oberon, the original King of Amber. There are a lot of parallels to Zelazny's books. The book is told from a first person perspective, similar to all of Zeleany's Amber novels. The hero is not aware of his origins at the beginning of the book. The hero discovers that he is one member of a large group of half-brothers and sisters. In this book, as in all of Zelasny's Amber books, it becomes clear that the travails affecting Oberon's family are a part of a large and sinister plan. If you (like me) miss the Amber series, this is good stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Its a page turner
Review: More than any other author I've read, this guy captures the feel of Zelazny's writing style in the Amber novels. You won't easily put it down once you pick it up.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre.
Review: Neither good nor bad...it's just sort of there. It's the first part of a trilogy (?) that tells the life of Oberon and the founding of Amber. Unfortunately, it doesn't really do much in terms of breaking new ground. The writing isn't bad, but Oberon as a character is more like an amateur Amber DRPG player than a character from Zelazny's books. I.e., lots of whining about Dworkin abandoning him. To me, it read just like so many Amber DRPG character journals. I would have been a lot more impressed had Betancourt attempted something new. It just doesn't seem like he has his own voice in this book; it seems like he's trying very hard to imitate Zelazny.
Rating:
Summary: 1 star is too many
Review: Never mind that the estate authorized this work despite the late Roger Zelazny's wishes; let us see how this book stands on its own merits, and as a part of the overall series to which it is a prequel. The first person narration is not done well. Nor is the characterization. I realize that in this novel Oberon (or, as he is called here, Obere) is far less experienced than he is in the original books, but he also seems to be far less intelligent. When reading the first series, I was able to get an impression of each character's personality quickly. In this work, I only pick up a name and a physical description for most of the people involved. In the rare case where I find one of the new characters to be interesting, he is killed. The plot is like a bad campaign from a roleplaying game. The names of characters and places are bad, character development is nearly nonexistent, and there are aspects of it that seem to conflict with the original works (which admittedly contradict themselves several times). There are no real surprises in the story, and the pace of the story drags throughout the book. The quality of this work is poor, and setting it in one of my favorite fantasy worlds is just rubbing salt in the wound.
Rating:
Summary: Dung of Amber
Review: Not only does this book mock the late Roger Zelazny's imagination, but it goes too far in mocking any legitimate author that has ever put in the hard work and dedication it takes to create a serious novel. Mr. Betancourt obviously lacks the talent, intelligence and just plain honest work when it comes to writing. This extremely thin, lackluster attempt is bad enough to set the art of writing back one hundred years. I have never, ever been so disappointed in a book in my entire life. There is no plot, no characters, no atmosphere, and no discernible conflict. What else could possibly go wrong? Oh, much, much more! Not only does Mr. Betancourt completely fail to bring anything new or interesting to the table, but he manages to get things from Zelazny's world totally wrong! There are better writers out there in high school, every high school in the entire world!
Rating:
Summary: Good Zelazny feel
Review: Oberon is a soldier, nothing more, and he's fighting a losing and doomed war. At least he is until his long-lost 'uncle' appears to tell him that he is needed elsewhere. Oberon finds himself a part of a large and disputatious family--all princes of Chaos and capable of walking the shadows. Yet Oberon lacks the internal pattern that allows shadow walking--or at least, his pattern is different. Too different to allow him to use the magics available to the others. Which is too bad because the entire family is under attack and, without some major help, all will be destroyed. THE DAWN OF AMBER is set in the late author Roger Zelazny's Amber universe in the days before the creation of Amber and the shadow reflections that surround it. Author John Gregory Bethancourt does a good job conveying the feel that Zelazny created in his Amber novels. Oberon's family is disfunctional, constantly bickering amongst themselves, and powerful, just as Corwin's family is in the first Zelazny novel in the series. Bethancourt's writing is highly approachable, making DAWN a quick read. I would have preferred, however, for more story to occur. To too large an extent, DAWN sets the stage for future activities, introducing the actors and developing the idea of Oberon's unique pattern. Fans of the Amber series (like me) will enjoy this detail. Even we, are likely to wish that more actually happened in the novel.
Rating:
Summary: Dawn Of Amber
Review: The Amber corporation decided to let Betancourt play in Zelazny's universe and John has done a decent job. Three things to remember: One, this is not Roger Zelazny (So let it go, already); Two, this is the tale of Dworkin's family, centered around Oberon; and Three, the Amber corporation had to approve the book before it could be published. With that said... I found the book enjoyable. Oberon has grown up in a remote shadow in the service of good king when Dworkin returns to collect Oberon for a family gathering. It is revealed that some unknown enemy has been plotting against Dworkin and his brood and Oberon and his disfunctional siblings must band together to survive. This book has a little too many parallels to the first five books (then again, history has a way of repeating itself)and there are a few plot points I disagree with, but on the whole, this is a fairly decent prelude the Zelazny's work. Take it for what it is, not for what you wish it to be.
Rating:
Summary: Suitable
Review: The book does what it sets out to; provide readers with an extended story of Amber and its origins. Betancourt's writing pales in comparison to Zelazny's, and the story draws liberally from Nine Princes in Amber, but thats ok. In the end, I enjoyed the book. Both for its return to familiar worlds, as well for Betancourt's writing.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to Zelazny's standards, but still a good story
Review: The first five-book "Amber" storyline remains my favorite story of all time. This first of three books by J.G. Betancourt attempts to serve as a prequel to the adventures of Corwin, by "introducing" readers to Oberon, Dworkin and the creation of the kingdom of Amber. The writing isn't quite up to Roger Zelazny's standards, but if that standard was easy to reach, Zelazny's work wouldn't really be all that impressive, would it? Betancourt's story suffers from the automatic predictability that comes with all prequels, just like the lack of suspense over what will happen to Anakin Skywalker in the third Star Wars movie. Although Betancourt telegraphs a lot of his plot twists, the story itself is fairly decent, and if you look at this as a regular fantasy story, it's a pretty good story. The book is certainly worth the cover price.
| 
