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Summary: Nine Princes In Amber: Wonderful!
Review: Nine Princes in Amber was the first Roger Zelazny novel I read. And I wasn't disappointed at all. The story is fast-paced and exciting. The primary character, Prince Corwin, is cocky and irreverent but basically a good guy. He struggles against his brothers for control over the one, true reality: The magical realm of Amber.If you're tired of epic fantasy with it's too-serious nature and pompousity, I'd recommend Nine Princes in Amber (the first of ten in the Amber series). It's good stuff. If you like Steven Brust, try Zelazny. It's clear that Zelazny influenced Brust's writing.
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Summary: Original and Witty. A true Fantasy Classic.
Review: Nine Princes of Amber is the opening book in a sweeping 10-book saga by Roger Zelazny. Zelazny, (1937-1995), weaves an absolutely brilliant tale in the first person of one Corwin. The reader is as blind to the how and why of the story as Corwin is. Corwin begins the book knowing virtually nothing about himself. He does not know his name, his age, his history, his home, nothing. We are taken along a wild journey were we find out who Corwin is and the very important role that he and his family play in all the worlds that exist. Without giving too much away it is fair to say that this is a fantasy novel. It is also fair to say that these books have relatively intense cliffhanger endings. I would strongly suggest getting all ten books to read before starting the first novel. This is difficult since they periodically go out of print. At the present time the best bet to get all 10 books in print is the omnibus edition available here at Amazon as of June 2000. The title is as follows: "The Great Book of Amber : The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 by Roger Zelazny " Good luck and enjoy this masterpiece.
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Summary: Where was I?
Review: Again, another Zelazny bar-setter. There is something infectiously gravitational about Z's prose; I find myself fleshing out his ideas, images, and references for him during the read. The "grabber" is the opening scene, in which we find we know as much about the protagonist, Corwin, and his condition, as he does. As the storyline develops, the reader is pulled more and more into an emotional identification with him. The lovable, (Han Solo-ish) rogue is what this fellow represents, and as he possesses demigod-like powers, "the hits just keep on coming": incredible battles, recoveries from unstoppable adversity, opportunistic sex - in short, just what you expect from Zelazny. I went through a whole afternoon, and several mugs of coffee, at a bookshop reading this thing through, after I picked it up as inadvertently as stepping on a landmine. Hard to put down, it is both an enjoyable and enthusiastic read. And, of course, it's just the first volume of the Amber Chronicles!
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Summary: I can't stop reading these books
Review: Four days ago, a friend of mine recommended the Amber series and let me borrow his Nine Princes in Amber book. As a young schoolgirl, I was way into the Anne McCaffrey dragon books (Hey, I was in 6th grade) and fantasy of that ilk. Having run out of things to read, I was seeking recommendations. Having been burned by recommendations, I sought a second opinion... Got LOADS of acclaim and undiluted praise about the Amber series, so I read this book. It was a very very entertaining tale with loads of mystery, castles, quests, etc. I suppose my favorite part was the main character and his tone. Corwin is like a reluctant hero who has base motives and doesn't hide them. Although there are annoyances to this book, I'm now on "Sign of the Unicorn" (fourth in the series?)and for some reason look forward to reading these books until the end. I'm currently staying up an average of two hours past my bedtime to read about the Amber world.
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Summary: The ultimate read
Review: Roger Zelazny was--and still is--renowned as a literary master of speculative fiction. It's easy to see why with this book, which is *not*, believe it or not, considered to be best of his works...only the most popular. Zelazny stretches the use of words to the maximum. You will encounter flowery, formal dialogue, complete with "thee"'s; you will encounter the contemplative thoughts of a cynical, hard-boiled detective; you will encounter the direct, concise summary of actions taken in quick succession. And they meld together without any objection, submitting to Zelazny's hand to reside in a flawless whole before the reader. The protagonist, Corwin, begins the story with amnesia. Yes, the typical help-I've-lost-my-memory-I'd-better-go-recover-it setup. But there's nothing to worry about; the plot has been solidly constructed from the beginning of this book to the end of the last in the series, and a diabolically intricate mesh of intrigue and adventure unfolds. All this takes place in not only an original world, but in an original universe. Earth is part of it, a welcome familiar setting, but the premise behind why our planet is only a part of the cosmos is novel and integrated closely with the story. Lastly, although the cast of characters is huge--nine princes in Amber, along with a handful of princesses and countless minor characters--each one is distinct and deftly described. The reader is able to reach out to each one and understand them all. What is there to lose? And there's so much to gain. I strongly recommend this novel as well as those following it in the series, and I can guarantee an absolute lack of disappointment.
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Summary: You'll Love It
Review: This might be the best fantasy book ever written. Don't start reading it in the evening because you'll be up all night. Zelazny can draw a reader in like nothing I ever saw before. He always manages to have you burning for an answer. Before he gives you that answer though, he gets you pumped to get the answer to another mystery. He baits you along like that and then the book is over, and you're in love with the characters and the world he creates and you're dying for more . . . but tough luck, it's over. I promise, you won't be ready for this book to end.
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Summary: Captivating
Review: Someone said this book was full of cliches. This book is one the best ever written, but you have to have the ability upstairs to appreciate it. It's sad that some readers cannot get it. It is very esoteric and there are great threads of humor that blend very uniquely with the action and adventure. Zelazny is like many of the unusual great writers that stand out that have surpassed their art form. Why else would it still getting 5 star rave reviews long after it is out of print with no advertizing or publicity to taint it. In this book, there is philosophy, modern science fiction, medieval history and tragedy, the tragedy of the loss of one the great writers who wrote this. I have read a lot of biographies and reviews of Zelazny and, while most reviewers just don't get it, one came close when he said that what is unusual about Zelazny is that he speaks to you with such a perfect voice - the voice of a good friend, who is right there beside you, experiencing the adventure.
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Summary: Magnificent, but frustrating!
Review: Zelaznys'views on the duality of creation seen as a battle between order and chaos. An obvious attempt at interfacing the Tarot with all of the characters. And a spiritual quest for Corwin towards creating a new world(Fools'Journey). A pitty the trumps are so cloaked in uncertainty and left to the imagination, that one seaches for a solid base in existing Major cards or Royal suit...and has a hard time finding a match.
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Summary: Amazing, and my all time favorite
Review: Someone stated in a review before that the story had cliches. Well first of all if you knew anything about Zelazny you would know his love for mythology. Thats why he uses such characters known to us all. This book is a classic up their with series like the hobbit. The complexity, humour and amazing writing proof that. This is one of the few books that grabbed me and never let go.
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Summary: The Amber Chronicles
Review: This is the first book of the Amber Chronicles. Get ready to read nine more (Guns of Avalon, 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!
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