Amber Books

The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber)

Roger Zelazny

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Eos Amazon Marketplace: 65 new & used starting at $5.96

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> World Literature -> United States
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 210 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Roger Zelazny's books have three things in common: a flawed hero who sometimes fails, endlessly surprising plot twists, and a blend of lyricism, literary allusions, and sly puns that makes the pages fly. The Great Book of Amber, collecting all 10 Amber novels, is vintage Zelazny. Despite some irritating typographical errors, it's invaluable for anyone who wants to read or reread the tales of Corwin and his son, Merlin.

Corwin is a prince of Amber, the "immortal city from which every other city has taken its shape." All other worlds, including Earth, are shadows of that reality. Corwin has spent centuries on Earth as an amnesiac. But when someone in the family tries to kill him there, Corwin begins a search for his past. He quickly learns that his family has some very unusual powers. They can travel between Amber, its shadows, and Chaos by manipulating reality; use magical playing cards to communicate and travel instantaneously; and are able to walk the Pattern that created Amber. Corwin regains his memory, solves the mystery of his father Oberon's disappearance, and fulfills his destiny--only to disappear into Chaos.

Merlin searches for Corwin and his destiny as a son of both Amber and the Courts of Chaos. His story parallels Corwin's, answering many questions about Amber, Chaos, and the next generation in the family.

Many readers have complained that the series goes on too long and the ending is disappointing. None, however, would deny that it's filled with fascinating ideas, complex characters, and action-adventure. Don't miss a chance to make up your own mind. --Nona Vero

Prince of Chaos (Chronicles of Amber)

Roger Zelazny

List Price: $5.99 By: Avon Books (Mm) Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Burning Your End At Both Candles 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

With the exception of a few weak steps in Sign of Chaos, Zelazny's Amber series has proven to be one of the enduring monuments of fantasy writing in the 70's and 80's. They are the logical culmination of a focus on the concept of 'world builder' first investigated in Isle of the Dead. In that volume world building was a spiritual activity and here, in the twin five volume series about Corwin and his son Merlin is is the politics of those who can wander the dimensions and 'find' worlds of their own design that is important.

Prince of Chaos makes it clear that Order and Chaos are the great forces that drive events. And that it is the inhabitants, not the manifestations of the powers that must keep the balance. For all their instincts of preservation, the Serpent and the Unicorn would gladly have the universe destroyed if for one instant either side can rule unconstrained. Merlin, born and raised in the Courts of Chaos, but true son of Amber, finds himself maneuvered into the precarious position of potential heir to the dark throne. He despises the idea of wearing a crown, hates being manipulates, but his progress has been almost inevitable. He is a piece in a very large chess game.

Zelazny builds this volume as a puzzle with Corwin charged with finding all the pieces and fitting them together. He must find his father, determine who among his relatives can be trusted, and make more than a few decisions of the heart. He is a young man surrounded by players who have been in the game for hundred, if not thousands, of years. And each victory means new threats to defend himself against.

Zelazny manages to wrap up most of his loose ends while leaving considerable room for further amplification. There will never be another volume in this series, but the reader has so much material to work with that there are countless alternate new volumes resting in the heads of inspired readers, caught in the pattern of fascination that drives the plot. That these stories go on in our minds is the true charm of Zelazny's work. With today's focus on action rather than plot the art of the storyteller has almost disappeared from the genre.

The Chronicles of Amber Volume 1 The Nine Princes in Amber & The Guns of Avalon

Roger Zelazny

By: Nelson Doubleday, Inc Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $0.10

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Amber

Roger Zelazny's VISUAL GUIDE TO CASTLE AMBER

Roger Zelazny, Neil Randall

By: Avon Books Amazon Marketplace: 13 new & used starting at $6.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Amber

Nine Princes In Amber

Roger Zelazny

List Price: $5.99 By: Avon Amazon Marketplace: 66 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Epic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 84 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A classic with great characters! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I was in a used bookstore the other day and got reminded of this book. I remembered how much I enjoyed reading it long ago and decided that it was time to re-read Nine Princes in Amber.
Nine Princes in Amber is Roger Zelazny's tale of Corwin and his attempt to return to Amber, the one true realm. Without memory of his past, Corwin analysis his situation, takes actions to expand his knowledge of his past and slowly learns that he's that he's a true prince of Amber. As such, Cowin's desires are ingrained in him and drive his actions, to achieve the throne of Amber.
The Good:
The pace of action! There's continual movement and turns. Everything is in first tense. We're riding around with Corwin and Mr. Zelazny describes things as Corwin would see/hear/think them. The interactions with others are sometimes a little abrupt, but I believe this is more a part of Corwin's personality than a writer's flaw. Because the story is being told from Corwin's perspective, there's nothing extra added to a description that a person wouldn't readily notice.
Character descriptions are real time and based on what Corwin would perceive of another. Corwin and relatives are real with real flaws. We learn about them from Corwin and their actions with Corwin. Each character is an individual and unique, making it easy for readers to love or hate the character based on their actions.
The Bad:
The only bad piece I have with this is that this is the first in a series and that the book is semi complete. While a reader could read the book on it's own, you'll be wanting more or dislike the book because the tales not compete.
The Rating:
Five stars! Zelazny opens the door on a world that comes that seems so real. Is our world a Shadow of Amber? At times you wonder as you read this if you let your imagination go. One item that I've wondered for some time is if Mr. Zelazny chose the name of Amber for the real realm because all of the characters are static from how Corwin knew them before he was banished. If you enjoy fantasy and the actions of a hero (or is Corwin an anti-hero, you decide) or enjoy a book with good character interactions, pick this one up!

Editorial Review:

Science FictionLarge Print EditionFantasy of a superior order. Washington Post Exiled to the Shadows for centuries, a man more than mortal awakens in an Earth hospital with no memory of his past and is surrounded by enemies who hunger for his destruction. For Corwin is the rightful successor to the throne of the real world. But to rule, he must conquer impossible realities and demonic assassins . . . and survive the most insidious malevolence imaginable wrought by his own family.

Roger Zelazny's Visual Guide to Castle Amber

Roger Zelazny, Neil Randall

List Price: $10.00 By: Avon Books (P) Amazon Marketplace: 15 new & used starting at $2.88

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> Role Playing & Fantasy
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> World Literature -> United States
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

A Review from the Middle of the Road... 3 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

I've never understood the "love it or hate it" reaction that so many people have to this book.

Zelazny was interviewed by Randall and Hamilton for the express purpose of creating this little book. He described the people, the places, and the history of Castle Amber in more concrete detail than you get from the 'Amber' novels, and his descriptions were then "fleshed out" a bit with original prose and illustrations to create 'The Visual Guide to Castle Amber.'

Your guide is Flora, one of the characters from Zelazny's 'Amber' series, and her narration takes you on a floor-by-floor tour of the Castle. Each floor and many rooms of the castle are mapped and thoroughly described. There are also Trump illustrations, along with an incomplete family tree (the 'Visual Guide' appeared before all of the 'Amber' novels were published). Quite interesting, fairly well-organized and well-presented, and authorized by Roger himself. What's the fuss?

The way that fans react to this book has always been amusing to me. Depending upon the individual, the 'Visual Guide' is either a foul blasphemy that defiles THAT WHICH IS THE ONE TRUE AMBER, or else it's a definitive "last word" that was so important that Zelazny assumed flesh-and-blood form to deliver it to the unworthy masses.

I look at it this way: The 'Visual Guide' is ONE VIEW of what Amber might be like, informed by Roger Zelazny and expanded by a couple of self-professed Ambermaniacs. I've seen better, I've seen worse. Generally speaking, I like the maps fairly well but most of the Trump illustrations are run-of-the-mill. I enjoyed leafing through this book quite a bit, and I'd say it's worth reading if you're an 'Amber' fan like me, but I don't go back to it time and time again the way I do with Zelazny's fiction.

Taken for what it is, the 'Visual Guide' is a nifty piece of fan art and fiction, no more and no less.

Sign of Chaos (Amber Series)

Roger Zelazny

List Price: $4.99 By: Avon Books (Mm) Amazon Marketplace: 134 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Amber

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Cast Of Thousands 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Sign of Chaos is the critical moment when the story line (of which this is the eighth) blurs out for a while. It's not a bad book by any means, but Merlin's story is one of an ever-increasing number of people who want to either kill him or run his life for him. This book is that critical mass when there are so many characters to keep track of that small minds like this reviewer's tend to shut down.

Fittingly enough, the book starts out with Merlin and Luke trapped in the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Bar, where the previous volume left them off. A psychedelic Mickey has turned Luke into a hallucination machine and it takes both ingenuity and chemistry for Merlin to take his leave. He makes it back to Amber only to discover that he has a new, and beautiful aunt. Who just as promptly disappears, leaving Merlin once again in the clutches of an old friend.

Along the way Merlin picks up Mandor, his older brother on the Chaos side, and Jasra, who is now a 'friendly' enemy instead of a coat rack. This is about where characters and plot get so intricate that you may wish you had been keeping score from the beginning. Zelazny is merciless, captivating his readers at the same time he is confusing them.

By way of personal history, I took a several year break from the series at this point, picking up the last two volumes when the appeared in paperback. You may feel like doing the same thing, but there are only two more quick volumes to go and you will be a member of the I Love Amber club, a very exclusive group of folks.

The Chronicles of Amber (The Nine Princes in Amber & The Guns of Avalon, Volume one)

Roger Zelazny

By: Nelson Doubleday, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $1.15

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Amber

Blood of Amber (Chronicles of Amber)

Roger Zelazny

List Price: $4.99 By: Avon Books (Mm) Amazon Marketplace: 157 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Amber

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Fantastic 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful.

You asked for a great book and you got it! It's this one. (And the whole 10 books of the series). This book features Merlin, Lord of Chaos, and magician, who also happens to have a computer science degree from Berkeley. In this book, Merle is in the woods sleeping when he hears a threatening voice of an otherworldly creature that has appeared in the darkness that says "I am the enemy - the one you thought you would never come". Then there is a flashback while Merle remembers and philosophizes about several events in his life revolving around power. He then answers the voice in the woods, saying "It's about time". This is very Zelaznian humor which is one of the great features of these books. In addition, there is lots of great adventure. Zelazny really can write. His is an evolved writing form, far beyond his contemporaries.

Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Pattern 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Merlin starts this volume by breaking out of a locked cave, challenging a cave demon, and spending his rest period watching a battle at the Keep of the Four Worlds while chitchatting with a deserter. So much for idle relaxation - Merlin keeps frantically jumping from one death threat to another always avoiding the falling horde or slashing claws by a hairs breadth.

Blood of Amber reveals a layered series of plots all of which want Merlin either dead or under close control. Relatives, friends, and potential mates all are suspect while the fate of Amber hangs in the balance - and perhaps the fate of all that lies in shadow as well. For the alternate Pattern created by Corwin to stave off the advance of Chaos has begin to create reverberations of its own and shadow storms are beginning to wreak havoc.

At some point, the reader will realize that all the intricate moves that comprise the action in Blood of Amber are getting too rapid to keep good track of. At this point one must simply go along for the ride from wasteland to wonderland. It is the nature of Zelazny's writing that this remains fun, rather than dissolving in the same chaos that threatens Amber.

The Courts of Chaos (The Chronicles of Amber Series, Book 5)

Roger Zelazny

List Price: $4.99 By: Avon Amazon Marketplace: 153 new & used starting at $0.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelazny, Roger
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Epic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Follow the Solid Black Road 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Finally, the end is in sight. With the fifth volume in the Amber series Zelazny brings the first cycle to a close. Oberon has returned to the throne, Brand has been revealed as the real traitor, and the Courts of Chaos await the final battle for Amber's existence. Corwin finds his sudden relegation to second fiddle irksome, especially since Oberon's offhand manner hasn't changed in the least, but he knows his duty and the family pulls together for the final struggle.

The key order of business is to repair the damage to the pattern and close down the threat of the black road. Oberon's final decision, to remake the pattern is one that will likely kill him, whether he succeeds or fails, and Corwin suddenly discovers that his irritation with his father is only skin deep. It is with a heavy heart that Corwin follows his father's command and starts his hell ride for the courts.

And runs straight into Brand, who has no intention of allowing Corwin and Oberon to undo his plotting and return things to normal. Corwin is delayed by one conflict after another. Not only is the final outcome in doubt, but the reader must cope with the possibility of two endings at once.

It was no mean feat in the 1970's to turn out a five volume series that could keep reader interest at a high level. As the volumes progress, the writing develops, and it is interesting to compare this book, which consists of one long and detailed hell ride to other efforts in the series to capture traveling through the shadows. The Courts of Chaos find Zelazny a much stronger writer than he was when the series started out. He not only sets a compelling pace, but Corwin's character blooms as a several thousand year old man suddenly matures before out eyes.

The Courts of Chaos is really the best of the series that had a great start and then wobbled a bit in the middle. It guaranteed that Amber would have a place in the hearts of fantasy lovers for some time to come, and set the scene for the next five Amber volumes. While these aren't my favorite Zelazny works, they are still outstanding writing.