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mayakra's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
viktor's review against another edition
3.0
Reread. The first time I must have been 15 years old I was not yet familiar with the genre as this novel was one of the early fantasy classics to be published in Hungarian. It is quite different to pick it up after all these years. On one hand, some of its elements are brilliant and could have been even more powerful at the time of the original publication, while other parts haven't aged that well. However, it is clear to me now what I didn't (couldn't) see that time, the huge impact this book had left on fantasy.
fae713's review against another edition
4.0
a year and a half after being told I should read this series I finally did. The first chapter or two are interesting, but didn't really capture my attention as I had other shinier and more obviously fantasy books to read. Then began the journey to Amber and Zelaney had me sucked in, and not just because the most fantastic and greatest city-state so prominently featured my name.
Prince Corwin is actually quite a likeable fellow despite his tendency towards violence and an impression that in his past he was much more ruthless and uncaring. The changes that amnesia wrought upon him were for the better though he himself has trouble understanding why he cares as he does. He seems to have always have that inclination as he is well known for great works of art, ballads and writings, which I do not believe a man without empathy is capable of creating. His brothers and sisters are an interesting crew, much more so when they are seen reacting to the changes in Corwin.
The magic system here has an interesting twist in that imagination, memory, and bloodline is requisite to be able to use it. Unless one is a Prince/Princess of Amber one cannot control the Shadows - worlds that are reflections of Amber or creations of the minds of those who can travel the Shadows. I rather like the system personally.
The writing style is definitely different from what I am used to reading. There's little description of things or events that are not needed and events or things that are described are often outlined only so far as to give the reader an idea of the shape, but the rest is left to the reader's imagination. A few things are described in greater detail, once only though, which is sort of used as a hint for the reader to know that this thing is important and worthy of taking note of. I feel that Zelaney respects his readers more than many of us are used to receiving from more modern authors. At times I may want for more, but it is not necessary and the story is nice as it stands.
Prince Corwin is actually quite a likeable fellow despite his tendency towards violence and an impression that in his past he was much more ruthless and uncaring. The changes that amnesia wrought upon him were for the better though he himself has trouble understanding why he cares as he does. He seems to have always have that inclination as he is well known for great works of art, ballads and writings, which I do not believe a man without empathy is capable of creating. His brothers and sisters are an interesting crew, much more so when they are seen reacting to the changes in Corwin.
The magic system here has an interesting twist in that imagination, memory, and bloodline is requisite to be able to use it. Unless one is a Prince/Princess of Amber one cannot control the Shadows - worlds that are reflections of Amber or creations of the minds of those who can travel the Shadows. I rather like the system personally.
The writing style is definitely different from what I am used to reading. There's little description of things or events that are not needed and events or things that are described are often outlined only so far as to give the reader an idea of the shape, but the rest is left to the reader's imagination. A few things are described in greater detail, once only though, which is sort of used as a hint for the reader to know that this thing is important and worthy of taking note of. I feel that Zelaney respects his readers more than many of us are used to receiving from more modern authors. At times I may want for more, but it is not necessary and the story is nice as it stands.
thestygianphrase's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
cjohnson216's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
2.0
First published in 1970, this is the opening volume of a ten-book fantasy series. I found it of interest but not, for the most part, enjoyable. Major spoilers ahead.
"Amber was the greatest city which had ever existed or ever would exist. Amber had always been and always would be, and every other city, everywhere, every other city that existed was but a reflection of a shadow of some phase of Amber. Amber, Amber, Amber ... I remember thee. I shall never forget thee again. I guess, deep inside me, I never really did, through all those centuries I wandered the Shadow Earth, for often at night my dreams were troubled by images of thy green and golden spires and thy sweeping terraces."
The prose style has the merit of not being dull, but I found it uneven -- purple prose juxtaposed with 1970s slang, then other sections in a more effective noirish style. This may be exactly how Zelazny imagined Corwin would speak, but it wasn't for me.
Indeed Corwin himself wasn't for me. I imagine a man of such privilege, such immense power, so many centuries on so many worlds, might indeed have Corwin's attitudes, but I didn't like it. Hundreds of thousands die as a result of a campaign Corwin undertakes with one of his brothers for the throne of Amber, and Corwin feels only mild regret. Even this mild regret, is, he understands, rather too soft-hearted for a prince of Amber.
Towards the end of the book, there's a turn. Corwin is blinded and imprisoned for years in a dungeon. My interest picked up. I wondered if Zelazny would have the audacity to write a ten-book series for most of which the main character had lost both his sight and his power. I would have read that series. But no. By the end of the first book, Corwin had both his sight and his freedom. Ah well.
Two and a half out of five overwrought stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
The tale is narrated in first person by a man who has amnesia for the first half of the book. He is, it turns out, Corwin, one of the nine surviving princes of Amber. To give a sense of the book, here is the point, halfway through the book, when Corwin remembers Amber."Amber was the greatest city which had ever existed or ever would exist. Amber had always been and always would be, and every other city, everywhere, every other city that existed was but a reflection of a shadow of some phase of Amber. Amber, Amber, Amber ... I remember thee. I shall never forget thee again. I guess, deep inside me, I never really did, through all those centuries I wandered the Shadow Earth, for often at night my dreams were troubled by images of thy green and golden spires and thy sweeping terraces."
The prose style has the merit of not being dull, but I found it uneven -- purple prose juxtaposed with 1970s slang, then other sections in a more effective noirish style. This may be exactly how Zelazny imagined Corwin would speak, but it wasn't for me.
Indeed Corwin himself wasn't for me. I imagine a man of such privilege, such immense power, so many centuries on so many worlds, might indeed have Corwin's attitudes, but I didn't like it. Hundreds of thousands die as a result of a campaign Corwin undertakes with one of his brothers for the throne of Amber, and Corwin feels only mild regret. Even this mild regret, is, he understands, rather too soft-hearted for a prince of Amber.
Towards the end of the book, there's a turn. Corwin is blinded and imprisoned for years in a dungeon. My interest picked up. I wondered if Zelazny would have the audacity to write a ten-book series for most of which the main character had lost both his sight and his power. I would have read that series. But no. By the end of the first book, Corwin had both his sight and his freedom. Ah well.
Two and a half out of five overwrought stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
equleart's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
exuluna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75