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dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Merlin's quest comes to a conclusion of sorts. That's all the summary I can give without divulging plot points.
Well, I've finished the Second Chronicles of Amber. About a year ago, I was putting the finishing touches on my review of the First Chronicles of Amber, saying that the anticipation built to an amazing level toward the end, and that the ending was right up there with Stormbringer and The Dark Tower. How does Prince of Chaos stack up?
I guess the best way to sum it up is that I should have known better. Sequels rarely come close to the greatness of the originals. Not only that, Roger Zelazny died before he could write more Amber novels. The ending of this book feels more like the middle of a saga, not the end. I'm sure Zelanzy had a lot planned for further Amber novels but this one left a distinctive meh taste in my mouth.
The Second Chronicles of Amber aren't all bad, however. While I got more of a look behind the curtain at the Pattern and the Logrus than I wanted, I did get a good dose of scheming and intrigue. Not a bad series of books but they would have been better had they not had to follow the First Chronicles of Amber.
Well, I've finished the Second Chronicles of Amber. About a year ago, I was putting the finishing touches on my review of the First Chronicles of Amber, saying that the anticipation built to an amazing level toward the end, and that the ending was right up there with Stormbringer and The Dark Tower. How does Prince of Chaos stack up?
I guess the best way to sum it up is that I should have known better. Sequels rarely come close to the greatness of the originals. Not only that, Roger Zelazny died before he could write more Amber novels. The ending of this book feels more like the middle of a saga, not the end. I'm sure Zelanzy had a lot planned for further Amber novels but this one left a distinctive meh taste in my mouth.
The Second Chronicles of Amber aren't all bad, however. While I got more of a look behind the curtain at the Pattern and the Logrus than I wanted, I did get a good dose of scheming and intrigue. Not a bad series of books but they would have been better had they not had to follow the First Chronicles of Amber.
bkoser's review against another edition
4.0
There are a lot of interesting concepts in this second Amber series (Books 6-10), but it never comes together in a whole-is-greater-than-the-sum way. It feels like Zelazny could easily have written 10 more, but maybe it's best that he stopped here. (4 stars for Books 6-10 as a whole)
Edit: Others seem to think Zelazny had more planned (maybe another 5 book set) but died before he could write them. I totally buy that.
Edit: Others seem to think Zelazny had more planned (maybe another 5 book set) but died before he could write them. I totally buy that.
anaximand's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
flamekrafter's review against another edition
Prince of Chaos (New Amber Novel) by Roger Zelazny (1991)
nithou's review against another edition
4.0
Une fin sympa mais aurait pu être beaucoup plus épique vu la série en général. On reste un peu sur sa faim et tellement de choses restent en suspens ce qui frustre un peu. Mais dans l'ensemble une chouette saga que j'ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à lire.
ellimister's review against another edition
4.0
The first of the series not read by the author? weird
Good series, each book was short on it's own but as a series they are well done. I enjoyed the magic system but in left confused about how the trumps compensate for time differences.
Good series, each book was short on it's own but as a series they are well done. I enjoyed the magic system but in left confused about how the trumps compensate for time differences.
evafc's review against another edition
3.0
This is the final book in the Amber Chronicles. However, it feels more like reading two books, who are remarkably similar in plot. The first five books about Corwin, the latter 5 books about his son Merlin.
The first five are really good. Well written, pageturners, with interesting characters. The main characters seem 3 dimensional. And it's intruiging up to book 5.
I find the second part a lot less interesting. Merlin is a less interesting person. And somehow it feels like reading the first part all over again, with less political scheming and intrigue. And the plot is more predicatable, which makes it less of a pageturner.
Still it's pleasant enough to read.
The first five are really good. Well written, pageturners, with interesting characters. The main characters seem 3 dimensional. And it's intruiging up to book 5.
I find the second part a lot less interesting. Merlin is a less interesting person. And somehow it feels like reading the first part all over again, with less political scheming and intrigue. And the plot is more predicatable, which makes it less of a pageturner.
Still it's pleasant enough to read.