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crono101's review
4.0
It just keeps getting better... More complexity, more mystery, schemes upon schemes!
patsy12's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, It was much slower than the previous two books, which I liked but also didn't. I liked it because it provided more backstory to the characters, mind you I don't think Rog needs a liiiitttle more work on his character building (just my opinion, his strong suit is more plot building I think. I think the slow pace was good though because it made the events of the final few chapters feel more important??? They felt more significant than they would have in a fast pace book with a lot of events taking place.
rosava's review against another edition
5.0
Проковтнула за один день. У "Хроніках Амбера" якась неймовірна магія, яка не відпускає і не піддається здоровому глузду.
richardrbecker's review
5.0
Sign of the Unicorn is an excellent bridge in the Amber series, adding depth to the first to books while setting up the last two books. Where Zelazny truly shines is in providing multiple narrators, none of who can be trusted — especially the one who seems to be working to threaten the perfect kingdom of Amber.
It is one of the most underrated and yet pivotal books of the series, adding a "whodunnit" element and giving voice to several characters, namely Random and Brand. Even so, this is also where some readers lose patience as Zelazny adds more plotting than action until the end — where Corwin heads to Tir-na Nog'th, a mysterious, moonlit Amber-in-the-sky where a dream foreshadows a discovery that none of the his family members could have ever expected.
As the third of five, Sign of the Unicorn will be especially enjoyable to anyone who appreciated more about the differences of each family member. It's also the book where Corwin gives up some of his bravado as he begins to recognize that ruling Amber is a double-edged sword.
It is one of the most underrated and yet pivotal books of the series, adding a "whodunnit" element and giving voice to several characters, namely Random and Brand. Even so, this is also where some readers lose patience as Zelazny adds more plotting than action until the end — where Corwin heads to Tir-na Nog'th, a mysterious, moonlit Amber-in-the-sky where a dream foreshadows a discovery that none of the his family members could have ever expected.
As the third of five, Sign of the Unicorn will be especially enjoyable to anyone who appreciated more about the differences of each family member. It's also the book where Corwin gives up some of his bravado as he begins to recognize that ruling Amber is a double-edged sword.
cheezvshcrvst's review
5.0
So much happens, yet the pacing is excellent and nothing ever becomes confusing or convoluted. It's also excellent to get to meet and (of sorts) be in the company of Oberon's children with a very Clue-esque chapter that's simply a delight to read. Can't say enough for how much fun this one is.
julius_light's review
4.0
I think I'm getting attracted to Deirdre myself. Looking forward to meeting "Dad", ol' Dworkin, more Deirdre, more Ds... wait, there's a peculiar group of seven also with names beginning as such... No matter. Saving the bulk of my literal thoughts for the review of the series entire.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
capellan's review against another edition
3.0
The third Amber novel is thoroughly readable, but perhaps even more than the second it feels like set-up for the remaining volumes rather than a book unto itself. There's various things going on, and a lot of exposition that fills in other character's versions of what has gone before, but it definitely doesn't have the kinetic energy of the first book.
jpv0's review
4.0
In [b:Nine Princes in Amber|92121|Nine Princes in Amber (The Chronicles of Amber #1)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416090973s/92121.jpg|1383240], Corwin went from having no memories to learning he was a Prince of Amber, to trying to wrest the throne from his brother Eric--only to be blinded and thrown into prison.
In [b:The Guns of Avalon|62012|The Guns of Avalon (The Chronicles of Amber #2)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368213721s/62012.jpg|1105543], Corwin escapes off the Avalon in order to use jewelers' supplies to make guns to take back the throne from Eric--only to end up having to save Amber rather than attack it.
In [b:Sign of the Unicorn|239917|Sign of the Unicorn (The Chronicles of Amber #3)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368213756s/239917.jpg|2425692], things really start getting weird...
On one hand, we end up getting a much stronger sense for exactly who in Amber's ruling family is working with whom and what all they've done thus far. It turns out that Corwin and his brothers and sisters really are a bunch of conniving bastards (in some cases literally). It's the first time we've really seen all (or at least most) of them all in one place at the same time, which leads to a much different sort of book. It's interesting.
On the other hand, not that much actually happens. We're learning a lot more about the world(s), but mostly only answering questions from the previous two books. I want to know more about what's going on with that Black Road. Perhaps in [b:The Hand of Oberon|116982|The Hand of Oberon (The Chronicles of Amber #4)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417644788s/116982.jpg|1837346]?
Still worth finishing, but I'm starting to long for more.
Random aside, the book went rather amusingly meta at one point:
In [b:The Guns of Avalon|62012|The Guns of Avalon (The Chronicles of Amber #2)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368213721s/62012.jpg|1105543], Corwin escapes off the Avalon in order to use jewelers' supplies to make guns to take back the throne from Eric--only to end up having to save Amber rather than attack it.
In [b:Sign of the Unicorn|239917|Sign of the Unicorn (The Chronicles of Amber #3)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1368213756s/239917.jpg|2425692], things really start getting weird...
On one hand, we end up getting a much stronger sense for exactly who in Amber's ruling family is working with whom and what all they've done thus far. It turns out that Corwin and his brothers and sisters really are a bunch of conniving bastards (in some cases literally). It's the first time we've really seen all (or at least most) of them all in one place at the same time, which leads to a much different sort of book. It's interesting.
On the other hand, not that much actually happens. We're learning a lot more about the world(s), but mostly only answering questions from the previous two books. I want to know more about what's going on with that Black Road. Perhaps in [b:The Hand of Oberon|116982|The Hand of Oberon (The Chronicles of Amber #4)|Roger Zelazny|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417644788s/116982.jpg|1837346]?
Still worth finishing, but I'm starting to long for more.
Random aside, the book went rather amusingly meta at one point:
“Yes,” he said. “But I wonder . . . I’ve a peculiar feeling that I may never see you again. It is as if I were one of those minor characters in a melodrama who gets shuffled offstage without ever learning how things turn out.”
“I can appreciate the feeling,” I said. “My own role sometimes makes me want to strangle the author. But look at it this way: inside stories seldom live up to one’s expectations. Usually they are grubby little things, reducing down to the basest of motives when all is known. Conjectures and illusions are often the better possessions.”
okaynextcrisis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Love my terrible Amber relations