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localcourtjester's review against another edition
First of all, I highly suspect that everyone is lying and I am the only living human to actually make it this far in Zelazny's romp through the shadowlands.
On the off chance people are not lying, I refuse to believe anyone actually knows what's going on at this point.
Basically: everyone is conspiring with everyone else except Corwin because he's not smart enough--ahem--I mean because he's too noble. Also the "Realms of Chaos" are out there doing something, not sure what.
Basically, I have a wild soft-spot for the Nine Princes in Amber and all of their hijinks because my Dad made me read them before I developed the ability to read critically and I can't do it in retrospect, I'm still not sure I'd actually recommend them to anyone who isn't very invested in 70s sci-fi and hasn't already read, like, other, better books.
If you're into the whole amber shebang, this is a good one.
On the off chance people are not lying, I refuse to believe anyone actually knows what's going on at this point.
Basically: everyone is conspiring with everyone else except Corwin because he's not smart enough--ahem--I mean because he's too noble. Also the "Realms of Chaos" are out there doing something, not sure what.
Basically, I have a wild soft-spot for the Nine Princes in Amber and all of their hijinks because my Dad made me read them before I developed the ability to read critically and I can't do it in retrospect, I'm still not sure I'd actually recommend them to anyone who isn't very invested in 70s sci-fi and hasn't already read, like, other, better books.
If you're into the whole amber shebang, this is a good one.
phunkypbj's review against another edition
4.0
My expectations were very high for the last book in the series, since I had heard it was one of the best. I was, however, slightly disappointed. The introduction of the courts of chaos in the previous book wasn't really fully developed here, so it felt more like the introduction of a new world, rather than the resolution, or clarification of the world that we had inhabited throughout the series. I felt like a lot of the creatures and characters introduced to us in the book, also, were afterthoughts (unless they are further developed in the second chronicles of Amber). Overall, though, I enjoyed it, and liked how the book was resolved.
spiderfly's review against another edition
3.0
The first book was definitely my favorite of the series.
abdiel47's review against another edition
4.0
The most poetic and beautiful book in the series.
There's a sequence in the middle where the protagonist chats with a sentient tree, argues with a bird of misfortune, and confronts a talking jackal professing love for the royal blood of Amber. There's allegorical power in the sequence that you hardly find in pulp fiction. Wonderful.
And it ends in a grand explosion that keeps the surprises coming. A highly recommended series.
There's a sequence in the middle where the protagonist chats with a sentient tree, argues with a bird of misfortune, and confronts a talking jackal professing love for the royal blood of Amber. There's allegorical power in the sequence that you hardly find in pulp fiction. Wonderful.
And it ends in a grand explosion that keeps the surprises coming. A highly recommended series.
ianbanks's review against another edition
4.0
Corwin journeys through classic literature, mythology and his subconscious in order to get to the eponymous Courts before his brother. Filled with sibling rivalry, daddy issues and self-administered therapy this novel has every literary fantasy cliche brought to life but with so much gusto and talent that you forgive its faults (which are minor) and get swept up for the ride. On to the second chronicles...
lottpoet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mardukzero's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not quite sure how to describe this one.
I started off feeling like Zelazny suddenly realized he only had so many pages left to hit certain plot points, as the book starts off with some events happening rather suddenly. Remembering the serialized origin of the narrative makes it more forgivable, but it threw me off.
Then, we hit the meat of the story (the 'Acid Trip', as some of my friends call it). This was really, really good. Zelazny spends a majority of the novel taking us through an increasingly surreal and unreal landscape. Unlike the impressionism of the hellrides (which I think of as the most purple Zelazny usually gets in the Amber stories), this really evoked an 'Ends of the Earths' feeling. The unsettling strangeness of places so far from what is familiar was amazing. It's something I really like, and it was done well here. Many of the scenes are reflective and philosophical, but mostly manage to hit home as opposed to feeling self-indulgent.
A few parts here made me uncontrollably laugh out loud (specifically, the Giant in the mud). Zelazny goes from hauntingly introspective to Pythonesque, and he makes it work. Even the occasional philosophical dialogues (in the classical sense) don't feel that out of place (well, the assumption can be made that he was legitimately tripping during at least part of the writing here).
The climax was... not what I expected. And that's the only way I can really think to put it. The pacing of events is not what I expected, nor are the outcomes. I didn't know what to expect, just that it wasn't any of what happened. And that's not a bad thing.
But, it makes me wonder. Was Zelazny trying to make a statement with these choices? Thematic consideration follows, which may be considered spoilery.
There is a running theme that I noticed in earnest with book 3. When Corwin begins to have the conspiracies of his siblings revealed to him, we suddenly have a protagonist who has been more pawn than player. When, the subsequent events show Corwin again being directed by the actions and decisions of others.
This is not to say that he's a weak protagonist. I get the feeling this must be intentional. It's something I'll be discussing with friends, for sure.
Similarly, the revelation of and playing a rather large role in things is an interesting choice. It feels a bit deus ex machina, but at the same time those events didn't require that particular character to be involved, so it's not a cop-out resolution. Reveals are fun, but like other parts of the ending here, I can't decide whether it's 'good, bad, or indifferent' -- which means I'm, for the time being, defaulting to 'fine, not a problem'.
And that goes for the rest of the ending, as well. Do I honestly think I would have preferred a more 'concrete' ending? No, the openness is befitting. Does it leave the story in my head? Yes, it does. I've tried to think of this series without the existence of its sequel series. If this were The End, I feel I would be a bit frustrated, despite the room for interpretation being rather fitting.
Again, going to have to discuss this with friends.
It's been a long time since I read [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], and I'm glad to have finally continued the series. I wasn't sure quite what to expected, and it's definitely been different that I might have anticipated, but I've enjoyed the journey a lot.
I started off feeling like Zelazny suddenly realized he only had so many pages left to hit certain plot points, as the book starts off with some events happening rather suddenly. Remembering the serialized origin of the narrative makes it more forgivable, but it threw me off.
Then, we hit the meat of the story (the 'Acid Trip', as some of my friends call it). This was really, really good. Zelazny spends a majority of the novel taking us through an increasingly surreal and unreal landscape. Unlike the impressionism of the hellrides (which I think of as the most purple Zelazny usually gets in the Amber stories), this really evoked an 'Ends of the Earths' feeling. The unsettling strangeness of places so far from what is familiar was amazing. It's something I really like, and it was done well here. Many of the scenes are reflective and philosophical, but mostly manage to hit home as opposed to feeling self-indulgent.
A few parts here made me uncontrollably laugh out loud (specifically, the Giant in the mud). Zelazny goes from hauntingly introspective to Pythonesque, and he makes it work. Even the occasional philosophical dialogues (in the classical sense) don't feel that out of place (well, the assumption can be made that he was legitimately tripping during at least part of the writing here).
The climax was... not what I expected. And that's the only way I can really think to put it. The pacing of events is not what I expected, nor are the outcomes. I didn't know what to expect, just that it wasn't any of what happened. And that's not a bad thing.
But, it makes me wonder. Was Zelazny trying to make a statement with these choices? Thematic consideration follows, which may be considered spoilery.
There is a running theme that I noticed in earnest with book 3. When Corwin begins to have the conspiracies of his siblings revealed to him, we suddenly have a protagonist who has been more pawn than player. When
Spoiler
Oberon reveals himselfThis is not to say that he's a weak protagonist. I get the feeling this must be intentional. It's something I'll be discussing with friends, for sure.
Similarly, the revelation of
Spoiler
Caine being aliveAnd that goes for the rest of the ending, as well. Do I honestly think I would have preferred a more 'concrete' ending? No, the openness is befitting. Does it leave the story in my head? Yes, it does. I've tried to think of this series without the existence of its sequel series. If this were The End, I feel I would be a bit frustrated, despite the room for interpretation being rather fitting.
Again, going to have to discuss this with friends.
It's been a long time since I read [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], and I'm glad to have finally continued the series. I wasn't sure quite what to expected, and it's definitely been different that I might have anticipated, but I've enjoyed the journey a lot.
arkron's review against another edition
4.0
It took 5 chapters to start Corwin smoking this time :)
The first five books in the Amber series come to a conclusion with this book before Amber is continued with Merlin as the main protagonist. Corwin's boy isn't really introduced here but gets a soft hand-over to his own cycle by bringing him in in several scenes. It is a little bit artificial, but on the other hand it is good that he doesn't appear in a flash in the next book.
The narrative is slower than the previous books, lots of psychedelic descriptions of Shadow voyage - it reminds me of the first travel of Corwin with Random in his car towards Amber.
And it is full of interesting self reflection and philosophical discussions.
Concerning action, I really liked the hilarious drunken dwarf party. Some random encounters with unnamed foreigners make me wonder who they are and if they will play a role in the second half.
The showdown with Brand is nearing. The first two fights are paced quite good and the effects are nice.
Zelazny dives into Germanic Mythology: The worldtree Yggdrasil and Loki's thought - manifested as the bird Hugi - come along. I liked Zelazny's interpretation of both.
A couple of weeks ago, I've been visiting Paris once more - and Corwin is there in his thoughts as well: The Place des Vogues, Place de la Concorde, several Cafes, the Pigalle, the Seine - I have all those places in vivid memory and I loved having them mentioned within a fantasy book.
And finally it got a nice, epic showdown and funeral and a soft, reflective epilogue. Not the high bang that some would have liked, probably, but very fitting to the series' style.
This book is way better than the previous couple of books. Because Zelazny's strengths of inner monologue, philosophical discussions (like the discussions with Hugi about Absolute and desire), psychedelic travels and strange random encounters (like the drunken dwarves) and divings into mythology with Yggdrasil and Hugin are emphasized.
I'd like to point out the very thorough discussion on Zelazny's influences, philosophy and mythology roundup at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspended-in-literature-patterns-and-allusions-in-the-chronicles-of-amber-by-christopher-s-kovacs-1.html
I know that most people see it the over way round because they dislike exactly these features and liked the action parts more. But this is my personal preference.
The first five books in the Amber series come to a conclusion with this book before Amber is continued with Merlin as the main protagonist. Corwin's boy isn't really introduced here but gets a soft hand-over to his own cycle by bringing him in in several scenes. It is a little bit artificial, but on the other hand it is good that he doesn't appear in a flash in the next book.
The narrative is slower than the previous books, lots of psychedelic descriptions of Shadow voyage - it reminds me of the first travel of Corwin with Random in his car towards Amber.
And it is full of interesting self reflection and philosophical discussions.
Concerning action, I really liked the hilarious drunken dwarf party. Some random encounters with unnamed foreigners make me wonder who they are and if they will play a role in the second half.
The showdown with Brand is nearing. The first two fights are paced quite good and the effects are nice.
Zelazny dives into Germanic Mythology: The worldtree Yggdrasil and Loki's thought - manifested as the bird Hugi - come along. I liked Zelazny's interpretation of both.
A couple of weeks ago, I've been visiting Paris once more - and Corwin is there in his thoughts as well
Spoiler
while waving a new patternAnd finally it got a nice, epic showdown and funeral and a soft, reflective epilogue. Not the high bang that some would have liked, probably, but very fitting to the series' style.
This book is way better than the previous couple of books. Because Zelazny's strengths of inner monologue, philosophical discussions (like the discussions with Hugi about Absolute and desire), psychedelic travels and strange random encounters (like the drunken dwarves) and divings into mythology with Yggdrasil and Hugin are emphasized.
I'd like to point out the very thorough discussion on Zelazny's influences, philosophy and mythology roundup at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspended-in-literature-patterns-and-allusions-in-the-chronicles-of-amber-by-christopher-s-kovacs-1.html
I know that most people see it the over way round because they dislike exactly these features and liked the action parts more. But this is my personal preference.
crono101's review against another edition
3.0
A conclusion of sorts, but it was a very strangely paced novel. Took me way too long to finish.
richardrbecker's review against another edition
4.0
The fifth book in the Chronicles of Amber series ends the original series, but clearly sets up the next set of five. At only 189 pages (one more than the 4th in the series), the book is almost too short for its own good — until you remember that the entire series was originally published as a serial.
For those who read all five, the fifth is among the most revealing and once again brings together myths, legends, religion, and pop philosophy into the mix. Even Corwin's meeting with Ygg (a talking tree mark the border between Order and Chaos) is similar to Dante's meeting with a talking tree in the "Inferno." Ygg is also based on Yggdrasil, a tree that holds up the sky in northern Germanic and Icelandic myths.
It's these allusions that, in part, that helped the series earn a place as a classic of imaginative literature. Where else can one find Earth as a mere shadow between two contrasting "true" worlds, Amber and Chaos? Nowhere.
For those who read all five, the fifth is among the most revealing and once again brings together myths, legends, religion, and pop philosophy into the mix. Even Corwin's meeting with Ygg (a talking tree mark the border between Order and Chaos) is similar to Dante's meeting with a talking tree in the "Inferno." Ygg is also based on Yggdrasil, a tree that holds up the sky in northern Germanic and Icelandic myths.
It's these allusions that, in part, that helped the series earn a place as a classic of imaginative literature. Where else can one find Earth as a mere shadow between two contrasting "true" worlds, Amber and Chaos? Nowhere.