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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
im kind of in shock at just how bad this was it was really bad!
I got the novel from Audible for 5 bucks and decided to 're-read' it. I remember enjoying the series back when I discovered them in the 80s. at 46 years old, the novel does feel dated - the writing style and techniques are surpassed today by other writers... but there is an elegance and clarity to Zelazny's writing that I always liked as a young reader.
I remember that this novel especially had me entranced - guy wakes up in hospital type setting, doesn't remember anything. (no, there aren't any zombies...) But he is able to slowly pull together his memories using contextual clues, luck and his own intelligence. By the time he gets it back, we find out the main 'quest' and what's up with the 9 Princes of Amber.
I also remember, vividly, his time in the dungeon... It must have made quite an impression on me. I remember many of the key points of this book, but don't remember the books that follow very much at all.
As a reader years later, I found that much of the action is done 'off camera' We lost 10,000 to a hurricane, and 200 to desertions and 1500 to the storm... as the main character explains when listing out how his force is getting smaller over time. But Zelazny pulls back to the 'now' when he needs to. Part of me found this refreshing and part of me was annoyed. I think I would have preferred a bit more elegance in the prose, but keeping the events off camera. Does that make any sense?
In the end, it reminded me of how great a role playing campaign set in this world would be. Ultimate, Amber is the True world, with all other worlds just shadows and copies that contain every other occurrence/version of events. This can be somewhat tricky to follow for a first time reader but it mostly echoes Corwyn's own memory loss.
I enjoyed my trip down memory lane with this novel and hope to follow up with th enext book again soon.
I remember that this novel especially had me entranced - guy wakes up in hospital type setting, doesn't remember anything. (no, there aren't any zombies...) But he is able to slowly pull together his memories using contextual clues, luck and his own intelligence. By the time he gets it back, we find out the main 'quest' and what's up with the 9 Princes of Amber.
I also remember, vividly, his time in the dungeon... It must have made quite an impression on me. I remember many of the key points of this book, but don't remember the books that follow very much at all.
As a reader years later, I found that much of the action is done 'off camera' We lost 10,000 to a hurricane, and 200 to desertions and 1500 to the storm... as the main character explains when listing out how his force is getting smaller over time. But Zelazny pulls back to the 'now' when he needs to. Part of me found this refreshing and part of me was annoyed. I think I would have preferred a bit more elegance in the prose, but keeping the events off camera. Does that make any sense?
In the end, it reminded me of how great a role playing campaign set in this world would be. Ultimate, Amber is the True world, with all other worlds just shadows and copies that contain every other occurrence/version of events. This can be somewhat tricky to follow for a first time reader but it mostly echoes Corwyn's own memory loss.
I enjoyed my trip down memory lane with this novel and hope to follow up with th enext book again soon.
I loved this book. What a great adventure story. In particular, I felt that
I wish this series was available via the digital library to make it easier to pick them up.
I look forward to exploring more Zelazny.
Spoiler
Corwin's memory loss played out well. As he picked up clues and fragments about his identity, so too did the reader discover what was happening.I wish this series was available via the digital library to make it easier to pick them up.
I look forward to exploring more Zelazny.
The first, probably the best. I haven't re-read them recently, but I used to re-read them every time a new book in the series came out, decades ago. Loved Zelazny!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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:
Yes
This is a fun, quick fantasy. It also features one of the most dysfunctional families I've ever met.
Having Corwin wake up with amnesia is an interesting technique. It allows us to learn about his world and family at the same time he does. As he figures out how walking in the Shadows works, so do we. As he tries to figure out who he can trust and who he can't, so do we. Of course, he can't trust anyone. When your siblings can be your worst enemies or, at best, your helpers only for the time being, you know that it'll be an uphill rode to claiming the throne.
This is the first of the Amber Chronicles. It's quick-paced, with lots of action and intrigue. Corwin is a definitely a flawed hero, but what can you expect, given his family. All the males are either vying for the throne or positions of power. The women don't seem as interested in the throne itself, although I'm sure they have their own agendas. Eric is the current holder of the throne and not a very nice guy.
The magic of Amber is interesting. Amber is the "immortal city from which every other city has taken its shape." All other worlds, including Earth, are shadows of reality. The royal family has the ability to walk in and alter these Shadows. In addition, Corwin has the ability to heal incredibly quickly, which definitely helps in this story.
It is short, though, and doesn't resolve anything at the end. Luckily, I read it in The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10, so I'll be able to read the next, Guns of Avalon, soon.
Having Corwin wake up with amnesia is an interesting technique. It allows us to learn about his world and family at the same time he does. As he figures out how walking in the Shadows works, so do we. As he tries to figure out who he can trust and who he can't, so do we. Of course, he can't trust anyone. When your siblings can be your worst enemies or, at best, your helpers only for the time being, you know that it'll be an uphill rode to claiming the throne.
This is the first of the Amber Chronicles. It's quick-paced, with lots of action and intrigue. Corwin is a definitely a flawed hero, but what can you expect, given his family. All the males are either vying for the throne or positions of power. The women don't seem as interested in the throne itself, although I'm sure they have their own agendas. Eric is the current holder of the throne and not a very nice guy.
The magic of Amber is interesting. Amber is the "immortal city from which every other city has taken its shape." All other worlds, including Earth, are shadows of reality. The royal family has the ability to walk in and alter these Shadows. In addition, Corwin has the ability to heal incredibly quickly, which definitely helps in this story.
It is short, though, and doesn't resolve anything at the end. Luckily, I read it in The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10, so I'll be able to read the next, Guns of Avalon, soon.
Even the library's pick-up service is halted because of smoke pollution, so I turned to my bookshelf and notice the collection (and individual books) of all 10 books of Amber. I started re-reading them. The first book finds a guy named Corey, he thinks, who is stuck in a private hospital. He escapes to find out who he is and, no surprise, he ends up being a prince of Amber. Corwin then tries to take over the magical city and fails.
This book is simple and parts are very dated. Smoking is taken as the norm, and women don't serve any purpose other than sidekicks or femme fatales. Still, this is the beginning of the story line of the Amber universe and is still a fun re-read.
This book is simple and parts are very dated. Smoking is taken as the norm, and women don't serve any purpose other than sidekicks or femme fatales. Still, this is the beginning of the story line of the Amber universe and is still a fun re-read.
I hadn’t read this since I was a kid, and had no memory of it. What a treat. The writing style is hardboiled, with short, declarative sentences that often are their own paragraph. Like with many hardboiled protagonists, I found Corwin intriguing even though I can’t say I loved or admired him. Rather, it was fun to see what he did. There is a lot of action, but not a lot of character development. We do see, however, that years in our earth gave Corwin the seeds of empathy, which his siblings lack entirely.
For a fantasy novel, it was refreshing to have drinking, smoking (a lot of it!), swearing, and even sex. Definitely out of the ordinary.
For a fantasy novel, it was refreshing to have drinking, smoking (a lot of it!), swearing, and even sex. Definitely out of the ordinary.