Scan barcode
A review by richardrbecker
Sign of the Unicorn by Roger Zelazny
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.