Book Review: 3 Treasure BoxesThe First Chronicles of Amber, includes books 1 - 5An interesting and compelling concept for a fantasy book and a very different kind of fantasy. Some elements of the story take place in modern times and some elements take place in medieval times. I found the writing to be imaginative and quite deep.Amber is the only real place upon the real Earth. It is the substance from which all other realities are but a shadow, including the world that we now live in and there are unlimited numbers of shadow worlds that extend from Amber to Chaos and consequently all roads (through shadow) lead to Amber. A prince or princess of Amber has control over shadow and as such can enter and influence shadow worlds. There is no magic, per say in the first five books, instead there is substance and shadow, order(Amber) and Chaos. As such a descendant of Amber can move through shadow with his thoughts. He thinks about what should be next and then it is there, so he thinks about a green sun and purple sky and it becomes so, he thinks about eating and a diner appears or he wants to get to Amber so he thinks about the various shadow worlds near to Amber and eventually Amber will appear.In the vicinity of Amber the world is more like medieval times where , gun-powder, cars and other electric gadgets do not work, in some shadow worlds, such as our earth, these things do work and are utilized in the story. We learn that the nine Princes of Amber all want to win the crown and since their Dad, the King is missing. As a result of this there is a lot of violence, intrigue and energy going into this pursuit. The four Princesses of Amber are also involved in the conflict in various ways.The Chronicles are a culmination of 10 small novels that make up the world of Amber into one big book of over 1200 pages, the first 5 books revolve around the protagonist Corwin, who is a prince of Amber and are told in first person from Corwin's point of view. These first 5 books are a complete story in and of them self and in fact are much better than the last 5 books. The last five stories are told from Corwin's son Merlin's point of view and tell a different story and we learn more of Chaos in the second half.Corwin is introduced and the premise of the book is set up. I like the way it starts as a mystery where Corwin has amnesia and we learn with him about Amber and about shadow. It should be noted that the Royalty of Amber have incredible speed, strength and regenerative qualities. They all live seemingly endless lives, unless they are murdered, which they can happen since they are not immortal. The basis of the first five stories stem around the succession of Amber and the various family intrigue and disputes in resolving this. I liked how the story evolved as well as how it concluded ay the end of the fifth book. Overall a very good read, at times I found it hard to put the book down.For more of my reviews go to: http://books-treasureortrash.com
If you've come this far with this gang of Machiavellian misfits, you obviously like the books. Volume 4 holds the reader's attention by making the plot of the series more complicated--if that is even possible. Zelazny does offer the reader a much-needed recap of the first three books, as well as something more important: an explanation of why the characters don't simply just live in any Shadow of their own design. "I never enjoy meeting people who remind me of other people," Corwin explains. "Personality is the one thing we cannot control in our manipulations of Shadow. In fact, it is the means by which we can tell one another from shadows of ourselves." In other words, once you know what reality is really like--once you are "attuned" to it, as the characters all say about Corwin and the Jewel of Judgment--you notice all the imperfections in any Shadow. The old song that claimed "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby" applies here. One can't pretend that Subway is as good as Tastee Subs. Cubic zirconia is not the same as a diamond. Of course, the reader, being Shadow-bound, cannot wholly appreciate this, never having seen Amber. All we know is our Shadow existence. Zelazny keeps up the fun of the plotting, but also raises issues more primal: the idea of the black road, the mark of sacrifice on the primal pattern, seems like something sprung from the collective unconscious. A sin and a curse that mark a family through time and space is an archetype to which readers readily respond. At least this one did. As I've said in other reviews, I'm rereading these since I first read them in high school thirty years ago, so everything I write is glazed over with nostalgia. But they still hold up as page-turners, and unpretentious ones to boot. I'm looking forward to rereading Volume 5.
What do You think about The Hand Of Oberon (1977)?
Damn I am tired. This was one of those books that kept me up late last night as I just wanted to finish the book. This is probably my favorite book of the series so far. There was a good mix of action, plot development, character maturation and even what I believe should have been a surprise ending.Now, the only potential negative I have is that many of the key plot advancements or "plot twists" were predictable. I won't mark it down too much, because I don't know if it is because they were too projected through the books or if it is because I am finally starting to remember the series (I read this series probably close to 30 years ago). Up to this point, I could not remember much, if anything at all, but perhaps now that I am on book 4, things are starting to come back to me. Unlike prior books, this book does not spend entire chapters recapping prior books, though there is some of this, and the main characters actually do something this time. The story points are not all dialogue driven this time and something actually happens. You can tell it is climbing to something and forced me to grab the Courts of Chaos. If anyone wasn't sure they would continue the series of the third book, please give this one a shot
—Gumps
by Roger Zelazny, published in 1976.As I pass through shadow once again, rereading The Chronicles of Amber, I begin to realize the genius of Zelazny even more. Not only does he write an enjoyable and original fantasy romp in “The Hand of Oberon”, but he manages to do it with an economy of pages, though some would argue that the first five novels are really just one big one.This, The Hand of Oberon, is the fourth novel in the Amber novels and much is revealed about what is going on. The unicorn has lead Corwin to an amazing discovery at the end of the third novel, but an even more startling one is coming up by the end of this one.In fact, in this volume you learn exactly who conspired against Corwin right from the start, who was allied with whom, and how their power play was supposed to unfold. But a unicorn, Dworkin and Oberon have made other plans, and let’s face it, they are the “real” powers in the universe.Oh the princes and princesses can conspire against each other, and even against Oberon himself, but when it all washes out - well I can’t say too much more or give it away.Just read this volume (like you wouldn’t anyhow after the first three) and you will continue your journey with Corwin as he makes these remarkable discoveries. I find these Amber novels unfold at just the right pace also. Nothing seems especially rushed, and the entire tale comes at a masterful rate - this is Zelazny.I think I mentioned previously that only Robert Bloch seemed to equal Zelazny in the short, compelling novel department. Well, maybe some of Arthur Clarke’s early work or Heinlein as well, but I stray.Now, with only one novel left in the first Amber series, you would expect this, the fourth book, to end in a bang to force you to read the last.And boy, what a whopper of a reveal on the last page.I’ll say no more. Rereading this series is a blast.If you have never read it, don’t wait any longer. It really is as good as you’ve heard, and maybe even better.
—Paul Darcy
These are my comments on the first 5 books in the Amber series (Corwin). I find the world he builds and the exploration of self, society and relationships to be utterly fascinating. The plot twists and motives are a little overdone and complex in my opinion. I also found the shadow hell rides to get rather long and the descriptions very hallucinatory. Those minor faults aside, I found the journey/adventure of Corwin to be wonderful. There was so much self realization and personal growth without sacrificing the action and the plot and this extended into the larger family as well. I am again going to compliment the Shadow and the one true Amber world. I especially loved that the true Amber as originally introduced is in reality the first Shadow. I think it is an excellent parallel to the idea that all of our own realities are really just the first or greater of shadow worlds. There are so many great books to read that even ones I really like usually don't get a second read. In this case, I suspect that there are a lot of subtleties that can be found with a second read.
—Julie Defilippi
