Roger Zelzany's Amber Chronicles

[Tinker Gnome]

Okay, my one question is, are these books good? Did YOU enjoy them? The reviews on Amazon.com seem to be good, but I want to know from those here at ENWorld.

 

[haiiro]

The first five books are somewhat different than the second five -- so much so that many people I've met who enjoy Amber are divided about their relative quality.

I'd say the first five books are unambiguously good sci-fi -- clever ideas, quick reading, robust concepts, and very good characters. There's a lot of depth and resilience in the central ideas of the series, and it really shines here. Very cool concepts, too.

I also enjoyed the second set of books, but not quite as much. They introduce a lot of elements that really make the Amber RPG sing, however, and they're definitely not bad -- just...not quite as good as the first five, IMO. For me, this is largely due to the fact that I like Corwin, the central character of the first five books, a lot more than his son, the central character for the second five.

Regardless, they're a good read -- give them a try!

 

[Nellisir]

Get these books. Start with the first series (Corwin) first, obviously, and then the second (Merlin). I'm not wild about this new trilogy by John Betancourt, but by the Pattern, GET THESE BOOKS!!

Though, honestly, I'd probably buy Zelazny's old grocery list, so I'm not totally unbiased.

Cheers,
Nell.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I'm not a huge Zelazny fan (many of his books bore me stupid) but his Amber books (both series') are excellent. There is a severe change in focus between the first five books and the second five but it does still hold a lot of appeal.

 

[Spatula]

First five books - good, quick, fun reads. I would definitely label them fantasy, though (or fantasitcal, if you prefer) rather than sci-fi.
Second five books - never read them.

 

[Hand of Evil]

First five some of the best fiction ever written, the second group not as good and shows in writting, Zelzany bowing to the demands to return to the story by fans, really should have let it alone. I think there is a complete book in trade back that has them all.

Lord of Light is even better. Also look for the Dilvished the Damned and Bring me the Head of Prince Charming for very good reads.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I think there is a complete book in trade back that has them all.

Yep. The Great Book of Amber has all 10 novels in one volume.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...34/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-6342653-5298506

 

[KidCthulhu]

I consider the second five books to be dreadful. Bad plotting, "brilliant" characters who miss the obvious for plot-related reasons. The first five books are great, though.

 

[Mercule]

The first five books are somewhat different than the second five -- so much so that many people I've met who enjoy Amber are divided about their relative quality.

I'd say the first five books are unambiguously good sci-fi -- clever ideas, quick reading, robust concepts, and very good characters. There's a lot of depth and resilience in the central ideas of the series, and it really shines here. Very cool concepts, too.

I also enjoyed the second set of books, but not quite as much. They introduce a lot of elements that really make the Amber RPG sing, however, and they're definitely not bad -- just...not quite as good as the first five, IMO. For me, this is largely due to the fact that I like Corwin, the central character of the first five books, a lot more than his son, the central character for the second five.

Regardless, they're a good read -- give them a try!

Um... yeah. What he/she said. Pretty much my thoughts to a "T".

 

[devilish]

Ditto - 1st half, IMO, was amazing -- even with some occasionally trite
plot twists, it still was an amazing ride.

The second half, I thought, started out strong and then petered out -- I
attributed it to his becoming sick and wanting to finish the series
off before he died.