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The Chronicles of Amber #4
The Hand of Oberon
Across the mysterious Black Road, demons swarm into Shadow. The ancient, secret source of the royal family's power is revealed, & an unholy pact between a prince of the realm & the forces of Chaos threaten all the known worlds with absolute obliteration. The hour of battle is at hand. Now Corwin and the remaining princes of Amber must call upon all their superhuman powers to defeat their brother-turned-traitor before he can walk the magical Pattern that created Amber and remake the universe in his own image.
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
About the author
Roger Zelazny
734 books3,737 followersRoger Zelazny made his name with a group of novellas which demonstrated just how intense an emotional charge could be generated by the stock imagery of sf; the most famous of these is A Rose for Ecclesiastes in which a poet struggles to convince dying and sterile Martians that life is worth continuing. Zelazny continued to write excellent short stories throughout his career. Most of his novels deal, one way or another, with tricksters and mythology, often with rogues who become gods, like Sam in Lord of Light, who reinvents Buddhism as a vehicle for political subversion on a colony planet.
The fantasy sequence The Amber Chronicles, which started with Nine Princes in Amber, deals with the ruling family of a Platonic realm at the metaphysical heart of things, who can slide, trickster-like through realities, and their wars with each other and the related ruling house of Chaos. Zelazny never entirely fulfilled his early promise—who could?—but he and his work were much loved, and a potent influence on such younger writers as George R. R. Martin and Neil Gaiman.
He won the Nebula award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo award six times (out of 14 nominations). His papers are housed at the Albin O. Khun Library of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ze...
The fantasy sequence The Amber Chronicles, which started with Nine Princes in Amber, deals with the ruling family of a Platonic realm at the metaphysical heart of things, who can slide, trickster-like through realities, and their wars with each other and the related ruling house of Chaos. Zelazny never entirely fulfilled his early promise—who could?—but he and his work were much loved, and a potent influence on such younger writers as George R. R. Martin and Neil Gaiman.
He won the Nebula award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo award six times (out of 14 nominations). His papers are housed at the Albin O. Khun Library of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ze...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
May 3, 2011
At this point I'm pretty much done with this series. For the sake of closure I'm going to finish Book 5, but really I don't understand why this is seen as such a Fantasy classic. The narrative mainly consists of various fairly interchangeable characters explaining the plot to each other, followed by a dull description of yet another 'hellride' between parallel worlds. It isn't clear what anyone's motivations are or what precisely is at stake (I suspect probably because the author himself doesn't really know). I have read four books of this now and I still don't have a clue as to why any of these immortal fops actually care what happens to Amber. Considering Zelazny has infinite scope to explore whatever worlds he likes given the premise, he really doesn't take the characters anywhere interesting or do anything novel whatsoever.
It is a massive disappointment after Zelazny's early works such as Lord of Light and This Immortal, which at least hinted at something special. It seems like instead he went wholly the other way into lazy pulp writing. There is nothing wrong in my book with pulp adventure, provided it is done well, but this series entirely lacks the wit or sparkle of fellow pulp genre writers like Moorcock, Vance or PKD.
It is a massive disappointment after Zelazny's early works such as Lord of Light and This Immortal, which at least hinted at something special. It seems like instead he went wholly the other way into lazy pulp writing. There is nothing wrong in my book with pulp adventure, provided it is done well, but this series entirely lacks the wit or sparkle of fellow pulp genre writers like Moorcock, Vance or PKD.
January 28, 2019
My rating 4.7
The Book of The Oberon (The Chronicles of Amber # 4) is better than the previous book and it's simply a pleasure to read it. On Amber's main pattern, family blood was shed, which led to the appearance of the black road. Corwin is trying to find out who did it, suspect conspirators, Brand, Fiona, and Bleys. Corwin is trying to find out who almost killed him, but that's still covered by the veil of secrets. The more she reveals, the less she knows, but soon everything will start to break out because Corwin will discover things hidden in his head. Corwin will finally begin to make a jigsaw puzzle of all the details because, from his friend, the Bill from the shadow of the Earth, he will get the information he needs. But the main culprit for all that has happened will disappear from their chambers and it will only make things more complicated. But as he learns more, he becomes more intricate, because the spells become more complicated. Meanwhile, there is a new character that no one expected. The book is great and the story is even more intricate. I really like the writer's imagination.
The Book of The Oberon (The Chronicles of Amber # 4) is better than the previous book and it's simply a pleasure to read it. On Amber's main pattern, family blood was shed, which led to the appearance of the black road. Corwin is trying to find out who did it, suspect conspirators, Brand, Fiona, and Bleys. Corwin is trying to find out who almost killed him, but that's still covered by the veil of secrets. The more she reveals, the less she knows, but soon everything will start to break out because Corwin will discover things hidden in his head. Corwin will finally begin to make a jigsaw puzzle of all the details because, from his friend, the Bill from the shadow of the Earth, he will get the information he needs. But the main culprit for all that has happened will disappear from their chambers and it will only make things more complicated. But as he learns more, he becomes more intricate, because the spells become more complicated. Meanwhile, there is a new character that no one expected. The book is great and the story is even more intricate. I really like the writer's imagination.
December 6, 2007
...And on into the fourth book of The Chronicles of Amber. It's been a pleasant journey, as the series keeps getting better. (I started out not particularly liking the first book.) This is fun, escapist fare, chock full of melodrama, scheming, betrayal, and cliffhangers. What more could you want from this kind of read? There are some dry patches during which characters explicate at length -- too much telling, too little showing, as I used to hear in creative writing class. But then things pick up again, and by the time this book ends I'm yearning to pick up book five and find out what happens next!
October 27, 2023
Okay, I can't write any kind of teaser without spoiling anything. This was one tense book from the halfway point to the end. Lots of the machinations behind the scenes are brought to light and the manure hits the windmill many times. By the end, the true architect is revealed, setting the stage for the final book.
As I sit here at the end of the penultimate book, I have to say this reading doesn't disappoint like a lot of rereadings do. Onward to the end, now!
As I sit here at the end of the penultimate book, I have to say this reading doesn't disappoint like a lot of rereadings do. Onward to the end, now!
November 25, 2020
Soooo.... uh, six princes in Amber?... Dammit, this series is like a countdown! This one was veeery very very enjoyable.
April 23, 2019
Today is the day for me to reminisce about the Amber series or so it seems. However, the more into the series we get, it is harder to review it without making spoilers. It would be a shame to spoil this series for anyone, as the discoveries made along the way by Corwin & others are really interesting. Is it a spoiler to reveal that Oberon still has a part to play? I won' say how or why, but there is a reason why the father is referenced in the title. As The Hand of Oberon develops, many things from the previous novel become more clear. A traitor is revealed. Corwin is becoming to question everything.
...“Heredity or environment? I wondered wryly. We were all of us, to some degree, mad after his fashion. To be honest, it had to be a form of madness, to have so much and to strive so bitterly for just a little more, for a bit of an edge over the others. He carried this tendency to its extreme, that is all. He was a caricature of this mania in all of us. In this sense, did it really matter which of us was the traitor?”
Well, it does matter Corwin. The traitor pushed it a bit too far, didn't he? But is good you're finally seeing sense and being able to put your pride and ambitions aside. That's possibly the best part of this fourth book in the series. The reader can really see Corwin's personal growth. The changes in him are subtle, but the end of the novel Corwin is a changed man. Where Corwin felt only hate and anger, now he is able to feel sympathy. Corwin is definitely becoming more emphatic. Perhaps even Freud would agree that he has made some progress in his relationship with his father. Similarly, Corwin is able to see his brothers not only as chess figures in a game he is playing, but as human beings.
.“I wish that some time, long ago, something had not been said that was said, or something done that was not done. Something, had we known, which might have let him grow differently, something which would have seen him become another man than the bitter, bent thing I saw up there. It is best now if he is dead. But it is a waste of something that might have been.”
What is what brought about this change in Corwin? Figuring out his relationship with his father? Making new discoveries about the nature of known world? Forming meaningful friendships? Learning about the true origins of Amber? Whatever be the cause, as new answers appeal, Corwin find himself asking more questions. I liked this philosophical twist in his thinking. As much as Corwin is inclined to ask psychological and philosophical questions, the chaotic world of Amber waits for nobody. Like sharks, princes of Amber need to keep moving to stay alive. So, does Corwin. Don't expect this one to be any less fast paced and eventful than the other ones. New surprises all along the way, but at the same time the writing becomes more philosophical.
...“Heredity or environment? I wondered wryly. We were all of us, to some degree, mad after his fashion. To be honest, it had to be a form of madness, to have so much and to strive so bitterly for just a little more, for a bit of an edge over the others. He carried this tendency to its extreme, that is all. He was a caricature of this mania in all of us. In this sense, did it really matter which of us was the traitor?”
Well, it does matter Corwin. The traitor pushed it a bit too far, didn't he? But is good you're finally seeing sense and being able to put your pride and ambitions aside. That's possibly the best part of this fourth book in the series. The reader can really see Corwin's personal growth. The changes in him are subtle, but the end of the novel Corwin is a changed man. Where Corwin felt only hate and anger, now he is able to feel sympathy. Corwin is definitely becoming more emphatic. Perhaps even Freud would agree that he has made some progress in his relationship with his father. Similarly, Corwin is able to see his brothers not only as chess figures in a game he is playing, but as human beings.
.“I wish that some time, long ago, something had not been said that was said, or something done that was not done. Something, had we known, which might have let him grow differently, something which would have seen him become another man than the bitter, bent thing I saw up there. It is best now if he is dead. But it is a waste of something that might have been.”
What is what brought about this change in Corwin? Figuring out his relationship with his father? Making new discoveries about the nature of known world? Forming meaningful friendships? Learning about the true origins of Amber? Whatever be the cause, as new answers appeal, Corwin find himself asking more questions. I liked this philosophical twist in his thinking. As much as Corwin is inclined to ask psychological and philosophical questions, the chaotic world of Amber waits for nobody. Like sharks, princes of Amber need to keep moving to stay alive. So, does Corwin. Don't expect this one to be any less fast paced and eventful than the other ones. New surprises all along the way, but at the same time the writing becomes more philosophical.
June 6, 2019
OMG! This was a completely satisfying read.
At a time in my life where it's been difficult to read anything and enjoy it - this has been another standout read by a master of the fantasy genre.
I just love how Zelazny packs pure narrative power into so few pages.
Now onto book #5 - The Courts of Chaos. (A suitably daunting title that...).
At a time in my life where it's been difficult to read anything and enjoy it - this has been another standout read by a master of the fantasy genre.
I just love how Zelazny packs pure narrative power into so few pages.
Now onto book #5 - The Courts of Chaos. (A suitably daunting title that...).
July 17, 2024
This series/book keeps getting better with every installment. We continue in the similar manner as before with the family drama, only now most of the mysteries are finally cleared and plot has found its villain (at least I assume it did).
There is a plot twist at the very end of the book once again but this time I saw it coming miles away, ever since Dworkin's shapeshifting scene. It was obvious and with every additional dialogue that person had with Corwin I was more assured that my hunch is correct. It was well orchestrated and being Corwin I wouldn't have seen it coming.
While reading this book I kept wondering if Zelazny had written or planned it all before the publication of the first book. All things fit well enough but I feel like with this later worldbuilding, some of the earlier stuff would have been written slightly differently.
I still think this series is overrated by today's standards but it grew into a decent one. Remembering Nine Princes and Guns of Avalon I was partly afraid how the story would continue but it seems it will stick the landing graciously. Only one more "book" left to go and I'm tempted to start it immediately, though I took breaks between the previous ones.
There is a plot twist at the very end of the book once again but this time I saw it coming miles away, ever since Dworkin's shapeshifting scene. It was obvious and with every additional dialogue that person had with Corwin I was more assured that my hunch is correct. It was well orchestrated and being Corwin I wouldn't have seen it coming.
While reading this book I kept wondering if Zelazny had written or planned it all before the publication of the first book. All things fit well enough but I feel like with this later worldbuilding, some of the earlier stuff would have been written slightly differently.
I still think this series is overrated by today's standards but it grew into a decent one. Remembering Nine Princes and Guns of Avalon I was partly afraid how the story would continue but it seems it will stick the landing graciously. Only one more "book" left to go and I'm tempted to start it immediately, though I took breaks between the previous ones.
January 12, 2020
4.5 stars
This is my favorite book of the series so far and it's so much better than Sign of the Unicorn. I'm glad I continued reading.
This is my favorite book of the series so far and it's so much better than Sign of the Unicorn. I'm glad I continued reading.
May 21, 2019
Yep, this was awesome. With the exception of the slightly awkward recount of previous events at the beginning and several pages of extremely boring depiction of Corwin's travel through Shadow (not the first time I'm skipping these), this was a perfect book. And that cliffhanger! (Although, let's be honest, should have become suspicious earlier - it has for me and I honestly do not remember anything from my previous reading.)
October 15, 2015
Oh shit! The ending of this book was brilliant! I really was not expecting anything of what happened to happen. Definitely my favorite of the series so far. Looking forward to the conclusion of the books on Corwin
August 3, 2017
I'll review more later. To round out my commitment to a friend, I'll read the first five (The Corwin Cycle). I just can't see myself finishing all 10. I'm just not a fantasy guy I guess. I've been waiting for a book to signal what others get. The Hand of Oberon, book four, is not that signal. I'm doubting any can be heard by me. The dialogue doesn't work for me, the narrative seems forced. It is like dancing with a woman significantly taller (theoretical) or shorter than me. The timing is off. There is no match. If I found one, I might set myself on fire.
May 10, 2012
I read this series when I was in high school and reread it now and enjoyed the whole series of Corwin books. Great fantasy books and I normally don't go for that genre at all.
April 6, 2023
Turbūt įdomiausia pirmo penkiatomio knyga. Daug veiksmo, pagaliau pradeda vyniotis didysis veiksmas ir aiškėti ilgai laukti atsakymai, paaiškėja, kas gi iš tikrųjų yra didžiausias blogiukas. Va tokio veiksmo truputį trūko antroje ir trečioje knygoje.
February 24, 2017
For me, The Amber Chronicles started getting really good with the third novel, Sign of the Unicorn. The Hand of Oberon was easily just as good.
The story to this point has been full of deception and misdirection, but that didn't become apparent until the previous book. Now, with more (but definitely not all) of the cards on the table, it's interesting to see how Corwin handles an ever degrading situation in Amber, especially when he doesn't know who he can trust.
I think one of the things that really makes this series special is Corwin. He's a great character. Unlike many fantasy protagonists, he's not inherently good. Instead, he's more pragmatic. He thinks things through and tries to be logical about his decisions. He has unique personality and intangible qualities that make him likable character.
This novel also had one hell of a surprise ending. I won't reveal the details, but I was completely shocked and it compelled me to immediately move onto the next in the series.
My only real complaint are the hellrides. After the first couple of times, the novelty wore off and they simply became tedious. I ended up just skimming them, because the details didn't really matter, just the outcome.
Overall, I really liked this novel and The Amber Chronicles are quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series. If you haven't read this one, I recommend it, but make sure you start at the beginning of the series.
The story to this point has been full of deception and misdirection, but that didn't become apparent until the previous book. Now, with more (but definitely not all) of the cards on the table, it's interesting to see how Corwin handles an ever degrading situation in Amber, especially when he doesn't know who he can trust.
I think one of the things that really makes this series special is Corwin. He's a great character. Unlike many fantasy protagonists, he's not inherently good. Instead, he's more pragmatic. He thinks things through and tries to be logical about his decisions. He has unique personality and intangible qualities that make him likable character.
This novel also had one hell of a surprise ending. I won't reveal the details, but I was completely shocked and it compelled me to immediately move onto the next in the series.
My only real complaint are the hellrides. After the first couple of times, the novelty wore off and they simply became tedious. I ended up just skimming them, because the details didn't really matter, just the outcome.
Overall, I really liked this novel and The Amber Chronicles are quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series. If you haven't read this one, I recommend it, but make sure you start at the beginning of the series.
August 16, 2023
Završila sam četvrti deo Želaznijevog serijala i shvatila da su se s ovim delom moja očekivanja za buduće nastavke ustalila. Ukratko, Korvin jaše kroz preobražavajuće pejzaže, Korvin raspetljava rakukuljene porodične intrige, Korvin (vrlo) nerado spašava stvari dok sledi svoje sebične ambicije. Maksimalno melodramatična avantura koja obiluje tajnim sporazumima, patetičnim spletkarenjima i nerešenim (često i zaboravljenim) zagonetkama. Da je prosečna emotivna inteligencija u familiji viša, dužina serijala bi bila minimum prepolovljena. 😅
Iz nekih narativnih ćorsokaka (koji se sada češći budući da se udaljavamo od originalne inspiracije iz prve knjige) pisac se izmigoljio unoseći događaje i perspektive koji drugačije osvetljavaju prošle događaje – iako ne uvek sa savršenim uspehom, ipak daleko od bilo kakvog katastrofalnog ishoda.
Za sada, živim u ubeđenju da ću privesti ovaj serijal kraju, sa malom pauzom između Korvinovog i Merlinovog ciklusa. Zabavno je, šašavo i prešašavo, suludo i luckasto. Jedinstveno, ali bez pritiska da je taj šmek za svakoga.
Iz nekih narativnih ćorsokaka (koji se sada češći budući da se udaljavamo od originalne inspiracije iz prve knjige) pisac se izmigoljio unoseći događaje i perspektive koji drugačije osvetljavaju prošle događaje – iako ne uvek sa savršenim uspehom, ipak daleko od bilo kakvog katastrofalnog ishoda.
Za sada, živim u ubeđenju da ću privesti ovaj serijal kraju, sa malom pauzom između Korvinovog i Merlinovog ciklusa. Zabavno je, šašavo i prešašavo, suludo i luckasto. Jedinstveno, ali bez pritiska da je taj šmek za svakoga.
April 12, 2019
First thoughts:
WOW... Just wait until I pick my jaw up off the floor. I might think of a review later...
And now for the review,
which is not an actual review, just me gushing over how cleverly it was all done! I had to go back to certain scenes, as I did think something must be up on first read but never suspected the true reason. Add to that all the other twists, both in events and when it comes to characters, and no wonder I was so impressed. It’s the best book I’ve read these past few months!
WOW... Just wait until I pick my jaw up off the floor. I might think of a review later...
And now for the review,
which is not an actual review, just me gushing over how cleverly it was all done! I had to go back to certain scenes, as I did think something must be up on first read but never suspected the true reason. Add to that all the other twists, both in events and when it comes to characters, and no wonder I was so impressed. It’s the best book I’ve read these past few months!
July 17, 2019
[2.5 stars]
This was such a slog-fest. I feel like the characters don't really develop at all. It did have some interesting new elements explained about the world of Amber and how the shifting works, and I did like the last few chapters, and it had a decent setup for the next ones. I do hope the series gets better. If I understand correctly the next one will be the last from Corwin, and then a new era starts. Hopefully that will add something new to it.
This was such a slog-fest. I feel like the characters don't really develop at all. It did have some interesting new elements explained about the world of Amber and how the shifting works, and I did like the last few chapters, and it had a decent setup for the next ones. I do hope the series gets better. If I understand correctly the next one will be the last from Corwin, and then a new era starts. Hopefully that will add something new to it.
February 17, 2015
there are a lot of shifts in this book.
some things you thought true are not and some things that you didn't even know become important.
some things you thought true are not and some things that you didn't even know become important.
February 13, 2013
Okay, now things are getting convoluted.
(Getting?)
The adventure continues...
(Getting?)
The adventure continues...
December 8, 2023
Corwin’s quest to find the traitor amongst his brothers and sisters of Amber continues. His travels and adventures in “The Hand of Oberon”, the fourth book in Roger Zelazny’s Amber series, continues, and he uncovers more clues and revelations about what happened to him, his missing father, and Amber.
Zelazny is a really good writer, which is, sadly, one of the only reasons I’m continuing on with this series, as I have, with each book, become more certain of my dislike for this type of fantasy. Perhaps ‘dislike’ is too harsh. It’s just more of a lack of enthusiasm or interest.
The next book is, supposedly, the climactic conclusion of the five-book series. (At least, the first five-book cycle. Zelazny later wrote five more.)
Zelazny is a really good writer, which is, sadly, one of the only reasons I’m continuing on with this series, as I have, with each book, become more certain of my dislike for this type of fantasy. Perhaps ‘dislike’ is too harsh. It’s just more of a lack of enthusiasm or interest.
The next book is, supposedly, the climactic conclusion of the five-book series. (At least, the first five-book cycle. Zelazny later wrote five more.)
December 22, 2023
Much better than books 2 and 3.
January 9, 2012
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.
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.
September 23, 2015
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.
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.
December 18, 2016
I adore new wave.
I tried to re-read some sci-fi/fantasy that I loved as a 13, 14-year old, and I could not believe how bad those books sound now; flat characters, silly plots. I am sorry, Asimov and Clarke.
But this is definitively not the case with the mind-bending experimentations of the new wave. Upon re-reading, they just become much much better, and this is particularly the case with Chronicles of Amber.
What started something like an urban fantasy in the first book of the Amber series, in The Hand of Oberon, it became a pure psychedelic poetry when describing "moving through shadows", and following dream-like logics and twists of the book. This is one of my favourite book/series of all time.
I tried to re-read some sci-fi/fantasy that I loved as a 13, 14-year old, and I could not believe how bad those books sound now; flat characters, silly plots. I am sorry, Asimov and Clarke.
But this is definitively not the case with the mind-bending experimentations of the new wave. Upon re-reading, they just become much much better, and this is particularly the case with Chronicles of Amber.
What started something like an urban fantasy in the first book of the Amber series, in The Hand of Oberon, it became a pure psychedelic poetry when describing "moving through shadows", and following dream-like logics and twists of the book. This is one of my favourite book/series of all time.
November 17, 2014
-¿Es la familia lo más importante?.-
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El unicornio ha servido para localizar un estrato de realidad todavía más profundo que la propia Ámbar y al intentar recorrer el Patrón con mácula Corwin, Random y Ganelón tienen un extraño enfrentamiento con una bestia de comportamiento raro y terminan descubriendo que alguien ha llevado a cabo ritos peligrosos que implican posibles sacrificios de un miembro de la familia. Cuarto libro de la saga Crónicas de Ámbar.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El unicornio ha servido para localizar un estrato de realidad todavía más profundo que la propia Ámbar y al intentar recorrer el Patrón con mácula Corwin, Random y Ganelón tienen un extraño enfrentamiento con una bestia de comportamiento raro y terminan descubriendo que alguien ha llevado a cabo ritos peligrosos que implican posibles sacrificios de un miembro de la familia. Cuarto libro de la saga Crónicas de Ámbar.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
November 17, 2018
Book four of the Amber series, like book three, suffers at times from too much re-explaining what happened in the prior books (somewhat necessary as the latest plot revelations - not to mention family intrigue - create new interpretations of prior events) and most of the plot is oriented towards setting up the sequel. HoO has more surprises than the prior book however, right down to the final paragraph of the last chapter .
July 28, 2017
It is pretty sad when my favorite part of a book is the last sentence. Why couldn't a revelation like that happen in the middle?
The world is getting expanded nicely but when there is a legitimate threat to the existence of their universe, I should probably feel some type of emotion about that. But I don't. I don't care at all about any of the characters. The concept of the Trumps is the only thing keeping me interested.
The world is getting expanded nicely but when there is a legitimate threat to the existence of their universe, I should probably feel some type of emotion about that. But I don't. I don't care at all about any of the characters. The concept of the Trumps is the only thing keeping me interested.
February 29, 2008
To be honest, I read all of the first Amber Series novels in rapid succession so to me it's all one continuous story. I rate them all pretty-much the same, with the exception of the first one, which got the series off to an awesome start so I gave it 5 stars. I loved all the books and couldn't put any of them down.
May 14, 2015
Things are really heating up now - the interfamily relations are getting intense. So many twists and turns, and the book contained two truly badass battles, arguably more. I am loving this series, and glad I'm ripping through it at such a rapid rate.
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