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The Chronicles of Amber #10
Принц Хаоса
Последняя книга легендарного сериала, принадлежащего перу американского писателя Роджера ЖЕЛЯЗНЫ, неоднократного лауреата премий «Хьюго» и «Небьюла». «…невероятно популярная серия…� � отзывалось об этих книгах американское книжное обозрение Booklist. Принц Мерлин � герой-рассказчик второго пятикнижия Янтарных хроник � юн, интеллигентен, предпочитает компьютер двуручному мечу и автомобиль � лошади. Но он обречён. Карты розданы, игра � в разгаре, а Мерлин � в каре. Процессор заклятий ему вручает дядюшкапо одной линии, базу данных в бесконечных отражениях � другой, невесту ему мастерит прадед, а матушка со старшим братом дарят такое, что несчастный принц готов сбежать в глухую Тень. А затем � найденное сокровище, последняя битва, и выиграет её � не волшебное кольцо и не серебряный меч.
230 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1991
80 people are currently reading
3,050 people want to read
About the author
Roger Zelazny
739books3,776followersRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for The Chronicles of Amber. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo Award six times (also out of 14 nominations), including two Hugos for novels: the serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad (1965), subsequently published under the title This Immortal (1966), and the novel Lord of Light (1967).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
February 16, 2011
Merlin's quest comes to a conclusion of sorts. That's all the summary I can give without divulging plot points.
Well, I've finished the Second Chronicles of Amber. About a year ago, I was putting the finishing touches on my review of the First Chronicles of Amber, saying that the anticipation built to an amazing level toward the end, and that the ending was right up there with Stormbringer and The Dark Tower. How does Prince of Chaos stack up?
I guess the best way to sum it up is that I should have known better. Sequels rarely come close to the greatness of the originals. Not only that, Roger Zelazny died before he could write more Amber novels. The ending of this book feels more like the middle of a saga, not the end. I'm sure Zelanzy had a lot planned for further Amber novels but this one left a distinctive meh taste in my mouth.
The Second Chronicles of Amber aren't all bad, however. While I got more of a look behind the curtain at the Pattern and the Logrus than I wanted, I did get a good dose of scheming and intrigue. Not a bad series of books but they would have been better had they not had to follow the First Chronicles of Amber.
Well, I've finished the Second Chronicles of Amber. About a year ago, I was putting the finishing touches on my review of the First Chronicles of Amber, saying that the anticipation built to an amazing level toward the end, and that the ending was right up there with Stormbringer and The Dark Tower. How does Prince of Chaos stack up?
I guess the best way to sum it up is that I should have known better. Sequels rarely come close to the greatness of the originals. Not only that, Roger Zelazny died before he could write more Amber novels. The ending of this book feels more like the middle of a saga, not the end. I'm sure Zelanzy had a lot planned for further Amber novels but this one left a distinctive meh taste in my mouth.
The Second Chronicles of Amber aren't all bad, however. While I got more of a look behind the curtain at the Pattern and the Logrus than I wanted, I did get a good dose of scheming and intrigue. Not a bad series of books but they would have been better had they not had to follow the First Chronicles of Amber.
May 15, 2024
Prince of Chaos (can a title be a spoiler?) is the fifth and final book in Zelazny's second Amber series, the Merlin sequence, and by extension the last of his ten Amber novels. It's a relatively short book, but he ties up Merlin's story smartly, succinctly, and satisfactorily. I didn't enjoy the Merlin books as much as the original Corwin saga, but Prince of Chaos is quite good, and it takes the reader into several parts of the Amber universe that were never previously revealed, while at the same time answering a lot of questions and revisiting old friends from prior volumes.
April 25, 2019
Reading this final book in the Amber series was a bitter sweet experience, just because I knew it was the last. Apart from that, it's an impressive novel, both on itself and as a part of the series. Prince of Chaos is masterfully written and perfectly paced. I loved Merlin's character's development. His complex family relationships are wonderfully portrayed as well. Even the villains get to speak for themselves in this one.
I did think that the ending was a bit sudden. Sure, Corwin's story has ended in mystery, but there it seemed more appropriate. Here I had a feeling the author has so much more to say. A while back, I read some of the later short stories placed in this Universe, and suddenly it all made sense. I wonder why at least one of those short story isn't a part of this novel today because it would make things more clears. Still, maybe it is better this way.
After finishing the Merlin crycle, Zelazny wrote five short stories (from different viewpoints) that in a way continue this tale and they certainly add something to it. Who knows what else this author has planned? What a shame Zelanzny couldn't finish his Amber related writing. I feel like he had so much more to say. I do recommend you to read those short stories, once you finish with this series. They are delicate and beautiful pieces of writing.
Instead of a conclusion, I'll end with a quote that I hold very dear:
“I don't know that I ever wanted greatness, on its own. It seems rather like wanting to be an engineer, rather than wanting to design something - or wanting to be a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip.�
I did think that the ending was a bit sudden. Sure, Corwin's story has ended in mystery, but there it seemed more appropriate. Here I had a feeling the author has so much more to say. A while back, I read some of the later short stories placed in this Universe, and suddenly it all made sense. I wonder why at least one of those short story isn't a part of this novel today because it would make things more clears. Still, maybe it is better this way.
After finishing the Merlin crycle, Zelazny wrote five short stories (from different viewpoints) that in a way continue this tale and they certainly add something to it. Who knows what else this author has planned? What a shame Zelanzny couldn't finish his Amber related writing. I feel like he had so much more to say. I do recommend you to read those short stories, once you finish with this series. They are delicate and beautiful pieces of writing.
Instead of a conclusion, I'll end with a quote that I hold very dear:
“I don't know that I ever wanted greatness, on its own. It seems rather like wanting to be an engineer, rather than wanting to design something - or wanting to be a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip.�
December 5, 2019
My rating 4.5
A solid ending to the series, although in my opinion, it is a bit unclear at the end. However, the series is still excellent.
A solid ending to the series, although in my opinion, it is a bit unclear at the end. However, the series is still excellent.
April 29, 2023
Chaos Capers! Rogue Half-Chaosian Magician Foils Royal Plan! "Well, Merlin is my son, but I blame his behaviour entirely upon his father. Corwin, like all the Amberites, is not to be trusted!" - Dara - Magical Mother's Monthly.
Regarding this book and the Merlin cycle as a whole (especially when compared with the Corwin cycle) - it's just not as gripping as the Corwin cycle, and it strikes me that the number one difference between the two is the 'diffuseness,' of the villains. Nearly every villain is at some point rendered into a friend, or vice versa, and if the journey is from friend to enemy, then bargains are struck and conflict diffused.
That is "There's been something that's been bugging me for the whole of the Merlin cycle and I've just put my finger on it - its the villains. They lack sufficient villainy! They need a bit of 'Bwahahahahaha!'"
Given I'm someone who loves a well-delineated ruthless committed villain, I'm kinda bemused by my own 5 stars for this book and the Merlin cycle as a whole. I'll put it down to unrestrained Zelazny fanboying on my part ... I just love the milieu, the depth of imagination and the narrative density of the story telling too much to go for less than 5 stars.
Recommended 5 'Beware Ambitious Mothers,' stars.
Regarding this book and the Merlin cycle as a whole (especially when compared with the Corwin cycle) - it's just not as gripping as the Corwin cycle, and it strikes me that the number one difference between the two is the 'diffuseness,' of the villains. Nearly every villain is at some point rendered into a friend, or vice versa, and if the journey is from friend to enemy, then bargains are struck and conflict diffused.
That is "There's been something that's been bugging me for the whole of the Merlin cycle and I've just put my finger on it - its the villains. They lack sufficient villainy! They need a bit of 'Bwahahahahaha!'"
Given I'm someone who loves a well-delineated ruthless committed villain, I'm kinda bemused by my own 5 stars for this book and the Merlin cycle as a whole. I'll put it down to unrestrained Zelazny fanboying on my part ... I just love the milieu, the depth of imagination and the narrative density of the story telling too much to go for less than 5 stars.
Recommended 5 'Beware Ambitious Mothers,' stars.
January 14, 2013
Finished this series and I'm looking forward to reading something else. Luckily these are quick books to read so it doesn't take too much time.
This book finished the series and I found the ending to be unsatisfactory. This book basically was composed of characters jumping between locations powered by newly found power/energy. Jump to some spot, some conflict happens, jump away, some conflict happens, jump away.
I'd just stick to the first five Amber Chronicle books, leave 6 through 10 closed.
This book finished the series and I found the ending to be unsatisfactory. This book basically was composed of characters jumping between locations powered by newly found power/energy. Jump to some spot, some conflict happens, jump away, some conflict happens, jump away.
I'd just stick to the first five Amber Chronicle books, leave 6 through 10 closed.
May 16, 2021
In this book, tenth of Amber and the last of the Merlin cycle, I felt that Zelazny finally got his mojo back; instead of all the waffling around in hyperspace (*ahem, sorry in Shadow), we have a plot with focus again. The Luke / Rinaldo character becomes less annoying and actually seems to develop a purpose in the narrative, even a fairly important and interesting purpose. Merlin is still a dumb bunny, but he does take a bot of control of his own life and develops some autonomy and direction.
We get to see a lot more of Chaos finally, and it is as though Zelazny suddenly realised he could have FUN writing Chaos and throws himself into the impossibility of it. In this book he finally gives us some guidance unto what the courts are, how they operate and I love his Escher like descriptions of how things stick together. The characters that had seemed to be no more than cardboard cutouts become three dimensional at last; Dara (invisible since the Corwin cycle) suddenly emerges as a strong actor in Merlin's destiny. Jurt, from a meaninglessly homicidal plot advancement tactic, become real (perhaps too fast to be entirely believable) and Merlin and he ally - this would not be especially believable after their long history of violence, but I have always found Merlin an idiot when it came to trusting people.
I especially liked Mandor's character arc; instead of the Dues Ex Machina I suspected Zelazny to be turning him into, he became a more complex character, with a depth to his goals.
I was glad that Zelazny pulled himself together for the final book in the cycle. I did not enjoy the Merlin books as much as I had expected to, certainly not as much as the Corwin books, I m pretty sure Zelazny did not enjoy them that much either. Certainly the early ones seemed to lack focus and I am not sure he had any idea where he wanted to take them. That said - I still like his writing, even at it's worst, better than many other writers and this series is vastly improved by reading it continually, in whole and in sequence. I had never actually done that before, I had never had the whole set at once.
We get to see a lot more of Chaos finally, and it is as though Zelazny suddenly realised he could have FUN writing Chaos and throws himself into the impossibility of it. In this book he finally gives us some guidance unto what the courts are, how they operate and I love his Escher like descriptions of how things stick together. The characters that had seemed to be no more than cardboard cutouts become three dimensional at last; Dara (invisible since the Corwin cycle) suddenly emerges as a strong actor in Merlin's destiny. Jurt, from a meaninglessly homicidal plot advancement tactic, become real (perhaps too fast to be entirely believable) and Merlin and he ally - this would not be especially believable after their long history of violence, but I have always found Merlin an idiot when it came to trusting people.
I especially liked Mandor's character arc; instead of the Dues Ex Machina I suspected Zelazny to be turning him into, he became a more complex character, with a depth to his goals.
I was glad that Zelazny pulled himself together for the final book in the cycle. I did not enjoy the Merlin books as much as I had expected to, certainly not as much as the Corwin books, I m pretty sure Zelazny did not enjoy them that much either. Certainly the early ones seemed to lack focus and I am not sure he had any idea where he wanted to take them. That said - I still like his writing, even at it's worst, better than many other writers and this series is vastly improved by reading it continually, in whole and in sequence. I had never actually done that before, I had never had the whole set at once.
October 11, 2012
Okay, having read the whole of the "second series" of Amber books (#6-10, starting with Trumps of Doom, I can now say conclusively, "Don't bother."
In the first series, Zelazny had an awesome hero, an awesome universe, and an awesome plot that spanned five (albeit short, by today's standards) books. In this follow-up series, the hero is--if not dumb, at least ignorant and incapable, the universe is made up as he goes (including none of what was awesome about Amber and Shadow), and the plot is device-driven and unsatisfying.
'Nuff said. If you like fantasy at all, definitely read the first series (five books starting with Nine Princes in Amber), but leave it there.
In the first series, Zelazny had an awesome hero, an awesome universe, and an awesome plot that spanned five (albeit short, by today's standards) books. In this follow-up series, the hero is--if not dumb, at least ignorant and incapable, the universe is made up as he goes (including none of what was awesome about Amber and Shadow), and the plot is device-driven and unsatisfying.
'Nuff said. If you like fantasy at all, definitely read the first series (five books starting with Nine Princes in Amber), but leave it there.
November 6, 2020
Decent, but nothing to write home about.
July 15, 2024
Остання книга пригод Мерліна, в якій він розуміє, що його народження було із певною метою заплановано, що мама - це та ще штучка, але от пошуки батька таки закінчились успішно. Причому батька було ув'язнено (бо мама - це та ще штучка), але Мерліну вдалося його звільнити. Плюс він отримав те, чого він так не хотів отримати, але враховуючи те, що його маніпулянти відмовились ним маніпулювати, особливо після того, як він переміг в магічній битві братика та маму (ох уж ця мама, вона та ще..), то він погодився на свою нову роль, але вже на своїх умовах.
В принципі, ця санта-барбара могла би легко продовжуватись і далі, бо основні протиріччя між Лабіринтами Амберу та Хаосу так і не було вирішено, хіба що вони ненадовго затихли, але схоже, що сам автор втомився від цього. І то добре, бо і читач теж втомився. А якщо читати це, порівнюючи із більш свіжими фентезійними творами, то Хроніки Амбера все ж таки виглядають дещо наївними та дитячими поруч із ними.
В принципі, ця санта-барбара могла би легко продовжуватись і далі, бо основні протиріччя між Лабіринтами Амберу та Хаосу так і не було вирішено, хіба що вони ненадовго затихли, але схоже, що сам автор втомився від цього. І то добре, бо і читач теж втомився. А якщо читати це, порівнюючи із більш свіжими фентезійними творами, то Хроніки Амбера все ж таки виглядають дещо наївними та дитячими поруч із ними.
December 31, 2020
Well, I'll say it again - wasn't in love with Merlin's saga, especially with its last part. But it's Zelazny, so this means certain (good) quality, so I did have my share of fun, I won't deny. And it was fun in general to get back to good old Amber.
My last book this year, hey!!
My last book this year, hey!!
Read
February 1, 20161 star from Kat:
September 10, 2008
the second Amber series is so mediocre compared to the first. apparently Zelazny did not think the plot through to the end, given the ridiculous number of dropped storylines that didn't amount to anything.
May 18, 2016
Started and finished in one sitting - the second half of this series (The Merlin Cycle) were definitely inferior to the first 5, which were good, and exceptional at times. The writing itself wasn't quite as good either, though it kept the same snappy, realistic feel that was so refreshing in all the previous books. The ending itself was fitting, and I enjoyed the return of Corwin as a major piece in this novel.
Overall, I'm glad I read The Chronicles of Amber - they were a refreshing change of pace, fun and short novels, with some great ideas and great execution. Not perfect, but what is, other than Pierce Brown?
Overall, I'm glad I read The Chronicles of Amber - they were a refreshing change of pace, fun and short novels, with some great ideas and great execution. Not perfect, but what is, other than Pierce Brown?
June 12, 2021
Finished at last! The tenth and final book of the original Chronicles of Amber. There is a book of Zelazny's short stories set in Amber but even though I'm a completionist this is as far as I go. Was there a big payoff in the end? Not really.
The first five books in this series are pretty decent, have an interesting storyline and worth reading, but the last five are a total mess. Luckily the two sets of books are totally different stories, so you can easily skip the later ones without missing anything. I'm not sure what happened, but Zelazny seemed to have lost his way in the later books. The story was confusing with endless new characters and plot devices popping up just when needed. At one point he must obviously have started playing D&D as the characters suddenly started to have to memorized spells. In this last book, he must have read a book on samurai swordfighting as he goes into painfully detailed descriptions of every move in a swordfight.
My advice would be to read the first one and see how you like it. The second five books were a real slog to get thorough and if I was in a hurry to read something else all five could have easily gone into my 'did not finish' pile. I found the writing mediocre all the way though and find it hard to understand why these books are on so may 'must read fantasy' lists. There are some original ideas in here, more than in 'Wizard of Earthsee', which is always on the same lists.
The first five books in this series are pretty decent, have an interesting storyline and worth reading, but the last five are a total mess. Luckily the two sets of books are totally different stories, so you can easily skip the later ones without missing anything. I'm not sure what happened, but Zelazny seemed to have lost his way in the later books. The story was confusing with endless new characters and plot devices popping up just when needed. At one point he must obviously have started playing D&D as the characters suddenly started to have to memorized spells. In this last book, he must have read a book on samurai swordfighting as he goes into painfully detailed descriptions of every move in a swordfight.
My advice would be to read the first one and see how you like it. The second five books were a real slog to get thorough and if I was in a hurry to read something else all five could have easily gone into my 'did not finish' pile. I found the writing mediocre all the way though and find it hard to understand why these books are on so may 'must read fantasy' lists. There are some original ideas in here, more than in 'Wizard of Earthsee', which is always on the same lists.
July 19, 2021
So ends the almighty Amber series, not with a bang but a whimper. One wonders if Zelazny, while battling the cancer that would ultimately claim his life, rushed the final three books in the second Amber series, which might account for the whiplash-like pacing issues in which some sections drag horribly and others seem to fly by too quickly. As many have previously noted, the first Amber series is a must-read for Fantasy aficionados, while the second series is for fans only.
September 18, 2018
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მაგრამ ალბა� რაღა� სასწაული ფინალი უნდა ყოფილიყო სერი� რო� ამოექაჩა. არად� ზელაზნის ნამდვილა� შეუძლი� ძალიან მაგარი რამეების წერა, ფინალები� - მი� უმეტეს. ეს კი ალბა� უკვე მე-10 წიგნია და დაეზარ�, იფიქრა ისედაც ჭამენო... ნუ კი, მართლა� ვჭამეთ, ბაზარი არაა :)
P.S. ყველაფერთა� ერთა� ამის რუსუ� აუდიოწიგნს ვუსმენდი () და თუ კორვინის ციკლ� 2 ვარიანტშ� იყ�, რომლიდანაც ერთი ას� თუ ის� ასატანად ისმინებოდა, მერლინის წიგნებ� სუ� ერთი ტიპი კითხულობდა, იმინ� ამაზრზენ� ინტონაციით, იმინ� ვაფშ� სხვა ხმით, ასაკითაც დიდი და თა� ის�, აი რუსუ� საბავშვო გადაცემებშ� 70 წლის ტიპები ენის მოჩლექით რო ლაპარაკობე� - დაახლოებით მასე. არ შეცდეთ და ამას არ მოუსმინო�! წაკითხვა ჯობი� საერთოდა� :)
მაგრამ ალბა� რაღა� სასწაული ფინალი უნდა ყოფილიყო სერი� რო� ამოექაჩა. არად� ზელაზნის ნამდვილა� შეუძლი� ძალიან მაგარი რამეების წერა, ფინალები� - მი� უმეტეს. ეს კი ალბა� უკვე მე-10 წიგნია და დაეზარ�, იფიქრა ისედაც ჭამენო... ნუ კი, მართლა� ვჭამეთ, ბაზარი არაა :)
P.S. ყველაფერთა� ერთა� ამის რუსუ� აუდიოწიგნს ვუსმენდი () და თუ კორვინის ციკლ� 2 ვარიანტშ� იყ�, რომლიდანაც ერთი ას� თუ ის� ასატანად ისმინებოდა, მერლინის წიგნებ� სუ� ერთი ტიპი კითხულობდა, იმინ� ამაზრზენ� ინტონაციით, იმინ� ვაფშ� სხვა ხმით, ასაკითაც დიდი და თა� ის�, აი რუსუ� საბავშვო გადაცემებშ� 70 წლის ტიპები ენის მოჩლექით რო ლაპარაკობე� - დაახლოებით მასე. არ შეცდეთ და ამას არ მოუსმინო�! წაკითხვა ჯობი� საერთოდა� :)
October 4, 2015
Well, it finished up raising more questions than it answered, but it was an enjoyable way of passing the time. The status quo in Chaos has been altered, there's a couple of surprises, but...
... everything just goes so fast and, as a consequence, you don't really feel that it's properly over. It felt like a conclusion, what with a couple of mirrored moments from the first series, but there's a few bits and pieces left hanging. Just like real life. But it felt unsatisfactory. Again, just like real life.
I love how we see more of life in the Courts of Chaos. I really enjoyed the fact that Merlin seems to come into his own here, and I especially love the otherworldliness we get from seeing the Courts in all their glory. I could read much more about that. However, there's a conflict that has been brewing for several books that is resolved rather unsatisfactorily, even though it was hinted at/ foreshadowed in a previous book. The plotline of the succession to the throne of Chaos was brought up as an aside several books back and is raised again here, but in a manner that leaves a lot to be desired - I'd have accepted Mandor saying at some point in the previous book, "There's been more than a few duels and assassinations at home, be a bit careful, hey, Merlin?" but the thirty or so relatives in the line of succession suddenly gets reduced to three and nobody acts surprised until after the fact, or notices - in the intrigue-ridden Courts of Chaos - that, hmmm, there's been a lot of state funerals lately.
As a conclusion it feels rushed. But is entertaining and funny and dramatic and there are a few moments that make you step back and check that everything is still okay with the world. Which means that it mostly works. But compared to a lot of Zelazny's other novels, "mostly works" is damning with faint praise.
April 16, 2022
I loved this series overall. It's been a fun journey to take, first with Corwin, then with his son Merlin. I really enjoyed Merlin's cycle because it had a different feel to it than Corwin's, less "high fantasy" and more nitty gritty fantasy with tons of magic and lots of humor. Zelazny knew how to mix intellect with lowbrow humor (his court jester's name is Droppa MaPants, something I still can't get over). He also tells a great story and doesn't shy away from tons of dialogue. There's a lot of action in each story, but there's a great balance of dialogue and narrative, for the most part, so I don't feel overwhelmed by either. I love the characters, and I enjoyed how Merlin's story played out. Some people stated that they didn't like the ending, but I thought it was perfect and made so much sense with the rest of the series. I really enjoyed it, especially because .
I'm really happy I found Book #3 at the bookstore randomly and enjoyed it and bought the giant The Great Book of Amber and read the entire series, including a reread of #3 in order/context. These are books I would definitely come back to one day. Do you have to read Merlin's cycle if you read Corwin's? No, but it does give you further answers about Corwin's books and the worlds of Amber and Chaos. Do you have to read Corwin's cycle to understand Merlin's? Not really, but it would help if you did. The books are all short--about 200 pages each--so they're fun, easy reads. I highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers.
This review feels all over the place and stilted to me, but that's because I really loved all these books, and that always makes it hard for me to write a coherent review.
I'm really happy I found Book #3 at the bookstore randomly and enjoyed it and bought the giant The Great Book of Amber and read the entire series, including a reread of #3 in order/context. These are books I would definitely come back to one day. Do you have to read Merlin's cycle if you read Corwin's? No, but it does give you further answers about Corwin's books and the worlds of Amber and Chaos. Do you have to read Corwin's cycle to understand Merlin's? Not really, but it would help if you did. The books are all short--about 200 pages each--so they're fun, easy reads. I highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers.
This review feels all over the place and stilted to me, but that's because I really loved all these books, and that always makes it hard for me to write a coherent review.
February 21, 2013
What a strange ending. This one starts out back with the "things are happening without any prior explanation or set-up", followed by another healthy dose of "everyone who was my enemy and was set us as the main bad guys turns out to be friends now or was helping me all along", ending up with "people I thought were friends turn out to be the surprise ending bad guys".
This is seriously the soap opera of epic fantasy...
February 8, 2025
Нарешті закінчила серію) ех, мені дуже сподобалася концепція. Сандерсон чи Мартін тут би розписали аж огого як. Але в Желязни вийшло як ніби то хрестоматія, або якийсь стислий опис подій. Можливо такий стиль і має місце бути, але я люблю щоб епічна історія була епічно написана, а не куцо і стисло
December 16, 2009
I almost entirely loved it. Overall I liked the Merlin saga even better than Corwin's stories. There was a much tighter and faster pace. Corwin's had more "magic" for me as a newly-discovered concept, but this series was more developed and exciting. I many ways it felt like book one and book two of a series, rather than the two sets of five books each, where the first book introduced a new concept and story and the second took it further, developing additional layers and ideas.
That said, there were quite a few moments where I just didn't know what was going on. It felt like the author could picture things so clearly that he was assuming we could as well. I'm pretty bright generally, and I've read a lot of fantasy, plus this was the tenth book in a series, so these "what the heck was that?" moments did take away from my overall enjoyment.
Also, there were a few items in this book that just didn't make sense. There is a sudden reconciliation and partnership with someone who's shown a pathological hatred for Merlin throughout the series. Even with a magical transformation, it just did feel right. Also, there is an item of magic which defies every aspect of the magical rules previously established, but it's origin and ability to function as it does is totally unexplained. Merlin accepts it because it works, but that didn't make me accept at. Perhaps this is something that was intended to be explained in further stories. I know that the author did complete a few before his death, but I haven't been able to track them down yet. Nevertheless, I would have preferred a method of resolving the major plot that didn't involve inventing a new kind of magic item that isn't consistent with any other part of the stories.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and the series. I'd highly recommend it for any fan of traditional fantasy.
That said, there were quite a few moments where I just didn't know what was going on. It felt like the author could picture things so clearly that he was assuming we could as well. I'm pretty bright generally, and I've read a lot of fantasy, plus this was the tenth book in a series, so these "what the heck was that?" moments did take away from my overall enjoyment.
Also, there were a few items in this book that just didn't make sense. There is a sudden reconciliation and partnership with someone who's shown a pathological hatred for Merlin throughout the series. Even with a magical transformation, it just did feel right. Also, there is an item of magic which defies every aspect of the magical rules previously established, but it's origin and ability to function as it does is totally unexplained. Merlin accepts it because it works, but that didn't make me accept at. Perhaps this is something that was intended to be explained in further stories. I know that the author did complete a few before his death, but I haven't been able to track them down yet. Nevertheless, I would have preferred a method of resolving the major plot that didn't involve inventing a new kind of magic item that isn't consistent with any other part of the stories.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and the series. I'd highly recommend it for any fan of traditional fantasy.
May 14, 2014
The second 5 books of the Amber Chronicles were subpar compared to the first.
These books focus on Merlin (Corwin's son) and to begin with I enjoyed the first couple of books as much as I enjoyed Corwin's story. However... Luke, Merlin, and the T'yiga are really the only intersting characters throughout the novels and around book 9 the plot really lost its focus. The trial/quest that Merlin had to go through reminded me of the hellrides that went on... and on... and on in previous books.
The ending was very abrupt and Zelazny left most of the plot issues unresolved, almost as if he were planning on writing future novels. All in all, the Corwin cycle novels were good to great and the Merlin cycle novels were mediocre to good. I would recommned the first 5 to any fan of fantasy as they are enthralling reads, but the Merlin Cycle just did not captivate me.
These books focus on Merlin (Corwin's son) and to begin with I enjoyed the first couple of books as much as I enjoyed Corwin's story. However... Luke, Merlin, and the T'yiga are really the only intersting characters throughout the novels and around book 9 the plot really lost its focus. The trial/quest that Merlin had to go through reminded me of the hellrides that went on... and on... and on in previous books.
The ending was very abrupt and Zelazny left most of the plot issues unresolved, almost as if he were planning on writing future novels. All in all, the Corwin cycle novels were good to great and the Merlin cycle novels were mediocre to good. I would recommned the first 5 to any fan of fantasy as they are enthralling reads, but the Merlin Cycle just did not captivate me.
February 21, 2012
And so the Amber series rounds itself out with this tenth installment? What did I think? That's really hard to say. I think my ultimately opinion reflects much of what other people hav esaid; good series, but the Corwin cycle, that is the first 5, are superior to the Merlin Cycle of the last Five. The later are still emminately enjoyable, but they lack alot of the 'oomph' that carried the others through.
As I had mentioned before, something that was a tad irritating in this series was the way world-building elements from the first novels were some-times undermined. There is a level of abstraction that diverges from some o fthe thematic elements of the first set of books.
All in all though, to paraphrase something that has been said of other others, Roger Zelazny's 'so-so' is far better than many peoples 'best', so I'd still recommend the entire thing.
As I had mentioned before, something that was a tad irritating in this series was the way world-building elements from the first novels were some-times undermined. There is a level of abstraction that diverges from some o fthe thematic elements of the first set of books.
All in all though, to paraphrase something that has been said of other others, Roger Zelazny's 'so-so' is far better than many peoples 'best', so I'd still recommend the entire thing.
January 25, 2018
A long time ago when I read the Merlin books I really liked them, mostly because of the combination between the classic fantasy of the Amber series, and the computer geek that was Merlin. Ghost seemed such a cool idea back then.
Rereading the books now I realized that Ghost never fulfilled its potential. I think it could have been much more interesting for it to be a main character instead of a device used to get people out of trouble when the going got tough.
Rereading the books now I realized that Ghost never fulfilled its potential. I think it could have been much more interesting for it to be a main character instead of a device used to get people out of trouble when the going got tough.
September 11, 2020
The politics of Amber and Chaos were too convoluted for me to care enough to get invested as much as I probably should have to appreciate this series to its full extent. And I didn't care all that much about any of the characters. But I appreciated the world building and ambitious scope.
October 26, 2013
Oh ....Roger....
The world must miss you. I know these particular books are not for everyone, but the imagery in these, make me want more.
More of your stories and imagination.
The world must miss you. I know these particular books are not for everyone, but the imagery in these, make me want more.
More of your stories and imagination.
February 22, 2015
a anti-climax but still a wonderful series.
will reread this in future.
will reread this in future.
October 7, 2019
This book was one big disappointment for me , I am in love with books about Corwin , but all this stuff about Merlin is just looks like a fan fiction, but not as true novel .
July 6, 2021
That was� rough.
If you’re feeling 70’s sci fi / fantasy, the first five books in The Chronicles of Amber are just that. Super 70s, and I enjoyed them. It’s a complete story arc so stop at 5. Not sure why Zelazny went on an LSD, computer hacker, Lewis Carroll binge for the last 5 books, but I would stay far away!
If you’re feeling 70’s sci fi / fantasy, the first five books in The Chronicles of Amber are just that. Super 70s, and I enjoyed them. It’s a complete story arc so stop at 5. Not sure why Zelazny went on an LSD, computer hacker, Lewis Carroll binge for the last 5 books, but I would stay far away!
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