Nine Princes in Amber

The Chronicles of Amber, Book 1

By: Roger Zelazny

Narrated by: Alessandro Juliani

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Nine Princes in Amber is the first of the 10 books that are The Chronicles of Amber; an epic fantasy series written by six-time Hugo Award winning and three-time Nebula Award winning author, Roger Zelazny.

The ten books that make up the series are told in two story arcs: The Corwin Cycle and the Merlin Cycle.

The Audible audio rendition of this classic sci-fi/fantasy series is kicked off by 2012 Audie Award nominee, Alessandro Juliani, who reads the first five books that make up the Corwin Cycle and whose narration vividly brings the world of Amber to life.

Amber is the one real world, of which all others including our own Earth are but Shadows. Amber burns in Corwin's blood. Exiled on Shadow Earth for centuries, the prince is about to return to Amber to make a mad and desperate rush upon the throne.

From Arden to the Pattern deep in Castle Amber which defines the very structure of Reality, Corwin must contend with the powers of his eight immortal brothers, all Princes of Amber. His savage path is blocked and guarded by eerie structures beyond imagining impossible realities forged by demonic assassins and staggering Forces that challenge the might of Corwin's superhuman fury.

©1970 Roger Zelazny (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Zelazny did a better Corwin

What did you love best about Nine Princes in Amber?

It was the first story I can remember reading about the idea of a multiverse. I think I read this before Elric of Melinbone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Corwin - I like how he, like us, starts out not knowing anything about what is going on, and we go on a journey of discovery with him.

Which character – as performed by Alessandro Juliani – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all of the characterizations by Alessandro Juliani except for Corwin and Random. For Random, I thought I had increased the speed of the playback he was talking so fast. I had heard the abridged version of the Chronicles of Amber years ago, Zelazny's gruff voice did a better job of portraying the larger than life character of Corwin. However, other than these two, Alessandro did a better job on the rest.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Corwin regains his memory of himself when walking the pattern. The realization that he has lived hundreds of years and the hints of the influence he has had on our world.

I'm hooked

Who was your favorite character and why?

Random... what a spineless snake... reminds me of my last boss...

What about Alessandro Juliani???s performance did you like?

Great voices for characters

Any additional comments?

At first I thought "The author has won like 9 hugo awards??? Ok, it's gotta be good."

Thats pretty accurate, I really liked it. The narrator is really good. I really get the different voices he uses for the characters. The story is interesting, really well thought out. Loved the plot... I'm hooked... On to the next one!

from the rpg

I know this from a table top rpg and loved the story then. still love it now.

A gem of a book presented well

Would you consider the audio edition of Nine Princes in Amber to be better than the print version?

Yes! I read the print version about 15 years ago and honestly only remembered that I liked it. Listening to it was a different experience. I think I remember books better when I listen to them. One problem is that I don't have a lot of time to sit and read print, so I finish audiobooks faster because I can do other things while I listen to them. The plot stays fresher that way for me. The process of reading a print book tends to drag on and on, and I forget a lot of what happened in earlier parts.

What did you like best about this story?

I love how you don't know what's going on with Corwin in the beginning because he has amnesia. You slowly learn about his world as he does, too. The way the plot and the setting slowly unfold is a great plot device for easing the reader into a very complex story.

What about Alessandro Juliani’s performance did you like?

He really understood the material! I love it when a presenter actually uses the correct tone for the current scene. There is much that is very dramatic in this book, but there are also whimsical moments. Corwin often sees the irony in life and events and is sometimes sarcastic. Juliani does a fantastic job of conveying this. He also does a great job with the "action-packed action" moments, fighting scenes, and battle scenes. I want to get the rest of this series and I'm pleased to see that he reads most of the books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Take a trip to real earth.

Any additional comments?

This series by Zelazny is terrific. It is quite gripping and there is never a dull moment. I listened to this book in a single day--something I never do! The characters and the plot draw you into the storyline from the first sentence. This series is sadly overlooked by many fantasy readers. It is a classic!

Grabs you and never let's go

This story has my all time favorite start. Completely original universe and fantasy concepts. Books are short but quite a few in series. Prose is beautiful.

Great book/series but needs 2 books/credit

Would you consider the audio edition of Nine Princes in Amber to be better than the print version?

I read these many years ago, and i enjoyed listening to drink in the entire story.This was good to go back to after Charlie Stross' Merchant Princes series. but 1 credit for 5 hours. that is a bit expensive for a series that has been around for years.

Totally adequate vocal interpretation

There was not a moment's disappointment in the vocal interpretation. For everyone who knows you're Corwin, Prince of Amber, Jupiter will not be disappointed.

Nostalgia well revisited

Read as a kid 40 years ago. Thought I would revisit and read again. Simplistic compared to many sci fi fantasy of this day and age ... But very enjoyable

Its not the Wheel of Time but ...

Its not the Wheel of Time but it was good enough to give me hope for the next book.

Classic story, but wrong reader

Would you listen to Nine Princes in Amber again? Why?

No, the reader is great for other genres, but is not portraying the Amber characters well at all.Corwin for example, is centuries old, He has a narrative style that demands a more "Noir" voice, something that conveys a hint at least, of that quality of charisma you hear in Shakespearean trained actors voices. No offense to the reader, but more care should have been taken, I can't stand listeneniing to the story because of it.

What other book might you compare Nine Princes in Amber to and why?

NPiA is one of the original cross genre stories out there that involves Machiavellian royalty fighting for a throne, alternate realities and even a unicorn. :)

How could the performance have been better?

See above

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Depends on which book

Any additional comments?

Hire Peter Dinklage to narrate.