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.

A family in chaos

Great story, great narration. Amber chronicles are some of the most absorbing writings I have ever read. It is such a pleasure to be able to hear it read to me.

Where has this book been all my life

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I got it for a daily deal, and so glad I did.
I know it was written in the 70's, but you really couldn't tell. I thought at some points it had a Night side by Simon Green vibe. If you like that series I think you will like these. Not the plot or story, I don't know to describe it. The journey screen could have been in one of his books easy.
Cleaver, comical and well thought out writing. It's not really long, but it doesn't need to be. He captured the feeling he was going for without adding a bunch of BS.
I listened to this book like watching a movie. The narrator was great. I'm on the third one now.

an old friend available

The complaint about this book is not about story or narrator but about an old addiction. The format of the book makes this sort of like buying chapters of a Dickens book. The story leads to the next and the next but the price is not fun and reading the stories is easy. Most libraries have a copy and the copy has all the books in the series. Young folks may not have the problem. This writer was an option to the Oxford Dons. This writer tied with the novel Dune. There are lots of options to the Oxford Dons these days and it is hard to understand why Zelazny is as important as Herbert in this publishing climate. Those of us with the addiction understand all of the above and probably would not have suffered over the loss of Dickens. One has to understand reading options and addictions to know that not every writer can sustain both appetite and loyalty past fashion. I still like the writer and the series. This was a good performance by the narrator. The competition was thin though since our only option seems to have been the author in a knowably bad performance. So, it is a good performance or we as an audience were hungry enough for the work in audio format that we like what we can get.

Holds up well for being over forty five years old.

Some of the colloquial dialog for the period feels natural. I am happy to go over this old friend prior to the new movie about to go into production.

Better than ...

There is a role playing, dice less GURP, of Machiavellian game playing that is based on the books. The story brings you to the brink of needing more; however, you are left hating and loving the main character realizing it is that family dynamic.

Just the beginning in a fight for the top

Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber is the first installment in a fantasy series that mostly takes place in the realm of Amber. Corwin awakes in a hospital bed, not knowing who, where, or why he is there, but concludes quickly he is being held against his will. As his memory slowly returns, he recognizes that he is something more and makes his way to his 'sister' where with the assistant of a 'brother' begins the trek back to Amber. He is one of nine princes, and another brother has taken the throne after getting rid of him. His efforts to regain his throne are thwarted and he spends quite a bit of time in a dungeon, but eventually manages to escape to begin again to plot his overthrow to retake the helm of Amber.

Zelazny crafts an engaging magical realm, although events seem to simply occur without much explanation or reason. Corwin's initial traffic 'accident' appears staged, but is never detailed, nor was his reasons for wandering on the Earthly plane in the first place. The princes engage in a power struggle, although their father's reign is left murky. Corwin is nothing if not patient, but hardly comes off as heroic.

The narration is well done with good character distinction and brisk pacing making for a quick listen.

This is the way to experience Amber

The series is written mainly from the internal thoughts of a main character. having some on read it to you really helps bring across that feel.

Hooked on Zelazny's Amber

I'm hooked on Zelazny's Amber books. Only in Lord of Light does he do a better job. Just recommended it to a young friend.

Great story and woulderfully narrated.

loved the story and the way the characters were painted in from mystery. Beautifully narrated. excited for the next one

Good

Let me start by saying the reader was enjoyable, the production was well done and for all of that I would consider it a little better than merely good. The story was well written and did have some mystery and definitely some intrigue. The problem I have is with the characters. Literally none of them are very likable. I cared as much for them at the end as I did before I began it. I only finished the book because I used a credit on it and I wanted to see if it would get better. it didn't. I won't be finishing this series no matter how great people around me seem to think it is.