Conference noted::sf

     
    In a recent flier asking me to rejoin the SF book club there was
    a book described as "a new generation in the courts of Amber" or
    something like that. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name.
    
    Roy

    A few months ago, I purchased "Trumps of Doom," an Amber novel narrated
    by Merlin son of Corwin.  It is obviously the start of a new series.
    Perhaps "Blood of Amber" is the next in that series.
    
    For Nashua-area noters, I got it at the Booksmith in the Nashua
    Mall.  I don't know if it is still there.  I haven't noticed the
    "Blood of Amber" title there.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    
    I saw both books at Wordsworth in Harvard Square over the weekend.
    "Trumps of Doom" was in paperback and "Blood of Amber" (?? I think
    ) was in released in hardcover. But who could be so trusting as
    to start reading *this* series after reading "Courts of Chaos" ??
    

    I read "Trumps of Doom" and wasn't thrilled.  
    
    ** Mild Spoiler **
    
    Not only is Merlin the main character, he seems to have just taken
    over for his father.  Everyone treats him as an equal, which I don't 
    buy.  It didn't seem like the old characters had any importance,
    they were just there to tie in with the old plot line.  Then it ended
    right after the major plot development.  No real ending, the book
    just chopped off.
    
    I'm not going to bother with "Blood of Amber".
    

    _Blood_of_Amber_ is out in hardcover. I saw it in Walden Books in
    the Auburn Mall.
    
    _Trumps_of_Doom_ has been in paperback for quite awhile now.
                                                   
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    	I liked the series and will continue reading the series because
    of the great work done by the author.  I think that we should at
    least give Zelazney a chance to get the new series started before
    we condemn it for a transitional book that just happened to tie
    up the loose ends and start unravelling some new ones.
    
    	I have my copy of Blood on order
    
    				This was not the Author of the book
    

    	I thought T of D was a good beginning to the series. I think
    Z wanted to bring the earth plot into a more contemporary motif
    with hi-tech heros. I think the concept of ghostwheel is a great
    extension to their powers over shadow, hey if you could make your
    own physical laws you may be looking for interesting things to try.
    
    	It did not have a final ending because it leads into the series.
    I think it is setting up a whole new story line, and yes the old
    characters are taking a back seat. But I don't think we've seen
    the last of Corwin.
    
    	It seemed to me that the family treated Merlin as an equal because
    he was a good sorcerer. Or they could be trying to get something
    out of him (scheming Amberites!).  Also don't forget, that he is
    their nephew and used to hang around the palace now and then.
    
    I will get the new book.
    
    	
    	 not Son of Z    
    	Amr
        
  

    I read the Amber series in one swell foop and enjoyed it (I love
    Zelazny's writing).  Then I got *Trumps of Doom* and I also enjoyed
    that.  What I really liked was when Merlin's family says, "You're
    doing what?!?!  Are you NUTS?!?"  And Merlin says, "What do mean,
    nuts?  I know what I'm doing!"  Yeah, right.  Particularly interesting,
    since it's told from Merlin's point of view.

    Just read _Blood_of_Amber_. Great book. 
    
    I liked the villans very much. I was pleased with the ambiguity
    of good and evil. Merlin, like his father, made some unwise decisions in
    the story. And the plot continues to thicken for the rest of the
    series. 
    
    I wont post any spoilers yet because the book is fairly new. I will
    deal in generalities for the rest of this reply.
    
    Ghostwheel is still mysterious and I can't wait till it takes a
    major role in the story. I would like more discussion of the concept
    of a "shadow computer".
    
    Luke is a great character and is also still mysterious.
    
    Merlin is one BAD A__ Sorcerer with his use of the LORGUS and the
    PATTERN. This is a big improvement over Corwin.
    
    Overall I think it is another great work.
    
    
    	Not Son Of Z
    	Amr
    
    
    
	    

> Merlin, like his father, made some unwise decisions in
  the story. 

Unwise?  Downright assinine, if you ask me (which you did not :-))

> And the plot continues to thicken for the rest of the series. 

I do not find the writing style in BoA to be the same caliber as ToD.
Plot seems to have fallen to the idea of 'throw any bizzarre item at
the reader from a bizzarre angle'.  I do not quite call it 'plot'.

Obviously, since I have made it to BoA, I am hooked on the 'trilogy'
which of course has expanded somewhat :-).  I certainly hope he ties
up the loose ends on some of the characters mentioned in BoA, tho.
And I think we are likely to see two more books out of this particular
plot line.  

-Joe

re: .10
>I do not find the writing style in BoA to be the same caliber as ToD.

Actually I don't find either one to be quite up to the standard of
the first five books.  But that could be because I don't know how it
will all turn out yet!  I liked "Nine Princes in Amber" when I first
read it, but I was always a little unsure about the remaining books
til RZ wrapped it all up in "The Courts of Chaos", at which point they
all became sentimental favorites (hey, what can I say to appease those
of you who didn't like TCOC?).

Zelazny's major "riff" seems to be combining the stylistic mannerisms
of the Dashiel Hammett-Raymond Chandler-Ross MacDonald mystery story
school with sword-and-sorcery/science fiction.  He's written a lot of
works that seem to be lazy repititions of this riff (like "Roadmarks",
"Doorways in the Sand", etc.) to go along with a few works that have
been truly inspired (e.g., "Lord of Light").  With a writer like this
you gladly accept the dross to get at the gold.

    Hi all, I just got into this notes file and am an AMBER fan. Is
    the Blood of Amber in paperback yet? liesl

>    Hi all, I just got into this notes file and am an AMBER fan. Is
>    the Blood of Amber in paperback yet? liesl

I just saw it in paperback in Lauriet's in the Pheasant Lane Mall in
scenic Nashua, NH, USA.  I beleive it 3.95$ (U.S.)

-Joe

    
    
    For those who are interested "Sign of Chaos" has been seen at 
    Buddenbrooks (in Boston across from the Pru) for about
    $16.95 in Hardcover!!
    

    Hello, fellow Amber fans!
    
    Just wanted to say that I love Zelazny's writing style, and I also
    *love* the new Amber series.  I have the latest book on order, and
    I can't wait to get it!   I really like Merlin, and I agree with
    a previous note that stated we haven't seen the last of Corwin.
    
    Also, regarding the characters of the previous series taking a back
    seat.  This is a new series with a new hero who has new problems!
    Of course everything and everyone can't stay the same!  That's part
    of the thrill!  We now get to see all the old characters who we
    know ( or *thought* we knew) thru a different perspective!
    
    And now for a slight transgression...
    
    It seems that I have been waiting EONS for the third book in Zelazny's
    "Changeling" series (Changeling and Madwand).  Anyone have any idea
    when we'll see another book?  Or am I the only one in the world
    who has read the first two?
    
                                                         -mishel

    re -1:
    
    I meant digression, not transgression!
     
                                              -mishel

    Does anyone know if "Sign of Chaos" has been released in paperback
    yet?
    Just finished "Blood of Amber" and enjoyed it.  I just wish Zelazny
    wouldn't keep us hanging like that in all his Amber stories.
    
    Mike_L

    Its out from Avon.  Cover has Zelazny's name in big red letters, a
    white starburst proclaiming "A New Amber Novel", the title in a
    much smaller type in yellow and the lines "Winner of 8 Hugo and
    Nebula Awards" (I assume they mean the author) and "Author of
    Blood of Amber".  The cover art shows what looks like a pair of
    dragons falling onto their backs while Merlin, carrying Luke over
    his shoulder, looks on.

    Inside flap says "Coming soon...

		      The Last Defender of Camelot

		      and

		      Roger Zelazny's Visual Guide to Castle Amber

    Is the "Visual Guide" for all those hungry Amber fans or an attempt
    to stir up flagging interest?
    
    I think the latter.  Wonder if he got a big cash advance....
    
    							Don

    Any new news of the amber castle guide?

    It's out.  It's available through your local bookstore or through
    the SFBC.

    OK, I'll go look. Is the next AMBER novel in paperback yet?????
    I'm getting sick of waiting (I also hate R.Z> novel endings!).
    

    re .20
    
    a very brief negative comment of mine resides at 97.3 (notice the
    date)
                                                   
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re: Amber

FYI, Lauriats (in the Pheasant Lane Mall, in Nashua, New Hampshire) has several
     hardcover titles from the Amber series for 2.98$ each.  I forget the titles
     at the moment.  I have not yet seem any new books out, though.

-Joe

                Well, just called Avon Books.  No new Amber books
                through September.  What is this guy doing???
                
                - Rob -
                

                well, just  called  'em again.  new amber will be
                out in hardcover  sometime in November.  I forgut
                to ask the title though [duh...]
                
                only a couple of months to go!!
                
                cheers,  rob who can't  wait  to  find  out  what
                happened to corwin.
                
                

    So here we all sit, waiting for the further adventures of
    you-know-who....
    
    Everyone seems to be a mit annoyed by the abrupt (to say the least)
    endings in the new series....Before the 1st book came out, I heard a
    well placed rumour that Zelazny dropped the whole second series, lock,
    stock and Logrus, on his editor's desk, and the editor, madly rubbing
    his hands together, must have thought "Lets keep those fans
    waiting...." and decided that giving all this wonderful Amber material
    to us may have been dangerous to our mental health or something. 
    
    Anyway, if it is true, it may explain the axe used to separate the
    books.
    
    As for Merlin....he must be very young (in Amber terms, of course). He
    doesn't have the head for family  intrigue that his father had, and
    never seems to have enough healthy scepticism for the facts unfolding
    before him...numeous times I found myself talking to the book outloud
    speaking to Merlin: "Don't trust him, silly" or "I figured THAT out 2
    chapters ago". I welcome the return of his father (wherever he might
    be) to help him get to the bottom of things. 
    
    Meanwhile, I think the second series does resemble the first in the
    amount of deception levels: as with the first series, every time a new
    book comes out, I have to reread the others just to refresh my memory
    as to who is working against whom lately. Maybe I will keep charts
    this time.....
    
    -Monica
    (a Long-Time Zelazny Fan) 

                
                Amen!   I  myself  have  thought  the same of the
                naive Merlin.   I  cannot  wait for the return of
                Corwin to set things  straight, though Ghostwheel
                was a brilliant idea.   Long  live  the  rule  of
                Random!
                
                - Rob -
                

    Trouble is, Merlin has all these handy little gadgets to help him
    out of messes, eg Ghostwheel and his wrist amulet (cannot remember
    the name) - don't remember Corwin having anything similar and sometimes
    I feel that its a bit of a cop out.
    
    I would also welcome a return of the healthy cynicism which seems
    to be one of Corwin's main characteristics.

    Merlin also seems never to have noticed that his friend (the other
    Amberite whoes name I can't recall) has the physical abilities of an
    Amberite. It seems quite an oversight for an Amberite living on earth.
    
    Charlie

    
    
    Hi All,
    
    I to am a Zelazny fan, particularly his Amber series. I originally
       got the Chronicles of Amber through SFBC for free when I joined.
       The cover looked good, and I said what the heck. Glad I made
       a good choice.
    
    In response to the last few...
    
    Yes, I have had to re-read the series as well, there is just so
       much to remember, this is probably why I know so much about
       it. :^)
    
    Corwin did/does have a magical item, Grayswandir, his sword. It
       has part of the pattern inscribed in it. We never are really
       sure of its powers, except when he repares the pattern with
       it. Also it is the only sword with a part of the pattern in
       it, oops, except for Brand's recently found sword.
    
    Frakir, is Merlin's choker bracelet.
    
    Renaldo/Luke is his enemy/friend who he couldn't guess at being
       an Amberite.
    
    Other magic items that I can remember are, the Trumps, Jewel of
       Judgement, Luke's ring(the one that almost took Merlin's
       finger off), and the recently recovered Brand's ring(that
       Merlin is currently wairing).
    
    On a disappointing note. I was rather `bummed out', when in the
       Visual Guide to Castle Amber, they didn't put a picture of
       the Pattern in it!                              
    
                                                          Mike.
    

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the release in paperback of the latest
Amber novel titled "Knight of Shadows".  According to the Walden book store
clerk, it has been out for a couple of weeks.  

I've only read one chapter so far.  The book picks up exactly where it left off;
just like a chapter break between the two books.

BTW, weren't the other Amber novels released in hardcover first?  Although
"Knight of Shadows" is relatively small, less than 200 pages I belive, they
usually come out with the hardcover first on popular series.

Mike_L

>BTW, weren't the other Amber novels released in hardcover first?  Although
>"Knight of Shadows" is relatively small, less than 200 pages I belive, they
>usually come out with the hardcover first on popular series.

Yes, they were.  So was KoS.  I have had the hardcover for quite awhile now.

-Joe

re -1

I guess I never saw it then.  There was no mention of it in this conference
that I know of.

BTW, how was it?

Mike_L

                Oh, there was definately mention of it somewhere!
                I know, I  mentioned  it!    :').  Yep, I've had the
                hardcover for probably almost a year...  or maybe
                more, my sense of time is a bit screwy :').
                
                Cheers, Rob
                

   re:	<<< Note 385.35 by PFLOYD::ROTHBERG "Only 11mo till I can drive again!" >>>


   > my sense of time is a bit screwy :').

   Been off in shadow too long, me thinks.
   
   I waited for the paperback release and agree with Rob's earlier
   reply..

   "All that time for this????"  I was sorely diappointed.
   
   D=

    I'm a big Zelazny fan and greatly enjoyed the original Amber series.
    The second series is something of a disappointment, however.  
    I still enjoy them, but they definitely don't live up to the
    standard of the original.
    
    The 'power' of the pattern which let the amber royalty 
    rule with impunity seems quite watered down with all these
    new sorceries found in so many shadows.
    
    Merlin seems to be a thorough putz.  He admits to being no
    swordsman, but he is continually outclassed in the magic
    department as well.  He is unique after all, since he is
    the only person to contain both the pattern and logrus
    (until we meet new relatives, anyway).  I keep expecting 
    this to give him the edge in magic.  It hasn't, and Merlin
    shows no interest in learning any more.  Except for an
    occasional trump or trip through the pattern, Merlin has
    not used any pattern magic.  He can summon things with the
    logrus, but *everybody* else seems to be able to do this 
    better and faster (Renaldo, all Merlin's brothers, etc.).
    
    Perhaps I am confusing my dissatisfaction with the protaganist
    with the way the rules have changed.  Where did all these new
    sorceries come from and why weren't they mentioned in the first
    book?  This all-powerful ring business is a serious flaw in
    the plot as Brand would obviously have used it (and his nifty
    sword with the pattern).
    
    My disatisfactions are mostly by comparisons with the original
    books, which I thought were excellent.  The books are still
    entertaining, but not on my all time favorite list (as others
    of Zelazny's are).
    
    Otto
    

re: .*



A new AMBER book is out, PRINCE OF CHAOS.  I found it in Lauriat's in the
Pheasant lane mall, Nashua NH USA... Hardcover only with the typical 
hardcover price..  $19.00.  There were approx 5 copies there when I left
(thursday night).  I did NOT see any copies at the Barnes & Noble store.

-Joe

    
    
    yes yes yes!!!  I cant believe i didnt see it! ive been in several
    bookstores all weekend for other things....  it better be better than
    the last though :')
    
    

    
    I got it, read it and loved it!  I really envy anyone who is just
    starting to read this series.  If you haven't got it you should
    go out and buy it. This is one of the few series that is worth
    re-reading.
    
    IMNSHO (In My Not So Humble Opinion)
    

>    I got it, read it and loved it!  I really envy anyone who is just
>    starting to read this series.  If you haven't got it you should
>    go out and buy it. This is one of the few series that is worth
>    re-reading.

I thought it was just so-so.  I would certainly recommend that interested
people wait for the paperback and save some money.

-Joe

    
    sorry, no way.  i could never wait for the paperback :').  i totally
    agree with -.2.  I really do envy anybody that's reading this series
    for the first time (or the first 5 anyway).  I've now read the first
    five a dozen times or so.  so far though the second chronicles are just
    not even close to the standards he set with the first.  in any case, i
    went to buy the new book the other day, but the place i went to didnt
    have it in yet.  haven't had a chance to get to someplace that does
    have it.
    
    

    
    
          How many books are there and where do I start?
    
    
    ChAoS
    

    re:.43
    
    	� How many books are there �
    
    Too many.
    
    	� and where do I start? �
    
    With NINE PRINCES IN AMBER.
    
    A better question would be "Where do I stop?"  The answer is: "After
    finishing THE GUNS OF AVALON (the second book in the series)."  After
    that, the series goes rapidly downhill.
    
    OK, OK, you'll probably have to at least read the rest of the first
    series (THE SIGN OF THE UNICORN, THE HAND OF OBERON, and THE COURTS
    OF CHAOS; in that order) in order to get the complete story. But by
    the time *I* finished them, I realized that it wasn't worth the effort.
    
    Zelazny used to be one of my favorite writers, but almost everything
    he's had published since about 1975 has been hack work.
    
    --- jerry

    
    
    I totally disagree with Jerry on that one.  Though the last three
    aren't quite as good as the first two, they are still way better than
    most of the other junkout there.  I say the first five are a must read,
    the last five are optional (but I couldn't help myself when that 6th
    book came out and I had already read the first five so many times).  I
    don't really understand why the quality of his writing dropped off so
    much.
    

    I, on the other hand, agree with Jerry -- it saddens me that the same
    mind that could create "Lord of Light" and "A Rose for Ecclesiastes"
    has chosen to churn out volume after volume of stuff that is, at best,
    mediocre.  Yes, Zelazny's mediocre is often better than another's best,
    but it's still mediocre, and falls well short of *his* best.
    
    					andrew

    
    but then again, i hated lord of light :').  i may read it again though
    since i was probably only 16 the first time i readit.  maybe i've grown
    up enough to appreciate it more (though i doubt it!!!  :')  i still act
    like im 16 :'))
    
    

    
    Another vote with .44 and .46.  The first few Amber books were all
    right. The next few were mediocre.  After those I stopped bothering.
    Spot checks of Zelazny's writing for the past 15 or so years have
    consistantly disappointed me.  Not bad.  Just not good.  But the stuff
    he wrote in the 60's, how it shone.
    
    	-doug
    

    
    im halfway through the new amber book and im totally confused.  i think
    ill have to go back and start over from book 6.  pattern shadows?  i
    missed those somewhere along the lines... i understand the duplicates
    of people that come from nearby shadows but not how the pattern creates
    them itself and it seems this book focuses alot on that...
    
    

    He's pretty well admitted that he's in it purely for the money
    nowadays.  Maybe after his kids get through college he'll write
    something decent again.
    
    Ray

    re:.50
    
    But what's annoying is that he doesn't have to write dreck to make
    money! His *good* stuff always sold well. But I suppose he figures
    he can crank out more wordage if he doesn't have to work hard at
    it.
    
    I noticed today that he has a new book out, a collaboration with
    Robert Sheckley (another great writer who seems to have shifted
    into take-the-money-and-run mode). It's a comedy/fantasy entitled
    BRING ME THE HEAD OF PRINCE CHARMING. Judging from the look of it,
    the title will be the most amusing thing about it.
    
    --- jerry

    
    At $18 a book, I'd say there is money someplace!!  :')
    
    $18 for 210 or so pages.... *sigh*  One of the things that I really
    don't like about the second series is Merlin.  I just don't really like
    him.  If it was still the Corwin we all grew to love so much it would
    be different....
    
    

    Re .52, Corwin vs. Merlin
    
    Actually, I have a hard time telling the difference.  With a very few
    exceptions, almost all of Zelazny's heroes speak with exactly the same
    voice and have very similar outlooks.  They are all the same person
    with different appearances and situations, at least to me.  This
    applies to "good stuff" and "dreck" alike.  The main difference is
    the angst-level, which of course fluctuates in the course of the novel,
    but tends to have some characteristic average value for each story.
    
    This is not a particular flaw of Zelazny's, or necessarily a flaw at
    all.  I've noticed repeating characterization in lots of authors,
    especailly of adventure stories, where characterization is not crucial. 
    But Zelazny is especially prone to this repetition.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    
    
    
    well, it's not really the narration itself, but more of the character
    attitude i miss.  corwin had one as well as a personality.  merlin is
    just sort of a BLAH person.  anyway, i finished the newest book, and
    it's also BLAH.

    
    re .51
    
    I read BRING ME THE HEAD OF PRINCE CHARMING, and I though it was
    hilarious.  The main character is a Demon by the name of Azzie Elbub,
    who literally goes through Hell to try and win the millenial Powers of
    Light and Darkness competition.
    
    Anyone who has ever administered a fantasy RPG would appreciate this
    engaging treatment of EVIL as a way of life.
    
    It is NOT mind-expanding science fiction, but it is fun and served as a
    good break from the last several books I have read.
    
    Please try not to dismiss a peice of art before you give it a fair
    chance...  :-) 
    
    By the way, I am new to this conference and I am amazed at the
    attention given to Roger Zelazny, of whom I have never met another fan
    in my daily travels.
    
    Frank Nyul