The Great Book of Amber - Roger Zelazny
Where Did I Get This Series?: Amber came to me from another collection – unexpectedly. Actually, I found it in my box, after a roommate and I parted presences.
Why Did I Choose This Series?: Amber is one of those rare series which, when finished, you so wish it could be longer. More. It shouldn’t end.
The Story’s Strengths: The Great Book of Amber itself contains all ten of Roger Zelazny’s original works – a great collection of writing. The themes of the Amber series is itself the tale’s greatest strength; the principal characters move between perfect order (the City of Amber), and perfect chaos. Each story moves the narrative ahead in a very specific way.
The Story’s Weaknesses: Unfortunately for the reader, between the first and third books in the Omnibus, the principal character changes – seemingly with no explanation, and without giving the why or wherefore for the change. Given that the series is written in first-person, this change is jarring, and might cause an unaware reader some confusion when it happens.
Why I’m Recommending This Book: Amber is a classic series – and there’s no better way to read it than as an onmibus like the Great Book of Amber. With the primary story ending after book 10, and knowing the author’s completed the tale, Amber also doesn’t suffer the painful waiting period so many current authors seem to rely on to build their hype. It’s a finished product; you know the end is actually the end, not a prologue for another book. Amber is well worth a read, especially as an example of archetypal fantasy.
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