Fantasy/SF Book Reviews
Page One of TwoThe Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny
Eos, Dec., 1999.Trade paperback, 1258 pages.
ISBN: 0380809060.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
The late Roger Zelazny's ten novels
of Amber, long out of print, have been
collected in this omnibus, to the immense
delight of his legions of fans. Amber, the
One True Realm, is the real world -- all the rest
of the parallel worlds (including our own Earth)
are merely Shadows cast by Amber. In Amber
itself, nine princes vie for the throne in the wake of the
mysterious disappearance of their father King Oberon.
Plots, counterplots, intrigue, magic, adventure,
betrayal and sacrifice abound in the ongoing story of
the struggle over the succession of the throne of Amber,
and of Amber's struggle with Courts of Chaos,
another realm which is eternally at war with Amber.
The first five novels chronicle the adventures of Prince Corwin who, as the first novel opens, awakens in a mental hospital on Earth -- without his memory. The second five novels focus on the adventures of Corwin's son, Merlin, a prince of Chaos. Merlin searches for his missing father and becomes drawn into more intrigue between Chaos and Amber -- against his will. This is Zelazny at his finest. His powerful imagination created a world peopled by complex, fascinating characters and with the kind of adventure which keeps you reading well into the wee hours of the morning. If you haven't made Zelazny's acquaintance, do yourself a favor and do so now. Highly recommended.
Cauldron of Iniquity by Anne Lesley Groell
Roc, Dec., 1999.Paperback, 437 pages.
ISBN: 0451457714.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Fledgling assassins Jenifleur and Thibault
(known as the Cloak and Dagger)
survived their first assignment by the skin of
their teeth. Their next assignment certainly
sounds easy: acting as bodyguard for a wealthy
client who owns a number of illusion clubs,
clubs where patrons can live out almost any
fantasy -- for a price. But Jen seems all too
enraptured with the decadent clubs, and with
their employer's right hand man: the
handsome Gideon, leaving Thibault
feeling exasperated and worried. As the pair
draws closer to discovering the deadly secrets
of the illusion clubs, the danger to both Jen
and Thibault increases. Will they find out
what their employer is really up to in time
to save their own lives? Meanwhile,
Jen's Aunt Vera, a full-fledged member of the
Assassin's Guild, and her companion, the
mage Absalom, are also working the same
case, unbeknownst to the two rookie assassins.
This is the third book in the fantasy/romance series which features Jen, Thibault and the infamous Assassin's Guild (See, Anvil of the Sun and Bridge of Valor). Jen and Thibault are hip deep in intrigue, magic, illusion, romance and disillusionment, making for a fast-paced, light-hearted reading experience. Although Jen and Thibault are entertaining as leads, it is Vera and Absalom who steal every scene they are in -- especially the mysterious Absalom, who performs his magic with aplomb and can always be counted on for some witty comments. Fans of romance, fantasy and adventure will love this series.
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