Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny (Gollancz)

Part of the Ultimate Fantasises Sequence from Gollancz, Chronicles of Amber is classic speculative fantasy fiction.

The five books that make up the chronicles are all encompassed and the story that began with Nine Princes in Amber concludes in one massive tome.

Zelazny is renowned for his quality fantasy and the Amber series is one of his best.

Amber is the only ‘real’ world and the world we live in is merely a shadow of the centre.

The story begins with Corwin, lost in our world without a memory but with strange skills and abilities that have him wondering who he is.

Quickly we’re drawn into his return to Amber as attempts are made on his life, an odd set of tarot cards joggles his memory and siblings appear from nowhere.

There is a timelessness to Amber and Zelazny’s prose – very slightly old-fashioned but not lacking in suspense and action.

Gollancz’ Ultimate Fantasises Sequence really is a fantastic collection of classic fantasy and Chronicles of Amber is rightly part of it.

The specific creation of Amber is echoed in recent plotlines and Zelanzy’s influence can clearly be seen in others’ work.

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