I'll start this today at lunch. It's a re-read, but a wonderful one. I read [b:Nine Princes in Amber|92121|Nine Princes in Amber (Amber Chronicles, #1)|Roger Zelazny|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5146D8QEVDL._SL75_.jpg|1383240] for the Zelazny group & I can't just stop reading the series now, even if I do know how it turns out.It was well worth the re-read. Even knowing basically what happens, it's still a great read. I get to pay more attention to how Zelazny uses words & that's always a pleasure. This concentrates on Corwin getting back to his old self after many centuries. We learn more about his family & him. We also visit a shadow much like Camelot, which is fun & well done. I love the descriptions of the events, attitudes & feelings. Can't wait to start the next book, [b:Sign of the Unicorn|239917|Sign of the Unicorn (Amber Chronicles, #3)|Roger Zelazny|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1230231098s/239917.jpg|2425692]. If this is your first time reading this series, I'd highly suggest reading [b:Nine Princes in Amber|92121|Nine Princes in Amber (Amber Chronicles, #1)|Roger Zelazny|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5146D8QEVDL._SL75_.jpg|1383240] before this book. The series really should be read in order. ( )

A Shadow of a Legend that Was: Weak and on the run, having just escaped from five years in prison, with eyes that still haven't fully regenerated, and a desire for revenge uppermost in his mind, Corwin heads for what was, or what used to be, and perhaps doesn't exist anymore except as a shadow of a shadow, a place that he holds dear in his heart: Avalon. Not that he'd really admit to such an emotion, nor does he dwell overlong on his memories of that place. But bits and pieces of that long ago time in that far away place occasionally surface - and that is part of the power Zelazny infuses into this series about one `real' and many Shadow worlds, dragging you in by inference and suggestion, and saying a great deal about Corwin's character without actually saying it.

The first section of this book is almost a separate book in its own right, as Corwin, on the road to Avalon, gets stopped by encounters in Lorraine with Lancelot and an old lieutenant of his, Ganelon. While this section seems only marginally related to Corwin's quest for the Amber throne, it introduces a both an important new character and an unexplained threat that will bear its greatest fruit much later in the series, along with letting the reader come to know just who Corwin is in much better detail. By the time he does reach Avalon (or what passes for it in these days) and meets another of his brothers, Benedict, he is once more in peak physical and mental form, with a plan in mind for how to take the throne.

The last section of this book is both action-packed and full of surprises, as good guys are revealed to have some serious flaws, the bad guys suddenly seem somewhat heroic and honorable, and previously made plans get some drastic alterations. None of this comes out of a hat, as Zelazny carefully prepares for each of these things, but makes sure that you are held in suspense, as you really can't predict how things will turn out. And of course, the book ends with a cliff-hanger - else why would you want to read the next book? And you definitely will want to, not only to find out what happens next, but to be caught up again in Zelanzy's tight prose and his masterly intimations of other times, other places.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

Guns of Avalon picks up right where Nine Princes in Amber leaves off, with Corwin who is still recovering from his ordeal in Amber searching out a shadow close to the land of Avalon which he once knew. However he gets intercepted on course and finds that he has to face the consequences of his previous actions and fight his own demons.

The first half of this book flows exactly as Nine Princes did, fast paced and exciting as ever. The political intrigue is still as present as ever and the decisions of who to trust are getting harder and harder for Corwin, new to 'Guns of Avalon' is the romance element, element is possibly too strong a word as it barely exists, but it is there, and referenced every now and again; not unlike the instance with Moira in Nine Princes.

However the second half (or maybe just the last third) of the book disappointed me a little. It was still a good read, but I felt that the pacing had gone a little off course. Not sure what about this irks me, as probably just as much occurred in this section but it didn't seem to flow as well as the first part did. Maybe it's simply that the middle of a story is the most boring part? I shall endevour to find out as I speed into the third Amber book. ( )

See Nine Princes in Amber. ( )

http://home.comcast.net/~ktoonen/summ... ( )