Amber was the greatest city which had ever existed or ever would exist. Amber had always been and always would be, and every other city, everywhere, every other city that existed was but a reflection of a shadow of some phase of Amber. Amber, Amber, Amber...I remember thee.

I didn't finish my fantasy reading list for last year, because I got distracted reading a lot of noir/detective/crime fiction. The Chronicles of Amber were on my list and, funnily enough, the tone for this story at the start of the book actually reminds me of a number of crime novels I read last year. Specifically those by an author called Richard Stark (real name Donald E. Westlake). This novel was such a treat to read, dragging me in and quickly engaging me with the concept. It starts as kind of a mystery, with the author feeding you pieces of information that make you think there's more going on that meets the eye. And you gradually learn what this information means alongside the narrator/protagonist, Prince Corwin of Amber. In a way it also reminds me of The Phantom Tollbooth, with the protagonist stepping out of the "real world" into a fantasy. But in a twist more in line with The Chronicles of Narnia we learn that the fantasy world is not only just as real as our own, its MORE real.

Summary

A man wakes up in a hospital and doesn't remember who he is. Being told that his stay has been paid for by his sister, and not wishing to take any more medication that could addle his senses, he escapes with the use of physical force and makes his way toward his supposed sibling. Over the course of a few days he finds a set of magical cards displaying the images of a large grouping of siblings, gets attacked by shadow creatures out of a nightmare, reunites with his younger brother, and leaves the world of Earth behind on a journey to reclaim his memory and the throne of the land known as Amber.

Initial Thoughts

Anyone who tried to hurt me, to use me, did so at his own peril

I would suggest this novel to anyone who enjoys first person narration stories, such as Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, without an abundant amount of detail being added to everything. The writing is very matter of fact. Whereas Rothfuss has Kvothe going on and on about his troubles and through his thought process, while retelling his life story many years after the fact, Zelazny is far more succinct. Will he have the protagonist, Corwin, note physical details about a person or place? Yes, but he'll only do it the one time and he's not going to expand beyond that initial explanation. The same holds true for Corwin's relationships with his siblings and past encounters with each of them. You get a summary of their personalities, his feelings for them, and not much else unless they play a role in this plot. This is Corwin's story and his thoughts on the people, places, and situations he encounters matter more than anything else. Especially when he compares his current take on them to how he might have reacted in the old days before losing his memory. His time on Earth, measured in centuries, has irrevocably changed him in ways he is still discovering by the time this novel ends and Zelazny gives you just enough to keep you wondering what might be revealed in the next situation.

Strengths

I'd get what I needed and take what I wanted, and i'd remember those who helped me and step on the rest. For this I knew was the law by which our family lived, and I was a true son of my father.

Wizard of Earthsea, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Black Cauldron; I'm not saying Nine Princes in Amber is the same as any of these novels, but it has the same kind of pacing. If you like quick, adventurous stories that take you to different locales, give our protagonist a number of unique side characters to interact with, and have him come close to the brink of death I think this is something you'll enjoy. There is also a realness to the way Corwin narrates his story. I would say that it's almost as if he's a friend coming to your house, sitting down in your living room, and telling you about some wild event that recently happened to him. And just like that friend he doesn't necessarily reveal everything at once. This isn't some long planned chronicle he's giving you to make himself look perfect. It's raw, its gritty, and you can feel everything right along with him.

Weaknesses

Far as i'm concerned it doesn't have any. I hope the rest of the series only gets better from here, but if it only maintains this same level of quality i'll be satisfied.

Final Thoughts

Tis a proud and lonely thing to be a Prince of Amber, incapable of trust.

If you like first person narration, battles between royal families for succession, multiverse adventures, you should read this book. It's not even 180 pages so you can probably blow through it in 2 days (If you're working those days). I wouldn't say that Prince Corwin is the pinnacle of the anti-hero in the genre, but if you're tired of reading about the classic farm boy/chosen one who is secretly the heir to the throne and needs to depose the wicked king you'll find this to be a nice change of pace. It's arguable as to whether Corwin is any better than his siblings and it seems to be heavily implied that in the past he was just as bad as the worst of them. Heck, the story ends with him having cast a magical curse on Amber because his brother gets the best of him, and this causes monsters to start attacking the land, putting everyone in danger. I think there's a touch of realism to how flawed all the major characters are or might be, while also contrasting nicely with the changes that have taken place in Corwin due to his time spent on Earth. Best of all the book leaves you wanting more from the protagonist and the world he exists in.