Grimdark Fantasy discussion

Wow! I'm only about 50 pages into the first book, but it already feels like this is going to be epic. It definitely has a very unique feel and style to it.

The "feel" is like a 70s detective TV show, the world is like science/fantasy/urban fiction all rolled into one.

The prose is great. Not like "poetry on paper", but not "dumbed down" either. Just good solid prose that's fast and easy reading.

As a teen, I remember when Corwin gets into that first fight and throws a chair that showed he was much stronger than mere human - I was totally hooked.

I've got this series on my to-read list. I'll have to delve in when I'm finish with my current list. I noticed each novel is damn near novella length, so the series isn't nearly as intimidating as it seemed at first.

Christopher wrote: "I've got this series on my to-read list. I'll have to delve in when I'm finish with my current list. I noticed each novel is damn near novella length, so the series isn't nearly as intimidating as ..."

Nope...."The Great Book of Amber" (that has them all) is only about 1000 pages.

It just keeps getting better and better. I'm in the second book now and it's better than the first.

Now that I'm getting into the whole wold and writing style more, it reminds me a lot of Micahel Moorcock. The character of Corwin feels like he could be an "Eternal Champion" just like Elric or Corum.

Chris, I can totally see the Eternal Champion aspect. I'd never read Moorcock until after my (multiple) readings of Amber. That could also go for most of his family - especially Benedict.

Oh..my gosh...I have my notifications turned off.

Your reading Zelazny's Amber???

One of the things about these books, tgat I love, are all the little bits and pieces of history that are interjected.

And lots of Shakespeare references...it's kind of fun looking for them.

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Oh..my gosh...I have my notifications turned off.

Your reading Zelazny's Amber???"

Yes, Zelazny's Amber. :)

I remember a friend really talking it up years ago, and I swore I had to read it one day. I've since heard many other people talk about how great it was since then.

I'm loving it. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long. As I mentioned above, the style reminds me a lot of Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion stuff that I read (which I loved too).

I think Amber will always be my favorite series, deep down. Course I love lots of others.
: )

Don't stop with Corwin's 5. Read the Merlin Cycle too. Some say it is not as good, but I quite enjoyed it.

There are also short stories. They are in Manna From Heaven.
It wasn't easy to find, though. And not cheap.



Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion series is another of my favorites, so I see the comparison.

I think Zelazny's writing is more .....interesting.....
As you said before, the prose is very good.

He was very well read and knowledgeable, from what I can see of his references to other works. Of course, a lot of this is interjected, because Corwin lived on our Earth for so long.

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Don't stop with Corwin's 5. Read the Merlin Cycle too. Some say it is not as good, but I quite enjoyed it.
"
No worries there. The version I'm reading is "The Great Book of Amber" which contains both the Corwin cycle and the Merlin cycle in one book.

When you are finished Corwin's Cycle, be sure to check this page out.
Chris Kovacs has done a wonderful job explaining many/all? of the allusions in the first 5 here.

I admit, I would not have caught most of them. There are spoilers...sort of...

http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspende...

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "When you are finished Corwin's Cycle, be sure to check this page out.
Chris Kovacs has done a wonderful job explaining many/all? of the allusions in the first 5 here.

I admit, I would not have ca..."
Cool. Thanks. :)

Third book down and it continues to get even better.

I'm reviving this thread as I'm on book three of Amber. :) I did go back and read a synopsis of one and two because it has been two years since I read the last book. I love alternate universes and this book definitely has that!