Nine Princes in Amber

Roger Zelazny

The first person narrator wakes up in a long term hospital with amnesia and a broken leg. As his mind shakes off the sedatives that have been forced on him, he vaguely remembers a car accident. He is certain he is being sedated and kept in the hospital against his will. He deftly learns things about himself from the hospital staff, then escape to the person who was paying for his care, his sister.

Thus begins Corwin's story. Corwin is one of the nine surviving princes of Amber. Despite his amnesia, even saying the name Amber brings gladness and lightness to Corwin. Amber is the one real world. All others, even Earth, are Shadows used to approach Amber.

He soon realizes that he cannot trust any of his siblings, brothers or sisters. At his sister's house he slowly puts more pieces of the mental puzzle together. His brother Random shows up and the two of them start back to Amber.

This fantasy adventure is well written and appealing. Corwin is determined to gain Amber away from his brother currently ruling it, Eric. Brothers and sisters make different alliances with and against each other. There is war, bloodshed, and violence. And there is always Amber, the pinnacle of beauty.

This is the beginning of Amber's adventures. The struggles for rule of Amber do not end with this book. The regular version of the novel is out of print. Instead you can find all ten of the Amber chronicles in one volume, on audio tape or in large print. Like me, borrow it from your local public library.

The Nine Princes of Amber
The Guns of Avalon
Sign of the Unicorn
The Hand of Oberon
The Courts of Chaos

Pawn of Prophecy by David Zelazny
On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony