The Guns of Avalon

Roger Zelazny

Corwin has escaped from Amber and from Eric. He is determined to return to Amber and dethrone his brother. He is hoping Eric will believe him dead as he returns to health and fighting strength. When anyone tries to contact him through the Trumps, he shields his mind.

As Corwin leaves Amber he notices one of the beautiful forests is now a dark, menacing area. He remembers the curse he had laid when fighting Eric before. It appears his curse has done more damage than he intended, injuring his beloved Amber. He cannot stop not to repair the damage. He must escape and return. Upon his return he will deal with the darkness looming.

Corwin decides to return to Avalon, one of the shadow countries he had resided in many years in the past. There is something in Avalon that may help him in Amber. Yet getting even to Avalon proves to be a challenge. Almost immediately upon entering the Shadow Lands he is set upon by unworldly large cats. He then comes across a wounded knight among other dead, strange bodies. He has to help the knight. This act of mercy brings him into contact with another old foe. Before Corwin can return to Amber he has to deal with the evil in the Shadow Lands. Can he win in the Shadow Lands and return to defeat Eric? The obstacles loom larger than even Corwin can guess.

This entertaining book is a good follow up for the Amber series. It is full of adventure, fighting, good, and evil. Once again the story is completed within this novel, yet there is much more to go. While it is better read after Nine Princes in Amber, the first novel of the series, enough background information is given to the first time reader to be able to enjoy the story.

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