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Roger Zelazny
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The Guns of Avalon Paperback – 25 Jun. 1987

by Roger Zelazny (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,116 ratings
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Amber back towards his magic realm strides Corwin, Prince of Amber, as the dark powers of the shadow worlds rise against him... Recently escaped from the dungeon where he was imprisoned after his brother, Eric, usurped the throne. Corwin, Prince of Amber, is determined to use all his super human powers to regain his stolen birthright. But the road back to Amber was paved with unknown perils and to reach it Corwin must first fight his way through the dreaded forces of the circle of evil, and the weird demons conjured up by his own terrible curse.
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  1. Book 2 of 10
    The Chronicles of Amber
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Penguin
  5. Publication date
    25 Jun. 1987
  6. ISBN-10
    0722194404
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0722194409
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 25 Jun. 1987
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0722194404
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0722194409
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 136 g
  • Book 2 of 10 ‏ : ‎ The Chronicles of Amber
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,116 ratings

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Roger Zelazny

Roger Zelazny

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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • RF Burns
    5.0 out of 5 stars An attempt to out manouvre the other Princes of Amber by bringing in re-inforcements from another world
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The struggle to be crowned king of Amber, or at least to avoid being killed by the other Princes of Amber, continues.
    The mysterious ability of the Princes and Princesses of Amber to travel between worlds is explained further.
    A thought provoking, almost poetic short novel.
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  • M. J. Haynes
    4.0 out of 5 stars Second Chronicle of Amber
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second volume in a fantasy series by Roger Zelazny. The Chronicles of Amber stretch over a total of ten books, which were published throughout the 1970s and 1980s. I have previously reviewed the first book in the series when it became available in a Kindle edition. During the decades of the series’ publication, fantasy literature seemed to be dominated by two paradigms: Tolkienesque epic fantasy; and Howardesque sword and sorcery. Zelazny’s Amber novels were different. Set in an original fantastic universe, they see him play with various fantasy archetypes and tropes, while juxtaposing them with modern technology; and written in an almost hardboiled thriller style

    This book takes up the story immediately from where the first book in the series ended. In that book Corwin, the narrator and protagonist, recovered his memory and identity as a Prince of Amber. Amber, the true world, is a sort of archetypal medieval or renaissance sword-and-sorcery world; and there are a host of “Shadow” worlds, with various aspects of the true world. These include contemporary Earth, where the amnesiac Corwin has been living for a long period. Having escaped the consequences of an unsuccessful attempt to take the throne of Amber from his hated brother Eric, this book follows Corwin as he implements a plan to take revenge and take Amber. In that world gunpowder is inert so firearms are useless. However Corwin has discovered that in the shadow world of Avalon, another medieval sword-and-sorcery world, there is a substance that will function as gunpowder in Amber; and this is the basis of his plan. What follows is fast-paced adventure across worlds and the emergence of a demoniac threat to the shadow worlds and Amber itself.

    The book has many of the characteristics of its predecessor. First it is much shorter than most modern fantasy. However it is fast paced, though perhaps not quite as hectically so as the first book (and allowing Corwin some more reflective moments); and the style is quite spare. Therefore much happens in a relatively small space. Some readers may even find the quality a refreshing change from bloated contemporary fantasy novels. The style itself will strike many readers used to other fantasy literature as unusual. Besides the thriller-paced writing, with witty, hardboiled-type dialogue, Zelazny mixes in some bits of archaic language and vocabulary, which is quite jarring but also gives a texture which is appropriate to his strange world setting. One of the more negative features in contrast to much contemporary fantasy of the first book is that the female characters are very secondary and passive. The current book has two more central female characters, one who looks to be likely to be an important antagonist later in the series. Nevertheless, the treatment of neither character in the novel can be described as positive. Overall I found the novel to be, like the first novel in the series, original, intriguing and a page turner. I certainly intend to continue reading the series.
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  • Mr Mark Picksley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A blast from the past, now available on Kindle!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 March 2016
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    Just as I remember it - I read these books in the 1970's, running down to the library to get the next one as it was released.

    I've always loved the "Amber" series, and wanted it on my Kindle.
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  • Patrick Shepherd
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Shadow of a Legend that Was
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 September 2009
    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)
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  • El Tophero
    3.0 out of 5 stars Classic but dated fantasy.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2025
    Format: Paperback
    Struggled with this till the very end. Sort of halfhearted about reading the next book but they are quite short so I might give it go.
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  • Simon R
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Read it many times glad it's now on Kindle. An absolute classic.
    Slightly annoyed as it seems the next book is not on Kindle though. ..
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  • Azrael
    3.0 out of 5 stars I remember reading this book many years ago & enjoyed it. I must say it doesn't age well
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I remember reading this book many years ago & enjoyed it. I must say it doesn't age well. Although the book is still okay it is far too slow a read. I found myself getting bored multiple times whilst reading. The characters are still enjoyable but it is not a book I would or could read in one sitting.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Better plot than nine princes.
    Reviewed in India on 3 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Corwin heads forward in what looks like a modern retelling of the ring of the Nibelung. The elements of poetic imagery and winding down into unavoidable disaster. Great story telling.
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  • Alex Hartman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. I first read it years ago
    Reviewed in Canada on 9 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. I first read it years ago. Zelazny was an incredible story teller. It inspired a generation of great fantasy writers.
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  • Brent Jablonski
    5.0 out of 5 stars "I will bring me up guns out of Avalon..." A classic fantasy novel that you must read
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I am overjoyed at the publishing of 'The Chronicles of Amber' on Kindle. What is more satisfying than experiencing a long desired event?

    Still, as with all Kindle conversions, it is wise to approach with some trepidation. Typos happen, and by that I mean massive numbers of them. What is worse, I have read Kindle conversions that are missing sections of stories or are so muddled as to be unintelligible.

    Thankfully, that is not the case here. I have read this new edition and I found only three typos. These were reported to the publisher and have now (31OCT15) been corrected. This is an outstanding Kindle conversion. The publisher also continued work on book 1 'Nine Princes in Amber' to fix typos there; this is a publisher worth supporting.

    One more thing I love about the Kindle edition is the cover art by Gary McCluskey; the dichotomy of Corwin in plate with battle rifle (BAR?) on shoulder is wonderful. And hey, is that the Valley of Garnath and the Black Road in the background? Also, note the silver rose on the left breast. This image captures Corwin and a number of key images for me. Well done.

    As far as the story, this is Grade A+ material.
    We pick up with Corwin immediately after the events of 'Nine Princes in Amber'. Nine Princes in Amber: Book One (The Chronicles of Amber 1)
    He is still recovering from his ordeal, but he has the beginnings of a plan. His flight through Shadow finds him in a land called Lorraine where he meets familiar faces from the past and recuperates physically.
    After dealing with some seemingly local troubles in spectacular fashion, Corwin journeys onward to a shadow of the fallen land of Avalon (a shadow of a shadow, ya could go nuts thinking too hard on this stuff). In Avalon he finds a brother, which for an Amberite is synonymous with trouble.

    So much for summaries. Suffice to say, Corwin is not done with his quest for the throne of Amber. He builds his plan and his forces more carefully this time, and the results... Well, that would be telling. Along the way he encounters troubling clues to a dark, and rather personal, mystery that seems to encompass the fate of Amber itself. More on that front in books 3 - 5; hint, hint.

    This novel has some of my favorite bits from the entire series: meeting Benedict, the hellride and passage across the Black Road, a sweltering day of diamond mining, Corwin's old 'friend' Ganelon, and (of course) Dara.
    Here Roger Zelazny is the master craftsman, and 'The Guns of Avalon' finds him at the peak of his skill. There are hints and red herrings "scattered as casually as bird droppings across the sand", all you need is a rake and a sieve. The plot is engaging, the writing is tight, and the dialog is sharp enough to cut you if you are careless.

    This is a classic fantasy tale that bends the genre in all the right ways. It needs to be in your library.

    Buy it, read it, cherish it. Stuff this good is rare as 5 carat diamonds.
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  • Robert M.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Overall I liked it, although not quite as much as "Nine ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 27 November 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book follows directly from the events of Nine Princes in Amber, as Corwin plots his return to Amber, in an attempt to claim the crown. This one had more of a straight up high fantasy sword & sorcery feel to it, compared to Nine Princes, where the early part of the book is set in "our" Earth (which of course in this series is just a shadow of the true realm, Amber). The fanciful conceit underlying Corwin's plans boils down to this: the laws of chemistry are different in Amber and its shadows, which Corwin will exploit to his advantage. It's kind of a hokey plot device. Meanwhile the larger story unfolds, as we realize the full scope of Corwin's curse, which was foreshadowed at the end of the previous book. The writing remains crisp, although this time around Corwin is a little more wink, wink as a narrator, with more asides to his audience along the lines of "I drew my sword, which is called Grayswandir. Maybe someday I will tell you how it became my sword but now is not the time". There was also less going on in terms of the brothers - less of the complex politics and uncertainties about shifting ambitions and political alliances. Overall I liked it, although not quite as much as "Nine Princes".
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  • C. Cheung
    5.0 out of 5 stars zelazny rocks
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Roger Zelazny is one of the best writers of the 20th century. The first five books of the Chronicles of Amber are among the top fantasy books ever. Corwin of Amber is a great character, in an unusual family, with fully fleshed out motivations
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