What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chronicles of Amber #5
The Courts of Chaos
Amber reveals the mysteries of King Oberon's disappearance, the hell-witch's identity, and the magical pattern that holds the Kingdom of Amber together, but his victory over the Dark Lands remains in doubt.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
197 people are currently reading
4018 people want to read
About the author
Roger Zelazny
747 books3,890 followersRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for The Chronicles of Amber. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo Award six times (also out of 14 nominations), including two Hugos for novels: the serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad (1965), subsequently published under the title This Immortal (1966), and the novel Lord of Light (1967).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 530 reviews
May 11, 2008
Here is where I'll put my opinion on the first five books. As a series, the worldbuilding is amazing, the characters intriguing, and the format is fast-paced. It's interesting to see a book where there are few characters that can claim clean hands, and it makes for a complex storyline.
That said, I sometimes feel like there's a bit too much explaining going on (though the first book does a good job of making the explaining organic). I can't remember how many times the reader hears about the political intrigues of Amber from yet another viewpoint. While often the information involved in required, I wish there could be a better way to portray it, especially when it nears the end of the fifth book, when pretty much everything is about to be destroyed, and we take a time-out to hear another of Corwin's brother's political standpoints.
Along with this, I feel that Zelazny goes on a bit too long wtih the hellrides. As cool as the formatting is, Corwin hellrides too many times, especially in the fifth book, for me to want to spend three pages in a psychadelic trip through countless universes.
That said, of course, I must reiterate that I really enjoy these books. There aren't very many books I bother to re-read, especially nowadays, but I re-read the quintet just recently. The characterization is amazing, and the voice is unique. It also doesn't hurt that all five books average around 150 pages each.
That said, I sometimes feel like there's a bit too much explaining going on (though the first book does a good job of making the explaining organic). I can't remember how many times the reader hears about the political intrigues of Amber from yet another viewpoint. While often the information involved in required, I wish there could be a better way to portray it, especially when it nears the end of the fifth book, when pretty much everything is about to be destroyed, and we take a time-out to hear another of Corwin's brother's political standpoints.
Along with this, I feel that Zelazny goes on a bit too long wtih the hellrides. As cool as the formatting is, Corwin hellrides too many times, especially in the fifth book, for me to want to spend three pages in a psychadelic trip through countless universes.
That said, of course, I must reiterate that I really enjoy these books. There aren't very many books I bother to re-read, especially nowadays, but I re-read the quintet just recently. The characterization is amazing, and the voice is unique. It also doesn't hurt that all five books average around 150 pages each.
September 13, 2024
And just like that, I am saying goodbye to the adventures of my sweet himbo, Prince Corwin of Amber. What can I say? These books are pulpy fun. The tone is light, and all the plot twists might not even make much sense if I really stopped to think about them, yet somehow, I don’t mind. The action never stops, and I am just enjoying the world and the characters.
I am positive Zelazny is a pantser, and nothing after book 3 was pre-planned when he started. And yet, he kept delivering twists and turns and never overstayed his welcome, with every book in the series being under 200 pages. There are a lot of brothers and sisters in the court of Amber, and yet every important one has a distinct personality: the brave, noble Benedict; the unserious, flighty Random; the slightly dumb but kind and devoted Gerard; the aloof Julian; smart scheming Fiona; or our amnesiac, sweet boy Corwin.
Also, for a pulp book from the '70s, surprisingly, the treatment of female characters didn’t make me want to slap Zelazny. On the contrary, he wrote some really powerful women in here!
I will miss you all, my crazy kids of Amber. 4 stars for the series because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I am positive Zelazny is a pantser, and nothing after book 3 was pre-planned when he started. And yet, he kept delivering twists and turns and never overstayed his welcome, with every book in the series being under 200 pages. There are a lot of brothers and sisters in the court of Amber, and yet every important one has a distinct personality: the brave, noble Benedict; the unserious, flighty Random; the slightly dumb but kind and devoted Gerard; the aloof Julian; smart scheming Fiona; or our amnesiac, sweet boy Corwin.
Also, for a pulp book from the '70s, surprisingly, the treatment of female characters didn’t make me want to slap Zelazny. On the contrary, he wrote some really powerful women in here!
I will miss you all, my crazy kids of Amber. 4 stars for the series because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
September 27, 2025
My rating 4.8
The book "The Chronicles of Amber # 5" by Roger Zelazny is a book that reveals many things.
Faithful Corwin's companion Ganelon is, in fact, his father Oberon. Now that his father has taken over power, they are preparing for the war with the Courts of Chaos. His father intends to purge a true pattern of blackness that Brand has damaged with the blood of Amber's successor. But there is a great possibility that this attempt is unsuccessful and he sends Corwin to the way through the shadows, according to the Courts of Chaos. But his father, as a precursor, first sends an army of Amber in the attack on the Courts of Chaos to keep them distracted as he embarks on a process of cleaning the pattern. Corwin will be in the process of traveling to get a Judging Stone with which he needs to help the Amber Army. But this will not be easy because his brother Brand, at all costs, wants to get to that stone to become the supreme ruler. As with the whole series so far, the writer leads us with your imagination to the end of the world, and you simply have to enjoy it. For now, the whole series fulfills all my expectations, and with pleasure, I read every book.
The book "The Chronicles of Amber # 5" by Roger Zelazny is a book that reveals many things.
Faithful Corwin's companion Ganelon is, in fact, his father Oberon. Now that his father has taken over power, they are preparing for the war with the Courts of Chaos. His father intends to purge a true pattern of blackness that Brand has damaged with the blood of Amber's successor. But there is a great possibility that this attempt is unsuccessful and he sends Corwin to the way through the shadows, according to the Courts of Chaos. But his father, as a precursor, first sends an army of Amber in the attack on the Courts of Chaos to keep them distracted as he embarks on a process of cleaning the pattern. Corwin will be in the process of traveling to get a Judging Stone with which he needs to help the Amber Army. But this will not be easy because his brother Brand, at all costs, wants to get to that stone to become the supreme ruler. As with the whole series so far, the writer leads us with your imagination to the end of the world, and you simply have to enjoy it. For now, the whole series fulfills all my expectations, and with pleasure, I read every book.
April 23, 2019
The most perfect ending to the most perfect fantasy saga of all times. Being a bit melodramatic, am I? I reread all the books in the Corwin series, but none as often as The Court of Chaos. I lost count of how many times I have reread this one. Not only did it explain and connected everything nicely, the final novel in the series also manages to be the most beautifully written one. The Court of Chaos have the most poetical passages, I feel. They capture the spirit and the charm of this series perfectly. As a said, it really is the perfect ending of Corwin's story. For me, The Courts of Chaos is, among other things, metaphysical poetry. This book is my spirit animal.
Many characters reaper in The Courts of Chaos, most notably Dara. The traitor will also have a role to play. Other family members won't stand aside either, as it to be expected. At the start of the novel we find Corwin in a library (his place of comfort), and soon enough Random meets Corwin. Random was a significant character in all the novels, and I felt that Random and Corwin really connected in the fourth one. It was interesting to see how the personal grown of one mirrored the other. When Random pledges his alliance to Corwin in the first novel, they are both charming but selfish princes, and it is amazing to see them both grow up as people. In The Courts of Chaos, Corwin will have to play it solo for most of the novel, as he will be forced to hell ride like he has never hell ridden before, but by the end of the novel, Random will get the chance to shine again. I found the growing connection between them as touching as their personal growth. They have truly grown into different people. In words of Corwin: “I saw my earlier selves as different people, acquaintances I had outgrown. I wondered how I could ever have been some of them.”
I said that Corwin will play it solo most of the way. This is the novel in which Corwin finally connects all the dots. He learns where has his father been all this time, and that's only the beginning. Corwin makes a choice to put the good of the realm before his own and even his father's ambitions. There is a timeless feeling to this last novel in the series, as is only befitting I guess for Corwin really managed to make himself a timeless flawed hero. Every time he walks the pattern, Corwin reveal more of his essence. In The Courts of Chaos Corwin reinvents himself.
...“And the man clad in black and silver with a silver rose upon him? He would like to think that he has learned something of trust, that he has washed his eyes in some clear spring, that he has polished an ideal or two. Never Mind. He may still be only a smart-mouthed meddler, skilled mainly in the minor art of survival, blind as ever the dungeons knew him to the finer shades of irony. Never mind, let it go, let it be. I may never be pleased with him.”
Many characters reaper in The Courts of Chaos, most notably Dara. The traitor will also have a role to play. Other family members won't stand aside either, as it to be expected. At the start of the novel we find Corwin in a library (his place of comfort), and soon enough Random meets Corwin. Random was a significant character in all the novels, and I felt that Random and Corwin really connected in the fourth one. It was interesting to see how the personal grown of one mirrored the other. When Random pledges his alliance to Corwin in the first novel, they are both charming but selfish princes, and it is amazing to see them both grow up as people. In The Courts of Chaos, Corwin will have to play it solo for most of the novel, as he will be forced to hell ride like he has never hell ridden before, but by the end of the novel, Random will get the chance to shine again. I found the growing connection between them as touching as their personal growth. They have truly grown into different people. In words of Corwin: “I saw my earlier selves as different people, acquaintances I had outgrown. I wondered how I could ever have been some of them.”
I said that Corwin will play it solo most of the way. This is the novel in which Corwin finally connects all the dots. He learns where has his father been all this time, and that's only the beginning. Corwin makes a choice to put the good of the realm before his own and even his father's ambitions. There is a timeless feeling to this last novel in the series, as is only befitting I guess for Corwin really managed to make himself a timeless flawed hero. Every time he walks the pattern, Corwin reveal more of his essence. In The Courts of Chaos Corwin reinvents himself.
...“And the man clad in black and silver with a silver rose upon him? He would like to think that he has learned something of trust, that he has washed his eyes in some clear spring, that he has polished an ideal or two. Never Mind. He may still be only a smart-mouthed meddler, skilled mainly in the minor art of survival, blind as ever the dungeons knew him to the finer shades of irony. Never mind, let it go, let it be. I may never be pleased with him.”
June 16, 2019
First duty, then liberty shall be the whole of the law.
Corwin, prince of Amber rises to face the threat of existential obliteration of all he holds dear. In the process discovering that his most defining characteristic is duty to others.
Surrounded by tragedy, insanity, and a philosophical raven, Corwin completes a journey I wouldn't wish on anyone.
As usual, Zelazny writes with verve, wit, and wisdom, delivered with an admirable narrative economy that brings to mind Blaise Pascal's famous quote.
The upshot: Writing the way Zelazny does, packing narrative into a few well-chosen words, displays a powerful mastery of form and genre.
Read this series, read this master of the fantasy genre.
Corwin, prince of Amber rises to face the threat of existential obliteration of all he holds dear. In the process discovering that his most defining characteristic is duty to others.
Surrounded by tragedy, insanity, and a philosophical raven, Corwin completes a journey I wouldn't wish on anyone.
As usual, Zelazny writes with verve, wit, and wisdom, delivered with an admirable narrative economy that brings to mind Blaise Pascal's famous quote.
“I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."
REF: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2122...
The upshot: Writing the way Zelazny does, packing narrative into a few well-chosen words, displays a powerful mastery of form and genre.
Read this series, read this master of the fantasy genre.
October 9, 2017
Back in the days before Mr. Fogerty inspired Mr. Jordan to expand on his observation that the big wheel keeps on turning, and before Mr. Martin went into the field of meteorology, Roger Zelazny produced this series of five terrific books and thereby offered the fantasy fiction field an alternative to Conan pastiches and Hobbit homages. Amber is the true, real, center of the universe, see, and it's a magical kingdom where the king has gone missing and the nine princes and a handful of princesses are playing the game of thrones, and... well, you should it. His writing is descriptive and detailed throughout, the characters are full-blown people the reader understands and knows instantly, and the plot is immensely detailed and carefully paced and presented for the whole five book run, yet they're short books by modern standards... he packs way more into a hundred pages than most current fantasists do in a thousand. How did he do it? It was magic, obviously.
There was a second series of five books with the same setting and some overlapping characters that didn't have quite the same feel, and after his death someone else produced some books that shouldn't have been permitted that I would recommend avoiding, but those first five Amber books are real classics. Some of the slang expressions haven't aged well, particularly in the earlier volumes, and it's a little jarring to read that the main characters all seem to be chain-smokers, but otherwise I think they've held up better than any of their contemporaries.
There was a second series of five books with the same setting and some overlapping characters that didn't have quite the same feel, and after his death someone else produced some books that shouldn't have been permitted that I would recommend avoiding, but those first five Amber books are real classics. Some of the slang expressions haven't aged well, particularly in the earlier volumes, and it's a little jarring to read that the main characters all seem to be chain-smokers, but otherwise I think they've held up better than any of their contemporaries.
October 28, 2023
Much like the last time I read the Amber saga, I wolfed down the last two books in one day. As far as series enders go, this one his hard to beat. All the questions get answered and the fate of the world is resolved.
Fifteen years ago, I said this was right up there with the Dark Tower and the Elric saga. I still feel that way. Sure, some of the monologues get a little long-winded but this is a very well crafted fantasy mystery that is epic in scope. Zelazny stuck the landing. Unlike last time, this is where I stop. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Fifteen years ago, I said this was right up there with the Dark Tower and the Elric saga. I still feel that way. Sure, some of the monologues get a little long-winded but this is a very well crafted fantasy mystery that is epic in scope. Zelazny stuck the landing. Unlike last time, this is where I stop. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
March 30, 2017
Corwin gets a quest and heads to Chaos, and leprechauns and The World Tree, a fitting ending to the first arc of the Amber series, enjoyed all 5 of the novels, onto the second arc now.
April 22, 2014
I'm going to write some general remarks that can serve for books 1-5(the Corwin books) and then break down my thoughts book by book.
Likes: Zelazny is a great world builder... vivid imagery combined with his poetic writing leads to some pretty amazing visuals and really immersed me into these books. He has somewhat of a 70s, intellectual vibe to his prose which I really liked. It was a good combination for me, though I could see how this would irk some readers. There is plenty of political intrigue, the plot moves fairly steadily, and parts of these books were late night page turners.
Dislikes: Characterization was a little weak (except for Corwin), but got better as the books went on. Differentiating a family of however many brothers and sisters is no easy feat though. Two things that started to turn me off by the end of book 5 were the hellrides and the recaps of previous books. The hellrides were a good idea in thought, but after reading so many it was hard not to skim when you realized they were not adding much to the plot. And... I... was... going... crazy... with... the... amount... of... ellipses. Since I read these books consecutively the recaps were repetitive and usually one character telling another character exactly what happened in the previous books for a couple of pages. This was probably nice if you were buying the books when they were coming out but wasn't for me!
Fair warning, some small spoilers for all 5 books below.
Nine Princes in Amber - One of my two favorites of the series. I thought Corwin's amnesia was really well done. He had a slow piece by piece recovery of his memory instead of an info dump which really got me in tune with the story. Learning about Amber, the shadow worlds, and the family along with Corwin was a great tool to get the reader engaged. Great beginning.
The Guns of Avalon - Least favorite of the 5. To me, the whole search for special Amber gunpowder could have been condensed into about 20 pages, not a whole book. Still intriguing, but the plot just dragged in this one.
Sign of the Unicorn - This book was mostly backstory and you get some great insight on the different views of all the family members which helped to flesh out their motivations. Not as action packed as the others, but I really enjoyed the cerebral, political style of this book.
The Hand of Oberon - Other favorite of the series. This novel was pure, unadulterated action. The plot really begins to pick up as the story comes to a head. Pretty sure I finished this one in one sitting. Loved the twist at the end.
The Courts of Chaos - After the setup of book number four, I was expecting a little bit more out of this book. The first half of this is a philosophical hellride that dragged a bit. Then Corwin finally gets to the Courts of Chaos and I am expecting a huge conflict and then... Unicorn saves the day. Two sides kiss and make up. Book over. The end felt a little rushed and anticlimatic. I did like Zelazny's choice for the King of Amber though!
This series had it's up and downs, but at the end of the day it is a quality read. I gave all the books either a 3 or 4, so we will call the series a 3.5. Enjoyable enough that I will be moving on to the 5 Merlin books.
Likes: Zelazny is a great world builder... vivid imagery combined with his poetic writing leads to some pretty amazing visuals and really immersed me into these books. He has somewhat of a 70s, intellectual vibe to his prose which I really liked. It was a good combination for me, though I could see how this would irk some readers. There is plenty of political intrigue, the plot moves fairly steadily, and parts of these books were late night page turners.
Dislikes: Characterization was a little weak (except for Corwin), but got better as the books went on. Differentiating a family of however many brothers and sisters is no easy feat though. Two things that started to turn me off by the end of book 5 were the hellrides and the recaps of previous books. The hellrides were a good idea in thought, but after reading so many it was hard not to skim when you realized they were not adding much to the plot. And... I... was... going... crazy... with... the... amount... of... ellipses. Since I read these books consecutively the recaps were repetitive and usually one character telling another character exactly what happened in the previous books for a couple of pages. This was probably nice if you were buying the books when they were coming out but wasn't for me!
Fair warning, some small spoilers for all 5 books below.
Nine Princes in Amber - One of my two favorites of the series. I thought Corwin's amnesia was really well done. He had a slow piece by piece recovery of his memory instead of an info dump which really got me in tune with the story. Learning about Amber, the shadow worlds, and the family along with Corwin was a great tool to get the reader engaged. Great beginning.
The Guns of Avalon - Least favorite of the 5. To me, the whole search for special Amber gunpowder could have been condensed into about 20 pages, not a whole book. Still intriguing, but the plot just dragged in this one.
Sign of the Unicorn - This book was mostly backstory and you get some great insight on the different views of all the family members which helped to flesh out their motivations. Not as action packed as the others, but I really enjoyed the cerebral, political style of this book.
The Hand of Oberon - Other favorite of the series. This novel was pure, unadulterated action. The plot really begins to pick up as the story comes to a head. Pretty sure I finished this one in one sitting. Loved the twist at the end.
The Courts of Chaos - After the setup of book number four, I was expecting a little bit more out of this book. The first half of this is a philosophical hellride that dragged a bit. Then Corwin finally gets to the Courts of Chaos and I am expecting a huge conflict and then... Unicorn saves the day. Two sides kiss and make up. Book over. The end felt a little rushed and anticlimatic. I did like Zelazny's choice for the King of Amber though!
This series had it's up and downs, but at the end of the day it is a quality read. I gave all the books either a 3 or 4, so we will call the series a 3.5. Enjoyable enough that I will be moving on to the 5 Merlin books.
August 20, 2023
Dirljiv svršetak jedne duge pustolovine. Korvin prestaje da jaše pred čitaocem, i predaje uzde. Oprašta se on od nas, kao i mi od njega 💔
November 28, 2020
This was a lot of fun and a great ending to Corwin's cycle. Zelazny <3
December 8, 2023
"The Courts of Chaos" is the fifth and final book in Roger Zelazny's Amber series. Rather, it is the final book in the first five-book cycle. There are five more books after this, and while I may read them someday, I'm okay with ending the series at this point.
In this book, Corwin finds out what happened to his father, who the real traitor is, what is happening to Amber, and how to stop the end of the world. All the while, he meets talking trees and animals along the way and reunites with his brother and sisters.
The conclusion is satisfactory, but I'll be honest: I just wasn't fully invested in this series to care much whether Corwin saves the day or not. I love Zelazny as a writer, but this fantasy series just kind of confirms my disinterest in the whole sword-and-sorcery fantasy genre. To me, it felt like a Dungeons & Dragons game, and I've never been a D&D fan.
In this book, Corwin finds out what happened to his father, who the real traitor is, what is happening to Amber, and how to stop the end of the world. All the while, he meets talking trees and animals along the way and reunites with his brother and sisters.
The conclusion is satisfactory, but I'll be honest: I just wasn't fully invested in this series to care much whether Corwin saves the day or not. I love Zelazny as a writer, but this fantasy series just kind of confirms my disinterest in the whole sword-and-sorcery fantasy genre. To me, it felt like a Dungeons & Dragons game, and I've never been a D&D fan.
July 25, 2024
What a letdown. Everything went downhill right from the start. This is the shortest book in the series so why not make half of it a filler? Corwin has his sovereignty taken away right at the beginning and is sidelined in his own story. And the worst thing is that we only get to see his part - the boring stuff.
What do you think a book called The Courts of Chaos about an oncoming war between Amber and the Courts should contain? Perhaps just maybe some new characters from the Courts? Maybe some negotiations? Explanations? Or like Zelazny thought it should contain Corwin once again traveling through shadows and meeting bizarre characters that have nothing to do with the main plot in order to extend the book's length from 50 to 140 pages?
Books three and four actually hooked me and got me interested in the story. This was a slap in the face. Type of feeling people got after watching Last Jedi.
So let me continue. How do you think the whole series should conclude? Should there be some reward for our flawed yet heroic main character who risks his life to save the world? Should there be some payoffs? Or like Zelazny thought the hero should get jack shit,
You know, I rated this 2* but as I'm going through it again I'm lowering it to 1*.
What about Dara? The monster that she turned out to be when she reached the center of the pattern? Waved away with hand because she's a shapeshifter and she turned monstrous to scare Corwin... whom she actually likes... and has a child with... until she doesn't like him... and then turns to monster again but permanently? What?
Oh yeah and Corwin has a son with Dara called Merlin who's main protagonist of the sequel. He's the only other character from Courts with whom Corwin speaks longer than the moment it takes him to kill the person. At the end of this book we still know nothing more about the Courts than we knew by the end of previous one.
Waste of time, outdated and ending not only sucks, it slaps you in the face and laughs at you.
What do you think a book called The Courts of Chaos about an oncoming war between Amber and the Courts should contain? Perhaps just maybe some new characters from the Courts? Maybe some negotiations? Explanations? Or like Zelazny thought it should contain Corwin once again traveling through shadows and meeting bizarre characters that have nothing to do with the main plot in order to extend the book's length from 50 to 140 pages?
Books three and four actually hooked me and got me interested in the story. This was a slap in the face. Type of feeling people got after watching Last Jedi.
So let me continue. How do you think the whole series should conclude? Should there be some reward for our flawed yet heroic main character who risks his life to save the world? Should there be some payoffs? Or like Zelazny thought the hero should get jack shit,
You know, I rated this 2* but as I'm going through it again I'm lowering it to 1*.
What about Dara? The monster that she turned out to be when she reached the center of the pattern? Waved away with hand because she's a shapeshifter and she turned monstrous to scare Corwin... whom she actually likes... and has a child with... until she doesn't like him... and then turns to monster again but permanently? What?
Oh yeah and Corwin has a son with Dara called Merlin who's main protagonist of the sequel. He's the only other character from Courts with whom Corwin speaks longer than the moment it takes him to kill the person. At the end of this book we still know nothing more about the Courts than we knew by the end of previous one.
Waste of time, outdated and ending not only sucks, it slaps you in the face and laughs at you.
December 6, 2020
This is the end of the first Chronicles of Amber and concludes the story of Prince Corwin. (The remaning 5 books of the complete 10 book Chronicles are a different story arc with the protagonist being Corwin's son Merlin.)
This was a pretty decent read and finished up the series quite well. Taking the 5 books as whole, books 1 and 2 are one story, books 4 and 5 are another and book 3 is a sort of in-between and the least enjoyable. There was some pretty weird descriptive prose in all of these books when it came to travelling between Amber and the other worlds. Initially I liked this, but there was just too much and it jarred my nerves towards the end. I believe some of this comes from the repetition that would have been unnecessary if this had been one book instead of 5.
Overall I will average out my score and give the First Chronicles 3 stars. Going to take a break before coming back and reading the final 5 books.
This was a pretty decent read and finished up the series quite well. Taking the 5 books as whole, books 1 and 2 are one story, books 4 and 5 are another and book 3 is a sort of in-between and the least enjoyable. There was some pretty weird descriptive prose in all of these books when it came to travelling between Amber and the other worlds. Initially I liked this, but there was just too much and it jarred my nerves towards the end. I believe some of this comes from the repetition that would have been unnecessary if this had been one book instead of 5.
Overall I will average out my score and give the First Chronicles 3 stars. Going to take a break before coming back and reading the final 5 books.
December 10, 2018
The final chapter in the original Amber series ties together all the story threads but leaves plenty of room for sequels. This book is probably the second best in the series (after the first one and perhaps tied with the second one) but won't be enjoyed as a stand-alone.
September 8, 2025
Corwin undertakes the arduous trek through Chaos and finds answers to many questions along the way in this 5th book of 10 in the Amber series. During the journey he is hunted by a familiar assailant who wants the Jewel of Judgement. A king of Amber is crowned near the end and it all sets up the back nine of the series. Pretty good finale to the ending of the first five books of the series with this one. A lot of philosophy thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2017
"Sometimes it's damned hard to tell the dancer from the dance."
- Roger Zelazny, Coruts of Chaos
So, this isn't the bottom of the first five books in the 'Chronicles of Amber'. Actually, of the five books that make up the Corwin cycle (Books 1-5), it might be my favorite (so 3.5 ✷?). I haven't been impressed by the five enough to rush soon into the Merlin cycle (Books 6-10). I'll probably get there. I own all ten (The Great Book of Amber), but other books from other favorite authors remain unread and unless there is a sign, symbol, or signal somewhere that suggest that these later books will suddenly jump higher in my esteem, I'm finished for 2017 with Zelazny.
The Courts of Chaos did produce a couple items I did enjoy, sort of:
1. A Zen, futilitarianst crow saying such things as: "You see, we are hatched and we drift on the surface of events. Sometimes, we feel like we actually influence things, and this gives rise to striving. This is a big mistake, because it creates desires and builds up a false ego when just being should be enough." Da FA?
2. Courtly dancers, treading to the slow measures of invisible musicians, that appear to be an allusion to the painting Dance to the Music of Time by Nicolas Poussin: "They dance to celebrate your passage. They are not mortals but the spirits of Time. They began this foolish show when you entered the valley." Um, OK?
Anyway, the things I just gently mocked above are also probably WHY I give this an extra 1/2 ✷. That might make sense, or may not. I'm not going to strive to hard to explain.
- Roger Zelazny, Coruts of Chaos
So, this isn't the bottom of the first five books in the 'Chronicles of Amber'. Actually, of the five books that make up the Corwin cycle (Books 1-5), it might be my favorite (so 3.5 ✷?). I haven't been impressed by the five enough to rush soon into the Merlin cycle (Books 6-10). I'll probably get there. I own all ten (The Great Book of Amber), but other books from other favorite authors remain unread and unless there is a sign, symbol, or signal somewhere that suggest that these later books will suddenly jump higher in my esteem, I'm finished for 2017 with Zelazny.
The Courts of Chaos did produce a couple items I did enjoy, sort of:
1. A Zen, futilitarianst crow saying such things as: "You see, we are hatched and we drift on the surface of events. Sometimes, we feel like we actually influence things, and this gives rise to striving. This is a big mistake, because it creates desires and builds up a false ego when just being should be enough." Da FA?
2. Courtly dancers, treading to the slow measures of invisible musicians, that appear to be an allusion to the painting Dance to the Music of Time by Nicolas Poussin: "They dance to celebrate your passage. They are not mortals but the spirits of Time. They began this foolish show when you entered the valley." Um, OK?
Anyway, the things I just gently mocked above are also probably WHY I give this an extra 1/2 ✷. That might make sense, or may not. I'm not going to strive to hard to explain.
October 19, 2009
In some ways, I enjoyed this one, the fifth in the Amber series, the most. The momentum built, the suspense, the twists and turns, the revealing of character traits, truth from lies.
The way Zelazny tells this story is incredibly unique in the manner in which you learn the story, piece by piece, one more part of the puzzle. He kept me interested the whole time, and wanting more. He knows just when to give me more to keep me from getting frustrated and holding back just enough to keep my interest piqued. Clever author, satisfying read.
All in all, a wonderfully imaginative series every sci fi fan should read at least once.
The way Zelazny tells this story is incredibly unique in the manner in which you learn the story, piece by piece, one more part of the puzzle. He kept me interested the whole time, and wanting more. He knows just when to give me more to keep me from getting frustrated and holding back just enough to keep my interest piqued. Clever author, satisfying read.
All in all, a wonderfully imaginative series every sci fi fan should read at least once.
April 12, 2019
The ending was bittersweet, and I missed the humour of the previous books, but really, with what was at stake, how could I expect unicorns and rainbows? Oh wait, never mind about the unicorn part… :) On a serious note, it’s a solid read which wraps everything nicely, it’s just that I enjoyed it slightly less than its predecessors.
February 17, 2015
wonderful.
the battle, the journey and the sadness of passing.
this would seem the natural end of the series, i'm glad it isn't.
the battle, the journey and the sadness of passing.
this would seem the natural end of the series, i'm glad it isn't.
September 11, 2012
"...the Courts of Chaos, a grossly non-Euclidean realm..."
A satisfying and touching finish, despite its uneven start. This last chapter was the best, being a final adventure filled with wonderfully surreal encounters and phenomena.
Some details were probably inspired or borrowed from better-known predecessors. But like King did with The Dark Tower, they are woven together to create a new entity, unique in its own right. And Zelazny's epic must have provided things that became the basis for many of the principles at work in Roland Deschain's universe.
I especially enjoyed the minor confrontation with the cannibalistic little people, which seemed deliberately borrowed - and twisted - from Swift. The quote above is another bonus, a Lovecraftian description of the titular realm.
"But it has far greater depth than originally conceded by critics and readers who dismissed it as lacking substance."
This series is deceptively clever. It is full of allusions to other literature, historical events and figures. Zelazny was having fun writing this, but he was also teasing and engaging the reader in a multifaceted discussion on the nature of identity, without dragging the plotting down.
The July edition of the New York Review of Science Fiction has an amazing essay that examines all of the brief, cryptic references and allusions. This bit of fantasy is more than just a minor sword and sorcery tale crossed with some science fiction. If you've finished this series (the first five), I highly recommend their article, available at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspende...
A satisfying and touching finish, despite its uneven start. This last chapter was the best, being a final adventure filled with wonderfully surreal encounters and phenomena.
Some details were probably inspired or borrowed from better-known predecessors. But like King did with The Dark Tower, they are woven together to create a new entity, unique in its own right. And Zelazny's epic must have provided things that became the basis for many of the principles at work in Roland Deschain's universe.
I especially enjoyed the minor confrontation with the cannibalistic little people, which seemed deliberately borrowed - and twisted - from Swift. The quote above is another bonus, a Lovecraftian description of the titular realm.
"But it has far greater depth than originally conceded by critics and readers who dismissed it as lacking substance."
This series is deceptively clever. It is full of allusions to other literature, historical events and figures. Zelazny was having fun writing this, but he was also teasing and engaging the reader in a multifaceted discussion on the nature of identity, without dragging the plotting down.
The July edition of the New York Review of Science Fiction has an amazing essay that examines all of the brief, cryptic references and allusions. This bit of fantasy is more than just a minor sword and sorcery tale crossed with some science fiction. If you've finished this series (the first five), I highly recommend their article, available at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspende...
December 12, 2010
"Sad. It would have been nice to go out with opera - in a big Wagnerian finale beneath strange skies, against worthy opponents - not scrabbling about in a foggy wasteland."
That quote, an excerpt from Chapter 7 in this novel, sums up my thoughts on the final novel in the "Corwin-cycle" of the Chronicles of Amber. Zelazny ventures into a philosphical self-analysis of Corwin's character and motivations as he travels to the Courts of Chaos, but it seems a bit long-winded at times. The transitions through shadows also seemed much longer than in previous novels. Still it's an interesting change of pace from the relentless plot twists in The Hand of Oberon.
The ending is an anti-climatic, but fitting conclusion to the series, although there are some unanswered questions (presumably to set the stage for the Merlin cycle of novels), and certain things happen to Random that don't make a great deal of sense (If you've read it, you'll know what I mean).
I'm being picky though. The series as a whole is nothing short of excellent, and Zelazny's playful-but-not-hokey writing style just make the novels fun to read. Highly, highly recommended!
That quote, an excerpt from Chapter 7 in this novel, sums up my thoughts on the final novel in the "Corwin-cycle" of the Chronicles of Amber. Zelazny ventures into a philosphical self-analysis of Corwin's character and motivations as he travels to the Courts of Chaos, but it seems a bit long-winded at times. The transitions through shadows also seemed much longer than in previous novels. Still it's an interesting change of pace from the relentless plot twists in The Hand of Oberon.
The ending is an anti-climatic, but fitting conclusion to the series, although there are some unanswered questions (presumably to set the stage for the Merlin cycle of novels), and certain things happen to Random that don't make a great deal of sense (If you've read it, you'll know what I mean).
I'm being picky though. The series as a whole is nothing short of excellent, and Zelazny's playful-but-not-hokey writing style just make the novels fun to read. Highly, highly recommended!
November 17, 2014
-Remate a la primera serie relacionada con Ámbar.-
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Corwin está bastante furioso por los recientes acontecimientos y los cambios que han causado, además de sentirse engañado y por tanto dolido en su amor propio. Y las instrucciones de prepararse para una guerra en tan poco tiempo le preocupan, pero no todos sus hermanos comparten sus pensamientos ya que hay que enfrentarse a la gran amenaza. Quinto y último libro de la serie Crónicas de Ambar. Hay otros cinco libros de una serie protagonizada por el hijo de Corwin, y tengo entendido que hay por ahí una precuela.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Corwin está bastante furioso por los recientes acontecimientos y los cambios que han causado, además de sentirse engañado y por tanto dolido en su amor propio. Y las instrucciones de prepararse para una guerra en tan poco tiempo le preocupan, pero no todos sus hermanos comparten sus pensamientos ya que hay que enfrentarse a la gran amenaza. Quinto y último libro de la serie Crónicas de Ambar. Hay otros cinco libros de una serie protagonizada por el hijo de Corwin, y tengo entendido que hay por ahí una precuela.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
June 28, 2019
[3.5*]
I can't say that the ending of this beloved saga is disappointing but after the previous perfect installment this one feels a bit of a letdown. It contains two of my least favorite things - travel through Shadow and a battle - and they occupy significantly more time than I think they should. Not much happens and whatever happens is not in any way unexpected. Plus I was hit by a major reading slump right in the midst of it and I can't be entirely sure that my waning interest for this novel is not part of the reason for it.
In any case, I am glad I reread the whole series and I still love the world that Zelazny created.
I can't say that the ending of this beloved saga is disappointing but after the previous perfect installment this one feels a bit of a letdown. It contains two of my least favorite things - travel through Shadow and a battle - and they occupy significantly more time than I think they should. Not much happens and whatever happens is not in any way unexpected. Plus I was hit by a major reading slump right in the midst of it and I can't be entirely sure that my waning interest for this novel is not part of the reason for it.
In any case, I am glad I reread the whole series and I still love the world that Zelazny created.
May 17, 2025
In the epic conclusion to the Amber saga the fate of the king and all other outstanding mysteries are brought to light and the apocalyptic showdown between Amber and the forces of chaos is ready to pop off.
This one gets a bit metaphysical as Corwin must journey beyond the known realms, into the realm of chaos where even the reality bending rules of Amber do not apply.
As everything that exists is being overtaken by by a storm of chaos sweeping through Amber and the shadow realms(like the nothing in the never ending story,)
Corwin races against the clock to save all he holds dear.
These five books could easily be read as one novel because they each pick up where the last one ends.
It’s an imaginative take on the fantasy genre that must have been a breath of fresh air at the time considering that most of the popular fantasy at the time was lord of the rings or Conan inspired.
Zelazny has a lyrical style and creates a big world with magic and lore that seems singular to me (I’m not as well read in the fantasy genre as I am in sci-fi.)
The children of king Oberon all have the ability to manifest whatever reality they desire by travelling through the “shadow realms” they possess superhuman strength and though not invulnerable, they are pretty much immortal.
They can also make use of their “trumps” a deck of cards with each family member represented on one. Through those cards they can communicate with and even teleport to the location of the person they are in contact with.
All this is accomplished with the great pattern of Amber that they must walk perfectly, at risk of their lives to gain their powers.
August 29, 2013
It took 5 chapters to start Corwin smoking this time :)
The first five books in the Amber series come to a conclusion with this book before Amber is continued with Merlin as the main protagonist. Corwin's boy isn't really introduced here but gets a soft hand-over to his own cycle by bringing him in in several scenes. It is a little bit artificial, but on the other hand it is good that he doesn't appear in a flash in the next book.
The narrative is slower than the previous books, lots of psychedelic descriptions of Shadow voyage - it reminds me of the first travel of Corwin with Random in his car towards Amber.
And it is full of interesting self reflection and philosophical discussions.
Concerning action, I really liked the hilarious drunken dwarf party. Some random encounters with unnamed foreigners make me wonder who they are and if they will play a role in the second half.
The showdown with Brand is nearing. The first two fights are paced quite good and the effects are nice.
Zelazny dives into Germanic Mythology: The worldtree Yggdrasil and Loki's thought - manifested as the bird Hugi - come along. I liked Zelazny's interpretation of both.
A couple of weeks ago, I've been visiting Paris once more - and Corwin is there in his thoughts as well : The Place des Vogues, Place de la Concorde, several Cafes, the Pigalle, the Seine - I have all those places in vivid memory and I loved having them mentioned within a fantasy book.
And finally it got a nice, epic showdown and funeral and a soft, reflective epilogue. Not the high bang that some would have liked, probably, but very fitting to the series' style.
This book is way better than the previous couple of books. Because Zelazny's strengths of inner monologue, philosophical discussions (like the discussions with Hugi about Absolute and desire), psychedelic travels and strange random encounters (like the drunken dwarves) and divings into mythology with Yggdrasil and Hugin are emphasized.
I'd like to point out the very thorough discussion on Zelazny's influences, philosophy and mythology roundup at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspende...
I know that most people see it the over way round because they dislike exactly these features and liked the action parts more. But this is my personal preference.
The first five books in the Amber series come to a conclusion with this book before Amber is continued with Merlin as the main protagonist. Corwin's boy isn't really introduced here but gets a soft hand-over to his own cycle by bringing him in in several scenes. It is a little bit artificial, but on the other hand it is good that he doesn't appear in a flash in the next book.
The narrative is slower than the previous books, lots of psychedelic descriptions of Shadow voyage - it reminds me of the first travel of Corwin with Random in his car towards Amber.
And it is full of interesting self reflection and philosophical discussions.
Concerning action, I really liked the hilarious drunken dwarf party. Some random encounters with unnamed foreigners make me wonder who they are and if they will play a role in the second half.
The showdown with Brand is nearing. The first two fights are paced quite good and the effects are nice.
Zelazny dives into Germanic Mythology: The worldtree Yggdrasil and Loki's thought - manifested as the bird Hugi - come along. I liked Zelazny's interpretation of both.
A couple of weeks ago, I've been visiting Paris once more - and Corwin is there in his thoughts as well : The Place des Vogues, Place de la Concorde, several Cafes, the Pigalle, the Seine - I have all those places in vivid memory and I loved having them mentioned within a fantasy book.
And finally it got a nice, epic showdown and funeral and a soft, reflective epilogue. Not the high bang that some would have liked, probably, but very fitting to the series' style.
This book is way better than the previous couple of books. Because Zelazny's strengths of inner monologue, philosophical discussions (like the discussions with Hugi about Absolute and desire), psychedelic travels and strange random encounters (like the drunken dwarves) and divings into mythology with Yggdrasil and Hugin are emphasized.
I'd like to point out the very thorough discussion on Zelazny's influences, philosophy and mythology roundup at http://www.nyrsf.com/2012/07/suspende...
I know that most people see it the over way round because they dislike exactly these features and liked the action parts more. But this is my personal preference.
October 23, 2021
Well, I have done it. I have re-read the five books in the first 'Chronicles of Amber' series by Roger Zelazny. I first read these when I was 17 or 18 years old and they impressed me, but I don't think I fully grasped them. On this re-reading 38 years later I have grasped them but they have impressed me less. I still enjoyed them, of course, and I still think that the fictional cosmos Zelazny has created here is enormously ambitious and excellent. There are holes in the grand schema he has devised, but that schema is so immense and has so many potential convolutions that this is hardly surprising and he shouldn't be criticised for it too harshly.
I remember from my first reading, all those years ago, thinking that The Courts of Chaos was the weakest of the five. I no longer agree with this assessment. It's a good novel that concludes the great sweeping story of Corwin and his brothers and sisters. I think I misunderstood it back then. I disliked the chapter in which he has memories of Paris. I thought it odd and superfluous, but now I see it makes total sense. Corwin has found a set of experiences that resnante strongly within him (they could have been experiences from any time or place in his life) and he uses them to anchor himself to a personal reality while creating the new pattern. I can't imagine how I didn't understand this the first time round.
It was good to see the return of Bleys, who for some reason or other is my favourite character among the brothers, although a shame he doesn't get to play a larger role here. I still want to know how he survived the fall from Kolvir with the set of Trumps in his hand. Who did he contact to save his life? It doesn't really matter. Of the sisters, Fiona is the most appealing and in fact the only one with any depth. The question that remains is this: will I read the second 'Chronicles of Amber'? I suppose the answer is yes, I will, but not now and maybe not for a long time.
I remember from my first reading, all those years ago, thinking that The Courts of Chaos was the weakest of the five. I no longer agree with this assessment. It's a good novel that concludes the great sweeping story of Corwin and his brothers and sisters. I think I misunderstood it back then. I disliked the chapter in which he has memories of Paris. I thought it odd and superfluous, but now I see it makes total sense. Corwin has found a set of experiences that resnante strongly within him (they could have been experiences from any time or place in his life) and he uses them to anchor himself to a personal reality while creating the new pattern. I can't imagine how I didn't understand this the first time round.
It was good to see the return of Bleys, who for some reason or other is my favourite character among the brothers, although a shame he doesn't get to play a larger role here. I still want to know how he survived the fall from Kolvir with the set of Trumps in his hand. Who did he contact to save his life? It doesn't really matter. Of the sisters, Fiona is the most appealing and in fact the only one with any depth. The question that remains is this: will I read the second 'Chronicles of Amber'? I suppose the answer is yes, I will, but not now and maybe not for a long time.
August 30, 2017
Остання частина першого підциклу нагадала мені про кінець "Гаррі Поттера". Там теж герої вешталися бозна-де і були заглиблені в свої роздуми, після чого нарешті зібралися з силами і прикінчили той нещасний основний конфлікт. Менше з тим.
Рефлексії Корвіна цього разу справді набувають небачених масштабів, але читати їх досить цікаво, якщо ви не квапитеся поринути в динаміку і дізнатися нарешті фінал. П'ята частина створена для тих, хто любить Желязни за алюзії — і тут ви знайдете їх чимало, подекуди навіть подвійні. "Мандри Гуллівера", Артуріанський цикл та "La Belle Dame sans Merci" Джона Кітса, "Кармен" і "Лоліта", скандинавська міфологія з деревом Іґґдрасіль та вороном Одіна, а також не забуваймо про поезію та французькі пейзажі! Найбільше мені сподобалися філософські бесіди із Гуґо — які скінчилися досить неприємно для останнього.
Побачили ми і Мерліна — сина Корвіна та героя наступного п'ятикнижжя. Поки його характер розкритий мало, але це має виправитися в подальших романах.
Особу нового короля мені вже проспойлерили в картинках, але це був вдалий хід, на мою думку. А Корвін нарешті зможе помандрувати світом і знайти себе — гідний кінець для протагоніста, хоча, можливо, й не той, на який очікує читач.
Що ж, чекаю на "Козирі долі" та нових персонажів. Як завжди, дякую видавництву "Богдан" за хорошу роботу із текстом, чудові примітки, так тримати!
Рефлексії Корвіна цього разу справді набувають небачених масштабів, але читати їх досить цікаво, якщо ви не квапитеся поринути в динаміку і дізнатися нарешті фінал. П'ята частина створена для тих, хто любить Желязни за алюзії — і тут ви знайдете їх чимало, подекуди навіть подвійні. "Мандри Гуллівера", Артуріанський цикл та "La Belle Dame sans Merci" Джона Кітса, "Кармен" і "Лоліта", скандинавська міфологія з деревом Іґґдрасіль та вороном Одіна, а також не забуваймо про поезію та французькі пейзажі! Найбільше мені сподобалися філософські бесіди із Гуґо — які скінчилися досить неприємно для останнього.
Побачили ми і Мерліна — сина Корвіна та героя наступного п'ятикнижжя. Поки його характер розкритий мало, але це має виправитися в подальших романах.
Особу нового короля мені вже проспойлерили в картинках, але це був вдалий хід, на мою думку. А Корвін нарешті зможе помандрувати світом і знайти себе — гідний кінець для протагоніста, хоча, можливо, й не той, на який очікує читач.
Що ж, чекаю на "Козирі долі" та нових персонажів. Як завжди, дякую видавництву "Богдан" за хорошу роботу із текстом, чудові примітки, так тримати!
December 28, 2015
A fantastic end to a the Corwin Cycle of the Amber books. The characters have deepened amazingly & so much is tied up, yet there is plenty of room for expansion. What a wonderful world. I'm so sorry he never got to fill it in better.
The first 5 books AKA The Corwin Cycle are followed by 5 books in the Merlin Cycle & then Betancourt wrote a prelude; a trilogy & the first book of a duology. IOW, it was supposed to be another 5 books. Unfortunately, the publisher folded after the first of the duology (4th of the Oberon Cycle) & it is doubtful if the last book will ever be published.
The first 5 books AKA The Corwin Cycle are followed by 5 books in the Merlin Cycle & then Betancourt wrote a prelude; a trilogy & the first book of a duology. IOW, it was supposed to be another 5 books. Unfortunately, the publisher folded after the first of the duology (4th of the Oberon Cycle) & it is doubtful if the last book will ever be published.
October 18, 2021
A very satisfying end to (the first half of) a series that didn't quite live up to my high hopes for it, based on its reputation and the strong beginning, but one I'd nonetheless recommend to those that enjoy high fantasy and want to experience something outside the usual bounds of the Tolkien-influenced stuff.
Loose plot threads were tied up, things were revealed and explained, and the action moved faster than the middle entries.
I'll certainly read the second half of the series, but probably not before next year, and book 5 ends with some degree of finality.
Loose plot threads were tied up, things were revealed and explained, and the action moved faster than the middle entries.
I'll certainly read the second half of the series, but probably not before next year, and book 5 ends with some degree of finality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 530 reviews