Anything with to do with Chronicles of Amber gets an automatic 5 stars.

This is because the Chronicles of Amber is a truly remarkable and captivating series.

The world-building within it is simply outstanding. The author has crafted a vivid and complex universe that draws readers in and keeps them hooked from beginning to end.

The characters are equally engaging. They are well-developed, with unique personalities and backstories that make them feel real and relatable.

The storylines are filled with adventure, mystery, and intrigue. There are constantly new twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy or not, the Chronicles of Amber is definitely worth checking out. It is a series that will leave a lasting impression and have you eagerly awaiting the next installment.

So, if you are looking for a great read, look no further than the Chronicles of Amber. You won't be disappointed!

The description for Manna From Heaven is completely wrong.

Manna From Heaven is often misinterpreted or inaccurately described. It is not simply some random or magical substance that appears out of nowhere.

In religious and cultural contexts, Manna From Heaven holds a significant meaning. It is often associated with a divine gift or provision.

However, people may have different understandings and interpretations of what exactly Manna From Heaven represents.

Some may view it as a literal food source that sustained the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.

Others may see it as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment or a sign of God's presence and care.

Regardless of the specific interpretation, it is important to approach the concept of Manna From Heaven with an open and inquisitive mind.

We should strive to understand its true meaning and significance within the context of the relevant religious and cultural traditions.

By doing so, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich and complex symbolism that surrounds this fascinating concept.

Flashy stories often catch our attention at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, some may not hold up to our expectations.

One of the least annoying among them is perhaps "Godson." It might have some elements that are relatively more engaging compared to others.

Nevertheless, when it comes to the overall selection, it is rather disappointing. Maybe the stories lack depth, originality, or fail to connect with the readers on a deeper level.

It could be that the focus on being flashy has overshadowed the essence of good storytelling. Or perhaps the editors didn't make the best choices in curating the collection.

In any case, it serves as a reminder that we should not be solely swayed by the flashy exterior but look for the substance within the stories. Only then can we truly appreciate and enjoy the art of storytelling.

This book was truly a struggle to get through.

It is filled with a collection of short stories, and one might have expected that I would come across something enjoyable within its pages. However, I have to admit that I did not find any of them to my liking.

Perhaps I will give one of his Hugo award-winning books a chance. I hope that his true strength lies in writing full-length novels rather than short stories. Maybe then I will be able to appreciate his work more fully and discover the qualities that have earned him such prestigious awards.

A collection of short stories by a master has been brought together in this volume. There are some truly unique tales that are exclusive to this book, setting it apart from others. Additionally, a few other stories are scattered throughout, adding to the overall diversity. The best part, however, is that there are most of the stories that help to fill in the Amber series. I believe there are three of them, although the total number is four. I'm not entirely positive about that, though. In any case, if you have a penchant for fantasy short stories, I highly recommend this collection - if you can manage to find it! (No, I won't be lending out my copy, as it's too precious to me.)

I truly have a profound admiration for Zelazny's writing.

His unique turn of phrase and the elegance of his descriptive prose are simply beautiful.

This collection, however, leans more towards fantasy writing rather than the sci-fi genre that I have a particular preference for.

Nonetheless, I did find a couple of the stories within this collection quite captivating. These were the ones that had classic or mythological roots, which added an interesting layer of depth and familiarity.

On the other hand, I must admit that I did not fully appreciate the elements of wizards, spells, and tarot that were prominent in some of the other stories.

Perhaps it was a matter of personal taste, but these aspects did not resonate with me as strongly as the more traditional or myth-based tales.

Overall, while this collection may not have been entirely to my liking, I still recognize the skill and talent that Zelazny brings to his writing.

Previously uncollected stories by a true master of the genre have now been brought to light.

Some of these stories are truly captivating. In fact, they took my breath away as I was completely drawn in by the exquisite writing.

Among them, "The Furies" stands out as a real gem. It has a unique charm and depth that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Unless, by some miracle, someone discovers a chest full of unfinished or unsubmitted fiction by this author, this collection is likely to be the last one that will see print.

It is a testament to the remarkable talent of the writer.

If you have the opportunity to find this collection, I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed as it offers a wonderful exploration of the author's creative mind and storytelling abilities.

It is a must-read for all fans of the genre and those who appreciate great literature.

It has been quite a while since I last read this particular piece.

Upon revisiting it, I am once again struck by the sheer brilliance of the Amber short stories and the Kalifriki stories within it.

The Amber short stories are a captivating blend of imagination and intrigue. They transport the reader to a world filled with mystery and wonder, leaving one on the edge of their seat with anticipation.

Similarly, the Kalifriki stories are equally engaging. They offer a unique perspective and a fresh take on storytelling, making them a joy to read.

Overall, this collection of stories truly deserves five stars. It is a must-read for anyone who loves good literature and is looking for a captivating and engaging read.

The vivid descriptions, well-developed characters, and exciting plotlines all contribute to making this a truly remarkable piece of work.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great read that will keep them entertained from start to finish.

I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed with this collection. Zelazny was indeed one of my favorite authors. However, all the excellent stories within it were ones that I had already read previously.

Moreover, I find myself questioning the purpose of the title. One of the stories is titled "Mana from Heaven," but the additional "n" completely alters its meaning.

It was interesting to note that the same character appears in both "Kalifriki of the Thread" and "Come Back to the Killing Ground, Alice, My Love." Additionally, the six brief glimpses of Amber offer some hope that a third series of books set in that universe might have been an improvement over the second.

Nevertheless, I should have waited until it was released in paperback (assuming it ever is).

http://www.livejournal.com/users/nhw/303943.html

This is a nice collection of short stories. Zelazny was truly a master in this field. Even though in some cases, as is often the situation with a posthumous short story collection, these stories are a bit on the short side, unfinished, or perhaps just a bit basic (after all, they were not published before), there is still plenty here for the true Zelazny fan to relish.

The last six stories are Amber stories. They are also short but quite nice. For me, they really add the perfect touch, like a bunch of cherries on top of the delicious pie that is this book.

NB There is quite a significant overlap between this collection and The Road to Amber.

A nice and long selection of the Master’s work has been presented. It is truly a remarkable collection.

Specially, the addition of the 6 stories from Amber is particularly satisfying. This addition takes the readers from the end of Trumps of Doom, which is exactly where I left the series. So, it is doubly satisfying for me.

The stories in this selection are sure to captivate the readers and keep them engaged from start to finish. The Master’s work is known for its unique style and engaging plots, and this selection is no exception.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the Master or a new reader, this selection is definitely worth checking out. It offers a great opportunity to explore the wonderful world of the Master’s imagination.

So, don't miss out on this amazing collection. Grab a copy and immerse yourself in the world of the Master's work.

Coming to the end of my reading of the Zelazny canon, this is the fourth (and penultimate) of the posthumous publications of Zelazny's works.

It's a rather odd collection. It gathers many of Zelazny's later short stories from the '90s, shortly before his death, which is great as it shows he was still actively writing short stories then. It also includes some earlier ones, mostly from the '60s, with many being previously uncollected. At least two, like "The Furies" and "Mana From Heaven" (the pseudo-title story), had appeared in earlier collections.

The main selling point is perhaps the inclusion of the five Amber short stories written after the "conclusion" of the Amber series, along with a "Prolog From The Trumps of Doom" that was in a special limited edition of that novel and not in the hardcover or softcover versions. [There's another Amber fragment, a collaboration with Ed Greenwood before the five short stories, not included here.] I have a great affection for these six Amber pieces. Reading them was bittersweet, as I loved returning to the world of Amber, yet knew it was truly the end.

The "Prolog" reveals the origin of Merlin's semi-sentient invisible strangling cord, Frakir, which I've always wondered about as it appeared in the Amber Chronicles without explanation. Of the remaining five stories, one is narrated by Frakir itself and one by Luke/Rinaldo. These two touch on events in the latter Amber books, resolve some minor plot points, and contribute to the longer story hinted at in the other three. Those stories - one by Merlin, two by Corwin - form an ongoing narrative, a sequel to the last Amber books, setting up a further story we unfortunately didn't get due to Zelazny's early passing.

The big issue with this collection is that the stories are printed out of order, both in terms of publication dates and the order Zelazny intended them to be read (which is close to but not exactly the same as the publication dates). To clarify, the order in the book is #1, #3, #2, #5, #6, #4. I read them in the correct order, and the way they're printed would be very confusing. The book is rather poorly put together. The printing looks less than professional, and I noticed quite a few typos and missing punctuation marks. Also, the binding on my copy isn't the best. It's a bit of a sad legacy for the master.