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The Dawn of Amber #3

Roger Zelazny's To Rule in Amber

john gregory betancourt roger zelazny

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In this volume, a new universe, with its infinite shadow reflections, is brought into being by Dworkin via the Pattern he has created with his own blood. But his creation has caused a great upheaval in the faraway Courts of Chaos. While Oberon uses Trumps to bring over family members to the relative safety of his new world, Dworkin—who has become unhinged from the extraordinary strains of creating the universe—mysteriously disappears.

Assassins, shapeshifters, Pattern ghosts and double-crosses work against both Uthor and the house of Dworkin. Oberon must use all of his skills and new-found power to control the course of events, win the day, and stake his claim as the first king of Amber.


“Betancourt creates a thrill-a-minute series…"

—Library Journal

“John Gregory Betancourt’s The Dawn of Amber is cause to celebrate. He is the ideal choice to assume Roger Zelazny’s mantle, and The Dawn of Amber is the perfect introduction to a new series of Amber books that glow equally with the magic of Roger Zelazny’s creation and John Betancourt’s own burgeoning talent.”

—Richard A. Lupoff

“John Betancourt channels Zelazny? However he got it, he has the gift, and now there is a new Amber trilogy that will delight a legion of fans eager to learn how Amber came to be.”

—Tom Easton, Book Reviewer for ANALOG Magazine

“The spirit of Zelazny lives on in Betancourt’s prequel. Roger Zelazny’s works in the years he wrote the first Amber books were perhaps the best in SF and Fantasy of the 20th century. If you’ve read the Amber books, this book is a must. If you haven’t, this book is the best place to start.”

—David Bischoff, author of Aliens vs. Predator

310 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 14,2004
Series
The Dawn of Amber

This edition

Format
310 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
January 1, 2005 by Ibooks
ISBN
9781596871328
ASIN
1596871326
Language
English

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About the author

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john gregory betancourt

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John Gregory Betancourt is a writer of science fiction, fantasy and mystery novels as well as short stories. He has worked as an assistant editor at Amazing Stories and editor of Horror: The Newsmagazine of the Horror Field, the revived Weird Tales magazine, the first issue of H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror (which he subsequently hired Marvin Kaye to edit), Cat Tales magazine (which he subsequently hired George H. Scithers to edit), and Adventure Tales magazine. He worked as a Senior Editor for Byron Preiss Visual Publications (1989-1996) and iBooks. He is the writer of four Star Trek novels and the new Chronicles of Amber prequel series, as well as a dozen original novels. His essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in such diverse publications as Writer's Digest and The Washington Post.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 25 votes)
5 stars
8(32%)
4 stars
7(28%)
3 stars
10(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
25 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Meedor
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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If this had to stand alone, it would be a two-star book. However, I'll round it up to three stars because it's set in Zelazny's world.

As many others have pointed out, this book is rather bland. The character of Oberon is especially lackluster.

After a while, it becomes tiresome to keep discovering that once again our heroes have been duped by a shapeshifter. It's almost as if the series is nearly over before they finally come up with a way to handle this recurring issue.

Similarly, one grows weary of the characters reaching into the Logrus and conveniently producing whatever they need. This kind of thing was previously the domain of cartoon characters like Wile E. Coyote (who had to mail-order his gizmos) and Bugs Bunny. Maybe we can blame Zelazny for this, but I'm not sure. I have no problem with the concept of accessing another world, but I'm a bit skeptical about finding a multiverse instance that just so happens to have precisely what you need right where you are.

Moreover, the repeated "oh, look, here's X, who isn't dead after all!" gets old fast.

And Dworkin's character is just plain annoying. He's constantly scheming and plotting, yet never bothering to explain himself. No book really needs a character that irritating.

Modern times also manage to intrude. Whenever I read "Aber," I can't help but think of Abed from the TV show "Community."

And it seems that Betancourt didn't quite understand the difference between "lead" and "led."

All in all, this wasn't a complete waste of time, but it also didn't add much to my SF/F world. Maybe Zelazny was right in choosing to start the series where he did.
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benriya
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Betancourt's work managed to capture the essence and flavor of the amber books.

This is no small feat as it requires a deep understanding and the ability to translate that into the written word.

However, there is an area where I believe the work could have been enhanced.

Not bad!

I would have liked to see a bit more exposition relating to the family.

The family is often a central element in many stories, and in this case, a more detailed exploration of their relationships, dynamics, and perhaps their history could have added another layer of depth and richness to the overall narrative.

It would have allowed the readers to better connect with the characters and understand their actions and motivations within the context of their family unit.

Despite this minor criticism, Betancourt's work still has many strengths and is worth reading for those interested in the subject matter.

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Erenloli
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed the book.

As a die-hard fan of the original, it was an absolute must-read for me.

The moment I laid my hands on it, I was completely hooked.

The story unfolded in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to turn the next page.

The author did an excellent job of capturing the essence of the original while adding their own unique touch.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to immerse myself in their world.

The plot was filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming, which added to the excitement.

Overall, it was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the original or just enjoys a good story.

I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.
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Shishou_23
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ugh. I just finished reading the third installment in the series, and it was even worse than the previous ones.

Absolutely nothing was resolved, and there was nothing truly interesting that happened throughout the story.

It gave me the impression that the author had no idea how many books in the series the publisher would be willing to pay for.

So, he seemed to be keeping everything wide open, just in case they would fork over the cash for more installments.

The actual offenses committed against fiction in this particular volume are the same as those I griped about in my review of the first book, only to a greater degree.

Therefore, I won't bother to list them all over again.

And here's another thing. I'm the first one to admit that most modern fantasy novels tend to be overly long-winded.

However, I do expect to get my money's worth when I buy a book.

This series was presented in a large-sized trade paperback format, with enormous typesetting, huge margins, and excessive spacing.

It looked like one of those school reports where you've been instructed to write six pages on a topic.

I mean, sure, brevity can be a virtue, but don't then pad it out just so you can charge me more for it.

If you have nothing to say, then just keep it short. I don't really hold the author responsible for that, though. It's the publisher's fault! Bad publisher, no biscuit! (ibooks)
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MesuGaki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this particular installment of the series. The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat.

It was a truly immersive experience that made me lose track of time. I found myself completely invested in the lives of the characters and their adventures.

Now that I have finished this one, I am eagerly looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I can't wait to see what new challenges and experiences the author has in store for the characters.

I have a feeling that the upcoming books will be just as exciting and captivating as this one. I am already imagining all the possibilities and eagerly anticipating the next installment.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good read. It is definitely worth checking out.
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Eikonomachia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Good story


I have a deep affection for a protagonist who has the determination and courage to do what is necessary. This is precisely the case in the story I am referring to. However, I still find the multi-volume format to be a bit of a nuisance. In my opinion, it doesn't require this many books to convey a truly good story.


I believe that a well-crafted narrative should be able to engage the reader and deliver its message effectively within a reasonable number of volumes. While some stories may benefit from a more extensive treatment, it seems that in this instance, the author could have achieved the same impact with a more concise approach.


Nonetheless, I must admit that the story itself is quite captivating, and I am eager to see how it unfolds. Despite my reservations about the multi-volume format, I am willing to overlook this aspect and continue reading to discover the fate of the protagonist and the resolution of the plot.

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FEgelmot
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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For a die-hard Zelazny fan, this new installment in the Amber series is truly a most welcome addition.

The Amber series has long been a beloved and influential work in the realm of fantasy literature. Zelazny's unique world-building, complex characters, and intricate plotlines have captivated readers for decades.

This latest addition promises to continue the tradition, delving deeper into the mysteries and intrigues of the Amber universe. Fans can expect to be treated to more of the same masterful storytelling that has made the series a classic.

Whether you're a long-time devotee or a newcomer to the world of Amber, this new book is sure to offer an exciting and engaging read. So, pick up a copy and prepare to be swept away once again into the magical and enchanting world of Zelazny's Amber.
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Raquenheim
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Some nice Easter eggs can be found in this work, but unfortunately, the plot is not very engaging. It seems to lack the depth and complexity that would keep the reader hooked from start to finish. The story may have some interesting elements here and there, but overall, it fails to create a truly compelling narrative. As a result, you can easily skip this one without feeling like you've missed out on anything significant. There are other works out there that offer a more satisfying reading experience, with better-developed plots and more interesting characters. So, if you're looking for a great story, it might be best to look elsewhere.

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