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
July 15,2025
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Meh. There are a few interesting points in the story, but overall, I just couldn't get enthusiastic about it.

It seems there is a recurring theme of "Oh, there's this huge security issue. Let's just forget all about it until it comes back to bite us in the ass again!" Come on, it might be acceptable once, but every single time? It gets really tiresome.

Moreover, there are continuity errors. Wasn't Mattus already dead? Or was there a mix-up with Taine? And there's no word at all about this brother. It's quite confusing and takes away from the overall coherence of the story.

I do enjoy the universe that the author has created, and the novel is nicely written in terms of the prose. However, the story itself is poorly thought out, and it's clear that the editor hasn't done their job properly. There are just too many flaws and inconsistencies that prevent the story from really shining.
July 15,2025
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In the original series, the black road cutting through the shadows was a significant representation. It was the flaw in the Pattern that gave the enemies of Amber the opportunity to launch their attacks.

Here, unfortunately, in a rather unoriginal manner, the forces of Chaos have also cut a black road leading towards Amber.

Sadly, the identity of the obvious villain is revealed, yet the reason why he chose that specific moment to show himself, rather than a more crucial one, remains unclear. Partly because of the insufficient characterization of the siblings, the loss of Oberon's siblings doesn't seem as important as it perhaps should.

Moreover, who exactly are the Feynim? If they are as powerful as described, why didn't they make an appearance in the original series? This addition to the storyline feels rather strange.

Overall, the story is an easy read, but it leaves the reader unsatisfied. There are too many loose ends and unanswered questions that prevent a truly fulfilling reading experience.
July 15,2025
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And so my re-read of the various Amber series comes to an end. It's truly a remarkable experience. Given the extensive number of books on my "To Read" shelf, it's an extremely rare book (or series of books) that can actually persuade me to re-read them. However, the Amber series has that unique charm and allure. It has managed to capture my imagination and hold my interest from start to finish. Amber remains one of my absolute favorite places to visit within the pages of a book. It's a world filled with magic, adventure, and complex characters. Each time I re-read the series, I discover new details and nuances that I might have missed before. It's like embarking on a new journey every time. I can't wait to see what other adventures await me in the future when I decide to pick up these books again.

July 15,2025
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The original text "Мало" seems to be a very short and perhaps unclear or incomplete phrase. It's difficult to accurately rewrite and expand it without more context. However, here's a possible attempt:

Мало could potentially mean "few" or "little" in some contexts. For example, it might be used to describe a small quantity of something. But without further information, it's hard to say exactly what it refers to. It could be that there are only a few apples left in the basket, or that there is little time remaining to complete a task. Maybe it's about a small number of people attending an event. In any case, the meaning of "Мало" depends on the situation in which it is used.



Please note that this is just a speculation-based expansion, and if you can provide more context or clarify the intended meaning of "Мало", a more accurate and relevant rewrite and expansion can be done.
July 15,2025
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Okay,

but I felt that the story was incomplete. It ended rather abruptly before a decisive battle, which is kind of odd.

One would expect a climactic showdown to resolve all the conflicts and bring a sense of closure.

Unless there is a fourth book in the works, this installment is bound to be a disappointment for many readers.

It leaves too many loose ends and unanswered questions.

The build-up was intense, and the anticipation for a final battle was high, but unfortunately, it didn't materialize.

Perhaps the author had other plans or decided to take the story in a different direction, but as it stands, this book falls short of expectations.

Hopefully, if there is a fourth book, it will tie up all the loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.
July 15,2025
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To Rule in Amber is a rather entertaining read, yet it falls short in the plot department.

The hero of the story lacks intelligence, which can be a bit of a drawback for some readers.

Moreover, the characters seem inconsistent throughout the narrative, making it difficult to fully engage with them on a deeper level.

It's important to note that this work is definitely not in the same vein as Roger Zelazny's Amber series.

The latter is renowned for its complex and engaging plots, as well as its well-developed and consistent characters.

While To Rule in Amber may have its moments of entertainment, it simply doesn't measure up to the high standards set by Zelazny's classic work.

Overall, it's a decent read, but it's not one that will leave a lasting impression on most readers.
July 15,2025
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I truly enjoy the relatively loose flow that these books possess. This particular characteristic allows for a vast amount of space to be dedicated to numerous events. For instance, the creation of Amber and the Pattern serve as excellent examples. It gives the story a sense of expansiveness and depth, enabling the author to explore various aspects and develop a rich and detailed world.

Moreover, this loose flow also provides room for unexpected plot twists. There are times when we should have anticipated certain turns but dismissed them due to the seemingly affable nature of one of the villains. This adds an element of surprise and keeps the reader engaged and on their toes.

However, one aspect that this sequel didn't address is Oberon's impending engagement to his three-eyed horned cousin. I recall it being mentioned early on in the story, but as the fate of kingdoms hangs in the balance, it is largely forgotten. This omission leaves a bit of a gap in the narrative and makes one wonder if it will be revisited in future installments.
July 15,2025
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Third of the four books in the prequel series to Roger Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber, this one is penned by the much less gifted writer John Betancourt. Oberon, our protagonist, commences the arduous task of assembling a governing regime for Amber. This new magical center is centered around the enigmatic Pattern. I must admit that I had completely lost track of all of his numerous brothers and sisters. They are, for the most part, rather indistinguishable as individual characters. That is, except for the one who is blatantly going to carry out a sudden yet inevitable betrayal, which they do without fail. Adding to the unnecessary confusion is the fact that there is a princess named Blaise in this book, while the original Chronicles had a prince named Bleys. The story seems to lack the depth and charm that Zelazny's works are known for.

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/to-rule-in-amber-by-john-betancourt/

July 15,2025
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The trilogy has come to a nice finish, and we've also learned about the origin of Amber.

It's truly a satisfying conclusion. However, there's still one mystery that lingers in my mind. I'd really like to know where Rebma came from.

Perhaps this will be revealed in a future volume. The anticipation for what's to come is palpable.

It makes me eager to see how the story will continue to unfold and what other secrets and surprises await us.

The author has done a great job of keeping us engaged throughout the trilogy, and I have high hopes for the next installment.

Whether it will answer our burning questions or present new and exciting plotlines, only time will tell.

But for now, I'll continue to speculate and look forward to the day when the next volume is released.
July 15,2025
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This book was truly good.

It served as a fitting conclusion to the prequel trilogy. However, I was a bit disappointed that some characters survived without any given reason for their absence in the original novels.

Nonetheless, the big betrayal in this book was legitimately surprising. It really caught me off guard and added an extra layer of excitement to the story.

I definitely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. If you're a fan of the series or just looking for a good read, give it a shot! You won't be disappointed.

The writing was engaging, the plot was full of twists and turns, and the characters were well-developed. It was a great addition to the franchise and I can't wait to see what else the author has in store.
July 15,2025
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I discovered Zelazny's Amber series during my teenage years and simply devoured it.

The cosmology presented in the series was truly fascinating, and the characters were well-depicted. Although at times they might have been a little lacking in depth, the overall effect was still engaging. The plot was captivating, keeping me hooked from start to finish. I also enjoyed the later Merlin novels, though perhaps not to the same extent as the original Corwin series.

After Zelazny's passing, I was intrigued to see what Betancourt had done with the franchise. However, overall, I was pretty disappointed. The characters in Betancourt's works don't possess much depth. While Zelazny might have had this issue with the supporting cast, Betancourt extends it to the main characters. I found the prose to be repetitive, especially in its descriptions of the Courts of Chaos. The first three books moved along at a decent pace, supported by a reasonable but unremarkable plot that reached its conclusion in the third novel. The fact that they were such quick reads and a sense of nostalgia were the main factors that drove me to finish the first three novels.

I picked up the fourth book with the hope that it would show improvement, that Betancourt would strike a better balance between nostalgia and original work, and perhaps find his own unique voice within the series. To my great dismay, it turned out to be much, much worse. The same characters became even more two-dimensional. One can't help but wonder how the main character manages to survive until the Corwin series, considering his apparent lack of forethought in everything he does. But don't worry, because every time a problem arises, an unlikely solution miraculously surfaces just a few pages later to resolve the issue. We are taken through a few locations from the original series that Betancourt hadn't yet explored, but the result is completely unsatisfying. The whisper-thin characters and the lack of a compelling plot (or any plot for that matter) reduce it to nothing more than mere window-dressing on the earlier The Visual Guide to Castle Amber.

Fans of the original series may find some enjoyment in the first three novels due to nostalgia. If that's the case, feel free to indulge, but I highly recommend stopping there.
July 15,2025
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False


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