Nine Princes in Amber
by Roger Zelazny · first published 1970
67% recommend22% neutral11% critical
Why HN recommends it
Short, witty fantasy with a strong prose style and a distinctive Zelazny voice. It's a quick read for anyone who wants something fast and well written.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
First in the "Chronicles of Amber" series of fantasy books. The story begins in the hospital when the protagonist wakes up from a coma with amnesia, his true identity unknown to him. He begins his adventure by visiting his sister and we follow him through the story as he slowly regains his lost memory and real purpose as a member of a royal family of Amber.
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Fiction: Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny. Non-Fiction: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Technical: The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Richie
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny. Great protagonist, characters and universe. Written in the 70’s but still holds up well by today’s standards. Rumor has it that Robert Kirkman of Walking Dead fame has optioned it for…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?” ↗May I suggest Roger Zelazny's classic "Nine Princes in Amber"? Short easy read and very well written. Otherwise, when you can affort more than a "short attention span" come back for more recommendations.
on “Ask HN: What should I read next?” ↗"Nine princes in Amber", by Roger Zelazny. Read the whole series multiple teams and the Corwin Cycle some more...
on “Ask HN: What is your comfort book?” ↗Nine Princes in Amber - Roger Zelazny The Mediterranean Caper - Clive Cussler Term Limits - Vince Flynn My Side of the Mountain - Jean George
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗"It was starting to end, after what seemed most of eternity to me." Nine Princes in Amber, Roger Zelazny
on “What makes a great opening line?” ↗Zelazny can’t really be beat when it comes to style and wit in SF/fantasy. Pick up Lord of Light or Nine Princes in Amber (or Jack of Shadows, or The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth, or …)
on “The George Business, by Roger Zelazny (1980)” ↗Stand on Zanzibar, Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, Childhood's End, A Cantilce for St Leibowitz, The Stars My Destination, Midnight At The Well of Souls, Nine Princes in Amber, Halting State, Strnger In A Strange Land, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.
on “What are your favorite sci-fi and fantasy books?” ↗It's one of those things that bugs me about the early chapters of the novel Nine Princes in Amber: He glared at me, I don't know how long. Finally, "I haven't got a thousand here," he said. "Name a compromise figure," I said. After another pause, "It's larceny." "Not if it's…
on “Rms has his bag stolen in Argentina” ↗I find later books in the series to be... well... a garbage. And it pains me to say that, because Nine Princes in Amber was jaw-droppingly impressive.
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why?” ↗…and the fact that modern Nebula awards can no longer be trusted. Out of historical fantasy, the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart is absolutely amazing, at least as a teenager. Which reminds me that "The Nine Princes in Amber" is horrible. Hopefully someone recommends something.
on “The secretive world of North Korean science fiction” ↗