Roger Zelazny’s KNIGHT OF SHADOWS Available in Turkey!


In case you missed it, the Turkish edition of KNIGHT OF SHADOWS is out now! Published by İthaki Yayınları, it’s the ninth novel in Roger Zelazny‘s classic, beloved Chronicles of Amber series (Amber Yıllıkları in Turkish). GÖLGELERİN ŞÖVALYESİ was translated by Niran Elçi. Here’s the synopsis…

“TÜM YOLLAR AMBER’E ÇIKAR…”

Merlin sonunda en güçlü düşmanı Maske’yle yüzleşir ve onun kimliğini öğrendiğinde şoke olur. Ortaya çıkan bu gerçek bile, Düzen ve Kaos güçleri karşısında arka planda kalmak zorundadır. Zira bu güçler, karışık soydan gelen bir ölümsüz olan Merlin’in hangi tarafta yer alacağını seçme zamanının geldiğine karar verecektir. Logrus ve Amber Deseni arasındaki bu güç mücadelesi, tüm Gölge’yi parçalarına ayırmakla tehdit etmektedir.

Amber Yıllıkları’nın dokuzuncu kitabı Gölgelerin Şövalyesi’nde, Melvin Corey babası Corwin’i aramayı sürdürürken, kimi zaman ölüm saçan büyücü ailesi ve onların alternatif dünyalarının hikâyesinde, ittifak yapmak için Amber Deseni ya da Kaos Logrusu arasında bir seçim yapmak zorundadır.

The first eight novels in the Chronicles of Amber are, of course, also available from İthaki Yayınları.

KNIGHT OF SHADOWS is available in the UK as part of the SECOND CHRONICLES OF AMBER omnibus, published by Gollancz as part of their SF Masterworks series — all ten novels in the series are available, split into two omnibus editions. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the omnibus…

Merlin is a Prince of Chaos and Amber, Corwin’s son and heir. He has grown up knowing that his legacy is to one day follow in his father’s footsteps, live up to his father’s legend.

When Corwin goes missing, that day comes far sooner than he could ever have expected. Merlin must find his own identity as the ruler of the worlds, and discover what kind of King he wants to be. Will he be a warrior like his father, or embrace his own path as a hacker-magician?

A generation after Corwin’s rise to the throne, Merlin is aided by powers beyond anything Corwin could have imagined. The epic magic from The Chronicles of Amber is wielded alongside sentient computers, a vorpal sword, and the ghosts of those who came before.

Featuring the Locus award-winning Trumps of Doom, the Locus nominated Blood of Amber and Sign of Chaos, and the final two novels Knight of Shadows and Prince of Chaos, the Second Chronicles of Amber continues the epic story of Amber and the Shadow worlds.

THE COLLECTED STORIES OF ROGER ZELAZNY Out Now!


New editions of The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny are out now! A fascinating, superb collection of Roger Zelazny‘s short and longer fiction, the six volumes are published by NESFA.

The stories in this series are enriched by editors’ notes and Zelazny’s own words, taken from his many essays, describing why he wrote the stories and what he thought about them in retrospect.

Here are the titles and synopses for each volume (full tables of contents are available on NESFA’s website)…

Volume 1: THRESHOLD

The first in a six-volume series, Volume 1: Threshold contains all of Zelazny’s short works from his early years through the mid 1960s — a period of experimentation and growth that flowered into gems such as “A Rose for Ecclesiastes,” “The Graveyard Heart,” “The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth,” and “He Who Shapes.”

Volume 2: POWER & LIGHT

The second in a six-volume series, Volume 2: Power & Light covers the mid 1960s, Zelazny’s most prolific period, where he continued to incorporate mainstream literary qualities and added a wealth of mythological elements into powerful stories such as “The Furies,” “For a Breath I Tarry,” “This Moment of the Storm,” “Comes Now the Power,” “Auto-Da-Fé,” and the Hugo-winning novel …And Call Me Conrad.

Volume 3: THIS MORTAL MOUNTAIN

The third in a six-volume series, Volume 3: This Mortal Mountain contains Zelazny’s short works from the late 1960s and early 1970s, Zelazny’s breadth of interests developed into a variety of styles displayed in such rich stories as “This Mortal Mountain,” “The Steel General,” “Damnation Alley,” “The Man Who Loved the Faioli,” and the Hugo and Nebula-nominated “The Engine at Heartspring’s Center”.

Volume 4: LAST EXIT TO BABYLON

The fourth in a six-volume series, Volume 4: Last Exit to Babylon contains Zelazny’s short works from the late 1970s and early 1980s when Zelazny’s popularity opened new markets for his work. He continued to produce highly-crafted stories, such as the popular “The Last Defender of Camelot,” the Hugo-winning “Unicorn Variation,” and the Hugo and Nebula-winning “Home is the Hangman.”

Volume 5: NINE BLACK DOVES

The fifth in a six-volume series, Volume 5: Nine Black Doves contains Zelazny’s short works from the 1980s, when Zelazny’s mature craft produced the Hugo-winning and Nebula-nominated stories, “24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai” and “Permafrost,” and other entertaining stories such as “Kalifriki of the Thread,” “Dilvish, the Damned,” and his first two Wild Cards stories about Croyd Crenson, “The Sleeper” and “Ashes to Ashes.”

Volume 6: THE ROAD TO AMBER

The last in a six-volume series Volume 6: The Road To Amber, the last in the series, covers the final five years of Zelazny’s career in the early 1990s, when he reached for new ideas and continued familiar themes with stories such as “Godson” and “Godson: A Play in Three Acts,” two more Wild Cards stories (“Concerto for Siren and Serotonin” and “The Long Sleep”), and a linked sequence of five Amber stories leading to planned but unwritten Amber novels.

Roger Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber novels area avilable now in the UK, published in two volumes as part of Gollancz‘s SF Masterworks series.

30th Anniversary Edition of A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER Out This Week!


This week marks the 30th anniversary of Roger Zelazny‘s classic, beloved Halloween fantasy novel, A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER. To mark the occasion, Farrago Books are publishing a new edition in the UK — specifically, due out on September 14th. Here’s the synopsis…

All is not what it seems.

In the murky London gloom, a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack prowls the midnight streets with his faithful watchdog Snuff – gathering together the grisly ingredients they will need for an upcoming ancient and unearthly rite. For soon after the death of the moon, black magic will summon the Elder Gods back into the world. And all manner of Players, both human and undead, are preparing to participate.

Some have come to open the gates. Some have come to slam them shut. And now the dread night approaches – so let the Game begin.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received…

‘One of Zelazny’s most delightful books: Jack the Ripper’s dog Snuff narrates a mad game of teams to cause or prevent armageddon.’Neil Gaiman

‘The last great novel by one of the giants of the genre.’George R.R. Martin

‘A madcap blend of horror tropes and fantasy… There aren’t many authors who would set out to write a novel in which the Wolfman and Jack the Ripper were the two heroes… And I’m not sure anyone else could have made it work.’Science Fiction Chronicle

‘Sparkling, witty, delightful. Zelazny’s best for ages, perhaps his best ever.’Kirkus Reviews

‘A cheerful, witty, well-crafted fantasy… Its deft, understated good humor and spare, poetic prose reaffirm Zelazny as one of fantasy’s most skilled practitioners.’Publishers Weekly

Farrago also publishes a UK edition of DOORWAYS IN THE SAND.

Zelazny’s CHRONICLES OF AMBER Available in Turkey!


The first five novels in Roger Zelazny‘s beloved, classic Chronicles of Amber are available now in Turkey! The Amber Yıllıkları novels are published in Turkish by İthaki Yayınları, as follows…

  1. AMBER’DE DOKUZ PRENSNINE PRINCES IN AMBER — translated by Barış Emre Alkım
  2. AVALON’UN TÜFEKLERİTHE GUNS OF AVALON — translated by Barış Emre Alkım
  3. TEKBOYNUZUN İŞARETİSIGN OF THE UNICORN — translated by Barış Emre Alkım
  4. OBERON’UN ELİTHE HAND OF OBERON — translated by Niran Elçi
  5. KAOS SARAYLARITHE COURTS OF CHAOS — translated by Niran Elçi

Here’s the synopsis for the first novel…

“TÜM YOLLAR AMBER’E ÇIKAR…”

Amber Prensi Corwin, yüzyıllardır mahkûm edildiği sürgün hayatından kurtulup yitirdiği hafızasını tekrar kazanmak ve evine, tek gerçek dünya olan Amber’e geri dönmek üzere yola çıkar. Fakat bu yolculukta dostlarına da düşmanları kadar temkinle yaklaşmalıdır – özellikle de söz konusu entrikacı ve kurnaz kardeşleri olduğunda. Üstelik Amber’de işler değişmiş, kardeşi Eric tahtı ele geçirmiştir. Dokuz prensin tahta çıkmak için kâh meydanlarda kâh kapalı kapılar ardında savaştığı bu büyülü dünyada hiçbir şey göründüğü gibi değildir.

Çıkacağı bu tehlikeli macera Corwin’i devasa ağaçların kapladığı masalsı Arden’den, kanla lekelenmiş merdivenleri ve Amber’dekine tıpatıp benzeyen kalesiyle hayalet diyar Rebma’ya götürecektir.

Corwin’in tahta uzanan yolculuğu, Amber Yıllıkları’nın ilk kitabı Amber’de Dokuz Prens’le başlıyor!

The first five novels in the Chronicles of Amber series are available in the UK, collected into an omnibus edition, published by Gollancz as part of their SF Masterworks series. The final five novels are collected into a second omnibus, also published as a Gollancz SF Masterwork. Here’s the synopsis for the first collection…

Amber is the one real world, casting infinite reflections of itself – Shadow worlds, that can be manipulated by those of royal Amberite blood. But the royal family is torn apart by jealousies and suspicion; the disappearance of the Patriarch Oberon has intensified the internal conflict by leaving the throne apparently up for grabs.

In a hospital on the Shadow Earth, a young man is recovering from a freak car accident; amnesia has robbed him of all his memory, even the fact that he is Corwin, Crown Prince of Amber, rightful heir to the throne – and he is in deadly peril…

The five books, Nine Princes in Amber, The Guns of Avalon, Sign of the Unicorn, The Hand of Oberon and The Courts of Chaos, together make up The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny’s finest work of fantasy and an undisputed classic of the genre.

Ukrainian Edition of ROADMARKS Out Now!


A new, Ukrainian edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ROADMARKS is out now! Published by Богдан/Bohdan, as Дороговкази, it was translated by Denys Dömin (Денис Дьомін). Here’s the synopsis…

Чи можна змінити минуле? Так, якщо знати дорогу. Точніше, Дорогу, єдину і неповторну — крізь час, від динозаврів і стародавніх цивілізацій аж у космічно-футуристичну добу. Обрані з різних століть уміють її долати. Тасують події, маніпулюють історією… або просто буденно собі заробляють на прожиття. Кого тут тільки не стрінеш: і горезвісних диктаторів, і славетних письменників, і безіменних пропащих відлюдників у позачассі. А серед інших їздять Дорогою двоє: батько і син, прямують назустріч долі — зльоту або загибелі. За штурманів же у тих водіїв незвичні, але поетичні, високотехнологічні та норовливі супутниці. Обидва екіпажі долають перешкоди й ворогів, шукаючи відповіді на життєво важливу загадку. Усе вирішиться при останньому повороті на Вавилон — і не обійдеться без драконів, таких любих серцю Джорджа Мартіна, що він аж екранізацію обіцяє.

The Ukrainian cover is by Олега Кіналя (Oleg Kinal).

ROADMARKS is also available in the UK, published as part of Gollancz’s SF Masterworks series. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The Road can go Anywhere.

The Road can go Anywhen.

Almost.

Red Dorakeen has been on the Road for a very long time. For all of time, in fact. It stretches infinitely into the future and past, with exits that take him wherever, or whenever, he wants to go.

But he can’t find the place he wants to be.

He’s not the only one who can travel the Road, and as people join and leave, they can alter the past, or the future, to suit their whims. Exits close off, become overgrown, and working out what to change back to return to old timelines could take, well . . . forever.

Fortunately, Red has all the time he could ever need.

Roadmarks is a fantastically mind-bending novel from one of SFF’s most influential authors. It weaves together linear and non-linear narratives in a compelling tale full of mystery and magic.

Bulgarian Edition of Roger Zelazny’s ROADMARKS Out Now!


The Bulgarian edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ROADMARKS is out now! Published by Бард as Хронобандити, here’s the synopsis…

ПЪТЯТ може да води навсякъде. ПЪТЯТ може да води до всеки момент. Почти!

Ред Доракийн отдавна кръстосва Пътя, построен от драконите на Белкуинит. Път, който се простира безкрай от миналото към далечното бъдеще, с изходи, които водят навсякъде и до всякога.

Но Ред все не може да намери мястото, където иска да бъде.

И не е единственият, който пътува по Пътя, а хората, които идват и си отиват, могат да променят миналото или бъдещето както им хрумне. Изходите се затварят, обрастват и да измислиш какво да промениш, за да се върнеш в някой предишен момент, отнема, ами… цяла вечност.

За щастие, Ред разполага с цялото време на света.

ХРОНОБАНДИТИ е главозамайващ фантастичен роман от един от най-значимите автори в жанра. Той заплита линейни и нелинейни сюжети в един завладяващ разказ, пълен с мистерия и магия!

ROADMARKS is available in the UK as part of the SF Masterworks series, published by Gollancz. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The Road can go Anywhere.
The Road can go Anywhen.
Almost.

Red Dorakeen has been on the Road for a very long time. For all of time, in fact. It stretches infinitely into the future and past, with exits that take him wherever, or whenever, he wants to go.

But he can’t find the place he wants to be.

He’s not the only one who can travel the Road, and as people join and leave, they can alter the past, or the future, to suit their whims. Exits close off, become overgrown, and working out what to change back to return to old timelines could take, well . . . forever.

Fortunately, Red has all the time he could ever need.

Roadmarks is a fantastically mind-bending novel from one of SFF’s most influential authors. It weaves together linear and non-linear narratives in a compelling tale full of mystery and magic.

 

ICYMI: William Gibson’s NEUROMANCER is in Development for Television!


In case you missed the news, Apple TV+ is developing William Gibson‘s classic, highly-influential and multi-award-winning cyberpunk novel NEUROMANCER for television! According to Illuminerdi, Apple has offered the lead role to Miles Teller, who would play Case.

The novel’s SF Masterworks edition was recently re-issued in the UK by Gollancz (cover above). Here’s the synopsis…

Henry Dorsett Case is a low-level hustler, former hack and ‘console cowboy’ who crashed and burned. His nerves were damaged and thus cut off from the digital matrix, he slouches through life.

Until he meets Molly, an augmented ‘razorgirl’, who offers him a deal on behalf of a shadowy man called Armitage. His nerves repaired and matrix access restored, in exchange for a single job. But it’s not so simple – unless he completes the job, sacs of poison will explode inside him and cripple him again.

And the job? That might be impossible.

The first novel to win the Hugo, Nebula and Philip K. Dick Awards, Neuromancer has become a seminal part of SF history, coining the term ‘cyberspace’ and lighting a fuse on the Cyberpunk movement. Part thriller, part warning, it is one of the 20th century’s most potent visions of the future.

William Gibson is also the author of THE PERIPHERAL, which was recently adapted by Amazon Prime, to much acclaim. THE PERIPHERAL is the first novel in the author’s Jackpot series, which also includes AGENCY — both are published in the UK by Penguin.

Zeno represents William Gibson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Nell Pierce at Sterling Lord Literistic.

New SF Masterwork Edition of William Gibson’s NEUROMANCER Out Now!


A new SF Masterworks edition of William Gibson‘s cyberpunk classic, NEUROMANCER is out in two weeks! Due to be published by Gollancz on November 24th, here’s the synopsis…

Henry Dorsett Case is a low-level hustler, former hack and ‘console cowboy’ who crashed and burned. His nerves were damaged and thus cut off from the digital matrix, he slouches through life.

Until he meets Molly, an augmented ‘razorgirl’, who offers him a deal on behalf of a shadowy man called Armitage. His nerves repaired and matrix access restored, in exchange for a single job. But it’s not so simple – unless he completes the job, sacs of poison will explode inside him and cripple him again.

And the job? That might be impossible.

The first novel to win the Hugo, Nebula and Philip K. Dick Awards, Neuromancer has become a seminal part of SF history, coining the term ‘cyberspace’ and lighting a fuse on the Cyberpunk movement. Part thriller, part warning, it is one of the 20th century’s most potent visions of the future.

William Gibson’s latest novels are THE PERIPHERAL and AGENCY, both published in the UK by Penguin. THE PERIPHERAL has been adapted by Amazon into the critically acclaimed TV series of the same name.

Zeno represents William Gibson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Nell Pierce at Sterling Lord Literistic.

New Edition of William Gibson’s NEUROMANCER Out in Two Weeks!


A new SF Masterworks edition of William Gibson‘s acclaimed, multi-award winning cyberpunk classic, NEUROMANCER is out in two weeks! Due to be published by Gollancz on November 24th, here’s the synopsis…

Henry Dorsett Case is a low-level hustler, former hack and ‘console cowboy’ who crashed and burned. His nerves were damaged and thus cut off from the digital matrix, he slouches through life.

Until he meets Molly, an augmented ‘razorgirl’, who offers him a deal on behalf of a shadowy man called Armitage. His nerves repaired and matrix access restored, in exchange for a single job. But it’s not so simple – unless he completes the job, sacs of poison will explode inside him and cripple him again.

And the job? That might be impossible.

The first novel to win the Hugo, Nebula and Philip K. Dick Awards, Neuromancer has become a seminal part of SF history, coining the term ‘cyberspace’ and lighting a fuse on the Cyberpunk movement. Part thriller, part warning, it is one of the 20th century’s most potent visions of the future.

William Gibson’s latest novels are THE PERIPHERAL and AGENCY, both published in the UK by Penguin. THE PERIPHERAL has been adapted by Amazon into the critically acclaimed TV series of the same name.

Zeno represents William Gibson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Nell Pierce at Sterling Lord Literistic.

Roger Zelazny’s ROADMARKS Out Now in Czechia!


We’re very happy to report that a new Czech edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ROADMARKS is out now! Published by Laser as POSLEDNÍ ODBOČKA NA BABYLON, and translated by Richard Podaný, here’s the synopsis…

Silnice vede z nepředstavitelně vzdálené minulosti do daleké budoucnosti. Ti, kteří po ní putují, mohou odbočit do jakéhokoliv místa a času – dokonce i do alternativních proudů historie, které se nikdy neudály.

Zrzek Dorakeen jezdí po Silnici tak dlouho, kam až sahá jeho paměť. Před dávnými časy po ní putoval jako starý muž pěšky; nyní, mnohem mladší, veze ve své odřené modré dodávce zbraně Řekům bojujícím proti Peršanům u starověkého Marathónu. Někdo ale po Zrzkovi jde. Tento „někdo“ má právo desetkrát se pokusit Zrzka zavraždit, aniž za to bude podle zákonů Silnice stíhán. Zrzkův skrytý nepřítel prohledal minulost i budoucnost, aby našel deset vrahů – ať už lidí nebo hrůzných stvoření, od vraždícího mnicha po tyranosaura – kteří Zrzka pronásledují, kamkoli ho Silnice zavede…

Proč Draci z Bel’kwinithu Silnici vystavěli, a kdo vlastně jsou, to nikdo neví. Ale Silnice tu vždy byla a bude – pro ty, kteří ji umějí najít…

Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The road leads from the unimaginably distant past to the distant future. Those who travel along it can veer off into any place and time—even into alternate streams of history that never happened.

Redhead Dorakeen has been riding the Road for as long as he can remember. A long time ago, he wandered on foot like an old man; now, much younger, he drives weapons in his battered blue van to the Greeks fighting the Persians at ancient Marathon. But someone is after Zrzko. This “someone” has the right to try ten times to murder Redhead without prosecution under the laws of the Road. Redhead’s hidden enemy has scoured the past and future to find ten assassins—whether human or hideous creatures, from a murderous monk to a tyrannosaurus—who pursue Redhead wherever the Road leads him…

Why the Dragons of Bel’kwinith built the Road, or who they really are, no one knows. But the Road has always been there and always will be — for those who know how to find it…

THE SECOND CHRONICLES OF AMBER Out in Three Weeks!


The second Chronicles of Amber omnibus is due to be published in in the UK, in three weeks! Collecting the fifth to tenth novels in Roger Zelazny‘s classic series, it is published in the UK by Gollancz, as part of their SF Masterworks series. Here’s the synopsis…

Merlin is a Prince of Chaos and Amber, Corwin’s son and heir. He has grown up knowing that his legacy is to one day follow in his father’s footsteps, live up to his father’s legend.

When Corwin goes missing, that day comes far sooner than he could ever have expected. Merlin must find his own identity as the ruler of the worlds, and discover what kind of King he wants to be. Will he be a warrior like his father, or embrace his own path as a hacker-magician?

A generation after Corwin’s rise to the throne, Merlin is aided by powers beyond anything Corwin could have imagined. The epic magic from The Chronicles of Amber is wielded alongside sentient computers, a vorpal sword, and the ghosts of those who came before.

Featuring the Locus award-winning TRUMPS OF DOOM, the Locus nominated BLOOD OF AMBER and SIGN OF CHAOS, and the final two novels KNIGHT OF SHADOWS and PRINCE OF CHAOS, the Second Chronicles of Amber continues the epic story of Amber and the Shadow worlds.

The first omnibus collection is also published in the UK by Gollancz, and is out now — perfect for getting caught up before the release of this second omnibus, or trying the series for the first time!

New LORD OF LIGHT Audiobook Out Now in North America!


The new audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic, Hugo Award-winning LORD OF LIGHT is out now in North America! Published by Recorded Books, and narrated by Matt Godfrey, here’s the synopsis…

Earth is long since dead. On a colony planet, a band of men has gained control of technology, made themselves immortal, and now rule their world as the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Only one dares oppose them: he who was once Siddhartha and is now Mahasamatman. Binder of Demons, Lord of Light.

Recorded Books also publish two other Zelazny audiobooks in North America, both also narrated by Matt Godfrey: ROADMARKS and CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS.

The audiobook edition of ROADMARKS is published in the UK by W. F. Howes.

A UK print edition of LORD OF LIGHT is available as part of Gollancz’s SF Masterworks series.

Roger Zelazny’s FOR A BREATH I TARRY Now Available in France!


A new, French edition of FOR A BREATH I TARRY by Roger Zelazny is out now! Published by Le Passager Clandestin as LE TEMPS D’UN SOUFFLE JE M’ATTARDE, it was translated by Jean Baihache. Here’s the synopsis…

« — Je t’ai déjà dit que l’Homme possédait une nature fondamentalement incompréhensible. Ses perceptions étaient organiques ; les tiennes, non. Ses perceptions lui procuraient des sentiments et des émotions […]. L’Homme ne sentait pas les miles ou les mètres, les kilos ou les litres. Il sentait le chaud, Il sentait le froid. Il sentait la pesanteur et la légèreté. Il connaissait la haine et l’amour, la fierté et le désespoir. Toutes ces choses ne sont pas mesurables. Donc toi, tu ne peux pas les connaître. […] Il n’existe pas de formule pour mesurer un sentiment. »

Comment ne pas être touché par l’histoire de Gel, cette machine toute-puissante qui veut devenir humaine ? Gel est une intelligence artificielle qui oeuvre à la reconstruction d’une Terre sur laquelle ne subsiste plus aucun être humain vivant. Mais Gel a un hobby : il étudie les vestiges de l’humanité disparue, découvre les livres, le cinéma, l’art, si bien qu’il se met à désirer devenir lui-même humain, et ce à n’importe quel prix…

Au fil de la quête de Gel, ce Faust de métal tenté par l’impossible, Roger Zelazny explore à sa manière ce qui fait le propre de l’humain et proclame par avance la défaite des prétentions à la numérisation du cerveau humain et autres lubies des Folamour de la Silicon Valley.

You can read an excerpt from the novel, here.

First published in 1966, here’s the English-language synopsis…

Taking place long after the self-extinction of Man, “For a Breath I Tarry” recounts the tale of Frost, a sentient machine (“…a silver-blue box, 40x40x40 feet,… featured in whatever manner he chose.”) Though Man has disappeared, his robotic creations (and their creations in turn) continue to function.

Along the way, the story explores the differences between Man and Machine, the former experiencing the world qualitatively, while the latter do so quantitatively. “A machine is a Man turned inside-out, because it can describe all the details of a process, which a Man cannot, but it cannot experience that process itself as a Man can.” This is illustrated by a conversation Frost has with another machine named Mordel.

THE CHRONICLES OF AMBER Omnibus out this week in the UK!


This Thursday (April 14th), Gollancz are due to publish the new Chronicles of Amber omnibus, as part of their SF Masterworks series! Including the first five novels in Roger Zelazny‘s classic series, here’s the synopsis…

Amber is the one real world, casting infinite reflections of itself – Shadow worlds, that can be manipulated by those of royal Amberite blood. But the royal family is torn apart by jealousies and suspicion; the disappearance of the Patriarch Oberon has intensified the internal conflict by leaving the throne apparently up for grabs.

In a hospital on the Shadow Earth, a young man is recovering from a freak car accident; amnesia has robbed him of all his memory, even the fact that he is Corwin, Crown Prince of Amber, rightful heir to the throne – and he is in deadly peril…

The five books, NINE PRINCES IN AMBER, THE GUNS OF AVALON, SIGN OF THE UNICORN, THE HAND OF OBERON, and THE COURTS OF CHAOS, together make up The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny’s finest work of fantasy and an undisputed classic of the genre.

Originally published between 1970-91, the Chronicles of Amber series is beloved across the world, and is available widely in translation (in a variety of individual and omnibus editions). For more details, check out Zelazny’s page.

Zelazny’s LORD OF LIGHT is also available in the UK, as part of Gollancz‘s SF Masterworks series.

New UK Edition of Zelazny’s CHRONICLES OF AMBER, Volume 1 Out in Three Weeks!


A reminder that the new UK edition of Roger Zelazny‘s first Chronicles of Amber omnibus is out in three weeks! Published in the UK by Gollancz, as part of their SF Masterworks series, it collects the first five novels in the classic series. Here’s the synopsis…

Amber is the one real world, casting infinite reflections of itself – Shadow worlds, that can be manipulated by those of royal Amberite blood. But the royal family is torn apart by jealousies and suspicion; the disappearance of the Patriarch Oberon has intensified the internal conflict by leaving the throne apparently up for grabs.

In a hospital on the Shadow Earth, a young man is recovering from a freak car accident; amnesia has robbed him of all his memory, even the fact that he is Corwin, Crown Prince of Amber, rightful heir to the throne – and he is in deadly peril…

The five books, NINE PRINCES IN AMBER, THE GUNS OF AVALON, SIGN OF THE UNICORN, THE HAND OF OBERON and THE COURTS OF CHAOS, together make up The Chronicles of Amber, Roger Zelazny’s finest work of fantasy and an undisputed classic of the genre.

For fans of the series, we’re happy to report that Gollancz are also due to publish the second omnibus, collecting the final five novels in the series, on August 18th.