Tag: Roger Zelazny

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

Posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022

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 Russian Edition of Roger Zelazny’s TRUMPS OF DOOM Out Now!

Posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022

The sixth novel in Roger Zelazny‘s acclaimed, classic Chronicles of Amber, TRUMPS OF DOOM is now available in a fancy new Russian edition! Published by Эксмо as Карты Судьбы, here’s the synopsis…

Война между Янтарным Королевством и Владениями Хаоса закончена. Но теперь эстафета вечной битвы переходит к юному Мерлину — сыну Корвина и Дары из Хаоса. Юноша разыскивает своего пропавшего отца, когда вдруг выясняется, что за ним идёт охота…

Первая книга Пятикнижия Мерлина культового цикла “Хроники Амбера”!

The first five novels in the series have also been published as part of Эксмо’s Эксклюзивная фантастика collection: NINE PRINCES IN AMBER (Девять принцев Амбера), THE GUNS OF AVALON (Ружья Авалона), SIGN OF THE UNICORN (Знак Единорога), THE HAND OF OBERON (Рука Оберона), and THE COURTS OF CHAOS (Владения Хаоса).

Here’s the English-language synopsis for TRUMPS OF DOOM…

Merle Corey is a brilliant young computer designer in San Francisco, but, he is also Merlin, son of Corwin, vanished prince of Amber, and heir to his father’s wonderous powers. And, someone is determined to kill him. Now he will begin a desperate race through Shadow, not only to escape the mysterious force that threatens his life, but to protect the deadly secret that could destroy both his worlds.

The Chronicles of Amber are getting re-issued this year in the UK — collected as two omnibus editions, in April and August, due to be published by Gollancz.

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

Posted on Thursday, March 24th, 2022

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.

Coming Soon: THE SECOND CHRONICLES OF AMBER by Roger Zelazny

Posted on Friday, March 18th, 2022

The second Chronicles of Amber omnibus is out tomorrow in the UK! Collecting the final five 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 will also be published in the UK by Gollancz, on April 14th — so, not long to go before you can start enjoying this classic series (for the first time, or as a revisit)!

Croatian Edition of Roger Zelazny’s A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER

Posted on Monday, March 7th, 2022

A new Croatian edition of Roger Zelazny‘s acclaimed A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER is now available! Published by Zagrebačka naklada, as NOĆ U SAMOTNOM LISTOPADU, and translated by Domagoj Čavrak, here’s the synopsis…

Noć u samotnom listopadu roman je koji kombinira elemente fantastike i stvarnosti, poznatih i nepoznatih književnih likova, a pripovjedač je… nitko drugi nego pas zvan Njuško. Svita eklektičnih likova poput Drakule, Jacka Trbosjeka i Sherlocka Holmesa čini ovaj roman savršenim štivom za predstojeću Noć vještica. Još kad majstor ZF-a u sve to uklopi inteligentnu mačku, lukavu zmiju i šišmiša zvanog Iglić, začudnoj zabavi nema kraja.

The UK edition of the novel is published by Farrago Books. Here’s the English-language 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.

The novel has been published widely in translation (see Zelazny’s page for more information). Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received since it was first published, in 1993…

‘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

‘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

Zagrebačka naklada also publishes the Croatian edition of Zelazny’s DAMNATION ALLEY; ALEJA PROKLETSTVA.

Roger Zelazny’s THE CHANGING LAND Available in Czechia!

Posted on Monday, February 21st, 2022

The second book in Roger Zelazny‘s Dilvish Stories series has been re-issued in Czechia! THE CHANGING LAND is published by Straky na vrbě, as ZEMĚ ZMĚN. Translated by Michael Bronec, Here’s the synopsis…

Sedmi mužům se kolem zápěstí černaly okovy, od nichž vedly řetězy. Ty byly každý zvlášť přikované k úchytům zapuštěným do vlhkých zdí kamenné kobky. Ve výklenku vpravo od vchodu skomírala jediná olejová lampa. Na vysokých stěnách tu a tam visely další páry řetězů zakončených prázdnými železy. Špinavou podlahu pokrývala páchnoucí sláma. Všichni přítomní byli zarostlí, nemytí a otrhaní. Bledé tváře jim hyzdily hluboké vrásky a oči upírali ke vchodu…

Uchvátil vás Prokletý Dilvish? Chcete vědět, kdo je doopravdy Black? Zajímají vás osudy temného čaroděje Jeleraka? Přečtěte si další břitkou fantasy z pera Rogera Zelaznyho, tvůrce jediného pravého světa – Amberu! Čeká na vás Země změn…

Straky na vrbě also publishes the first Dilvish novel, DILVISH, THE DAMNED, as PROKLETÝ DILVISH in Czechia (also translated by Michael Bronec); as well as a selection of Zelazny’s other novels (which are in the process of being re-issued).

THE CHANGING LAND was first published in 1981, and was nominated for the Best Fantasy Novel Locus Award. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

THE MAD GOD’S MAZE

When Dilvish escaped from Hell, he swore to kill the evil wizard who had put him there. But Jelerak, Lord of Castle Timeless, was missing. And around the Castle, the Changing Land was a sorcerous maelstrom of warped reality and living nightmare created by the awesome magic of the insane god, Tualua. Now a small army of magicians, sorcerers and wizards — like resurrected Queen Semirama, foul Baran of the Third Hand, and lovely Arlata the Elf — sought to possess the arcane secrets of Castle Timeless.

The situation, Dilvish realized, was a mess.

Caught in thaumaturgic chaos as wizardry fought sorcery, where the churning dreams of a mutating god could shatter the world, Dilvish sought Jelerak through the most deadly magic spells of Destiny and Time.

New Bulgarian Audiobook of A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER!

Posted on Friday, February 18th, 2022

There is a new, Bulgarian audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s acclaimed A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER! Published by Storytel as Една нощ в самотния октомври, here’s the synopsis…

Дръзко оригинална и безумно забавна „Една нощ през самотния октомври“ е скъпоценен камък, който блести с черна светлина, амалгама от ужас, хумор, тайнственост и фантазия, каквато човек действително може да се очаква от блестящия талант на Роджър Зелазни — носител на най-престижните награди „Хюго“ и „Небюла“, автор сякаш на безбройна поредица от научнофантастични романи и фентъзи.

A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER, first published in 1993, is available in the UK published by Farrago Books. Here’s the English-language 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 A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER 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

‘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

ROADMARKS Audiobook Available in the UK!

Posted on Friday, February 11th, 2022

We shared the news a little while ago that the audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ROADMARKS, narrated by Matt Godfrey, had been released in North America by Recorded Books. Today, we’re happy to share the news that it is now also available in the UK! Published by W. F. Howes, here’s the synopsis…

The Road runs from the unimaginable past to the far future, and those who travel it have access to the turnoffs leading to all times and places — even to the alternate time-streams of histories that never happened. Why the Dragons of Bel’kwinith made the Road — or who they are – no one knows. But the Road has always been there, and for those who know how to find it, it always will be!

Dizzying in its virtuosity, gripping in its kaleidoscopic treatment of time, character and action Roadmarks is a dazzling achievement.

Matt Godfrey has also narrated the audiobook edition of CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS, which is out now in North America, published by Recorded Books.

New CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS Audiobook Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

In two weeks, Recorded Books are due to publish a new audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic novel CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS! Narrated by Matt Godfrey, here’s the synopsis…

Two gods, two houses, one quest, and the eternal war between life and death   

To save his kingdom, Anubis, Lord of the Dead, sends forth his servant on a mission of vengeance. At the same time, from The House of Life, Osiris sends forth his son, Horus, on the same mission to destroy utterly and forever The Prince Who Was a Thousand.   

But neither of these superhuman warriors is prepared for the strange and harrowing world of mortal life, and The Thing That Cries in the Night may well destroy not only their worlds, but all mankind.   

As Zelazny did with the Hindu pantheon in the legendary, groundbreaking classic Lord of Light, the master storyteller here breathes new life into the Egyptian gods with another dazzling tale of mythology and imagination.

Godfrey also narrated the recent ROADMARKS audiobook, published by Recorded Books.

Coming Soon: New UK Chronicles of Amber SF Masterworks Omnibus!

Posted on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022

In April, Gollancz are due to publish a new SF Masterworks Chronicles of Amber omnibus edition! 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.

The Chronicles of Amber series is available widely in translation — in individual and omnibus editions. Check out Zelazny’s page for more details.

Gollancz also publishes Zelazny’s LORD OF LIGHT as part of their SF Masterworks series.

New Audiobook of CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS out in two weeks!

Posted on Monday, January 24th, 2022

In two weeks, Recorded Books are due to publish a new audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s classic novel CREATURES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS! Narrated by Matt Godfrey, who also narrated the recent ROADMARKS audiobook, here’s the synopsis…

Two gods, two houses, one quest, and the eternal war between life and death   

To save his kingdom, Anubis, Lord of the Dead, sends forth his servant on a mission of vengeance. At the same time, from The House of Life, Osiris sends forth his son, Horus, on the same mission to destroy utterly and forever The Prince Who Was a Thousand.   

But neither of these superhuman warriors is prepared for the strange and harrowing world of mortal life, and The Thing That Cries in the Night may well destroy not only their worlds, but all mankind.   

As Zelazny did with the Hindu pantheon in the legendary, groundbreaking classic Lord of Light, the master storyteller here breathes new life into the Egyptian gods with another dazzling tale of mythology and imagination.

New French Edition of DEUS IRAE Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022

A new French edition of DEUS IRAE is out today! The novel, co-authored by Roger Zelazny and Philip K. Dick, is published in France by Folio SF. Here’s the synopsis…

Après l’holocauste qui a mis fin à la Troisième Guerre mondiale, les rares survivants devenus méconnaissables à force de mutations sont l’enjeu d’une lutte sans merci entre deux Églises : celle du Bien et celle du Mal, qui vénère Deus irae, le Dieu de la Colère, celui qui a lâché sur le monde l’horreur atomique.

Chargé de réaliser un portrait de cette funeste divinité pour ranimer la foi de ses fidèles, Tibor McMasters, un peintre sans bras ni jambes, part à sa recherche à travers une Terre dévastée, en proie aux stigmates d’un monde devenu fou. Un monde où se dissipe la frontière entre l’humain et le divin…

First published in 1976, here’s the English-language synopsis…

After World War III, the Servants of Wrath cult deified the mysterious Carlton Lufteufel, creator of the doomsday weapon that wiped out much of humanity. But to worship the man, they need an image of him as a god, and no one has ever seen him. So the high priests send a limbless master painter named Tibor McMasters into the wilderness on a mission to find Lufteufel and capture his likeness. Unfortunately for Tibor, the nation’s remaining Christians do not want him to succeed and are willing to kill to ensure that the so-called Deus Irae remains hidden.

This hallucinatory tale through a nuclear wasteland asks what price the artist must pay for art and tries to figure out just what makes a god.

DEUS IRAE is also available in Poland (Rebis) and Russia (Эксмо).

Roger Zelazny’s DOORWAYS IN THE SAND Out Now in Estonia

Posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2022

DOORWAYS IN THE SAND by Roger Zelazny is now available in Estonia! Published as UKSED LÍÍVAS by Kirjastus Fantaasia, here’s the synopsis…

Roger Zelazny „Uksed liivas“ on selle armastatud ulmekirjaniku üks eksperimentaalsemaid romaane, talle omases äärmiselt napis ja lihvitud stiilis edasi antud akadeemilises keskkonnas algav ning hullumeelses tempos arenev lugu, kus ükski tegelene pole see, kellena alguses paistab. Romaani kirjutamisaega, 1970ndaid aastaid meenutavate käitumisnormidega tulevikumaailmas on planeet Maa vastu võetud galaktilisse konföderatsiooni, mille käigus on vahetatud erinevaid kultuurilise väärtusega sümbolesemeid, nii näiteks on Maa ära andnud Mona Lisa ja Briti kroonijuveelid. Kui erinevad jõud hakkavad kahtlustama, et eluaegse üliõpilase Fred Cassidy valduses on maavälist päritolu artefakt Tähekivi, millest ta midagi ei tea, otsustab ta selle ise üles otsida, muutudes tulnukate ja teiste asjast huvitatud grupeeringute tagaajamisobjektiks.

Romaan ilmus esmakordselt järjeloona USA juhtivas ulmeajakirjas Analog 1975. aastal ning jõudis Hugo ja Nebula auhinna nominentide sekka. Teosest leiab viiteid Lewis Carrolli „Alice Imedemaal“ lugudele ja „Snargijahile“ ning see tekst demonstreerib ilmekalt, miks on Roger Zelazny’t nimetatud ameerika ulme suurimaks proosapoeediks.

DOORWAYS IN THE SAND, first published in 1976, is available in the UK via Farrago Books. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

The most playful – and arguably most accessible – novel by the master of inventive science fiction. 

Humanity is not alone in the cosmos. The aliens have given a precious relic to the people of Earth: star-stone. But the harmony of the galaxy is endangered when they discover that the star-stone has disappeared.

Likeable Fred Cassidy is an eternal undergraduate. All he thinks he knows about the star-stone is that it came to Earth in an interplanetary trade for the Mona Lisa and the British Crown jewels.

When Fred is accused of stealing the cosmic artefact, he is pursued from Australia to Greenwich Village and beyond, by telepathic psychologists, extra-terrestrial hoodlums and galactic police in disguise. Follow him on his adventures as he enters multiple realities, flipping in and out of alien perspectives, through doorways in the sand.

‘Ingenious.’ — New York Times

‘One of the highest tributes I have ever heard paid to a writer lies in the words of a young lady who said, ‘I knew, halfway through the second paragraph, that I was in good hands.’ Science fiction has produced many such hands, and I genuinely envy those who encounter Roger Zelazny.’ — Theodore Sturgeon, New York Times Book Review

‘That rarest of creatures in science fiction, the original character, emerges in Roger Zelazny’s DOORWAYS IN THE SAND.’ — Chicago Daily News

More CHRONICLES OF AMBER Available in Romania!

Posted on Monday, December 20th, 2021

Great news for Romanian fans of Roger Zelazny: Editura Paladin has published a third volume in the Chronicles of Amber series, translated by Bogdan Perdivară: ATUURILE OSÂNDEI! Here’s the synopsis…

Doar un neghiob ar crede că viața are un singur sens.

Merlin nu reușește să stea mult timp departe de tărâmul magic al Amberului. Incidentele din ultimii ani de pe umbra Pământ, toate petrecute în ziua de 30 aprilie, nu mai par a fi simple coincidențe, ci tentative reale de omor. Atunci când fosta lui iubită este ucisă de o fiară neobișnuită și în cale îi apar persoane misterioase care îi cunosc adevărata identitate, fiul lui Corwin decide să se întoarcă în Amber, unde descoperă că familia regală se confruntă cu un dușman pornit să-i distrugă pe urmașii lui Oberon.

Viața e plină de uși care nu se deschid când bați, cam la fel de multe ca acelea care se deschid fără să fi bătut.

The collection includes TRUMPS OF DOOM, BLOOD OF AMBER, and SIGN OF CHAOS (books 6-8). Here’s the English-language synopsis for TRUMPS OF DOOM…

Merlin knows that someone is going to try and kill him. He knows this because it’s April 30th and someone tries to kill him every April 30th. He has no idea who wants to kill him, why they want to kill him, or why they only try to kill him once a year. But this year he intends to find out and put a stop to it. 

Little does Merlin know that he is about to launch himself into an adventure full of danger, intrigue, royal politics, magic, and deceit that will take him across the multiverse and back. There is far more afoot that Merlin can imagine… and thus continues one of the greatest series ever written.

This is the third collection available in Romania, following NOUĂ PRINȚI DIN AMBER (1-3) and MÂNA LUI OBERON (4-5). In case you’ve missed the first two collections, Paladin is also offering the three volumes as a bundle.

New ROADMARKS Audiobook Out Tomorrow in North America!

Posted on Thursday, November 18th, 2021

A new North American audiobook edition of Roger Zelazny‘s ROADMARKS is out tomorrow! To be published by Recorded Books, it is narrated by Matt Godfrey. Here’s the synopsis…

The Road runs from the unimaginable past to the far future, and those who travel it have access to the turnoffs leading to all times and places – even to the alternate time-streams of histories that never happened. Why the Dragons of Bel’kwinith made the Road — or who they are — no one knows. But the Road has always been there and for those who know how to find it, it always will be!

Dizzying in its virtuosity, gripping in its kaleidoscopic treatment of time, character, and action, Roadmarks is a dazzling achievement.

Below are a couple of photos from Godfrey’s recording session. If you’d like to watch a brief excerpt-clip, you can do so here.