Roger Zelazny's the Dawn of Amber Book 1

I've seen some of the other reviews. And it's true that Zelazny didn't write this one. So what? If any fantasy series seemed to be left unfinished, it was Amber. Betancourt is a good author and I liked his book. The plot is fine. Yes, Oberon's siblings seem very much like his children. Still, I don't see what's wrong with that. Yes, there are some discrepancies between what we see in this book and what we may have thought we saw in Zelazny's Amber. But most of them can be written off, given that they are only with what very untrustworthy characters said in Zelazny's Amber. Finally, some people thought this trilogy started a little slowly. Well, that's just the way I like it. Oberon is a much larger-than-life character in Amber. We all wanted to know more about him. Now we do. And we all would have been frustrated to be introduced to him as a character of even more immense power and stature at the start of the first book! I think it's better when he starts out being a little confused about what to do and about what his siblings are really like.

Do what? Write a book as close to Roger Zelazny as this. And so faithful to the original series. But John Betancourt succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I am a big Zelazny fan and I had some doubts about this book before I opened it. No more. I am about to order the second book in the series right now.Of course the books conform to the older ones... they have to! This is a prequel. Makes them harder to write. But other than re-reading the original 10 books for the 10th time (well, only the seventh or eighth, actually), this is the best we can expect unless someone is channelling Roger Z directly from the afterworld.It's recommended that you read the originals first --- then start these. You are expected to know what's coming, and enjoy it.WPG

I really enjoyed this book. It is as good as the firts Amber book (Nine Prices in Amber?) and much better than those in the second Amber saga (Merlin whatever???) I just ordered the second book in this series, can't wait to get it.

As everyone has pointed out this is not Zelazney, but it is still very readable. I for one enjoyed the parallels in Oberon's story to that of Corwin in Nine Princes in Amber. This book was fun to read and hard to put down. It had good pacing and a nice flow. It is very enjoyable if you read it on it's own merits instead of looking for another Zelazney book.

I have been a long time fan of Roger Zelazny and like many fans, was saddened by Roger's death. And the lost of his writing in the Amber Universe.John Betancourt stepped into Zelazny's Amber universe with his 'Dawn of Amber' prequel to Zelazny with outstanding characterization of young Oberon and pre-Pattern Dworkin. As well as fascenating look into the origins of the Pattern and creation of Trumps.John has gracefully captured the feel of Amber. And brought us an excellent and enjoyable story with dynamic energy and non-stop action.Keep up the outstanding work John.