Sign of the Unicorn by Roger Zelazny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Exposition! But not in a bad way. One of the things that I love about The Chronicles of Amber is how rich and deep Zelazny has built this Amberverse so far. Amber itself, its shadows, and the reflections Rebma and Tir-na Nóg’th, the Jewel of Judgment, the Trumps, the Pattern.. and hints of The Courts of Chaos; it’s all so involved, one can easily fantasize see oneself roaming about, having adventures. But then there’s the politics too, the back story, equally as rich. In the first two books we had the what, but here in Sign it’s time to get to the why.
Almost. Zelazny doesn’t tip his hand completely, but you should know, as frustrating as what’s held back, Sign is mostly just an explanation of who’s involved in the fight for Amber’s throne, and where their motivations come from. (For example, the action in Guns covers years. In Sign: days). You’ll want to take notes, as it’s not easy keeping this family straight.
Which just adds to the depth and the richness. Brand and Bleys and Fiona, Julian Caine and Eric, reflections of the same desires, with Corwin… well, I don’t want to give everything away. Let’s just say there’s analogies, Amber’s places and her people playing similar parts.
So yes, The Sign of the Unicorn is mostly exposition, with a nice chunk taken up by Random’s adventures in a far-flung shadow, trying for a daring (and rather uncharacteristic—or is it?—rescue of one of his brothers). The intrigue that forwards the plot has come home to roost—or should I say, come home to rear, like a unicorn does.
Corny? Sorry. I’ll tell you what—how fans, back in the day, waited three years between The Guns of Avalon and Sign, I have no idea. And another year for book four, The Hand of Oberon? Suffice it to say, I won’t be waiting that long.