''Sign of Chaos'' is a

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

novel by American writer

Roger Zelazny Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for '' The Chronicles of Amber''. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominatio ...

, published in 1987. It is the third novel in the second ''

Chronicles of Amber ''The Chronicles of Amber'' is a series of fantasy novels by American writer Roger Zelazny. The novel series, main series consists of two story arcs, each five novels in length. Additionally, there are a number of Amber short story, short stor ...

'' series, and the eighth book overall in the Amber series. The title of this book mirrors that of ''

Sign of the Unicorn ''Sign of the Unicorn'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Roger Zelazny, the third book in the ''Chronicles of Amber'' series. It was first published in serial format in ''Galaxy Science Fiction''. Plot introduction Eric is dead, and Corw ...

'', the third book in the first Amber series.

Plot summary

Merlin realises that Wonderland, where he and Luke are trapped, is an

LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD (from German ; often referred to as acid or lucy), is a semisynthetic, hallucinogenic compound derived from ergot, known for its powerful psychological effects and serotonergic activity. I ...

-induced hallucination made real by Luke's powers over shadow. As a Fire Angel (a vicious creature from Chaos) pursues them, he administers medicine to Luke. The Fire Angel is weakened in a fight with the Jabberwock and Merlin is able to finish it off with the

vorpal sword "Jabberwocky" is a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll about the killing of a creature named "the Jabberwock". It was included in his 1871 novel ''Through the Looking-Glass'', the sequel to ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865). The b ...

. He leaves Luke to sober up. He seeks his stepbrother Mandor, who thinks that their half-brother Jurt may be trying to kill Merlin in order to take the throne of Chaos. Fiona contacts them, and they investigate a shadow-storm. Merlin and Mandor return to Amber, and then along with Jasra they wrest the Keep of the Four worlds from Jurt and the sorcerer, Mask. They learn that Jurt has (at least partially) turned himself into a living Trump, as Brand did, and that the sorcerer Mask is in fact Merlin's ex-girlfriend Julia.

Reception

H. J. Kirchoff of ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Newspapers in Canada, Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in Western Canada, western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of more than 6 million in 2024, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on week ...

'' wrote that Zelazny "serves up his usual mixture of fast action and slick dialogue, and blends in enough mystery, magic, intrigue and love interest to keep the kettle simmering." Dennis O'Shea of ''

United Press International United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th ce ...

'' wrote that the novel is "well-stocked with the wry wit and expansive imagination that endear Zelazny to his readers", even if its "complexities" are "not handled quite as deftly as we have come to expect from Zelazny." Drew Bittner of the ''

Asbury Park Press The ''Asbury Park Press'', formerly known as the ''Shore Press'', ''Daily Press'', ''Asbury Park Daily Press'', and ''Asbury Park Evening Press'', is the third largest daily newspaper in the state of New Jersey. Established in 1879, it has been o ...

'' called the novel "well written" and wrote: "It's worth buying the next book just to see how Zelazny will tie up all the threads into a whole tapestry."

References

External links

Sign of Chaos
at Worlds Without End {{AmberBooks The Chronicles of Amber books 1987 novels 1987 fantasy novels Arbor House books