Corwin has escaped from Amber a 'shadow' of his former self, but no less committed to take down his brother, Eric. But first, even a prince of Amber must heal. Along the way, Corwin sees shadows of his past and possible future. Evil dogs his steps and dark things know his name. Corwin wins a battle against the darkness, but when he moves to act on his real plan to return to Amber with the "guns of Avalon" he encounters his eldest and most dangerous brother, Benedict. By turns the story is cautious, worldly, bitter, and quite clever in describing events becoming ever more complex for Corwin. More adventure than books twice its size.