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Do any of you remember a book series from 1990's (possibly) with 10-15 books about a supernatural family (not immortal) who have a sibling feud that leads to a war.

One scene takes place on a narrow one person bridge and the armies are waiting at each side.

The author also did the audiobook narration of the series.

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    Supernatural how? Magic beings? Psychic humans? Fallen angels? Eldritch abominations? What was the setting? Contemporary Earth, past Earth, generic fantasy world? Was there more than one world? Why did they feud? How did they make war?
    – DavidW
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 16:52

1 Answer 1

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This sounds like Roger Zelazny's 1970 Nine Princes in Amber, in which mystical (able to walk between different realities, amazing healing powers over the long term, sometimes actual sorcerers), yet not immortal brothers and sisters feud for succession leading to war. There is a scene in a narrow bridge, pass, or stairs (to me a little reminiscent of the battle of Thermopylae).

Nine Princes in Amber was the first of a series of five books, followed by another series of five books about the next generation within the family). Zelazny recorded audiobook versions himself in 1990, despite not being a professional voice actor.

Nine Princes in Amber (and its sequels) has been published many times, but here are some paperback covers:

Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover  Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover  Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover

Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover  Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover  Nine Princes in Amber paperback cover

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    I thought of this one, but discarded it because AFAICT Zelazny never did any audiobooks.
    – DavidW
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 18:11
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    @DavidW Zelazny actually did narrate the Amber Chronicles in 1990. I listened to it on YouTube a few years back, I am looking for a link, and will edit. It was an interesting listen, because Zelazny was not a professional voice actor, but of course had the author's insights about the characters.
    – Lexible
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 18:12
  • Interesting; I can't find any trace of that on ISFDb.
    – DavidW
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 18:18
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    @DavidW Make an entry! :) Here's the estate's information on the subject. You can still find used recordings for sale. And here's a YouTube link to the first five books read by him.
    – Lexible
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 18:19
  • Interesting that I have a fondness for both of the Avon covers, but not the other ones (especially not the AvoNova cover, ick). The earlier one matches the style of the covers of Lord of Light and Creatures of Light and Darkness and the latter one matches the Merlin/Ghostwheel Amber books.
    – DavidW
    Commented Aug 3, 2023 at 18:36

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