Prince of Chaos — Roger Zelazny

AMBER
The one true world. All others are but shadows.

Having survived blackest betrayal and attempted assassination, Merle Corer, aka Merlin discovers he is third in line to occupy the throne of Chaos--his ascension aided by a series of conveniently fatal "accidents" engineered by his mother, Dara, and Mandor, his uncle. But Merlin's trials are far from over. Dread plots and dark enchantments await Merlin on the road to ultimate rule. But he is determined to triumph--and silence the murderous discord between Amber and Chaos ... for the moment, at least. At the end of his visionary quest lies an unsettling destiny--and his father, Corwin, long believed dead but in truth imprisoned by a villain's magic.