Is Amber treading the path to destruction? Family blood has been spilled on the magic pattern that created Amber, threatening the whole kingdom with chaos. For Oberon, Amber's magical king, is missing. And this provides an entry for the monstrous evil forces that threaten from the dark alternative world of Shadow.

Between Amber and Shadow is now a black road that pumps evil.

Upon the shoulders of the magus Lord Corwin falls the lot of finding King Oberon - and foiling the sinister alternative reality that is out to destroy Amber...