I also rather like the second series, and I agree that they don't quite measure up to the first.
But consider: perhaps the fact that the Courts are so like Amber was intentional, a comment on "human" (sentient?) nature. Let it be reflected in the Unicorn and the Serpent, or the Pattern and the Logrus, in terms of what they can do, abd there's a serious comment on the nature of difference and experience per se. (This is the point at which we pull out the disclaimer that says "even though Zelazny could and did write at that level, there's no guarantee that this is simply something being read into his work by an overzealous fanbiy with literary pretensions" :-)
no subject
But consider: perhaps the fact that the Courts are so like Amber was intentional, a comment on "human" (sentient?) nature. Let it be reflected in the Unicorn and the Serpent, or the Pattern and the Logrus, in terms of what they can do, abd there's a serious comment on the nature of difference and experience per se. (This is the point at which we pull out the disclaimer that says "even though Zelazny could and did write at that level, there's no guarantee that this is simply something being read into his work by an overzealous fanbiy with literary pretensions" :-)