re: Just finished American Gods

I thought Shadow and Corwin were pretty similar characters in that neither one really understands what is going on around them. Because of their bloodlines both are caught up in the middle of a struggle between groups with special powers, and have to figure things out as the story progresses. Zelazny drops mythological references throughout the Amber series, and REALLY gets into mythology in Creatures of Light and Darkness, and Lord of Light which is probably my favorite sci-fi book. Gaiman makes a direct reference to Lord of Light in American Gods by mimicking the scene in which Sam is trying to focus on life after being brought back. And maybe I was influenced by the fact that American Gods is co-dedicated to Zelazny.