Luthiens Gamble (Crimson Shadow) [Mass Market Paperback]

R. A. Salvatore (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crimson Shadow | Publication Date: December 1, 1996

In this sequel to The Sword of Bedwyr, the Crimson Shadow must rouse the peasants and fierce tribes of Eriador to fight the demonic Wizard-King Greensparrow's bloodthirsty warriors and save their beloved city of Caer MacDonald.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The battle to free Eriador from the grip of the tyrannical Wizard-King Greensparrow continues in this fitfully rousing sequel to The Sword of Bedwyr. Although the humans, elves and dwarves led by young Luthien Bedwyr, The Crimson Shadow, have retaken the city of Montfort from Greensparrow and have restored the city's ancient name of Caer MacDonald, the battle for freedom has just begun. An army of "cyclopians" led by the vicious Belsen Krieg advances to crush the rebels, who must gain allies from those reluctant to take on dangerous forces. The ancient wizard Brind D'Amou, who sparked recent events with his gift of a magical cape to Luthien, joins the rebels as an adviser and leader. Luthien himself, abetted by followers and comrades, devises brilliant tactics that destroy his immediate enemies and earn him much-needed allies. Salvatore's battle scenes are robust, but his fantasy is dully derivative, and Luthien's meandering about his love life is awful.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'Salvatore describes and choreographs battle scenes better than any other contemporary fantasist' Pubishers Weekly '...memorable characters and compelling action' Terry Brooks --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Aspect (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446603619
• ISBN-13: 978-0446603614
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R.A. Salvatore has spent so many years winding himself into fantasy worlds that he's still trying to figure out how to unwind. He is the author of more than forty novels and more than a dozen New York Times best sellers, including The Two Swords, which debuted at or near the top of many best seller lists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Luthien's Gamble, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Luthiens Gamble (Crimson Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)

R.A. Salvatore proves with this book that he was, at the time, running short on original ideas. Drizzt is my favorite character of all time, so I am fully aware of Salvatore's talents, but this book is lacking - much like the others in the series. For starters, there are just TOO many similarities to Tolkien to be ignored - the names Luthien and Eriador have been ripped right out of Middle-earth. The battle with the dragon is clearly the confrontation between Smaug and Bilbo modified to fit into Salvatore's story. And lastly, the character Brind'Amore, though a decent character, seems very much akin to Gandalf and therefore lacks in originality. The two major things that make this book worth reading, however, are Salvatore's trademark action scenes and the wonderful "highway-halfling," Oliver De'Burrows. But if you haven't read any of the Drizzt books, read them instead.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unimaginative and uninspiring, November 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Luthiens Gamble (Crimson Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)

This trilogy is the first I have read of R. A. Salvatore's works, and I have to say it will be the last. The stories are very simplistic - the heroes full of (noisome) witty repartie and banter as they fight endless hordes of cyclopians (I wish I had a pound for every time the word `brute' is used substituted), wizard-dukes and other two dimensional foes. This really is sword & sorcery by numbers. There is no plot that piques your interest or pricks your sense of wonder; the heroes just go from same-old fight to same-old fight, which serves as interminable fillers in the progression from oppressed country in the first book to free country in the third book. If you're under 10 or easily pleased then you might like this. If, however, you prefer a little more from your fantasy then you should read J. R. R. Tolkien (anyone who hasn't, hasn't lived), J. V. Jones (for excellent realism), Robin Hobb (wonder plots and characters), Robert Jordan (for mega-quests), David Eddings (a little formulaic but fun), etc. This is one reader that hopes the Crimson Shadow stays hidden in his magic cape in future...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I'm not impressed., January 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Luthiens Gamble (Crimson Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)

For being R.A. Salvatore's #1 fan, (yeah, I'm the one), I'm really surprised this book was written by him. It lacks any shock value. Luthien was about as predictable as Presidents Clinton's denial, lacking substance and reality. A few characters did manage however to keep me mildly intrested in at least finishing the book. I won't be reading any continuations.