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Crimson Shadow #3
The Dragon King
In volume one of this series, "The Sword of Bedwyr", young Luthien Bedwyr rebelled against the vicious rule of King Greensparrow and his cruel wizard-lords. In volume two, he made use of a magical cape that renders its wearer invisible--except for a lingering crimson silhouette. Now, the evil Greensparrow is back--and with a vengeance. Using dark, hideous magic, Greensparrow has taken the form of a massive dragon--a virtually unstoppable force that only Luthien can defeat.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
87 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Salvatore
607 books11.3k followersAs one of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, R.A. Salvatore enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. Salvatore’s original hardcover, The Two Swords, Book III of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy (October 2004) debuted at # 1 on The Wall Street Journal best-seller list and at # 4 on The New York Times best-seller list. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French.
Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.
The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.
Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.
When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...
Salvatore’s first published novel, The Crystal Shard from TSR in 1988, became the first volume of the acclaimed Icewind Dale Trilogy and introduced an enormously popular character, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. Since that time, Salvatore has published numerous novels for each of his signature multi-volume series including The Dark Elf Trilogy, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter’s Blades Trilogy, and The Cleric Quintet.
His love affair with fantasy, and with literature in general, began during his sophomore year of college when he was given a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings as a Christmas gift. He promptly changed his major from computerscience to journalism. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Fitchburg State College in 1981, then returned for the degree he always cherished, the Bachelor of Arts in English. He began writing seriously in 1982, penning the manuscript that would become Echoes of the Fourth Magic. Salvatore held many jobs during those first years as a writer, finally settling in (much to our delight) to write full time in 1990.
The R.A. Salvatore Collection has been established at his alma mater, Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. He is in good company, as The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.
Salvatore is an active member of his community and is on the board of trustees at the local library in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has participated in several American Library Association regional conferences, giving talks on themes including “Adventure fantasy” and “Why young adults read fantasy.” Salvatore himself enjoys a broad range of literary writers including James Joyce, Mark Twain, Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dante, and Sartre. He counts among his favorite genre literary influences Ian Fleming, Arthur Conan Doyle, Fritz Leiber, and of course, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Born in 1959, Salvatore is a native of Massachusetts and resides there with his wife Diane, and their three children, Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin. The family pets include three Japanese Chins, Oliver, Artemis and Ivan, and four cats including Guenhwyvar.
When he isn't writing, Salvatore chases after his three Japanese Chins, takes long walks, hits the gym, and coaches/plays on a fun-league softball team that includes most of his family. His gaming group still meets on Sundays to play.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rasalv...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 27, 2014
Very boring, at the start. Dull throughout the rest. Also quite confusing, as there wasn't any lead-up to the how and why the story started as it did. Throughout the story, there is something rather missing: a sense of adventure. Now, it feels more like chess pieces slowly moving in a certain direction, while the players communicate meaningless descriptions to their actions before, during, and after.
Better dialogue in the beginning scenes of complex diplomacy. Luthien's Gamble had at least one or two scenes in which the dialogue perfectly illustrated their thoughts and intentions, and the tension of the scene. In this one, the tense, complex dialogue is more common and with much at stake. While sometimes not immediately or easily understandable, for it counters common expectation in dialogue, I much appreciate the style.
Too many new characters. Many of them are not properly, fluidly introduced as in the first two books. Often I didn't understand the importance of a scene because I didn't know who was who and why they were there.
Use of extremely violent words in the context of sexual violence. Where in past books there was an implication of kidnapping with specific intentions, in this one there are several moments in which the issue is blatantly, needlessly stated in an insensitive and exploitative way.
A lot of insults in the series, gradually increasing toward the end, describing characters as 'dogs' or stating something threatening or violent with regard to dogs. I find this, as with any such ignorant comparison to other life, disgusting and unnecessary.
The series as a whole, and this one in particular, possesses some of the typical fantasy racism. The Cyclopian species is derided as completely brutish, violent, and stupid. Targeted by many (in particular Oliver) as a game to mock the members of the cyclopian species before killing them. In this one, there is an implication of plans for genocide, of the complete ridding of the species from the land. As with any fantasy racism I come across, I see this as a missed opportunity for more complexity to the story.
Many of the chapters begin and/or end with a more cliffhanger-y style than I've come to expect from the series. Instead of drawing in my interest with dramatic tension, it became an annoyance and a trite form of writing.
Overall, the final book is mostly unsatisfying. There's an unnecessary death utilized for drama, but in reality as a result the book simply ends wrong and is often a terrible bore.
Better dialogue in the beginning scenes of complex diplomacy. Luthien's Gamble had at least one or two scenes in which the dialogue perfectly illustrated their thoughts and intentions, and the tension of the scene. In this one, the tense, complex dialogue is more common and with much at stake. While sometimes not immediately or easily understandable, for it counters common expectation in dialogue, I much appreciate the style.
Too many new characters. Many of them are not properly, fluidly introduced as in the first two books. Often I didn't understand the importance of a scene because I didn't know who was who and why they were there.
Use of extremely violent words in the context of sexual violence. Where in past books there was an implication of kidnapping with specific intentions, in this one there are several moments in which the issue is blatantly, needlessly stated in an insensitive and exploitative way.
A lot of insults in the series, gradually increasing toward the end, describing characters as 'dogs' or stating something threatening or violent with regard to dogs. I find this, as with any such ignorant comparison to other life, disgusting and unnecessary.
The series as a whole, and this one in particular, possesses some of the typical fantasy racism. The Cyclopian species is derided as completely brutish, violent, and stupid. Targeted by many (in particular Oliver) as a game to mock the members of the cyclopian species before killing them. In this one, there is an implication of plans for genocide, of the complete ridding of the species from the land. As with any fantasy racism I come across, I see this as a missed opportunity for more complexity to the story.
Many of the chapters begin and/or end with a more cliffhanger-y style than I've come to expect from the series. Instead of drawing in my interest with dramatic tension, it became an annoyance and a trite form of writing.
Overall, the final book is mostly unsatisfying. There's an unnecessary death utilized for drama, but in reality as a result the book simply ends wrong and is often a terrible bore.
April 30, 2011
Okay, this book was god-awful, but not because the author isn’t skilled or talented (he is both, I loved the Icewind Dale Trilogy) – it is god-awful precisely because he is so skilled and talented!
Every hackneys motif of the Fantasy genre is here – the rugged and handsome roguish young nobleman who is an expert swordsman, archer, thief, nuclear engineer, tracker, and lover; his not quite so noble-born but still beautiful and deadly lady love; the ancient yet kind wizard-king; the comedy-relief sidekick Halfling thief with the outrageous French accent; the young but beautiful half-elf ex-lover of our hero who is now smitten with the Halfling; the evil dragon-king who uses demonic magic’s and cyclopean enforcers.
It’s all be done before, and done better. There are no surprises. One of the principal characters dies near the end (no surprise AT ALL on who it was!), the hero is pegged to take responsibilities as a nobleman but instead ducks it in favor of his long-lost-and–now-returned older brother, And despite the sorceress battle between the two kings it ends with our hero’s blade though the evil man/dragon.
I did manage to finish the entire book, a rarity for ones I give this low of a rating – and there are two reasons for this:
1 – I was listening to an audiobook, and that makes it easier than trying to put in the effort to read something you are growing to despise (and there were no other available audiobooks at that time – so it was either this or the radio and its constant repetition of the same three songs or the same two opinions mouthed by asshats so similar in attitude only their proctologist can tell them apart).
2 – I had to see if it was going to be as bad of a train wreck as I feared (something akin to that rubber-neck syndrome many get when passing by a wreck in hopes of seeing some blood).
It was that bad.
So if you like Mr. Salvatore, try some of his other books. Frankly I don’t think he even tried with this series, it’s like he phoned it in or had is ghost-written by someone instructed to use every tired fantasy element he could.
And if you are liking for good Fantasy, there is SO much out there that is FAR better than this pile of canine excrement.
Every hackneys motif of the Fantasy genre is here – the rugged and handsome roguish young nobleman who is an expert swordsman, archer, thief, nuclear engineer, tracker, and lover; his not quite so noble-born but still beautiful and deadly lady love; the ancient yet kind wizard-king; the comedy-relief sidekick Halfling thief with the outrageous French accent; the young but beautiful half-elf ex-lover of our hero who is now smitten with the Halfling; the evil dragon-king who uses demonic magic’s and cyclopean enforcers.
It’s all be done before, and done better. There are no surprises. One of the principal characters dies near the end (no surprise AT ALL on who it was!), the hero is pegged to take responsibilities as a nobleman but instead ducks it in favor of his long-lost-and–now-returned older brother, And despite the sorceress battle between the two kings it ends with our hero’s blade though the evil man/dragon.
I did manage to finish the entire book, a rarity for ones I give this low of a rating – and there are two reasons for this:
1 – I was listening to an audiobook, and that makes it easier than trying to put in the effort to read something you are growing to despise (and there were no other available audiobooks at that time – so it was either this or the radio and its constant repetition of the same three songs or the same two opinions mouthed by asshats so similar in attitude only their proctologist can tell them apart).
2 – I had to see if it was going to be as bad of a train wreck as I feared (something akin to that rubber-neck syndrome many get when passing by a wreck in hopes of seeing some blood).
It was that bad.
So if you like Mr. Salvatore, try some of his other books. Frankly I don’t think he even tried with this series, it’s like he phoned it in or had is ghost-written by someone instructed to use every tired fantasy element he could.
And if you are liking for good Fantasy, there is SO much out there that is FAR better than this pile of canine excrement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
I read this mainly because I'm a completionist and wanted to finish the series even though I rated the first two books in the series as two stars.
I've been reading Bob for over 30 years and this series just didn't click with me.
Plot was flat.
Characters were uninteresting.
Pacing was slow.
He wrote this early in his career and it shows as he has written many masterpieces since then.
Unless you also were a completionist I would give this one a pass.
I've been reading Bob for over 30 years and this series just didn't click with me.
Plot was flat.
Characters were uninteresting.
Pacing was slow.
He wrote this early in his career and it shows as he has written many masterpieces since then.
Unless you also were a completionist I would give this one a pass.
August 2, 2017
I hated the forced romance and some of the bad decisions, but it was still an enjoyable read.
October 28, 2022
Η Πορφυρή Σκιά - Ρ.Α.Σαλβατόρε (τριλογία)
Τρία βιβλία φαντασίας, με πρώτο χαρακτήρα τον Λούθιεν, έναν άνθρωπο-πολεμιστή που θα τον γνωρίσουμε σαν την Πορφυρή Σκιά χάρη σε έναν μαγικό μανδύα που όταν τον φοράει τον κάνει αόρατο αλλά ταυτόχρονα αφήνει εκεί που στέκετε μια πορφυρή σκιά.
Ο κόσμος του βιβλίου φανταστικός , αν και σε πολλά σημεία θα θυμίσει μέρη από τον πραγματικό κόσμο, με την άγρια φύση να έχει τον πρώτο λόγο. Τα πάντα διοικούνται από έναν μάγο-τύραννο, τον Γκρινσπάροου, ο οποίος είναι και ο κακός της ιστορίας μας. Μετά από κάποια γεγονότα που θα συμβούν στον Λούθιεν αυτός θα αναγκαστεί να φύγει από τον τόπο του και να ξεκινήσει μια περιπέτειας-αναζήτηση με τελικό σκοπό την ανατροπή του Γκρινσπαροου από την εξουσία και την επιστροφή της ελευθερίας στον κόσμο. Στο δρόμο θα βρει και την συντροφιά του(την Κατριν μια γυναίκα πολεμίστρια, την Σιόμπαν μισή ξωτική, τον Όλιβερ κάτι σαν νάνος και τον Μπριντ'Αμοούρ που θα είναι ο μάγος της παρέας) που θα τον βοηθήσει στο έργο του μέχρι και το τέλος των βιβλίων.
Με το τέλος του τρίτου βιβλίου θα έχουμε το ποθητό αποτέλεσμα, αλλά τα καλά θα σταματήσουν εκεί! Μετά το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της τριλογίας τα πάντα γίνονται βαρετά. Οι μάχες επαναλαμβάνονται και περιγράφονται σχεδόν με τον ίδιο τρόπο, τα μαγικά πλάσμα-τα ελάχιστα και με μικρή συμμετοχή, η περιγραφή στα ξόρκια των μάγων περιληπτική και τα ίδια τα μαγικά ξόρκια μετρημένα στα δάχτυλα.
Ανατροπές, κρυμμένα μυστικά, αγωνιά για την συνέχεια, όλα απουσιάζουν! Τρία βιβλία που θα έπρεπε να είναι ένα ώστε να πεις ότι δεν έχασες τον χρόνο σου διαβάζοντάς τα. Έχω διαβάσει πολλά βιβλία ξένων πολυδιαφημισμένων συγγραφέων και αν εξαιρέσεις 5-6 που βρίσκονται σε άλλο επίπεδο, κανένας άλλος δεν συγκρίνεται με τους δικούς μας. Τα συγκεκριμένα βιβλία είναι ίσως το καλύτερο παράδειγμα για να αφήσουμε στην άκρη την ξενομανία και να επενδύσουμε σε Έλληνες συγγραφείς. Μετά από πολλά βιβλία που έχω την τύχη να διαβάσω σας λέω με σιγουριά ότι η Ελληνική Λογοτεχνία της Φαντασίας είναι πλέον σε ανώτατο επίπεδο. Διαβάστε βιβλία φαντασίας Ελλήνων και δεν θα το μετανιώσετε.
Τώρα αν πρέπει να διαβάσετε την Πορφυρή Σκιά... χωρίς κανένα δισταγμό ΟΧΙ!
Τρία βιβλία φαντασίας, με πρώτο χαρακτήρα τον Λούθιεν, έναν άνθρωπο-πολεμιστή που θα τον γνωρίσουμε σαν την Πορφυρή Σκιά χάρη σε έναν μαγικό μανδύα που όταν τον φοράει τον κάνει αόρατο αλλά ταυτόχρονα αφήνει εκεί που στέκετε μια πορφυρή σκιά.
Ο κόσμος του βιβλίου φανταστικός , αν και σε πολλά σημεία θα θυμίσει μέρη από τον πραγματικό κόσμο, με την άγρια φύση να έχει τον πρώτο λόγο. Τα πάντα διοικούνται από έναν μάγο-τύραννο, τον Γκρινσπάροου, ο οποίος είναι και ο κακός της ιστορίας μας. Μετά από κάποια γεγονότα που θα συμβούν στον Λούθιεν αυτός θα αναγκαστεί να φύγει από τον τόπο του και να ξεκινήσει μια περιπέτειας-αναζήτηση με τελικό σκοπό την ανατροπή του Γκρινσπαροου από την εξουσία και την επιστροφή της ελευθερίας στον κόσμο. Στο δρόμο θα βρει και την συντροφιά του(την Κατριν μια γυναίκα πολεμίστρια, την Σιόμπαν μισή ξωτική, τον Όλιβερ κάτι σαν νάνος και τον Μπριντ'Αμοούρ που θα είναι ο μάγος της παρέας) που θα τον βοηθήσει στο έργο του μέχρι και το τέλος των βιβλίων.
Με το τέλος του τρίτου βιβλίου θα έχουμε το ποθητό αποτέλεσμα, αλλά τα καλά θα σταματήσουν εκεί! Μετά το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της τριλογίας τα πάντα γίνονται βαρετά. Οι μάχες επαναλαμβάνονται και περιγράφονται σχεδόν με τον ίδιο τρόπο, τα μαγικά πλάσμα-τα ελάχιστα και με μικρή συμμετοχή, η περιγραφή στα ξόρκια των μάγων περιληπτική και τα ίδια τα μαγικά ξόρκια μετρημένα στα δάχτυλα.
Ανατροπές, κρυμμένα μυστικά, αγωνιά για την συνέχεια, όλα απουσιάζουν! Τρία βιβλία που θα έπρεπε να είναι ένα ώστε να πεις ότι δεν έχασες τον χρόνο σου διαβάζοντάς τα. Έχω διαβάσει πολλά βιβλία ξένων πολυδιαφημισμένων συγγραφέων και αν εξαιρέσεις 5-6 που βρίσκονται σε άλλο επίπεδο, κανένας άλλος δεν συγκρίνεται με τους δικούς μας. Τα συγκεκριμένα βιβλία είναι ίσως το καλύτερο παράδειγμα για να αφήσουμε στην άκρη την ξενομανία και να επενδύσουμε σε Έλληνες συγγραφείς. Μετά από πολλά βιβλία που έχω την τύχη να διαβάσω σας λέω με σιγουριά ότι η Ελληνική Λογοτεχνία της Φαντασίας είναι πλέον σε ανώτατο επίπεδο. Διαβάστε βιβλία φαντασίας Ελλήνων και δεν θα το μετανιώσετε.
Τώρα αν πρέπει να διαβάσετε την Πορφυρή Σκιά... χωρίς κανένα δισταγμό ΟΧΙ!
June 3, 2016
Παραθέτω αρχικά τα όσα έγραψα για το δεύτερο σκέλος της τριλογίας με τίτλο “Η Επιστροφή Του Μάγου”. Αμέσως μετά ακολουθεί και το σχόλιο για τον “Δρακοβασιλιά”.
“Η επιστροφή του μάγου”
Ο Salvatore είναι από τις συμπάθειές μου. Τα βιβλία του μάλιστα τα προτείνω πάντοτε σε αυτούς που καταπιάνονται για πρώτη φορά με την ηρωική φαντασία, καθώς είναι ευκολοδιάβαστα και γενικώς καθόλου περίπλοκα.
Λίγο πολύ το ίδιο ισχύει και στην τριλογία της πορφυρής σκιάς. Σε αντίθεση με τα δαιδαλώδη κατεβατά ονομάτων που απαιτούνται σε άλλα βιβλία του είδους, εδώ χρειάζεται να συγκρατήσει κανείς πολύ πολύ λιγότερα: Τον πρωταγωνιστή Λούθιεν, τον κολλητό του τον Όλιβερ, τις όμορφες Κάτριν και Σιόμπαν, τον νάνο Σάγκλιν και μερικούς δυνατούς και αρχαίους μάγους. Και αμέσως είναι έτοιμος να βουτήξει στην πλοκή. Μια πλοκή γεμάτη δράση, μάζες σώμα με σώμα και ένα σωρό ατάκες.
Όπως τα περιγράφω, όλα πρέπει να ακούγονται ρόδινα. Η αλήθεια είναι όμως ότι στην εν λόγω τριλογία κάτι δε μου κάθισε και τόσο καλά. Εντάξει, σίγουρα είμαι και κάπως παραπάνω κολλημένος με τα βιβλία του Σαλβατόρε που καταπιάστηκαν με τα forgotten realms, ενώ έχω λατρέψει τόσο πολύ και τον Nτριτζτ που δύσκολα θα τον αντάλλασσα με τον Λούθιεν, αλλά τελικά μάλλον δε φταίω μόνο εγώ, αλλά κ ο ίδιος ο συγγραφέας. Η συγκεκριμένη ιστορία στα μάτια μου δεν είναι και τόσο δυνατή. Ο Σαλβατόρε μοιάζει κάπως ντεφορμέ σε όλα του (και κυρίως στις περιγραφές).
Να υποσημειώσω ωστόσο ότι υπάρχουν γνωστοί μου που έχουν αντίθετη άποψη επί τούτου. Επιστρέφοντας πάντως στη δική μου άποψη, έχω να πω ότι η “Επιστροφή του μάγου” μου φάνηκε στα επίπεδα του πρώτου μέρους της τριλογίας (Το σπαθί του Μπέντγουιρ). Ίσως και λίγο χειρότερο. Και καταλήγοντας εκεί που ξεκίνησα, θα πω ότι ο Σαλβατόρε εξακολουθεί να μου είναι απολύτως συμπαθής, αλλά μάλλον θα πρότεινα πρώτα άλλα βιβλία του σε κάθε επίδοξο αναγνώστη του.
“Ο Δρακοβασιλιάς”
Μετά το παραπάνω σχόλιο, τα όσα απαιτούνται να πω εδώ περιορίζονται σημαντικά αφού η ιστορία συνεχίζεται στο ίδιο ακριβώς μοτίβο. Κυρίως με μπόλικες μάχες, αλλά και με άλλες “ηπιότερες” στρατιωτικές προσεγγίσεις. Επίσης, οι ήρωες που εμφανίζονται μπορεί να αυξάνονται, αλλά αυτό εξακολουθεί να συμβαίνει σε φυσιολογικά πλαίσια. Ο συνολικός τους αριθμός είναι και πάλι προσιτός.
Θα έλεγα ότι η ιστορία στο τέλος της δεν παρουσιάζει κάποια δραματική έκπληξη, με εξαίρεση έναν θάνατο που δεν τον υπολόγιζα. Παρά όμως το “προβλέψιμο”, εξακολουθεί να διαβάζεται ευχάριστα. Και μπορώ να πω ότι ο “δρακοβασιλιάς” μου άρεσε περισσότερο από την “επιστροφή του μάγου”.
Στο σύνολο η τριλογία μού άφησε θετικές εντυπώσεις. Επαναλαμβάνω κι εδώ ότι α) δεν τη θεωρώ την καλύτερη του Salvatore, και β) ότι αυτό δεν την κάνει απευθείας και κακή. Σε καμία των περιπτώσεων δεν ένιωσα ότι έχασα τον αναγνωστικό μου χρόνο.
“Η επιστροφή του μάγου”
Ο Salvatore είναι από τις συμπάθειές μου. Τα βιβλία του μάλιστα τα προτείνω πάντοτε σε αυτούς που καταπιάνονται για πρώτη φορά με την ηρωική φαντασία, καθώς είναι ευκολοδιάβαστα και γενικώς καθόλου περίπλοκα.
Λίγο πολύ το ίδιο ισχύει και στην τριλογία της πορφυρής σκιάς. Σε αντίθεση με τα δαιδαλώδη κατεβατά ονομάτων που απαιτούνται σε άλλα βιβλία του είδους, εδώ χρειάζεται να συγκρατήσει κανείς πολύ πολύ λιγότερα: Τον πρωταγωνιστή Λούθιεν, τον κολλητό του τον Όλιβερ, τις όμορφες Κάτριν και Σιόμπαν, τον νάνο Σάγκλιν και μερικούς δυνατούς και αρχαίους μάγους. Και αμέσως είναι έτοιμος να βουτήξει στην πλοκή. Μια πλοκή γεμάτη δράση, μάζες σώμα με σώμα και ένα σωρό ατάκες.
Όπως τα περιγράφω, όλα πρέπει να ακούγονται ρόδινα. Η αλήθεια είναι όμως ότι στην εν λόγω τριλογία κάτι δε μου κάθισε και τόσο καλά. Εντάξει, σίγουρα είμαι και κάπως παραπάνω κολλημένος με τα βιβλία του Σαλβατόρε που καταπιάστηκαν με τα forgotten realms, ενώ έχω λατρέψει τόσο πολύ και τον Nτριτζτ που δύσκολα θα τον αντάλλασσα με τον Λούθιεν, αλλά τελικά μάλλον δε φταίω μόνο εγώ, αλλά κ ο ίδιος ο συγγραφέας. Η συγκεκριμένη ιστορία στα μάτια μου δεν είναι και τόσο δυνατή. Ο Σαλβατόρε μοιάζει κάπως ντεφορμέ σε όλα του (και κυρίως στις περιγραφές).
Να υποσημειώσω ωστόσο ότι υπάρχουν γνωστοί μου που έχουν αντίθετη άποψη επί τούτου. Επιστρέφοντας πάντως στη δική μου άποψη, έχω να πω ότι η “Επιστροφή του μάγου” μου φάνηκε στα επίπεδα του πρώτου μέρους της τριλογίας (Το σπαθί του Μπέντγουιρ). Ίσως και λίγο χειρότερο. Και καταλήγοντας εκεί που ξεκίνησα, θα πω ότι ο Σαλβατόρε εξακολουθεί να μου είναι απολύτως συμπαθής, αλλά μάλλον θα πρότεινα πρώτα άλλα βιβλία του σε κάθε επίδοξο αναγνώστη του.
“Ο Δρακοβασιλιάς”
Μετά το παραπάνω σχόλιο, τα όσα απαιτούνται να πω εδώ περιορίζονται σημαντικά αφού η ιστορία συνεχίζεται στο ίδιο ακριβώς μοτίβο. Κυρίως με μπόλικες μάχες, αλλά και με άλλες “ηπιότερες” στρατιωτικές προσεγγίσεις. Επίσης, οι ήρωες που εμφανίζονται μπορεί να αυξάνονται, αλλά αυτό εξακολουθεί να συμβαίνει σε φυσιολογικά πλαίσια. Ο συνολικός τους αριθμός είναι και πάλι προσιτός.
Θα έλεγα ότι η ιστορία στο τέλος της δεν παρουσιάζει κάποια δραματική έκπληξη, με εξαίρεση έναν θάνατο που δεν τον υπολόγιζα. Παρά όμως το “προβλέψιμο”, εξακολουθεί να διαβάζεται ευχάριστα. Και μπορώ να πω ότι ο “δρακοβασιλιάς” μου άρεσε περισσότερο από την “επιστροφή του μάγου”.
Στο σύνολο η τριλογία μού άφησε θετικές εντυπώσεις. Επαναλαμβάνω κι εδώ ότι α) δεν τη θεωρώ την καλύτερη του Salvatore, και β) ότι αυτό δεν την κάνει απευθείας και κακή. Σε καμία των περιπτώσεων δεν ένιωσα ότι έχασα τον αναγνωστικό μου χρόνο.
February 3, 2015
The series started off excellent, but suffered at the end. Really, all the times "Blind Striker" was mentioned got tiresome, everything seemed to be rushed as if Salvatore himself decided that no matter what this had to be three and only three books, and the forced love between Luthien and Katrina made me roll my eyes as Luthien's time with Siobhan was basically forgotten and thrown to the wind to shove Katrina down our throats. Speaking of Siobhan, were the hell did the romance between her and Oliver even begin? More importantly why did she need to die? Does R.A. Salvatore just not like elves who aren't dark?
Loved the first book, was fine with the second, but this was just a poor ending to a good series.
Loved the first book, was fine with the second, but this was just a poor ending to a good series.
July 28, 2020
This book was a somewhat underwhelming ending to the Crimson Shadow Trilogy. I highly enjoyed the interactions between Luthien and his defected brother Ethan, and the wizard character of Brind'Amour always added something interesting. The romance between Oliver and Siobhan was never very believable and is definitely a minus. I believe the book would have benefited from being shorter- I enjoy the planning and suspense the characters go through leading up to the climax of the book, but after 2 previous books of slow buildup to Greensparrow, more Greensparrow action and less tactics and forced romances would have made this a sharper read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2013
Well, it ended. And one main character died. Without much glory. This book was so straightforward I got really bored. I now know war books, at least straight war books, really don't do it for me. Even Oliver's antics were hard to wade through here. No character growth, no world-building, more play by play sword fighting, and two angry brothers later and all I can say is I'm glad it's over. I wish it were better, deeper, richer than it was because I really did enjoy the first two.
March 22, 2017
The Crimson Shadow
This was a great book, good plot and action. Nothing wrong with it. Kind of slow at some points but otherwise a phenomenal book
This was a great book, good plot and action. Nothing wrong with it. Kind of slow at some points but otherwise a phenomenal book
June 15, 2017
Plenty of action, magic, just enough romance to sate this lady.
May 10, 2020
I love Salvatore's work. His story telling is the best!
May 5, 2019
One of my major disappointments is that R.A. Salvatore has never revisited this world. I loved these almost as much as his Drizzt books.
November 28, 2024
A strong finish to the trilogy, but feels like the only loss happens to back-up characters because the ending feels too storybook happy yay.
July 25, 2024
This is a hard book to rate, and review. Hard as in I had such high hopes for this series at the beginning in book 1.
The VAST majority of this book is about politics, and battle tactics with said tactics being used in the ensuing battles. It wouldn't be until the last hundred pages, or so that I felt the book really got going. Long stretches of set-up for what felt like easy, quick, efficient battles.
Our main cast is neck deep in the revolution against big bad Greensparrow, but "off-screen" they struck a truce between books 2, and 3; so they cannot outright attack each other. However, Greensparrow uses some underhanded raids to force the war between the two groups. Although it is OBVIOUS that these raids are not random events, and are at the behest of Greensparrow; our team needs "proof" in order to wage war in earnest. What ensues for a good chunk of the book is Luthien's group collecting allies, and otherwise building their army to take on Greensparrow. The inevitable march south to the kingdom of Avon peppered with smaller skirmishes until the epic final battle.
There are some genuinely exciting moments in those battles, but after a while I found myself simply skimming through those sections to advance the story. The reason? Everything just felt too simple, or otherwise SO in favor of our main cast that I didn't fell like there were any actual stakes. Luthien and his companions were seemingly two, or three steps ahead of their enemies, and bolstered their ranks through what felt like last minute additions to the cause. You can argue that the additional support was there all along once said forces realized Greensparrow's rule was on borrowed time, but it all just felt too convenient.
The one aspect of this book that I found engaging was the story of the Duchess Deanna. We met her in the previous book, but we didn't know she would be such a "main character" until this book. She is one of Greensparrow's "henchman" magic users. Bound to a demon to bolster her power [which we found out she was already a promising magic user even before that]. It's the story of her slowly, but surely coming around to the idea of turning against Greensparrow as the revolution gains momentum. The lies, and deceit she wove to keep her cover with Greensparrow, but also gain the trust & cooperation needed to break free of him. I feel like we should have had more of this kind of storyline to break up the action & planning of the revolt.
As I mentioned previously; the last hundred pages, or so are where the payoff finally comes. We get the big climactic battle to dislodge Greensparrow from his fortress of power. The siege of the city is depicted quite well, but again I couldn't help but skim through most of it, because at that point I knew where it was going. We get a riveting FINAL final battle between Greensparrow, Brind'amour, and Luthien. I won't spoil anything, but suffice it to say it was great. Though not enough of a pay-off for all the lead-up to it.
This series started off so good with what felt like old school adventure epic fantasy with Luthien out on a journey to find his exiled brother, meeting Oliver, journeying south to the capital of Montfort, their almost harmless petty thefts inadvertently reviving the legend of the crimson shadow, and subsequent revolt against a corrupt leader. EXCITING! However as the series went on it became more, and more of a military fantasy in my opinion. The 2nd & 3rd books never quite reached the level of enjoyment as the first.
The VAST majority of this book is about politics, and battle tactics with said tactics being used in the ensuing battles. It wouldn't be until the last hundred pages, or so that I felt the book really got going. Long stretches of set-up for what felt like easy, quick, efficient battles.
Our main cast is neck deep in the revolution against big bad Greensparrow, but "off-screen" they struck a truce between books 2, and 3; so they cannot outright attack each other. However, Greensparrow uses some underhanded raids to force the war between the two groups. Although it is OBVIOUS that these raids are not random events, and are at the behest of Greensparrow; our team needs "proof" in order to wage war in earnest. What ensues for a good chunk of the book is Luthien's group collecting allies, and otherwise building their army to take on Greensparrow. The inevitable march south to the kingdom of Avon peppered with smaller skirmishes until the epic final battle.
There are some genuinely exciting moments in those battles, but after a while I found myself simply skimming through those sections to advance the story. The reason? Everything just felt too simple, or otherwise SO in favor of our main cast that I didn't fell like there were any actual stakes. Luthien and his companions were seemingly two, or three steps ahead of their enemies, and bolstered their ranks through what felt like last minute additions to the cause. You can argue that the additional support was there all along once said forces realized Greensparrow's rule was on borrowed time, but it all just felt too convenient.
The one aspect of this book that I found engaging was the story of the Duchess Deanna. We met her in the previous book, but we didn't know she would be such a "main character" until this book. She is one of Greensparrow's "henchman" magic users. Bound to a demon to bolster her power [which we found out she was already a promising magic user even before that]. It's the story of her slowly, but surely coming around to the idea of turning against Greensparrow as the revolution gains momentum. The lies, and deceit she wove to keep her cover with Greensparrow, but also gain the trust & cooperation needed to break free of him. I feel like we should have had more of this kind of storyline to break up the action & planning of the revolt.
As I mentioned previously; the last hundred pages, or so are where the payoff finally comes. We get the big climactic battle to dislodge Greensparrow from his fortress of power. The siege of the city is depicted quite well, but again I couldn't help but skim through most of it, because at that point I knew where it was going. We get a riveting FINAL final battle between Greensparrow, Brind'amour, and Luthien. I won't spoil anything, but suffice it to say it was great. Though not enough of a pay-off for all the lead-up to it.
This series started off so good with what felt like old school adventure epic fantasy with Luthien out on a journey to find his exiled brother, meeting Oliver, journeying south to the capital of Montfort, their almost harmless petty thefts inadvertently reviving the legend of the crimson shadow, and subsequent revolt against a corrupt leader. EXCITING! However as the series went on it became more, and more of a military fantasy in my opinion. The 2nd & 3rd books never quite reached the level of enjoyment as the first.
September 4, 2021
This book was a great wrap up to the entire series. You obviously love to see the good guys win (with as little loose ends as possible), but you never want it to be TOO easy, or where would the excitement be?
The Dragon King does a great job of playing on all the momentum that has built in books 1 and 2.
As a series, these books don't do much outside of standard fantasy fare. Yet, they're anything but "sub-standard." I'd even venture to say that the quality of this series is THE standard to meet for fantasy books. At least be as good as this!
They were fun reads. Sword of Bedwyr was good, and necessary buildup. Luthien's Gamble is likely my favorite of the three. And the Dragon King is the culmination of it all, wrapped up and left open for potential future adventures for Luthien and Co.
I don't know who will ever read my reviews but if you do, read these books. They're great!
The Dragon King does a great job of playing on all the momentum that has built in books 1 and 2.
As a series, these books don't do much outside of standard fantasy fare. Yet, they're anything but "sub-standard." I'd even venture to say that the quality of this series is THE standard to meet for fantasy books. At least be as good as this!
They were fun reads. Sword of Bedwyr was good, and necessary buildup. Luthien's Gamble is likely my favorite of the three. And the Dragon King is the culmination of it all, wrapped up and left open for potential future adventures for Luthien and Co.
I don't know who will ever read my reviews but if you do, read these books. They're great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2021
Salvatore is an excellent storyteller he proved that in the full of the Drizzt series Which got me hooked on Fantasy fiction all over again after I got out of the Marines. This book was good I'll have to admit with keeping the reader turning from one page to the next wondering what would happen next with the friends. I will have to admit that It was a bittersweet ending when one of the allies ends up dying, With the battle at the end with the great evil and enemy was an excellent ending.
Now forget the law 2 star and lower ratings if you like Salvatore and Fantasy fiction AKA: Young Adult; this is a must-read.
Now forget the law 2 star and lower ratings if you like Salvatore and Fantasy fiction AKA: Young Adult; this is a must-read.
January 25, 2023
A good conclusion to a great trilogy
The saga of the Crimson Shadow was a fun and very entertaining read. It began in epic conflict and ended in satisfying resolution with a peek at the roads no travelled and a hope for the tales (hopefully) yet to come. R.A. Salvatore does not disappoint. I highly recommend this whole trilogy as a great escape for anyone who might enjoy the hero's journey and its' satisfying conclusion.
The saga of the Crimson Shadow was a fun and very entertaining read. It began in epic conflict and ended in satisfying resolution with a peek at the roads no travelled and a hope for the tales (hopefully) yet to come. R.A. Salvatore does not disappoint. I highly recommend this whole trilogy as a great escape for anyone who might enjoy the hero's journey and its' satisfying conclusion.
December 7, 2020
მეჰ :|
ხელოვნურად შემოტენილი დრამატიზმი, აბსოლუტურად პროგნოზირებადი ფინალი, მასშტაბური ომის აღწერის წარუმატებელი მცდელობა, არსაიდან მოტანილი ჰუმანიზმი.
კლასიკური good vs evil უნდა ყოფილიყო იდეაში პირველი წიგნიდან გამომდინარე, მაგრამ სამწუხაროდ ძალიან სუსტად დაწერილი მინდავიყოტოლკინი გამოდგა.
ისევ მივიწყებულ სამყაროებს მიაწექი ბობ, აშკარად უკეთესად გამოგდის.
ხელოვნურად შემოტენილი დრამატიზმი, აბსოლუტურად პროგნოზირებადი ფინალი, მასშტაბური ომის აღწერის წარუმატებელი მცდელობა, არსაიდან მოტანილი ჰუმანიზმი.
კლასიკური good vs evil უნდა ყოფილიყო იდეაში პირველი წიგნიდან გამომდინარე, მაგრამ სამწუხაროდ ძალიან სუსტად დაწერილი მინდავიყოტოლკინი გამოდგა.
ისევ მივიწყებულ სამყაროებს მიაწექი ბობ, აშკარად უკეთესად გამოგდის.
October 12, 2022
Luthien and crew fight for Eriador, for Brind’Amour, for the world. Against Greensparrow and the Cyclopians.
I thought this was a really fun book that seemed to touch on more serious themes, like who has the authority to be on a throne and how one side can change their mind about slavery. I also enjoyed the use of wizardry.
I think R. A. Salvatore is now my go-to fantasy writer.
I thought this was a really fun book that seemed to touch on more serious themes, like who has the authority to be on a throne and how one side can change their mind about slavery. I also enjoyed the use of wizardry.
I think R. A. Salvatore is now my go-to fantasy writer.
October 2, 2023
When I started this series way back in the 90s, I never finished it until now. While it was definitely a series that held more nostalgia for me than quality, I can't say it was a bad read. It just felt like it dragged in some portions. Nostalgic for sure, and worth a read, but it didn't quite hold up as I had once hoped.
March 14, 2025
Really liked the first book of the series. book 2 was a little bit of a step down. Book 3 was kind of a slow read. My problem, as it was in the previous books, is the lack of character development and depth.
February 4, 2017
A heroic tale
Another wonderful tale about the awesome heroics of the young Bedwyr and his company. Very well written and enjoyable to read.
Another wonderful tale about the awesome heroics of the young Bedwyr and his company. Very well written and enjoyable to read.
August 26, 2017
Enjoyed the adventure.
April 10, 2020
I enjoyed this. Liked the characters and thought the action scenes were great.
January 29, 2021
Least favorite of the books in the trilogy. Really felt this was all over the place. The end felt rushed after the long detailed buildup.
January 4, 2022
Another good series. Has some cool shifts in it but you still know how its gonna turn out.That might turn some off but for just good fantasy stories,these books are good.
June 6, 2022
Completely mindless fantasy, what I needed right now despite being otherwise just ok.
February 14, 2017
This was the third book in a trilogy. Excellent fantasy story with a lot of action and adventure, twists around every corner. Very enjoyable. I have read several books by this author and I have not seen a really bad one yet. Good Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!
May 15, 2020
A solid conclusion to a fun trilogy. I enjoyed the obvious Scotland/England world building of the series, the characters were mostly well done, and the action scenes were excellent as they always are from Salvatore. I think it was slightly lacking in depth and nuance, but a fun, nostalgic, swords and sorcery trilogy none-the-less.
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