Luthien's Gamble

Crimson Shadow #2

by R.A. Salvatore

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Forgotten Realms, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

313 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

As 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...

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale of Luthien of Bedwyr continues.

Luthien's Gamble focuses mostly on a revolt to take back a duchy from a bad hombre. It also delves into luuuv just a little bit.

There's a lot of fighting in this one and right from the get-go. You can tell Salvatore's a D&D player, because much of his fighting is described in terms of "strikes" and "hits". This might seem a bit impersonal, but I suppose it's best to keep a bit of distance from the hardcore reality of battle when you're trying to write a mostly lighthearted adventure story.

The fun characters from book one are all here and they're further rounded out. Brindamour, the wizard who seems to controlling the puppet strings, shows up more in this sequel. I can't tell if he's suppose to an all-powerful omniscient or what. He actually adds some comic relief in a scene or two. I'm sure it'll all be clear in the final book, which I'll be reading soon enough.

[Γιώργος Δάμτσιος · Rating 4 out of 5]

​ 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.

[Elagabalus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more violence than the first, which while it is a bit more fitting considering there's an open revolt, is nonetheless even more graphic and repetitious. Particularly disturbing is that the fighting is considered a game by the main characters. They haven't been fighting nearly long enough to be that desensitized toward violence, nor is it expressed as psychologically-inclined. Rather, it is simply the kind of sadistic enjoyment of violence I have the displeasure to come across continuously in american media.

I really, really enjoy reading the characters discussing strategy and how best to have a continuously-successful revolt. I nearly threw my fist in the air in excitement when Luthien finally agreed to the enormous benefit found in fighting to free the dwarven slaves in the mines outside of the city. Very exciting, I enjoy this stuff. The dialogue, the discussion on what to do, what is to be done, and feeling real pressure to do whatever they all can do to best succeed.

Dislike the monoamorist relationship nonsense. I find it ridiculuous and quite a bit unsettling that there's some cis-het romance thrown in with graphic violence and strategic revolution.

I quite like when fantasy stories focus on wizards and wizardry-related themes. For example, one of my favourite scenes in the book was a battle toward the end between two wizards. I often find that wizards are oft-unused characters despite possessing enormous interest by me. The wizard in alliance with luthien is probably my favourite character. A great example of the wisdom, isolation, and assistance that I've appreciated of wizards in such fantasy stories.

While an improvement on the first, in some ways, it is worse in the beginning. By the last third of the book, there is far more focus on strategic contemplation and preparation for the future, now the revolt is successful. I have an appreciation for how the story wrapped up well in the end, while encouraging continuing to the final book to see how the resolution from the second plays out in the third. I can't recall ever being excited as this to finish a series. Particularly one of fantasy, which is often far lengthier and more boring. Well, here's to part three!

[MrKPOT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Разочарование Лютиена

Лютиену и его союзникам удалось одержать первую крупную победу, и взять контроль над Монфором - первым свободным город от гнета Гринспэрроу. Но восстание только разгорается, ибо к ним уже движется преторианская гвардия злобного короля-волшебника и сейчас настало время искать новым союзников.

С одной стороны, книге удается избежать синдрома “второй книги” - глобальный сюжет продвигается, сюжетные линии и конфликты разрешаются в рамках этой же книги, а не становятся просто затравкой для третье книги, настоящие битвы армия на армию, осады городов, дуэли. Но тут же, это на столько шаблонное фэнтези, с зеро интересных идей и концепций - что при прочтении у меня вызывало одно только разочарование. Планы и стратегии сражений? Всегда одношаговые. Герои? Наивные до безумия. Злодей? Никаких мотивов кроме - я злой “бубубу”. Циклопы? Настолько бестолковые, что я удивлен как Гринспэрроу смог удержать власть дольше одной недели. Тут даже есть любовный треугольник - которому уделяется немало внимания. Я прекрасно понимаю, что не каждое произведение должно быть революционным, прорывным в своем жанре/поджанре и иногда хочется просто взять в руки классическое ДнД фэнтези и расслабиться. Но неоригинальность “Рискованной игры Лютиена” - просто преступна.

Финальная оценка 2.5 из 5.

[Mindy Chisam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough how much I love this book.. that Oliver cracks me up... I love all the main people in this book.. the many adventures(fights) luthien and gang goes on always one step a head of the stupid one eyes(in my best Oliver voice) can't wait to start listening to the next book. I listen to the audiobooks..

[Jonn · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was pretty good, lost some of humor from the first one, but it was a much more serious situation, too. Oliver is probably my favorite character still - and the comic relief.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

And now I have to finish the series because that's what I do. If you look at my review of the first, my thoughts on this one are generally the same.

[Patricia Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation

Another amazing story. Love the setting and enjoyed the characters. The plot was strong and the scenes all amazingly visual.

[Martin Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a siege, and a battle for independence.

Yeah, where the first book was a classic fantasy adventure that inadvertently started a revolution; this book is squarely about that revolution. That's not to say it's bad, but it feels like 2nd book syndrome. Not as good/engaging as the first, and mainly setting up for the next installment.

There's no lack of action scenes, and visceral combat, but the book itself feels like a simple medieval fiction book instead of an epic fantasy. The only difference being that the enemies are cyclopians, and the protagonist's army enlists dwarves. There's some cool fantasy stuff towards the end with some wizardry combat, but otherwise it's predominately large scale battles.

That being said; by books end it almost feels like it could end as a duology instead of a trilogy. Not including the loose end of Greensparrow "dealing" with the revolution in earnest. We'll see how things unfold in the 3rd book.

[John Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salvatore is a true storyteller that knows how to keep a reader spellbound in his books and this excellent 2nd book of this trilogy. Kept me turning the pages wanting to find what would happen next to our friends as they continued to battle taking the different towns and their evil leaders and bringing more to the side of the heroes. Finally with Eriador free lands once again our heroes could have a little reprieve but for how long is yet to be known. But I for one will be will be looking forward to reading the final book "The Dragon King" to find out.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always hate saying negative things about books especially from an author I respect so let me just say that this was one of Salvatore's earliest books and he was still learning.
Tons of action and fights but he still was learning how to make readers care about characters so that we would actually care who wins the fight.
{did I say that nicely enough?}

I'm a completionist so of course I will continue this series until the end if only to say that I've read it and get back to Drizzt :)

[Komble III · Rating 3 out of 5]

უფრო სისხლიანი და grim არის ვიდრე პირველი წიგნი, შესაბამისად მთელი ნაივურობა და სიხალასახე და ბედნიერება დაკარგა ამით და დაემგვანა დრიცზე წიგნებს. რაც ამ შემთხვევაში ღირსება კი არა ნაკლია. ეს სერია ზუსტადაც რომ თავისი ბავშვურობის და გულუბრყვილობის გამო მომწონდა, თორე დრიცზე d&d წიგნების კითხვა რომ მდომოდა ამას კი არ მოვადგებოდი.

მარტო ოლივერ დე ბაროუზის ხათრით ეპატია და 1 ვარსკვლავი არ ჩაიხუტა ძვირფასმა სალვატორემ

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fixes all the criticisms I had for the first, which were mostly nitpicking anyway.

I really like that the capture and defense of a single city takes up the majority of the book, unlike a certain young adult dragon series in which cities are taken in half a chapter with the other half devoted to teen angst.

Salvatore dives deeper into character introspection and their personalities really shine. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Ηλίας Κατραμάτος · Rating 3 out of 5]

Λίγα πράγματα δυστυχώς και το δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς ''Πορφυρή Σκιά'', απέκτησε λίγο ενδιαφέρον σε σχέση με το πρώτο μόνο και μόνο από τον εμπλουτισμό της υπόθεσης με τις προσωπικές σχέσεις των ηρώων. Οι περιγραφές των μαχών παραμένουν μονότονες και βαρετές και τα μαγικά πλάσματα που βλέπουμε περιορίζονται στον έναν και μοναδικό δαίμονα της ιστορίας. Με την ελπίδα για κάτι καλύτερο πάμε στο τρίτο και τελευταίο βιβλίο.

[Robert Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gamble mentioned in the title is Luthien’s bold move to try to win Eriador’s freedom from the evil King Greensparrow. Brind’Amour, Oliver DeBurros, Siobhan, and Katelyn also show up for this romp.

This book (and this series) reminds me of the novelization of a video game. Possibly a Super NES game with a weak storyline and R.A. Salvatore received instructions to flesh it out. I really think he turned lemons into lemonade.

[Dima RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, I love the way Salvatore describes every single fight of this trilogy. Feels like the battle is right here and you are in the middle of it. AND the whole trilogy has this awesome D&D-like feeling to it.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the trilogy was definitely a step up from the first and reminded me of why I like RA Salvatore’s writing style. There was a lot more action and the story flowed very well. I can’t wait to finish the trilogy.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining again. I enjoy the simplicity of the plot and characters.

[Andy Janes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it in a box of books at my parents' house. Don't remember it!

[Norman Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series from fellow Leominsterite R.A. Salvatore - good story and writing. My one quibble is character development. Other than Luthien, most of the other characters really have no depth.

[Cynder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for a middling act of a trilogy. The suspence and tactics of planning an assault are balanced well with the action that is very well written by Salvatore. I appreciated the wizard, Brind'Amour, playing a larger part in this one, especially in his final battle against the enemy wizard duke, which was some of the most interesting action of the trilogy yet. The Black Night character had potential to be more interesting but was introduced much too late into the read, with much too little development, for his sacrifice to feel weighted. Otherwise, this book was great.

[H. P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luthien’s Gamble is the second book in R.A. Salvatore’s standalone Crimson Shadow trilogy. Luthien and his allies have liberated Montfort and the north, but the fight for freedom is just beginning.

Unfortunately, Salvatore does little to either build on the promise of Sword of Bedwyr or to allay its weaknesses. He neither builds greater richness and scope into his world nor adds complexities to the story that unfolds.

I had a level of intellectual frustration with this book I did not have with its predecessor. Salvatore is anything but subtle. At one point a character makes a statement to another laced with innuendo and double entendre. That should have been enough to get the point across. But the character then makes clear that the reference was bawdy, and Salvatore adds the same for good measure.

Luthien’s growth as a character comes to an abrupt halt, unfortunately. He realizes he is a mere figurehead for the revolution about 150 pages after the reader does. This could have worked on a meta sort of level, but this really isn’t that sort of book, and it isn’t fully explored. The success of the rebellion continues with a string of dramatic victories in battle, but however well choreographed the battles are their effect on the reader is diminished by the tangential role played by our protagonist. Nor do his fellows step up and do the heavy literary lifting, as is often the case in long fantasy series.

I cannot say that I did not enjoy Luthien’s Gamble, but the fact that I have read it twice and neither time felt compelled to pick up the final volume of the trilogy says a lot.

[Brittany Comeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with the battle scenes as always, and I even like the small dialogue between characters (mainly involving Oliver's remarks) during such battles. It made it more interesting.

Luthien is a great hero. It's hard to find stories with a heroic protagonist who always does what he/she feels is right, but most of the time the protagonist will be TOO good. Luthien has faults, especially with his rash decisions and movements, but they do not overpower his good qualities. In my opinion, he is a well-balanced character and very likeable.

I was especially happy that Luthien chose Katerin over Siobhan. Seriously, the half-elf chick annoyed me at the beginning. The way she flirted with Luthien in front of Katerin made her look like a trashy, childish bitch that you would see on an annoying "reality" show. Not to mention that their relationship was somewhat rushed in the first book. I'll admit, some of the distaste I grew for her died down a tad after seeing her admit that Katerin was Luthien's true love and step aside, but you would think that after sixty years of being alive, she'd be more mature and wise than that in the first place! Katerin's pain felt real and for the most part, she acted like an adult about the situation. I grew to respect her more and secretly hoped that Luthien would finally realize his stupidity and go after her. When she was taken by the demon, I seriously sat on the edge of my seat cheering Luthien on. Katerin is definitely a successful character.

Above all, I really like this series and should be getting the last book in the mail soon. I will start it as soon as I do!

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea how this ended up on my to-read shelf. I vaguely remember coming across it in something I read and adding it, but now of course I can't remember the history.

Anyway, it is not my typical kind of book; rather dungeons and dragons-esque and when I saw the cover I sort of inwardly groaned. It was much to be expected. Sort of a rip-off Lord of the Rings (Wizard-leader, rebellion uprising) with a bit of Harry Potter thrown in (magical invisibility cape and a rogue leader who needs the wizard to tell him what to do) and general mayham and war. There are cyclops instead of orcs (what a bit of creativity there), but we still have elves and dwarves on the good guy team.

Rather formulaic, lots of action/fight scenes, and not really all that compelling or interesting. Kind of like a dumb, predictable romance novel but with war and blood instead of sex. Overall, it is actually not awful for the action-packed fantasy novel, but just not really my cup of tea.

[Kostas · Rating 3 out of 5]

6,5/10

Χωρίς να έχω διαβάσει το πρώτο βιβλίο, εκτός από μια περίληψη της ιστορίας και με τον Salvatore ευτυχώς να σου "θυμίζει" το προηγούμενο βιβλίο σε μερικά σημεία, κατάφερα να το τελειώσω αλλά με πολύ ανάμικτα συναισθήματα.

Το βιβλίο είναι γεμάτο με μάχες καθώς έχει την επανάσταση των περιοχών ενάντια στον κακό μάγο βασιλιά.
Όμως οι πολλές μάχες και η λίγη ανάπτυξη των χαρακτήρων κουράζει, και ειδικά στη μέση του βιβλίου ακόμα πιο πολύ, με την γραφή του Salvatore γενικά να μην δείχνει τίποτα σπουδαίο.
Ευτυχώς στις τελευταίες 150 σελίδες αλλάζει ύφος και ανεβαίνει λίγο το επίπεδο της ιστορίας. Αν δεν ήταν αυτή η αλλαγή και το χιούμορ που έριχνε που και που με τον Όλιβερ, θα ήταν ένα αρκετά μέτριο βιβλίο.

Θα το πρότεινα, αυστηρά, μόνο σε φανς του Salvatore.

ΥΓ: Να αναφέρω ότι η επιμέλεια του Αίολου είχε αρκετά λάθη αλλά αυτό που βγάζει μάτι είναι η τελευταία παράγραφος στην σελ. 141 που ανήκει στο πρώτο βιβλίου του ίδιου κεφαλαίου, πραγματικά ότι να 'ναι.

[Kalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhausting. If I complained about the first book having too much action, this had nothing but action. However, while the stakes are higher than in the first novel; the personal encounters have changed into large scale warfare; the scale is not properly conveyed to the reader.

I also did not like the point of view changes in the novel. At times they were too rushed, and I would have definitely preferred telling a whole chapter from one character's POV. Also, they felt weird, as 90% of the novel(s) is told through Luthien. The author also missed a few tricks by telling the story in a strictly linear fashion.

The ending felt really rushed. It was like the author was told to hit 300 pages, and the wrap up everything in a few pages.

Repetitiveness is another gripe. I do not want to know how many times I read "The young Bedwyr" or "Blind-Striker went up".

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2. I feel like this book was better than the first; the main character seems to have matured a little bit (I should hope so, being all important and stuff), and even though he still goes charging into crazy situations for a (different) girl, he does so with more preparation and forethought. Less like a stupid people. It's also a bonus that he doesn't get king-ified at the end, because a guy's got to have his limits and short-comings, which some authors forget to do (can I just say "Spackling"?). Some parts were a little slow and draggy, while others were a little abrupt and "Oops, he's dead. Next!" but overall it was an enjoyable read and not much trouble to get through.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the first book in the series was pretty good, but I found myself getting tired of the battle scenes in this one. There was lots of gory swordplay as Luthien fought against the cyclopians to capture and keep the city. While I understand some description of battle scenes, I didn't like reading over and over again exactly how Luthien and his comrades severed limbs, disemboweled, blinded, maimed, or otherwise killed their foes in hand-to-had combat. While the main storyline was engaging, the telling of it was just a little too gross for me.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reread of my youth. Though still fun it does not do well at growing past the first books flaws. Still women only there for the main character, still stereotypical characters surrounding us with no nuance to set them apart from any other thousands of fantasy stereotype characters that are cookie cut and placed into a book.
The Rebellion feels like it is going to be more nuanced as not everyone joins immediately but after a simple side quest everyone is ready to help.