The Crimson Shadow: The Complete Series

Crimson Shadow #1-3 omnibus

by R.A. Salvatore

“Fine adventure” in the complete New York Times–bestselling fantasy trilogy from the legendary million-selling author and creator of Drizzt Do’Urden (Terry Brooks).   This “worthy, entertaining addition to fantasy literature” tells the epic saga of a righteous warrior/avenger who battles an evil wizard, dragons, and cyclopean armies to liberate an imperiled kingdom (Starlog).  The Sword of Luthien Bedwyr vows to rescue the beleaguered land of Eriador from the evil reign of Wizard-King Greensparrow. But first Luthien must secure two weapons from a dragon’s a legendary sword and a blood-red cape that renders its wearer invisible. Aided by a halfling thief, an ancient mage, and a beautiful elf slave, Luthien prepares for insurgence as the Crimson Shadow.  Luthien’s With the rallying support of enslaved humans, defiant peasants, and Fairborn elves, Luthien has forged a path for the freedom of his kingdom as the avenging Crimson Shadow. But when his tyrannical adversary makes a bid for peace by calling back his army of cyclops, Luthien suspects the evil wizard is setting a trap.  The Dragon Luthien Bedwyr’s alter ego wields a magical sword and wears a scarlet cape that renders him invisible. But his greatest enemy, the evil Wizard-King, has a counterpart of his an unstoppable, bloodthirsty colossus of a dragon. Now the ultimate battle for a kingdom will reach its spellbinding endgame in the rousing finale to a trilogy “filled with memorable characters and compelling action” (Terry Brooks).  

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

785 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Harperse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading The Crimson Shadow to tide me over as I waited for The Icewind Dale trilogy to arrive, but as weeks went by and the book didn't come I found myself sucked more and more into the characters and plot of this book.

It is a great story, unlike many standar fantasy tales and often described as having a "Robin Hood" vibe. To me the story tells in an old world style and the idea of cyclops' as the primary enemy is so different and new that I became immediantly engrossed.

Likewise the characters are entertaining and engaging. I will not say they are necessaryily deep (though anyone who reads this will happily carry Oliver deBurrows, halfling highwayman, with them for the rest of their lives), most have a fleshed personality however from the beginning to the end I cannot say they have changed very much with the tentative exception of the main character, Luthien. While his basic personality and innocents remains throughout the book, we are able to see his flaws clearly, know that despite being the star he is in many cases just a tool used even by those who love him, and his eyes are opened somewhat and some of his innocence shed throughout the three books (The Sword of Bedwyr, Luthien's Gamble, and The Dragon King).


Overall it is a very satisfying light read, something that will make you wish Salvatore would continue their story in this most interesting world and miss the characters most of all.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

R. A. Salvatore has a several stand alone settings and this is one of his best ones. At first glance this story seems like just another generic fantasy setting but it has subtle tweaks that make it interesting. The way magic works and some of the monsters that make up the world are interesting.

What really sets this series apart is the characters. I found myself laughing out loud reading many of the scenes in this book. These books aren't meant to be a huge fantasy epic, they are meant to be short, entertaining, and fun.

These three books are just as good as the Drizzt series and I would rank them above The Spearwielders Trilogy

[Keith Fearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty much the whole series of the crimson shadow all three books into one binding haah but yes it is a great read i have technically all four including the older three bonded hardbacks so fantasy readers if you like R.A. Salvatore this is by far i think his best work and drizzt sorry folks but hes over used and rated and like leggaloss or whatever from lord of the rings so much the same. i know we all grow up in the same heroes so i guess mine will be about the same as well find out later i suppose

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.

I've had this omnibus for several years and I've only just got around to reading it. It's dated, for sure, but I like a little old school fantasy. This, however did not do it.

I didn't like the characters. Couldn't get invested in any of them, but pages and pages were spent in fights and sword weilding. Interesting once. Interesting twice. Boring when it happens all the time.

I think this is the writer of the dragonlance game sagas so it is D&D made into prose. And it shows.

Some will and do love it. Not for me.

[GUS BUS! · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book from one of my favorite authors of all time. It was fun to read a book by him that was not his usual cast of characters. This book also had the perfect combination of action, romance(i know strange for a book i read), and humor to make it great.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up this book at the library after hearing about this author from my BIL. My husband, then teenage son read it before me. I was having a hard time getting into it, but they urged me to continue since they liked it so much. As soon as the main character meets up with his sidekick, it gets pretty good. I liked the story line, but thought the battles were a little graphic. My husband and son thought they were cool. My son thought the strategy in it taught him about being a good warrior if he ever had to defend himself. Had some sexual references, but not details. If I had read this first, I wouldn't have let my son read it until he was a little older. Still, it was well written with the sidekick character, Oliver, making the book.

[Arminion · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. I stopped after about 50 pages or so. The story was boring. Nothing was really happening. And when things finally started moving, we are introduced to the most annoying character in fantasy literature: Oliver deBurrows. I usually don't like halflings. I think they are a weak, pathetic and pretty much useless race in fantasy. Oliver is a halfling and one with a cocky attitude at that. Every time he opened his mouth I wanted to punch him in his midget face.
Also, the fight scenes were incredibly boring, where each swing, each thrust and each slash of the weapon were described in miniature detail.

[Woodge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the first book in this compendium of 3 tales. Mmm... meh.

Update: I'm actually glad I brought this book to Sweden with me. My 10-year-old son (another voracious reader) is currently reading it and enjoying it. He's currently two-thirds done with it.

Update #2: My son just finished reading this. Thought it was great. (After I read the first book in this 3-in-1, I thought it might be suited better for a younger audience.)

[Jon Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun Read!

I started this trilogy as a distraction and a break but it soon turned out to be more of a distraction than I had bargained for since I barreled from one book to the next, much to my wife's irritation. And now, here I am with the series ended wondering what's next. Oh well, onward. This was a really fun read and I highly recommend it. Just don't have anything serious planned in the near future.

[Lendoxia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three books in one and it was a long one, I liked it but don't think it's anything special. It's been a while since I've read Salvatore and I must say it wasn't as exciting as it was while I was in high school. This is a good rounded story and it is worth reading, it just isn't mindblowingly good ;)

[Anthony Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the earlier Salvatore books, but clearly showing the promise that would lead to the wonderful Drizzt series of novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this swashbuckling romp through fantasy, but this sort of book is very much my thing - I may be a tad biased.

[Michael Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.A Salvatore brings his wonderful characterization and broad, exciting action sequences to his own world and characters. 5is is a world and saga of Salvatore own imagination. High fantasy at its finest from a living legend.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rated each book in this series separate so this is the review for the series as a whole.

Meh

Hate to say it as I've been reading Bob for over 30 years and am a big fan but this series was a dud for me. I didn't care for the characters, the world, the plot, the pacing etc. etc. etc.

This series was done early in his career and for that he gets a pass (as he has written many masterpieces since then).

I read it because I am a completionist and had to read everything he has ever published (yeah it's a sickness) but unless you are like me, you should pass up this series and move to some of his great series.

[Gregory Mulderink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classic fantasy in all the right and wrong ways. Upper class son leaves home and nobly slays dragons, kills only the evil wizards, and manages to awkwardly get every girl.

[Sherwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as his other series

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Ernesto Reig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fantasy books I have ever read, along with the Dark elf. Both from RA Salvatore

[sally campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

GreAt FaNtasy

Could not stop reading! And I am 82 years old!
The story is fun and funny also, really good read

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

not his best writing

It’s hard to describe why this was painful to read. It lacks pith and wit. It��s not concise. Even the names are annoying. The story itself was ok. Butt it barely deserves two stars for “perhaps worth reading once.”

[Jonn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sword of Bedwyr is definitly the best of the three. Oliver is a wonderful and unpredictible characer to read, unfortunitky his "screen time" is reduced as the story unfolds and the other two books unfold. By far he is the best character and the most familiar with the outside world. He is given some bigger task to accomplish, but then while he is doing them, you read about how or whot he is goin through. these tasks are almost like a brief writing out, and then he returns later with some snipit or idea and then is off again. The young Bedwyr is too inexperianced and after the first book there really is not much growth in his character, just his acomplishments and the tasks he chooses to follow become harder. But, again, these books are fairly solid read, and well enough put together.

[astaliegurec · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0 out of 5 stars
I Thought I'd Manage to Like it. But...
November 17, 2012

Initially, I thought I'd find R.A. Salvatore's "The Crimson Shadow" OK to read. The story is tolerable and the writing is, technically, pretty good. But, after 366 pages (about half way through the book), the never-ending triteness and huge tracts of blow-by-blow descriptions of fights and battles just wore me down. It just became a chore to read. If any of the characters had any real depth, or if the main character would actually learn or think before reacting to what was happening around him, maybe it would have been worthwhile. But, as is, every page is just more of the same. So, unfortunately, all I can rate this at is a Not Very Good 2 stars out of 5.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series of books. If you are familiar with Salvatore's writing, it has a lot of his idiosyncrasies, but it doesn't detract from the story, and there is a good bit more focus on large-scale battles than in many of his other books that I have read. As always, fight scenes are covered well, and there are some memorable characters and quite a bit more magic than I have seen him use. I enjoyed this quite a bit, but having recently read some his more recent work, the improvement is noticeable (these books are from over 15 years ago). I would recommend this series, in large part because of the characters.

But...

I could be wrong.

[Jeff Cothern]

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

THE CRIMSON SHADOW is an omnibus reissue of R.A. Salvatore's Crimson Shadow Trilogy, which consists of the novels The Sword of Bedwyr, Luthien's Gamble, and The Dragon King. This trilogy follows the story of The Crimson Shadow, a Robin Hood-like figure causing mischief and protecting the innocent in a medieval fantasy setting. There's magic, a humorous dwarf sidekick, and lots of adventure and fun.

[Jeff Sabean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding trilogy

The first book of this series is hands down my favorite of the three. The character of Oliver DeBurrows is one of my favorite characters from any series in this first book.

It’s a great series of good overcoming evil, and is full of R.A. Salvatore’s typical detailed battles which made me read the Drizzt series multiple times. I’d like to see these characters appear in another series at some point....

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of elements of standard fantasy literature, lots of elements unique to the book. The character Oliver deBurrows makes the entire set of books. Getting into the first book might be difficult, but once you're in, you're sucked in and must finish. Wasn't too fond of the ultimate ending, but it did make a certain amount of sense.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is where is learn R.A. Salvatore doesn't exclusively write DnD fantasy


lots of action and politics in a fantasy psuedo-britain

does rely a bit heavily on casting the cyclopean race as an evil 'other' that can be slaughtered without moral quandrys.

I enjoyed it enough to read all three volumes within a week, and it is currently included on kindle unlimited

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Lots of adventure and a bit of humor. My favorite character was Oliver, the highway halfling. :) My only complaint was the death of one of the main characters right at the end. Really? Was that truly necessary? This is fantasy after all, and it was nice to read something not so dark.

[Flint Weiss · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't figure out all the high ratings. The writing is beyond bland and just bad. Even if this were a YA title with simplified style, it still hits well below the mark. I wish I understood what I was missing.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine adventrue--series holds together...typical political and magical convolutions

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trilogy. It was fun to read, and the action was pretty good. It did a good job of keeping me entertained!