The Crimson Shadow series

The Crimson Shadow series is a three novel series created by R. A. Salvatore. Its genre is fantasy, and consists of three books:

• The Sword of Bedwyr, published in 1994
• Luthien's Gamble, published in 1996
• The Dragon King, published in 1996

In 2006, the series was re-published as an omnibus in under the title The Crimson Shadow.

The Sword of Bedwyr

The Sword of Bedwyr is the first book in the series of fantasy novels. Terry Brooks said about this book that it's "[a] fine adventure filled with memorable characters and compelling action." It was a New York Best Seller in 1994.^{[citation needed]}

Plot summary

Luthien Bedwyr lives on Isle Bedwydrin, and island where they are bred as soldiers and fight in an arena for pleasure. When Viscount Aubrey, cousin of Duke Morkney of Montfort visits the island to watch the arena, Luthien's world is turned upside down. After defeating Garth Rogar, a rival to Luthien in the arena, but a friend in life, Luthien is forced to kill him by Viscount Aubrey. When he doesn't, one of the Viscount's cyclopian guards kills Garth for him. Luthien swears on his dead mother that he will avenge Garth, in front of Katerin O'Hale, his lover. He runs away alone after killing the cyclopian who killed his friend and on the road meets Oliver deBurrows, a highwayhalfling who steals from rich merchants that cross his path, and his mutated donkey, Threadbare. Together, Luthien and Oliver cross the Dorsal Sea and go to the mainland, where when running from numerous cyclopians, they are saved. Their saviour is an old wizard named Brind'Amour. He tasks them with find his staff in a cave because he saved them. Inside the cave, they find treasure: a crimson cape that makes the wearer invisible and a folding bow. But a dragon named Balthazar tries to stop them, and they escape the dragon by shooting a firework at his flame-breath. Ultimately, Brind'Amour gets the staff inside the cave and saves the two bandits from the dragon. Brind'Amour gives Oliver a "housbreaker" and a magical grapnel. Luthien and Oliver go to Montfort, where they commit a dozen thefts. But the magical cape casts a crimson shadow that cannot be removed, and seeing the shadow, merchants declare the second coming of the Crimson Shadow, a legendary, ancient thief. But it is actually Luthien. Along the way, Luthien spots a half-elf slave in the market, and falls in love. He tries to free her from her master, but finds that she is also a thief. Later, she is captured by Duke Morkney because she is Luthien's love interest. He goes to free her, and a revolt begins after he fires upon Morkney. He chases the duke to the top of a giant chapel called the Ministry, where Duke Morkney becomes the demon Praehotec. Luthien manages to kill him. In the epilogue, Katerin O'Hale returns from Isle Bedwydrin with news and a gift. She says that Luthien's father Gahris has revolted and not a single cyclopian lives on Isle Bedwyrdin. He gives Luthien the Sword of Bedwyr: Blind Striker. So the Crimson Shadow AKA Luthien is the leader of a ragtag insurgency in Montfort that has taken control of half the city.

Characters

Luthien Bedwyr

Luthien Bedwyr is the main character of the series (along with Oliver deBurrows, Katerin O'Hale, and Brind'Amour). The youngest son of the Eorl of Bedwydrin (the island on which he grew up), he lived his life in ignorance to the evils of King Greensparrow, spending his days training to fight in the arena. He eventually is forced to flee when he takes revenge for the injust killing of his friend, Garth Rogar (by killing the Cyclopian that had done the deed). Luthien eventually meets up with Oliver deBurrows on the road, and they begin to travel together. Through a series of events perpetuated by the wizard Brind'Amour, Luthien and Oliver find themselves in the city of Montfort, where Luthien soon begins to take on the title of the Crimson Shadow. Luthien originally wields a nondescript sword and bow, which are eventually replaced by the sword Blind Striker (a family heirloom), and a folding bow.

Oliver deBurrows

Oliver Burrows aka Oliver deBurrows is a "highwayhalfling" from Gascony. He is first seen robbing a stagecoach. Luthien, seeing that Oliver was in trouble, rushed out to save him. An incorrigible thief, Oliver travels with Luthien to Montfort, where they start a life stealing from the corrupt and wealthy, and occasionally helping out the meager and impovrished. Oliver is one of Luthien's closest companions, and is always there for Luthien. Oliver wields a rapier and main gauche, in addition, he was given the "House-Breaker", a magically enchanted harness with useful and equally magical tools in its pouches, by the wizard Brind'Amour.

Luthien's Gamble

Luthien's Gamble (1996) is the second book in the series by R.A. Salvatore.

This is another tale of Luthien Bedwyr who has become the warrior-thief known as the "Crimson Shadow". This time he must rouse the peasants and fierce tribes of Eriador to fight the demonic Wizard-King Greensparrow's bloodthirsty warriors.^[1]

The Dragon King

The Dragon King (1996) is the third and last book in the series.

Plot summary

Luthien Bedwyr, leader of the peasant armies, refuses to admit certain defeat even though the situation appears hopeless. He faces the Wizard-King Greensparrow. The Crimson Shadow will aid the young warrior, but even this unquenchable force of magic may falter against Greensparrow's ultimate weapon.^[2]

References

1. ^ http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/r-a-salvatore/luthiens-gamble.htm
2. ^ http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/r-a-salvatore/dragon-king.htm