Rating: 
Summary: A SWASHBUCKLING EPIC ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Review: THIS IS A GREAT SWASHBUCKLING FANTASY ADVENTURE.
A YOUNG MAN MUST OVERTHROW A EVIL WIZARD KING
AND HIS OGRE ARMY TO FREE HIS LAND. HE IS AIDED
BY A DARING HALFLING, A LOVELY WARRIOR WOMAN,
AND EXOTIC HALF ELF BEAUTY.THIS SAGA HAS EVERYTHING: STIRRING BATTLES, HUMOR, MAGIC, AND
VILE VILLIANS.
Rating:
Summary: The beginning to the greatest trilogy ever written
Review: This is a wonderful piece of writing about a young boy who, after his friend is slain, sets out across the lands to avenge his death. This is probably the best piece of writing I have ever read. Robert Salvatore does an amazing job of portraying his characters, and his battle scenes are the best I have ever read. A must-read book for anyone who really loves fantasy novels
Rating: 
Summary: Miller Lite of Fantasy Novels
Review: This is an enjoyable fantasy novel, though certainly not one of Salvatore's greatest. And it certainly should not be compared with Epics by Jordan, Martin, Tolkien, etc.But take it for what it is, fun. It was fun to read, you can probably go through the whole series in a week. Most of these negative reviews bash the author for unoriginality and lack of depth and un-Jordan-esque qualities. Get over yourself. How 'epic' is a 290 page book going to be, what did you expect? Salvatore has a lot of fans, and this was probably an easy series for him to produce. Bottom-line, there are some interesting characters and good action sequences, it's predictable, but fun leisure reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing work by Salvatore this time
Review: This is not any where close to his dark elf trilogy and ice wind dale trilogy. It is a good read if you find yourself with nothing much to do and want to read a book. And to all of the posters saying that this will be the last salvatore book that you read you should reconsider I did find the Lord of the Rings and Wheel of time better then this book but they are not as good as his dark elf and ice wind dale trilogy my favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This is not any where close to his dark elf trilogy and ice wind dale trilogy. It is a good read if you find yourself with nothing much to do and want to read a book. And to all of the posters saying that this will be the last salvatore book that you read you should reconsider I did find the Lord of the Rings and Wheel of time better then this book but they are not as good as his dark elf and ice wind dale trilogy my favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: oliver saves the day!!!
Review: This is one of the best fantasy series that I have ever read. It is, however, in no way comparable to the Wheel of Time series, which IMHO is the best series of books ever written. Period. Anyway, the plot moves along smoothly, there is plenty of humor, and lots of action. But, i think that the series would have been a total failure without Oliver. He truly added so much to the story, and he was FUNNY. I love how he hit on that woman in the Dwelf. I almost lost it. I also liked the arena fighting angle, and the faceoff with Ethan. All in all a wonderful story.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong, evocative fantasy...
Review: This is quite magical. I suppose if you have a great deal of racist or anarchist baggage weighing you down, you *might* read this book as racist or counter-cultural propaganda. Maybe if you tried to read it high on kerosene at a Korn concert, that is. Anyone who thinks to accuse Salvatore of racism should really read the Dark Elf trilogy, one of the most *cutting* commentaries on race to come out of fantasy literature--hell, all of literature--in contemporary fiction. And, the reason a lot of critics may not like it, it's entertaining too. And anyone who wants to accuse and disapprove of "counter-culture" must have some strong affections for our culture as it is, i.e., the status quo, which includes quotidian racism. A number of counter-culture groups are vehementally *against* racism: the hippies, the black panthers, the beats... To accuse Salvatore of both is somewhat contradictory; to accuse it of either is just wrong. Enjoy this novel for what it is, and don't try, or let anyone else, make it into what it isn't. It's a fine, entertaining fantasy adventure novel. Not meant for those who take themselves too seriously. (Remember, Oscar Wilde wrote that "Dullness is the coming of age of seriousness.") Perhaps instead of Cyclopians, Mr. Salvatore should have called his race (perhaps species is a better word, as they're obviously not human) of monsters the Critics instead. I gave it four stars because it's good, but not Salvatore at his best. For that, check out the Dark Elf books, and his new series that begins with "The Demon Awakens."
Rating:
Summary: Another Salvatore classic...
Review: This isn't Salvatore's best book but it is still full of all those elements that we love so much about Salvatores' books. In here he introduces you to a character that plays the classic role of an epic fantasy hero and his little swashbuckling sidekick as they go around defeating one-eyed brutes that seem to come to them all the time. The action is unrelentless and there is a lot of comedy in this book as well.
Rating:
Summary: A very good novel, by an even better author
Review: This novel is pleasent change from the Drizzt novels that
Salvatore has written. The characters of this book are full
of life, and very humorous. The bad guys are wonderfuly evil, and that the main character leaves a Crimson shadow
behind after each time he uses the cloak is just delightful.
A '10' in my book.
Rating: 
Summary: Unimaginative and uninspiring
Review: 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...
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