Red Seas Under Red Skies

Scott Lynch

Jul 2007 · Gentleman Bastards Book 2 · Sold by Del Rey

About this ebook

In the second book of the suspense-filled Gentleman Bastard Sequence, hailed by George R. R. Martin as “fresh, original, and engrossing,” Locke Lamora faces a caper so death-defying that nothing short of a miracle will pull it off.

For some, only a prize worth dying for makes life worth living. . . .
 
After a brutal battle with the underworld, Locke and his sidekick, Jean, fled to the exotic shores of Tal Verrar to nurse their wounds. But they are soon back to what they do best—stealing from the rich and pocketing the proceeds. Now, however, they have targeted the grandest prize of all: the Sinspire, the world’s most exclusive, most heavily guarded gambling house. But there is one cardinal rule: it is death to cheat at any game.
 
Brazenly undeterred, Locke and Jean have orchestrated an elaborate plan to lie, trick, and swindle their way straight to the Sinspire’s teeming vault. But someone knows the duo’s secret—and has every intention of making them pay for their sins. . . .
 
Don’t miss any of Scott Lynch’s epic fantasy Gentleman Bastard Sequence:
THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA • RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES • THE REPUBLIC OF THIEVES

Ratings and reviews

Scott Lynch isn't Brent Weeks, nor is he on par with Salvatore. However, he has a flair for characters. I genuinely mourned the loss of Bug and the twins. Ezri's death was crushing and heartfelt. I want to comfort Locke and Jean for their suffering. Lynch has much to improve upon as far as plot and story progression, but I look forward to his ascension in the coming years.

While it was a good read, it barely matched the first book. This is primarily due to too much action placed out on the sea. The large use of sailing words and a huge deviation from the what was thought to be the main focus, stagnated the story. Some parts in the story were made in a significant way; allowing the reader to think the resolutions to the problems that arise to be epic. They were not. They were too quick in some areas. Other than that, it was interesting. I am in hope for what is to come next.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, like eating the crumbs dropped from my cookie (cookie included). First of all, the opening setting is very modern like, it has a more natural feel. Scott never ceases to amaze me with such vivid and exact details, that I could picture every single thing that was happening in the city. They introduced a whole cast of characters and the middle turn in the middle of the book where they get launched off to a new quest was completely uncalled for. This book was not as predictable as the first and the ending, although very dry was the last thing you would expect. I only feel slightly disappointed that I read 400+ pages of rip roaring pirate thieving shooting stabbing fiery adventure to see such a pitiful end.

About the author

Scott Lynch was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1978. He is the author of The Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Seas Under Red Skies, and The Republic of Thieves. In addition to his writing, he also has a background in game design and firefighting. Scott lives in Massachusetts with his wife, award-winning SF/F novelist Elizabeth Bear, along with four cats (Duncan, Gurney, Molly, and Fafhrd) and a pair of moderately ridiculous Icelandic horses (Ormr and Spola).