Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2) in Gentleman Bastards

Feb 28, 2008 Josh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

This is a surprisingly worthy followup, albeit a tad frustrating, at least at first. After reading all of the negative or mediaocre reviews, I was expecting to find a lesser book than Lies. I didn't find that at all. The quality of writing, the sympathetic characters, the sharp and funny dialogue, the action: it's all here. I think the reason people are turned off by it is because it's a very different book than the first one.

Red Seas wastes no time as it starts off. We begin with Locke and Jea This is a surprisingly worthy followup, albeit a tad frustrating, at least at first. After reading all of the negative or mediaocre reviews, I was expecting to find a lesser book than Lies. I didn't find that at all. The quality of writing, the sympathetic characters, the sharp and funny dialogue, the action: it's all here. I think the reason people are turned off by it is because it's a very different book than the first one.

Red Seas wastes no time as it starts off. We begin with Locke and Jean pulling a scheme on the most successful chance house in Tel Verrar, the Sinspire, to rob from the owner itself. The book continues with a pace similar to the first book with every other chapter interluding to a past segment, in this case, filling the 2 year gap between Lies and the present day timeline. Locke and Jean are obviously present, but most everything else has changed. Obviously they've fled Camorr so the environment is completely new, though no less captivating. Lynch continues showing his skills in world building, creating a city with a rich history and realistic environments that jump out of the page. Even with the change of scenery, the theives seem right at home in their new setting. They're pulling tricks, being stalked by cut-throats and even the Bondmagi have made it known that they've not forgotten about their poor Falconer. Where the book takes a radical change however, is when Locke and Jean go pirate.

I don't want to spoil the particulars of this plot thread, but I have to say that I enjoyed it thoroughly. At first it seemed out of place, like a speedbump in the rest of the story. But as the plot moves on I found that it ties in very well and by the end, everything comes full circle. I am not much for nautical books, but it seems that Lynch really did his homework and knows his stuff, at least from the perspective of someone who knows as little as sailing and ships as I do. This section of the book may seem like a sidetrack at first, but really it's the meat and potatos of the story, with the bulk of the new characters and the action. Drakasha and Ezri are wonderful additions and seeing their relationships with Locke and Jean go from borderline enemy to comerade is amazing. As I've said, Lynch is a master of character development.

Even though this book ends with a slight cliff hanger and the plot threads don't wrap up as nicely as they do in Lies (one in particular... argh!), I can recommend Red Seas to anyone who has read the first book and enjoyed it. I won't say it's as good as The Lies of Locke Lamora, because it isn't, but I enjoyed the hell out of it anyways. Bring on Republic of Theives! ...more

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Apr 27, 2011 A rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-fantasy-fiction, series

Better the second time around ... as if it were possible for this series to get better.

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I think Scott Lynch is awesome.

That's how I start my review.
He's awesome. His writing is awesome, his stories are awesome, his wit is awesome and his organization is awesome. I can NOT wait for the next in the series.

I thought the book started off great. First pages leave you thinking wtF happens that THIS comes to pass. Well, a lot happens. Lots and lots and lots. Vivid, rich d ...more

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Mar 20, 2009 Robin Wiley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: life-changer, love-it-more-than-puppies, fantasy

Do I love this book more than book one? Hard to say. This book was harder to read, because you don't feel safe. The first book has safety for our heroes. They are together, they have a home, they are in a city they know. Even when they are on the ropes you have a belief in their safety, at least MOST of the way through the book. Book two - Scott Lynch (magnificent bastard) takes all that away.

Do you remember the scene from Fellowship of the Rings, where they are in the Mines of Moria, and they ...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: intense, eternal

After the mayhem that ended Book1, Locke and Jean needed some place to keep a low profile and for Locke to sulk in some booze, which he does until Jean snaps him out of it….with a brick wall. (That was a very funny scene by the way). Then they are off to Tal Verrar islands for a highly-planned, well equipped, yet poorly timed scheme that runs 2 years in the making. Tal Verrar is a gambler’s paradise, with gambling houses of all sorts, exotic nightlife, and alcohol. Lots of alcohol. Locke and Jea ...more

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Feb 16, 2009 Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: recommended, favourites, read-2009

A rare sequel that's even better than the first, which was also fantastic.

This is the type of novel I would do anything to be able to call my own. It dampens my spirits as a wannabe author to know that I could never write something as satisfying as this. ...more

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Aug 24, 2009 Mark rated it it was amazing

Brilliant follow up to the Lies of Locke Lamora. Can't wait for the 3rd in the trilogy to be released! Scott Lynch is definitely one of the hottest in the "new wave" of realistic fantasy authors. ...more

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May 21, 2013 Arun rated it it was amazing

Shelves: character, fantasy, mystery

Just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it immensely although I have some scathing krakens to unleash at Scott, specifically at the ending. Full review will be worked upon after my thoughts have settled.

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