Bit of a rambling let down

After the promise of the first book this was a long, rambling and not very cohesive tale. I felt the author had lost the central theme he was striving for and made up for it in length. I kept going to the end, but found it a chore. I doubt if I will attempt the final book unless the reviews are excellent.

7 people found this helpful

Great story, great narration!

If you could sum up Red Seas Under Red Skies in three words, what would they be?

No matter which way they turn Loche and Jean are always heading toward the sharp end of something pointy, this is usually due to someone more powerful trying to manipulate them into their plans, leading to situations of tense stand offs, fast talking and clever plans. Red Sea and Red Skies is similar to the first in many ways, but with a bit more YARRRR....

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Seeing all their plans knit together as the book heads towards its conclusion is always the best bit.. like the great John "Hannibal" Smith from the A-Team said "I love it when a plan comes together!"

7 people found this helpful

Good but a bit slow

What did you like best about Red Seas Under Red Skies? What did you like least?

The second half of this book went up a gear in terms of pace and action. We meet new characters on the high seas, all very colorful and engaging. There are some great action sequences. However the first half of the book, before they get to sea just dragged for me. I found myself having to make an effort to carry on listening, days would go by and I wouldn't bother.

Would you recommend Red Seas Under Red Skies to your friends? Why or why not?

If you like a lot of action, read something else. If you like scheming and cunning plots, this is for you. However considering Loch is supposed to be super cunning he seems very slow on the uptake sometimes.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the scene when Loch and Jean first attack a merchant ship in their pirate guise.

Did Red Seas Under Red Skies inspire you to do anything?

After much deliberation I got the next book "Republic of Thieves". I haven't finished listening to it yet, but it gets off to a much better start.

Any additional comments?

The tale is fairly well read by the narrator. Some of the voices are hard to tell apart, but generally not bad.

6 people found this helpful

Good,but.......

The Lies of Locke Lamora was a remarkable story of derring-do, the likes of which I don't think I have ever come across before. Funny, witty, incredibly tight and fast paced - who could ask for more. Well, the follow up is good, but lacks a little bit of charm and polish. The plot is a bit convoluted in that it relies on ever more far fetched bits of dialogue between our hero and the two bad guys in order to keep us moving along. Let us hope that the next instalment sees a return to form.

12 people found this helpful

Had a hard job living up to its predecessor

This is the successor to Scott Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lamora" and was purchased as I've enjoyed that one so much.

This book follows on from the first book, although you probably can take this book as a stand alone. Set in the same world albeit a slightly different town / islands in the same society I found the story to have much that the first book enchanted me with in relation to the society, etc. I also greatly enjoyed the way the book played with elements of the "Master and Commander" type books by getting a lot of the nautical stuff spot on but then playing with the cultural expectations by having many of the things British sailors view as unlikely as necessary talisman for a safe / successful voyage.

However only 4* as I felt this book's storyline was all at sea: in the Lies of Locke Lamora the story sets up a comfortable world, this gets destroyed and the characters then set about defeating the 'baddy'. In this book the plot line of them being poisoned and therefore blackmailed into their situation didn't really work for me. Also there was a lot of them going back and forth - to sea, to various parties.

That being said, if you enjoyed the first book buy this one now: a good romp that easily fills in time.

12 people found this helpful

Refreshing Chaos Continues...

Following from The Lies of Locke Lamora, our protagonist Locke and his friend and protector Jean have arrived in the city state of Tal Verrar, looking towards their next big score. Their eyes firmly fixed on the Sinspire, they are surprised when the city ruler usurps their free will and sets them a deadly task; to rid the waters to the south of a marauding band of pirates. Despite no knowledge of the sea or sailing Locke and Jean have no choice but to set forth to meet their fate.
This is a worthy second instalment in the Thorn of Camorr series. The style is as jarring as with the first book, but is easier to settle into after a short while. As before: BUY THIS BOOK!

5 people found this helpful

Lock's plans end up all at sea

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The continuing adventures of these loveable rogues as they come to terms with the events of their last outing and start again is moving, funny and compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Red Seas Under Red Skies?

The battle at sea between pirate ships

What does Michael Page bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A depth of emotion and pace at the crucial scenes

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Thieves prosper

Any additional comments?

A wider stage than the previous book in the series with more characters and settings. The story does not immerse you into lock's world as deeply as the first book did as a consequence. The tale rockets along though and whilst not as gripping as the end game with the grey king the story is still impossible to turn off. There is also a cliff hanger ending...

9 people found this helpful

Very enjoyable

Contrary to some other reviewers, I think I almost enjoyed this more than the Lies of Loch Lamora. The challenges are somewhat different and yet similar - bit like Hustle on steroids. Scott Lynch does a really good job of painting another world and different societies. The body count was somewhat high perhaps (again) - but that's the sort of story that's being told.



Personally - if you enjoyed LofLL you'll enjoy this.

13 people found this helpful

An excellent addition to an excellent series.

I am a huge fan of anything nautical. So, upon seeing the title and cover of the second novel in the 'Gentlemen Bastards Sequence' I got as excited as a virgin at a high school disco. I am happy to say the story did not disappoint.

Red Seas Under Red Skies focuses a lot more on Jean than the previous book, something that really adds to the story. You still get a lot of Locke and a lot of their past with the Gentlemen Bastards (something that, given the way the first book ended, takes the sting away from previous events).

The story consists of Locke and Jean trying to ply their trade as professional thieves in a new city. Their efforts land them in a new sort of employment, that of their brother thieves upon the waves; pirates.

Red Skies Under Red Seas, as with The Lies of Locke Lamora, will have the reader feeling a whole host of emotions ranging from happiness to downright misery. Not quite the levels of shock you get from the first book, but shock all the same. The ending also sets up nicely for the third book and will have the reader/listener thinking 'how will they get out of this thoroughly impossible situation?'.

7 people found this helpful

Loved it

Good story well told, what I particularly enjoy is



- the author takes time to give lots of descriptive details without being overly flowery

- time has been put into building the back story of the world you are being transported through, with lots of little details which add to the tale without over complicating things

- and it avoids the cliche of many fantasy titles that the main characters of the book are "heroes", always good and everything they do turns out fine in the end



The language in the book is colourful at times with swearing and sex, so it feel a bit more like fantasy for grown ups (or young adults at least)... and not just kids stories with big words "and they all lived happily ever after" endings, which some fantasy titles could be accused of being



Can't wait for the next installment

7 people found this helpful