Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastards, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book in the Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch. Overall this was a great book. The pacing was a bit slow in the middle, but the story telling is intricate and clever. You wouldn't have to read the first book to enjoy this book, but knowing the background of the first book would enable you to get more out of this story.
Locke and Jean are nearing the end of a two year scheme to rob the Sinspire. Unfortunately the Archon of the region learns their true identities and wants to use their skills for his own purposes. They are forced to temporarily abandon their Sinspire scheme and are sent on a mission for the Archon. They are supposed to pose as pirates which ends up dragging them into a whole new set of problems.
This book is just as clever as the first book. The plot is complicated and deftly weaves between a number of confidence schemes. True to the Gentleman Bastards of the last book, Jean and Locke take on a number of different guises throughout the book. While Locke remains somewhat ambivalent toward the opposite sex because of his loss in the first book, Jean finds romance on the high seas in the form of feisty pirate named Ezra.
Overall this was a great read. Locke and Jean are great characters; the villains are pretty good villains. This book still deals a lot of witty banter between the characters; although I thought the humor was a bit lighter than in the first book. The pace of the plot is good in the beginning and the end. Unfortunately, in the middle Lynch suddenly spends a ton of time going into the basics of sailing. It was kind of interesting but I don't think it was necessary to the story, and it made the middle of the book stall.
This was a good read though. The end leaves us with a cliffhanger that will have everyone wonder what happens next. And since the next book isn't coming out until sometime in 2010; that's quite the wait for those who want to know what happens. Fans of the series should be happy with this book, as long as they know they need to push through the middle.
Locke and Jean are nearing the end of a two year scheme to rob the Sinspire. Unfortunately the Archon of the region learns their true identities and wants to use their skills for his own purposes. They are forced to temporarily abandon their Sinspire scheme and are sent on a mission for the Archon. They are supposed to pose as pirates which ends up dragging them into a whole new set of problems.
This book is just as clever as the first book. The plot is complicated and deftly weaves between a number of confidence schemes. True to the Gentleman Bastards of the last book, Jean and Locke take on a number of different guises throughout the book. While Locke remains somewhat ambivalent toward the opposite sex because of his loss in the first book, Jean finds romance on the high seas in the form of feisty pirate named Ezra.
Overall this was a great read. Locke and Jean are great characters; the villains are pretty good villains. This book still deals a lot of witty banter between the characters; although I thought the humor was a bit lighter than in the first book. The pace of the plot is good in the beginning and the end. Unfortunately, in the middle Lynch suddenly spends a ton of time going into the basics of sailing. It was kind of interesting but I don't think it was necessary to the story, and it made the middle of the book stall.
This was a good read though. The end leaves us with a cliffhanger that will have everyone wonder what happens next. And since the next book isn't coming out until sometime in 2010; that's quite the wait for those who want to know what happens. Fans of the series should be happy with this book, as long as they know they need to push through the middle.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastards, Bk 2) on + 1452 more book reviews
After I finishing the Lies of Locke Lamora, I looked forward to reading, Red Seas Under Red Skies, the second in this series. The fact that Locke is grieving deeply for the loss of three members of the Gentlemen Bastards as the novel opens, endears him to this reader. It is only through the attentions and patience of Jean Tannen that he finally recovers. Only good friends like Locke and Jean can talk with each other the way the narrative flows in this novel. Plus, it's reassuring that their friendship was not harmed by the loss of three members of the Gentlemen Bastards. And, their ability to communicate with the slightest of signals enables them to scam the most skillful gamblers with finesse. Check out how they do it this time.
Locke and Jean are in Tal Verrar where they plan to attempt one of their most difficult and skillful robberies when they break into the vault at the Sinspire, Tal Verrar's major casino and entertainment location. However, their plans for the robbery are foiled by the Archon of Tal Verrar. The Archon administers a latent poison in their drinks to ensure that the two will do whatever he decides best serves his ends. In an almost unbelievable twist they must go to sea, become pirates and help the Archon capture a famous pirate that will enable him to build his navy to protect Tal Verrar. Thus, they find themselves linked to this man who will give the antidote only when they follow his directions.
Exposed as the sailor he is not, Locke, accompanied by Jean, is placed in a small boat when the crew stages a mutiny. They are rescued quickly by the very pirate they were to capture, Zamira Drakasha. She is a large, muscular tough woman who is captain of the Poison Orchid. She loves her children to distraction but will take no excuses from any of her crew, let alone Locke or Jean. Locke knows that to win her confidence and trust he must be honest and answer her questions. Jean, surprisingly, falls in love with her sidekick, Ezri. The tale spins out from here as Locke tries to keep wheeling and dealing and plots to outwit the Archon. He and Jean must determine how to just stay alive yet seek revenge on the Archon. While I would like to see the novels in the series tighten up I will look for the next in the series because I find Locke and Jean such well constructed characters that I don't want to miss what happens next.
Locke and Jean are in Tal Verrar where they plan to attempt one of their most difficult and skillful robberies when they break into the vault at the Sinspire, Tal Verrar's major casino and entertainment location. However, their plans for the robbery are foiled by the Archon of Tal Verrar. The Archon administers a latent poison in their drinks to ensure that the two will do whatever he decides best serves his ends. In an almost unbelievable twist they must go to sea, become pirates and help the Archon capture a famous pirate that will enable him to build his navy to protect Tal Verrar. Thus, they find themselves linked to this man who will give the antidote only when they follow his directions.
Exposed as the sailor he is not, Locke, accompanied by Jean, is placed in a small boat when the crew stages a mutiny. They are rescued quickly by the very pirate they were to capture, Zamira Drakasha. She is a large, muscular tough woman who is captain of the Poison Orchid. She loves her children to distraction but will take no excuses from any of her crew, let alone Locke or Jean. Locke knows that to win her confidence and trust he must be honest and answer her questions. Jean, surprisingly, falls in love with her sidekick, Ezri. The tale spins out from here as Locke tries to keep wheeling and dealing and plots to outwit the Archon. He and Jean must determine how to just stay alive yet seek revenge on the Archon. While I would like to see the novels in the series tighten up I will look for the next in the series because I find Locke and Jean such well constructed characters that I don't want to miss what happens next.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
I enjoyed this second book in the series as much as (if not a little more than) the first. This story had all the humor and plot twists of the first plus a finale that was a little neater and easier to follow. Looking forward to the third book!
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
I enjoyed this second book in the series as much as (if not a little more than) the first. This story had all the humor and plot twists of the first plus a finale that was a little neater and easier to follow. Looking forward to the third book!
Liz E. (peartree4000) reviewed Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastards, Bk 2) on + 29 more book reviews
I read the last book because it fit the piss-y mood I was in last year, but when I picked up this one... within the first 10 pages I was already sick of the swearing and I found that I didn't want to read any further. I guess I'll never find out what happens to Locke, but that's okay because I don't need to fill my head with garbage.
