In his highly acclaimed debut, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch took us on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with a band of daring ...
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Jun 16, 2009
Josh
rated it: 
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 L More...
Red Seas wastes no time as it starts off. We begin with L More...
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Dec 26, 2011
Ben
rated it: 
(Since this book features pirates, I'm using that as flimsy excuse to present my review entirely in "piratical" dialect, courtesy of this handy translator. Apologies to those who were expecting a sobre critique of literature in grammatical, precise English. Ye scallywag.)
I read this hot on th' heels o' me second readin' o' Th' Lies o' Locke Lamora, about which I positively gushed in ever' way possible.
Goin' into this sequel, I be excited. I anticipated another b More...
I read this hot on th' heels o' me second readin' o' Th' Lies o' Locke Lamora, about which I positively gushed in ever' way possible.
Goin' into this sequel, I be excited. I anticipated another b More...
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Apr 22, 2011
± Colleen of the Crawling Chaos ±
rated it:
2.5
I read this for a group I'm in, and I wrote a big long post about it, so now I'm sort of talked out. Maybe I'll do a proper review in the future. For now...
There's a lot of set-up and info-dumping. The pacing is terrible - for hundreds of pages things are drawn out in labored detail, and then the ending is all rush, rush, and things that could've and should've been drawn out more weren't. Some things were wrapped up nicely, some were sort of a kick in the teeth.
More...
I read this for a group I'm in, and I wrote a big long post about it, so now I'm sort of talked out. Maybe I'll do a proper review in the future. For now...
There's a lot of set-up and info-dumping. The pacing is terrible - for hundreds of pages things are drawn out in labored detail, and then the ending is all rush, rush, and things that could've and should've been drawn out more weren't. Some things were wrapped up nicely, some were sort of a kick in the teeth.
More...
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Dec 17, 2009
Eric
rated it: 
This is an enjoyable follow-up to The Lies of Locke Lamora. It is a little worrisome in its similarity though.
The last one was a fun caper involving high-stakes thieving scams intertwined with personal vendettas and manipulating kingpins. This one is essentially the same thing in a new city with different names. It's still enjoyable, but if the next one in the series does the same thing, it'll be quitting time. Luckily, the publisher says that's not the case. The first two were self More...
The last one was a fun caper involving high-stakes thieving scams intertwined with personal vendettas and manipulating kingpins. This one is essentially the same thing in a new city with different names. It's still enjoyable, but if the next one in the series does the same thing, it'll be quitting time. Luckily, the publisher says that's not the case. The first two were self More...
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Apr 17, 2008
Joe
rated it: 
Sadly enough, this is a piss poor follow up to a fantastic first novel.
The author suffered major A.D.D. with his storyline and flops around several times between plots that lead nowhere. It's almost as if he had two completely different ideas for novels but couldn't quite fill in the gaps to make them stand on their own. Instead, he decided to combine them in to one long book but does a poor job connecting the two.
I found myself slogging through it just to get to More...
The author suffered major A.D.D. with his storyline and flops around several times between plots that lead nowhere. It's almost as if he had two completely different ideas for novels but couldn't quite fill in the gaps to make them stand on their own. Instead, he decided to combine them in to one long book but does a poor job connecting the two.
I found myself slogging through it just to get to More...
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Oct 28, 2011
Meg
rated it:
The thing about The Lies of Locke Lamora, the first book in this series, is that I loved all the characters. Even the assholes.
The thing about Red Seas Under Red Skies is I got exasperated fairly quickly with the characters I'd come to love in the first book, and found myself rolling my eyes at new characters who could have been much better than what they were. I only know they could have been much better because Lynch showed his wonderful character-building abilities in Lies of Loc More...
The thing about Red Seas Under Red Skies is I got exasperated fairly quickly with the characters I'd come to love in the first book, and found myself rolling my eyes at new characters who could have been much better than what they were. I only know they could have been much better because Lynch showed his wonderful character-building abilities in Lies of Loc More...
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Dec 12, 2011
Carol
rated it:
Four stars, with reservations
A bit of a slog in the beginning--guess I haven't been in the mood for the great con. Locke Lamora is still at the heart of the narrative, and I don't think he could get from bed to breakfast without hatching or implementing a Rube Goldberg of a plot. It remains a sort of "Oceans Eleven" caper at the beginning, with multiple steps and a long, convoluted plan of attack on the owner of an elaborate and elite gambling facility. However, in true Oce More...
A bit of a slog in the beginning--guess I haven't been in the mood for the great con. Locke Lamora is still at the heart of the narrative, and I don't think he could get from bed to breakfast without hatching or implementing a Rube Goldberg of a plot. It remains a sort of "Oceans Eleven" caper at the beginning, with multiple steps and a long, convoluted plan of attack on the owner of an elaborate and elite gambling facility. However, in true Oce More...
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Oct 31, 2011
Tsvetelina
rated it:
След много дълго време на протакане и мъчителни откази да прочета книгата, което е нещо необичайно за мен, ето, че я завърших... за добро или зло...
Втората част от поредицата "Джентълмените копелета" отново ни среща с добрите ни стари познайници - Локи и Джийн, които този път са решили да ошушкат Кулата на греха в Тал Верар само заради твърдението, че да мамиш там е равносилно на сигурна смърт. А нима дръзкият Локи би устоял на такава грандиозна покана? Но понеже не всичко More...
Втората част от поредицата "Джентълмените копелета" отново ни среща с добрите ни стари познайници - Локи и Джийн, които този път са решили да ошушкат Кулата на греха в Тал Верар само заради твърдението, че да мамиш там е равносилно на сигурна смърт. А нима дръзкият Локи би устоял на такава грандиозна покана? Но понеже не всичко More...
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Jan 27, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
Before you start this book, be warned. The beginning is slow. It takes patience and persistence to push through it, but it's worth it.
If I were rating this book on the first half alone, it would probably be two stars. Info dumps galore, long plodding seemingly meaningless side tracks... It just wasn't very good at all. But lucky for you (or maybe lucky for me), it got better in the second half! In fact, it got so much better that the rating somehow managed to climb back up to four s More...
If I were rating this book on the first half alone, it would probably be two stars. Info dumps galore, long plodding seemingly meaningless side tracks... It just wasn't very good at all. But lucky for you (or maybe lucky for me), it got better in the second half! In fact, it got so much better that the rating somehow managed to climb back up to four s More...
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Apr 27, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
Some things I would be happy if fantasy writers never, ever did again:
1. Had anyone raise eyebrows. Ever. Seriously, anyone who raised their eyebrows as much as your "witty" characters did would not only have very unattractively wrinkled foreheads (heaven forbid, how could they slay the ladies with their good looks?), they would have a permanent headache.
2. Have characters say something "very quietly," or "very softly," every time a geniune feeling is be More...
1. Had anyone raise eyebrows. Ever. Seriously, anyone who raised their eyebrows as much as your "witty" characters did would not only have very unattractively wrinkled foreheads (heaven forbid, how could they slay the ladies with their good looks?), they would have a permanent headache.
2. Have characters say something "very quietly," or "very softly," every time a geniune feeling is be More...
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Jan 07, 2008
sage
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 03, 2007
Beth (moonivy)
rated it:
Read 9/1-9/2/07
Red Seas Under Red Skies is the next book in Lynch's The Gentleman Bastards sequence, following the marvelous The Lies of Locke Lamora. In this volume,Locke and Jean Tannen have landed in Tal Verrar and are plotting a typically
grandiose casino heist. But as is the normal course of Locke's life, not all is what it seems and complications abound. Red Seas Under Red Skies is a rollicking adventure of honour and dishonour among thieves, set in a fantasy world of alchemy an More...
Red Seas Under Red Skies is the next book in Lynch's The Gentleman Bastards sequence, following the marvelous The Lies of Locke Lamora. In this volume,Locke and Jean Tannen have landed in Tal Verrar and are plotting a typically
grandiose casino heist. But as is the normal course of Locke's life, not all is what it seems and complications abound. Red Seas Under Red Skies is a rollicking adventure of honour and dishonour among thieves, set in a fantasy world of alchemy an More...
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May 11, 2011
Coligne
rated it:
Secondo volume della sua saga dei Bastardi Galantuomini, stavolta l'azione si sposta dalla terraferma al mare. Infatti, come si può intuire dal titolo, Locke e Jean si danno alla pirateria (anche se non per loro volontà). Locke non è certo un pirata, e sfigura di fronte ai veri pirati; però, in ogni caso, lui non deve essere un pirata, deve fingere di esserlo, e quella è la cosa che gli riesce meglio.
Non sarà all'altezza le primo libro di Lynch, forse, non avendo sfruttato appieno le potenzialit More...
Non sarà all'altezza le primo libro di Lynch, forse, non avendo sfruttato appieno le potenzialit More...
Jan 14, 2011
Kai
rated it:
Locke Lamora non è bello, non è forte, non sa tirare di scherma e non è dotato di poteri magici. Locke Lamora è una canaglia, un truffatore e un ladro dalla moralità incerta e dalla lingua tagliente, eppure è uno dei personaggi della letteratura fantasy - ma non solo - più azzeccati degli ultimi anni. Gli inganni di Locke Lamora (Nord, pp. 605, € 19,60) e il recente I pirati dell’Oceano Rosso (Nord, pp. 710, € 19,60) di Scott Lynch rimescolano del tutto, barando se possibile, le carte sul tavolo
More...
Jan 09, 2011
J
rated it:
Locke Lamora non è bello, non è forte, non sa tirare di scherma e non è dotato di poteri magici. Locke Lamora è una canaglia, un truffatore e un ladro dalla moralità incerta e dalla lingua tagliente, eppure è uno dei personaggi della letteratura fantasy - ma non solo - più azzeccati degli ultimi anni. Gli inganni di Locke Lamora (Nord, pp. 605, € 19,60) e il recente I pirati dell’Oceano Rosso (Nord, pp. 710, € 19,60) di Scott Lynch rimescolano del tutto, barando se possibile, le carte sul tavolo
More...
Feb 03, 2009
Holzi
rated it:
Book was read in english, but review is in german. Sorry to those who cannot comprehend it... ;o)
»Oceans Eleven meets Pirates Of The Caribbean«
(Tarantino Style)
Bei diesem Roman handelt es sich um den zweiten Band der »Gentleman Bastard Sequence« des Autoren, dessen Erstlingsroman »The Lies Of Locke Lamora« an anderer Stelle besprochen wurde. Nachdem mir dieser ausgesprochen gut gefallen hatte, war ich verständlicherweise überaus gespannt auf die Fortsetzung – und ic More...
»Oceans Eleven meets Pirates Of The Caribbean«
(Tarantino Style)
Bei diesem Roman handelt es sich um den zweiten Band der »Gentleman Bastard Sequence« des Autoren, dessen Erstlingsroman »The Lies Of Locke Lamora« an anderer Stelle besprochen wurde. Nachdem mir dieser ausgesprochen gut gefallen hatte, war ich verständlicherweise überaus gespannt auf die Fortsetzung – und ic More...
Jan 01, 2009
Brownbetty
rated it:
Pretty much exactly like the first, The Lies of Locke Lamora. In fact, enough so that at one point I got annoyed; Locke and Jean are in the middle of a splendid con when they get involved in another scheme against their will, soon are out of their depth and struggling desperately not to salvage their con but stay alive. However, Locke, and the writing, remain witty enough that I stayed up late to finish it, so formulaic though it is, it's executed well. Locke remains charming even when he's n
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Dec 28, 2008
Lightreads
rated it:
Sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora. Locke and Jean have moved on to a new game, robbing the most heavily guarded gambling house in all the land. And in the process becoming entangled in the political reorganization of their new city, which in turn forces them out to sea to the piratical life.
Hmm. Right, okay, here’s the thing. I really liked The Lies of Locke Lamora -- it was funny and clever and a pleasant read. But what interested me was that it was the first in a series of seven. More...
Hmm. Right, okay, here’s the thing. I really liked The Lies of Locke Lamora -- it was funny and clever and a pleasant read. But what interested me was that it was the first in a series of seven. More...
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Jan 13, 2012
Madeleine
rated it:
A geographically and thematically precise story, humouristic and dark in one. There is suspense and well-written dialogue; an intricately woven, constantly changing plot with several layers; lovable characters equipped with personalities, quirks and interesting back-stories; rich descriptions of the setting that manage to keep the reader's interest up, and nothing is what you expect it to be.
I found it to be even better than The Lies of Locke Lamora, perhaps because it feels like I have go More...
I found it to be even better than The Lies of Locke Lamora, perhaps because it feels like I have go More...
Nov 29, 2011
Jan
rated it:
I feared that a pirate/naval focused sequel to "The Lies of Locke Lamora" would forego most of the enjoyable cunning and scheming in lieu of naval combat and saber fights. Luckily, this is not so. While Red Seas under Red Skies has those elements, it is mostly still focused on the good old scheming and plotting we know from the first book.
Just like the first book, there isn't a grand overarching plan but instead a set of Rincewind-esque failures that Locke and Jean only sur More...
Just like the first book, there isn't a grand overarching plan but instead a set of Rincewind-esque failures that Locke and Jean only sur More...
Nov 28, 2011
Lamepun
rated it:
After reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, I was expecting more of this book, and it took two readings for me to fairly judge it.
There is one particular aspect I cannot forgive of this book: the prologue. I don't know whether the publisher or the author decided on this, but it was a flash-forward that set up Locke to be in a particularly dangerous position. By the time that point actually arrived, it turned out to be the anti-climax I expected. I think the prologue might have been there More...
There is one particular aspect I cannot forgive of this book: the prologue. I don't know whether the publisher or the author decided on this, but it was a flash-forward that set up Locke to be in a particularly dangerous position. By the time that point actually arrived, it turned out to be the anti-climax I expected. I think the prologue might have been there More...
Sep 14, 2011
Paul
rated it:
When I first read The Lies of Locke Lamora I did not actually find it very pleasing, the pace seemed slow, the world immense but always kept in the background etc. (I loved George R. R. Martin's series and expected something similar in scope and difficulty I guess). After a couple of months though I started remembering all the fun moments, the images which were burned into my mind by the author's words, the thought out plot and I decided to start reading this sequel.
Everything that was More...
Everything that was More...
Sep 03, 2011
Judith
rated it:
This second installation in the Gentlemen Bastards series is good enough to keep me reading and wanting the next. It's just as witty as the first, and there were several laugh-out-loud moments for me. The banter between Locke and Jean remains as fun as ever.
However, it's a bit slower-paced than Lies of Locke Lamora, and while a bit heavier on angst, it also felt strangely less dark. Although perhaps the latter can be attributed to the fact that the Verrari are not as cut-throat as t More...
However, it's a bit slower-paced than Lies of Locke Lamora, and while a bit heavier on angst, it also felt strangely less dark. Although perhaps the latter can be attributed to the fact that the Verrari are not as cut-throat as t More...
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Jul 27, 2011
Absolutely cracking new novel from Scott Lynch, Red Seas Under Red Skies is the follow up to the jaw droppingly good Lies of Locke Lamora.
Locke and Jean are backin a tale of ocean's eleven-like cons in huge medieval casinos and a Pirates of the Caribbean-like adventure is in store for them, testing their false-facing skills and inventive talents to the limit.
The book is intricately plotted, has interesting flashback structured chapters and loads of the best dialogue to come fantasy's way since More...
Locke and Jean are backin a tale of ocean's eleven-like cons in huge medieval casinos and a Pirates of the Caribbean-like adventure is in store for them, testing their false-facing skills and inventive talents to the limit.
The book is intricately plotted, has interesting flashback structured chapters and loads of the best dialogue to come fantasy's way since More...
Jul 14, 2011
Kater
rated it:
This is the second book in Scott Lynch's "Gentleman Bastards" series, but I don't think you have to have read THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA to appreciate it. Lynch's world is an amazing tapestry of fantasy cultures. Cities have infrastructure of ancient techonolgies, bondsmagi alter lives like the Illuminati, crime lords kill one another with the aid of bizarre animals, and alchemists create beautiful steampunk contraptions.
Locke Lamora and his friend Jean Tannen are professional More...
Locke Lamora and his friend Jean Tannen are professional More...
Jun 16, 2011
Sara
rated it:
I was so excited to start this book. And for the most part, it did live up to expectations. Scott Lynch has a unique and engaging writing style, and even when he pulls a plot device you totally should have expected, he manages to sneak it up on you. Jean Tannen really came into his own.
But oh, Locke Lamora pissed me off. How Locke could become an inept whiner, I don't know. He finally straightened his spine up and dusted off his brain and lived up to his legend at the end, but jeez louise. More...
But oh, Locke Lamora pissed me off. How Locke could become an inept whiner, I don't know. He finally straightened his spine up and dusted off his brain and lived up to his legend at the end, but jeez louise. More...
May 13, 2011
James
rated it:
I said in my review of the previous book that this 'THE BEST SERIES OF BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ', and I don't change my opinion.
The story takes on a more naval, action packed theme however it stick true to the first book and the characters within and continues to enchant the reader.
I said in my review for the last book that 'It combines action and intrigue with full on emotions and the ever present con tricks. It manages to combine action with the TV show 'Hustle', place it in More...
The story takes on a more naval, action packed theme however it stick true to the first book and the characters within and continues to enchant the reader.
I said in my review for the last book that 'It combines action and intrigue with full on emotions and the ever present con tricks. It manages to combine action with the TV show 'Hustle', place it in More...
May 11, 2011
AMAZING! Damn, the hardest thing about reading this book is knowing the wait for the next one will be long. Sometimes I try to wait until an author has finished an entire series before starting it (I've got four fat novels by Tad Williams on my self, unopened) but if you suffer from a similar predilection don't let it ruin your experience with this novel. Lynch's website claims that there will be seven of these "Gentlemen Bastard" novels, and I welcome them all, but the first two (#1 w
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Apr 17, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
Unlike many reviewers, I thought this book was as good as the first book, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Of course, what I liked the most from that book can be found in this book also -- the lavish descriptions of setting, costumes, and the pirate boat itself. Mr. Lynch makes note in the book that he is no sailor and that many aspects of the pirate scenes may not be wholly accurate, so I give him a pass if he misses the mark on the pirate boats. Since I don't read much nautical-oriented fiction (or n
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Feb 11, 2011
Minli
rated it:
Fast-paced and engrossing, it's a book that's both hard to put down and good for commutes--it lasted me all week.
The important stuff first. Red Seas Under Red Skies is not as big as a feminist fail as its first one, though I liked it anyway--despite the thing that happened to one character. Honest to god, I rolled my eyes so hard. But once you get to the pirates, you can tell Lynch made at least an effort to write interesting female characters. He succeeded with Zamira, Ezri not so m More...
The important stuff first. Red Seas Under Red Skies is not as big as a feminist fail as its first one, though I liked it anyway--despite the thing that happened to one character. Honest to god, I rolled my eyes so hard. But once you get to the pirates, you can tell Lynch made at least an effort to write interesting female characters. He succeeded with Zamira, Ezri not so m More...
