(GB#2) Red Seas Under Red Skies [Spoilers]

[Brittany]

For readers who have continued the series or want to discuss Book 2 in the Gentleman Bastards series

[Brittany]

Decided to add another folder for Red Seas since I saw some discussion about it. I've heard some say this is their least favorite in the series and for some it is their favorite. Is it the pirate theme that gets people? I'm currently about half way through the book and I love Caldris! I never thought pirates were a theme I'd pick up on but I'm noticing with the more fantasy I read, my favorite characters are usually pirates! Jean Tannen is pulling out in front of Locke as my favorite character as well.

[Gandalfgrijs]

I think that Red Seas under Red Skies is my second favorite, after the first book. It's a close call though. They are all good.
I did like the pirate theme (bit Pirates of the Carribean-ish is never wrong), but I actually preffered the setting of book 1 and 3 which invited more to confusing brilliant political schemes (there were still some in Red Seas under Red Skies, but the were a bit more simple). No, the pirate theme was more appealing for me because of the amazing actionscenes.
I also liked that there were no flashbacks. They're good, but I like the present day way better.

[Brittany]

Locke and Jean are ready to sail so I am thinking the "swashbuckling" action is right around the corner! I enjoyed the reminiscent chapters in the first book but I loved how the current predicament corresponded with one the lessons from Father Chains. I miss him

[Chompa, Founding Father]

The flashbacks are always a favorite of mine. Not many authors can pull those off so well.

I think I liked the pirate part more than the first half of the book, which kind of dragged at times for me.

Jean is a much more likeable character than Locke, who really is a moody bastard.

[Silvana]

This is my favorite book of the whole series. I always have a soft spot for naval adventure books so even though some of the pirates were a bit too nice for my taste, the action scenes were good. And I like the con stuff too, this is not as easy as pulling a heist pretending as a rich dude in a fancy casino, but much more difficult. It is harder to fake having sea legs, let alone making people believe you're a seasoned captain/crew.

And the stuff with cat is damn hilarious.

[Jeffery]

I really enjoyed this book as well, Lies is still my favorite so far. I think from what I read most about why people didnt like Red Seas, was that it wasnt what most readers expected to read about. It has such a different feel than the first book, but I thought that showed how good of an author Lynch is. To be able to pull me in to this new city, new heist, pirates etc. I really like his world building and the flashbacks are some of my favorite chapters as well. Maybe thats why I liked book 3 so much too! Locke is my favorite so far, with Sabetha next!

[Brittany]

I agree about the dynamic of Scott Lynch. It will be really hard to top Lies but he is doing great so far! I'm really enjoying this read.

Does anyone know how much research he had to do for this or is he just an avid sailor? Ha! There is a lot of technical stuff, but he does a good job at not losing me or boring me to death with the details.

[Chompa, Founding Father]

I agree that Lynch must have done some serious research on the sailing. He did a great job with making it very real.

I also liked the sailors' superstitions about needing women and cats on board the ship.

[Brittany]

Caldris?!
The cats are hilarious and obviously needed.
There seem to be alot of people out to get the gentleman Bastards in Red Seas. They all seem vicious but I was curious who everyone thinks Locke and Jean should be most scared of. I would have said the Archon but now I am going to say Merrain bc she seems to have some ulterior motives going on and isn't afraid of the Archon. He seems to know everything that's going on at all times. If she's not afraid to slit someone's throat that the Archon didn't want dead and pass the blame thinking she will get away with it, she's more dangerous for now, in my eyes.

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "Caldris?!
The cats are hilarious and obviously needed.
There seem to be alot of people out to get the gentleman Bastards in Red Seas. They all seem vicious but I was curious who everyone thinks L..."

Bondsmagi is who they should worry about! So mysterious!

[Brittany]

Jeffery wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Caldris?!
The cats are hilarious and obviously needed.
There seem to be alot of people out to get the gentleman Bastards in Red Seas. They all seem vicious but I was curious who ..."

Very true! I feel like maybe Merrain is working for them. I feel like the Bondsmagi wouldn't send assassins after them unless they just wanted them to be worked a little.

[Brittany]

I feel like Locke is eventually going to run into Sabetha. I might even already know her. Locke was romantically involved with her which doesn't exactly place an age to the last time they saw eachother.
I hope Ezri and Jean hook up. He needs some love in his life

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "I feel like Locke is eventually going to run into Sabetha. I might even already know her. Locke was romantically involved with her which doesn't exactly place an age to the last time they saw eacho..."

I cant exactly remember if its hinted at in Red Seas or not. But Sabetha is definitely showing up at some point! You will have to read and see when!

[Brittany]

Jeffery wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I feel like Locke is eventually going to run into Sabetha. I might even already know her. Locke was romantically involved with her which doesn't exactly place an age to the last ti..."

GAHHHHHHH!

[Brittany]

It really does pick up quickly. I'm in the last quarter of the book and I can't put it down. Locke can be a real hormonal girl at times and he and Jean together are an old married couple! Glad Jean is breaking out and teying to stay awake to see which way Locke goes with his truths and or lies.

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "It really does pick up quickly. I'm in the last quarter of the book and I can't put it down. Locke can be a real hormonal girl at times and he and Jean together are an old married couple! Glad Jea..."
It gets really good at the end. I agree about Jean standing up for himself and giving it back to Locke. Locke has the smarts and cockiness but he wouldnt survive without Jean watching his back. Also keeping him in line! The back and forth between them is brilliant! Cant wait till you start to read Republic of Thieves. It is a very fun book as well.

[Silvana]

I always feel Jean can live without Locke and Locke can not live without Jean.

[Brittany]

I agree!!! I will definitely continue with the series. I thought there were just 3 but apparently Scott Lynch is working on books 4-7. That always happens to me

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "I agree!!! I will definitely continue with the series. I thought there were just 3 but apparently Scott Lynch is working on books 4-7. That always happens to me"

Waiting for the books are the worst part. I have been looking forward to book 4 for a while now. Top of my want to read list for sure. But at least you get to read one more and maybe the next will be out by then

[Brittany]

I'll probably stay up and finish this one tonight. I'll try to read Republic of Thieves slowly and break for the group read

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "I'll probably stay up and finish this one tonight. I'll try to read Republic of Thieves slowly and break for the group read"

Did you end up finishing it?

[Brittany]

I just finished. I'm crushed but it was awesome and I knew that was going to happen! It is official. If I wasn't sure about it after Lies, I'm sold after Red Seas- Scott Lynch is grimdark. I can see why it's not everyones favorite as it doesn't really get going till the last half of the book but I loved it none the less. I was never put off by all the jargon or the pirating learning curve. I will probably pick up Republic of Thieves tomorrow!

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "I just finished. I'm crushed but it was awesome and I knew that was going to happen! It is official. If I wasn't sure about it after Lies, I'm sold after Red Seas- Scott Lynch is grimdark. I can se..."
Glad you liked it. The thing about the bastard series so far is that each book brings a different location and style of intrigue. Which makes each book so different from the previous, keeps it fresh and unexpected for the reader. Red Seas is definitely that and so is Republic. I really enjoyed the way Republic was written. Lots of added back story to the characters I enjoy!

[Brittany]

I love back stories! I can't wait for the Bastards and the Knives to come out. I think they are only short stories but one is when Locke and Jean were younger and forming thier gang with Calo, Galo and Bug. I miss whem the Bastards were all together causing mayhem in Camorr

[Jeffery]

Brittany wrote: "I love back stories! I can't wait for the Bastards and the Knives to come out. I think they are only short stories but one is when Locke and Jean were younger and forming thier gang with Calo, Gal..."

Well in Republic you will get the gang together again! Its fun to read their adventures at the bidding of Chains

[Silvana]

It's fun until...anyway, take your time in reading RoT. Book 4's publication has been delayed till next year.

[Brittany]

Now I really want to read it, but you are so right. I will whip through it and then just be any till sometime in 2017 I'm sure!

[Brittany]

I got Republic of Thieves for Christmas!!! Already loving the opening with a trip back to the beginning of little Locke where he started picking pockets as a Shade's Hill orphan.

[Chompa, Founding Father]

I really enjoyed Republic of Thieves.

[Silvana]

I enjoyed RoT but I just could not stand that... woman. Ugh. But I LOVE Jean a lot. I wish he was real so I could marry him.

[Brittany]

I haven't met present day Sabetha yet but I'll fight you for Jean hahahaha! jk I'd sister wife for him if I had too :)

[Chompa, Founding Father]

Hi, ignorant male here. Why is Jean "all that"? Yeah, he's good with a pair of hatchets and you'd never find a more loyal friend (even when the friend is being a total ass). Is that it? Hatchet work and loyalty?

[Chompa, Founding Father]

Continuing my ignorant male thing - why the Sabetha hate, Silvana? I found her to be a very strong female character. She is Locke's equal in most ways. I did dislike how she treated Locke, but he kind of had it coming.

[Silvana]

Locke might deserve what he had but Sabetha way too emo, bitchy, manipulative, wishy-washy, selfish for me to like. And she made Locke's story hard to read at times since he became so annoying.

[David]

I found the series Gentlemen bastards to be intriguing. Locke and Jean make a great pair in forging their complex con games. Sabetha is also and strong character and her back story will develop more, I hope in future installments.