Red Seas Under Red Skies

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.

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.

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

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.

I couldn't get enough of Scott Lynch's writing, and I was delighted to find out that if anything, his writing has become more witty since the last book. Unpredicable multilayered plot. Sets up a sequel but is satisfyingly complete in and of itself. Definitely worth a listen.

In the first book I developed a huge crush on the downright dodgy main character. Now I know I'm in love. This is not my usual genre. This is the first time ever being bored paid off! It's a great story full of color and depth. The characters are despicable, lovable, believable. Every twist and turn was a surprise. I couldn't wait to hear the next part and truly resented having to switch off to do some work. The narrator is first class. he brought warmth, humour, and humanity to this tale, his character drawing was so good I could have been listening to a cast of thousands. Try both of these.... you will never regret it.

As good as the first book!
Love the style and the setting, another enthralling episode by Scott Lynch! Another excellent rendition of the many wonderful characters by Michael Page.
I can't wait for next book!

I loved the previous book so was really looking forward to this one. However I found it a bit slow until the last third, when it did pick up. The story seemed a bit flat, but maybe that was because the characters weren't needing to be drawn in the same way, which also took away some of the fun of the 1st one. Ah well.

I feel almost mean not giving 5 stars but this second book made me realise, with a guilty start, that my adolescent boy was enjoying the story, and that perhaps the target audience was years my junior. Great cons, inventive yarn, but, yes , again, a bit too teenagey angst-ridden and blushing furiously for my taste.

First book was wonderful, diminishing returns in operation? Sorry if I sound churlish but it's up to you what you choose, I am telling it as I see it.