Red Seas Under Red Skies - Official SFFW Review

[Rob B]

The book publishes tomorrow in the UK and next month in the US, my review is posted here.

As sequels go, Red Seas Under Red Skies is fabulous and a more accomplished, more tightly written novel than its predecessor. Considering what a top notch job Lynch did with his debut, this is impressive. As importantly, Red Seas Under Red Skies doesn’t work so bad as an introduction to the Gentleman Bastards. I found myself smiling throughout most of the book, grinning at the dialogue, and riding right along with Jean and Locke on their pirate adventure. At its heart, Red Seas Under Red Skies is pure fun.

[pat5150]

"Pure fun" is the key, I think. Two words that sum it all up rather well.

Red Seas under Red Skies is by no means the best fantasy novel of the year. But you won't have more fun reading anything else out there!

Roll on Republic of Thieves!

Patrick

[Werthead]

I think the book has problems - the opening is far too reminiscent of The Lies of Locke Lamora - but from about halfway through it suddenly catches fire and is elevated above the first book. It's not my favourite book of 2007 so far - Brasyl and Black Man are superior - but it may be my favourite fantasy novel so far released this year, despite strong competition from Un Lun Dun and The Name of the Wind.

Apparently The Republic of Thieves will be in a different vein to the first two books and will not have a similar opening.

[pat5150]

If you can't wait to get your hands on the sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora, there's an advance reading copy of Red Seas under Red Skies here.

Best of luck to everyone!

Patrick

[FuzzBunneh]

Good review, can't wait to get my hands on it. Does anyone know where I can get the book delivered to mainland Europe within a few days? Amazon is giving me a 9-11 day availability and I don't think I can wait that long.. (and just strolling into a shop and picking it up is sadly not an option!)

[Fuxxy Elf]

Waterstones don't have it yet Does anyone know if there's been a delay UK-wide or has their delivery man just got lost?

[SteveF]

Waterstones don't have it yet Does anyone know if there's been a delay UK-wide or has their delivery man just got lost?

Forbidden Planet (London) have copies.

[Fuxxy Elf]

AHA, I've got it, and it was in a 3 for 2 in Waterstones so got the newest James Herbert and the newest Peter F Hamilton too. I'm staying in in July, I've got enough to read now Just need to finish The Scar now *goes off on lunch to read*

[SteveF]

Would I be right in inferring from the review that it might soon be time for Lynch and his stories to grow up a little. Fun knock-about adventures are great, but hopefully the story will truly develop over the coming books?

Is that a fair inference?

[Rob B]

Re: Lynch growing up a little? Nah, I think the stories are mature.

[suciul]

I finished the book several days ago and I've enjoyed it. It was pretty similar to the debut volume The Lies of Locke Lamora, maybe with both scams and hair-raising escapes magnified.

If you liked the first book, you will like this one since again it stands and falls with Locke and Jean. The book also can be read independent of the first one since the necessary background is supplied and outside of the main characters there is not much connection (yet).

If there is a weakness is precisely that as a 2nd book in a 7 volume intended series, it does not apparently advance that much the plot, though it seems that volume 3 will do that in full, so more connections may appear then. Entertaining and a page turner with a bittersweet (temporary) ending.