Red Seas Under Red Skies Read-Along, part one!
Posted on: April 28, 2012
- In: read along | Scott Lynch
- 29 Comments
“When you can’t cheat the game, you’d best find a way to cheat the player”
Hi Everyone, welcome to the first part of our read along of Scott Lynch’s Red Seas Under Red Skies. This is the second book in the Gentlemen Bastard series, and so far Locke and Jean are already up to their regular tricks. This week’s questions were supplied by My Awful Reviews. Please be sure to visit him and my other read-along co-hosts, Dark Cargo, Lynn’s Book Blog and OhthatAshley at SFSignal. If you are writing up a discussion post on your blog, leave your link on everyone else’s blog comments as well, so we can all visit each other.
here are this week’s discussion starters, with my answers after the jump!
1. The Sinspire. It looks like our heroes (can they really be called that?) find themselves in search of a way into an unbeatable vault. Do you think they have what it takes to make it happen?
2. Anyone want to guess how they’re going to make it happen?
3. It’s a little different this time around, with us just being focused on Locke and Jean. Is anyone else missing the rest of the Bastards as much as I am?
4. I love the section where Jean starts to build a new guild of thieves. It really shows just how well trained and tough he is. Do you think the Bastards will end up training others along the way again like Bug?
5. For those of you looking for Sabetha, we still haven’t spotted her yet. Anyone else chomping at the bit to see the love of Locke’s life?
6. It’s early on, but the Bastards are already caught up in plots that they didn’t expect. How do you think their new “employer” is going to make use of them (The Archon, that is)?
all the other great discussions:
Genkinahito’s blog
Dark Cargo
Lynn’s Book Blog
My Awful Reviews
Books Without Any Pictures
Travels Through Iest
Booky Pony
Nashville Book Worm
Paperless Reading
Scruffy Fiction
Coffee Cookies and Chili Peppers
Kaitharshayr’s Musings
Just Book Reading
Updates to the Theory of Everything
Real Books 4 Ever
The Sleepless Reader
I Want Life In Every Word
*NEW*!
All I Am – A Redhead
Central Neural Pathway Station
Tethyan Books
Even NEWER!!
Beware of the Froggies
Akki’s Arcanum
(I will be away from my computer most of Saturday morning. . . so if you are waiting for your link to show up, worry not! I will link everything up as soon as I can)
1. The Sinspire. It looks like our heroes (can they really be called that?) find themselves in search of a way into an unbeatable vault. Do you think they have what it takes to make it happen?
they are sort of heroic, right? When Locke sets his mind to something, he will figure out a way to make it happen. it might take him a while, but now that he’s finally met the infamous Requin (who I always, always imagine as Andy Garcia) I’m sure he’ll figure out the final steps to get what he wants.
A bit off topic, but i LOVE the Sinspire! it’s like something out of Ocean’s Eleven meets something out of a James Bond flick, beautiful rich people everywhere, crazy outfits, everything is completely over the top. And Carousel Hazard? how do I get in on a game of that? I wonder if there is ginger scalds in there anywhere?
i know it’s the first question of the very first discussion, but I am already having a tough time not spoiling some of the surprises!!!
2. Anyone want to guess how they’re going to make it happen?
a shitload of dynamite? Bribing every single guard in the Sinspire? pulling a Capa Raza and killing of Requin and taking over? Maybe there is more than one vault?
And that scene up in Requin’s office? LOVE IT.
3. It’s a little different this time around, with us just being focused on Locke and Jean. Is anyone else missing the rest of the Bastards as much as I am?
I am, but at the same time I’m not. Calo, Galdo and Bug were part of Camorr, and now that we’ve left Camorr it’s a little easier for me to read a story without them. If this second book took place in Camorr, and a memory of them was on every street corner, that would be hard to read. I don’t really think Bug would much care for Tal Verrar, do you?
I also love that we get to know Jean so much better in this book. the first time I read it, I remember reading a lot of the dialog twice, because I was like “Jean said that?? sweet!”
4. I love the section where Jean starts to build a new guild of thieves. It really shows just how well trained and tough he is. Do you think the Bastards will end up training others along the way again like Bug?
I hope so. I think they need a little brother around. None of them want to admit it, but Bug kept the older boys honest(ish), because they wanted to be a good(ish) example for him. I do wonder if the way Jean started training his new group was similar to how Chains got his start?
5. For those of you looking for Sabetha, we still haven’t spotted her yet. Anyone else chomping at the bit to see the love of Locke’s life?
totally! I want to know what she did to Locke to get him so wrapped around her little finger, and what happened after that he just can’t talk about her. Is she even still alive? is it possible they could have a relationship? Did she go *eeek!* honest, and now wouldn’t give the time of day to some filthy grubbing thief like Locke? So many unanswered questions!!
6. It’s early on, but the Bastards are already caught up in plots that they didn’t expect. How do you think their new “employer” is going to make use of them (The Archon, that is)?
I figure he’s going to make them do his dirty work. something he doesn’t want to get blamed for, something he needs a patsy for. Wow, that is really, really gonna piss of Locke. that boy does not, and I repeat, not like getting used!
29 Responses to "Red Seas Under Red Skies Read-Along, part one!"
[…] out to be an incredible readalong with loads of discussion. The readalong is being hosted by the Little Red Reviewer and the schedule and information can be found here. If you haven’t read the Lies of Locke […]
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April 28, 2012 at 8:17 am
[…] Red Skies which has a great title and pirates. To get more info on the readalong, head on over to Little Red Reviewer’s blog – she’s the lynchmob leader! This week’s questions come from My Awful Reviews and here […]
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April 28, 2012 at 8:32 am
“When you can’t cheat the game, you’d best find a way to cheat the player” – A great quote that just sums up how the GBs operate! Locke and Jean are going to con their way through that vault but they will have to be pretty inventive. The Bondsmagi are angry and this Archon fellow is a schemer on a level higher than Barsavi and the Grey King. Fortunately it looks like he’s irritated by the Bondsmagi so I expect plenty of twists. This story just got a LOT more interesting.
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April 28, 2012 at 9:18 am
I’m loving the dialogue so far, so many great quotes. “One plus one equals don’t fuck with me.”
http://www.scruffyfiction.co.uk/2012/04/28/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along-week-one/
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April 28, 2012 at 9:18 am
read Locke Lamorra and Red Seas a few years ago and LOVED them. Might have to have a re-read. Seeing all your posts is reminding how great they are. But when WHEN **WHEN** is he going to actually produce these long-promised sequels???
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April 28, 2012 at 1:16 pm
the 3rd book is supposed to be out later this year, and in interviews Lynch gives the impression he’s got some future books outlined. He went through a lot of personal stuff these last few years, so hopefully he continues to do better and can keep writing.
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April 28, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I guess it depends how many of us turn up and camp on his doorstep until he finishes it! 😀
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April 28, 2012 at 9:49 am
I’ve just posted my answers at: http://coffeecookiesandchilipeppers.blogspot.com/2012/04/read-along-of-red-seas-under-red-skies_28.html
Off to do my Saturday chores and then relax, read and respond to everyone else’s this afternoon 🙂
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April 28, 2012 at 10:25 am
I like your comment about how if the 2nd book had stayed in Camorr it would have been hard without the boys. But being in a new city, it helps us focus on Jean and Locke. Totally agree.
Way curious about Sabetha too. Why she left, what she is off doing, has she heard of the events that befell the crew in Camorr…..
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April 28, 2012 at 11:01 am
here’s my responses 🙂 http://kaitharshayr.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along-wk1/ will go and read everyone’s responses from tomorrow as I’m about to head out 🙂
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April 28, 2012 at 11:20 am
[…] to My Awful Reviews for this week’s questions. You can find more information at the Little Red Reviewer if you want […]
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April 28, 2012 at 11:32 am
I’m so glad I’m not the only one with the Ocean’s Eleven soundtrack in my head! Andy Garcia. He he. Yes!
Here’s my link this week – http://justbookreading.com/2012/04/28/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along-part-1/
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April 28, 2012 at 1:18 pm
oh good, it isn’t just me! I always, always think Ocean’s 11/Ocean’s 12 when I read Red Seas. And as those are two of my favorite movies, this is a good thing!
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April 28, 2012 at 11:42 am
Reading the part with Jean was the best of the book so far. He all of a sudden went from being the dutiful follower to the badass leader, and it was great to see that trait in him. And let’s be serious, Locke may have the brains, but he is nowhere near as badass as Jean.
I can’t wait to hear more about Sabetha! And I actually miss Chains more than I miss Calo, Galdo, and Bug, to be honest. Chains was so snarky and awesome. But I do hope they get another member in their gang, the banter is always better with more people.
http://ginarinelli.blogspot.com/2012/04/rsurs-read-along-week-1.html
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April 28, 2012 at 11:55 am
I really like the idea that Jean is the head of a family and he’s training up all these little thieves. I hope Locke and him will make it through to the end of the series and start a school for thieves later on.
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April 28, 2012 at 12:12 pm
My answers are here: http://realbooks4ever.tumblr.com/post/21981178128
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April 28, 2012 at 4:29 pm
My two Euro-cents: http://thesleeplessreader.com/2012/04/28/red-seas-under-red-skies-by-scott-lynch-read-along-part-15/
It was a great start and once again the world-building was magnificent. I would love to see this adapted to the movies.
Let me know if you need anyone to host the questions!
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April 29, 2012 at 7:02 am
I absolutely loved how Locke warned the Archon to let them go and forget about them doing his bidding. Now I only hope that in the end I’ll feel vindicated when they topple him (and do something nasty to those Bondsmagi).
I’m really starting to get into the violence of these books. 🙂
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April 29, 2012 at 11:16 am
I read the book last month. ^^^ link above is my formal resignation from this read-along! It’s an odd combination of its being too fresh in my memory to re-read and not fresh enough that I can answer the questions as well as if I were actually reading along.
Loved the book though.
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April 29, 2012 at 1:54 pm
as long as you post a few photos from your trip overseas, all is forgiven. 😀
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April 30, 2012 at 11:32 am
I am late but not vanished! My answers are here:
http://tethyanbooks.blogspot.com/2012/04/read-along-red-seas-under-red-skies-by.html
Yeah, Locke does not like being used… I think perhaps the Archon should have considered what happened to the last person who tried to manipulate good ole’ Locke Lamora. The carousel game does sound fantastic. I’ve never really enjoyed gambling, but it would be a lot of fun to play that one with non-money-backed chips or pennies!
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May 2, 2012 at 7:01 am
Gosh, I’m so sorry for the lateness! Here’s the post, finally:
http://bewareofthefroggies.blogspot.com/2012/05/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along.html
Dynamite! I want to see things blow up too!
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May 3, 2012 at 6:04 am
I just caught up and posted my answers for week one: http://u.akki.me/IohYRm
I loved the scene where Locke reveals his plan to Requin. Though it was a bit reminiscent of the one with Don Salvara, the tension in the air and Locke’s wittiness more than made up for it!
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the Little Red Reviewer 
April 28, 2012 at 7:39 am
Ha, Andy Garcia – brilliant. That is in my head now and is not going to go away! I actually felt a bit guilty for not missing the other Bastards as much as I felt I should but I think the dynamic between Locke and Jean is so brilliant that I’m all wrapped up in that. The banter and insults so far are so funny I’m sat reading in work and just giggling like an idiot.
I can’t help feeling that anyone who messes with Locke is gonna get theirs! He doesn’t like people pushing him around so his new boss better bear that in mind!
I’m having a fangirl crush on Jean – I can’t help it. That guy is just awesome.
Lynn:D
http://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/red-seas-under-red-skies-by-scott-lynch-readalong-week-1/
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April 28, 2012 at 11:56 am
The banter is one of the things that makes this book so awesome. I love it!
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April 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I threw that question about the other bastards up there to see how everyone felt, but honestly I think that the chemistry between Locke and Jean makes them just as interesting as having the rest of the Bastards there. Gallo and Caldo never felt fully realized to me, but Jean and Locke were always very real in my mind.
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April 28, 2012 at 7:14 pm
The banter is great, and conveys so much about their relationship.
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