We liked Lies of Locke Lamora so much that we decided to do a read along of the sequel Red Seas Under Red Skies. Again, having read Red Seas Under Red Skies many times I have to approach this a little differently so as not to spoil the newbies.
This weeks questions come from Bryce at My Awful Reviews.
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?
Maybe Locke and Jean can be called our protagonist, they are really anti-heroes I guess. This is a very common thing with modern fantasy, though. Despite the fact that they're thieves they do have many heroic qualities.
We're talking about Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen here, students of Father Chains. Gentleman Bastards. Of course they find their way into Requin's vault.
2. Anyone want to guess how they're going to make it happen?
I KNOW how they're going to make it happen, so I'lll leave others to speculate.
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?
Oh the Thirteenth yes! Especially Bug, but more than that I miss Camorr, this other uncredited character that was so much a part of the first book. Tal Verrar and surrounds are interesting and just as fascinating as any imagined place I've ever seen, but it's not Camorr, which felt almost like a second home to me.
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 think Jean was carrying a bit of pent up anger, and he couldn't beat the crap out of Locke, so had to find someone to do it on. After the events of The Lies of Locke Lamora, I think it will be a while before either of the two remaining Gentleman Bastards want the responsibility of another group of thieves, especially Locke who still blames himself for what happened.
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?
YES!
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 know what he's going to do, but first time around I was asking myself and didn't expect the answer when it came. The Archon is a rather interesting character in his own right.
That's my thoughts on the first part. Hope everyone can join me next week for the second part of Red Seas Under Red Skies.
I wonder if Jean's little gang is going to be important later on and help them out of a tight spot. I enjoyed Jean's way of dragging Locke out of his existential crisis; it was highly entertaining, and I liked the whole "Oh shit, we have to flee the city" touch.
ReplyDeleteI've read somewhere that Sabetha only makes an appearance in the next book, but I expect to at least know more about their story in this one.
ReplyDeleteI also miss Camorr and hope they'll return there in the end, although, just like you I loved the description of the new city.
I'm so distracted by the sights of Tal Verrar that I'm not missing Calo, Galdo and Bug. However, if this book took place in Camorr, I'd be missing them something horrible. when in mourning, distractions are the best possible thing, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is talking about Locke gets mad at Jean for training new thieves because Locke isn't ready to responsible for anyone yet. why didn't i think of that??? sometimes i feel so dense sometimes!
and YES, the boys most certainly are going to get something from Requin!
Chris, are you having as tough of a time as I am not spoiling things? I thought I was having a tough time in the first book, but I was tempted right off the bat to spoil some surprises for people in this 2nd book!
Can't wait to meet Sabetha, I have it from a reputable source that we get to meet her in the 3rd book.
You are right that Locke and Jean have heroic qualities, like robbing the rich (mostly) and trying not to kill people. But Locke did punch an old lady in the face . . . :D
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments. I never really thought that in some ways staying in Camorr would have been so tough with the memories of the other 3 everywhere, but that is a very good point.
ReplyDeleteIf anything Red Seas Under Red Skies has more twists and turns than Lies, so you have to keep your eyes open the whole way through in case you miss something important!
The Archon seems like a character one would never want as an enemy so of course I'm wondering how will Jean and Locke manage that situation.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, I have no guesses whatsoever might happen next. :)
I think it will be very difficult for Jean or Locke to take on new members - they're such a big responsibility and think of how long it would take before any new recruits would be able to look after themselves. I suppose Locke and Jean must actually be feeling a little bit of guilt that they survived and the others didn't and so feeling like that they probably don't want to get anybody else killed.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
Locke and Jean seem to specialise making enemies of characters no one wants to be on the wrong side of. Gray King and the Falconer immediately spring to mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lynn, that what happened in Lies makes both Locke and Jean very wary of getting too close to anyone in case they inadvertently put them in harm's way, and as is shown early in Red Seas Under Red Skies they're still on the Bondsmage's hit list.
it's not Camorr, which felt almost like a second home to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Camorr is a special place that is an 'uncredited character'.
http://realbooks4ever.tumblr.com/post/21981178128
I agree with the anti-hero in modern fantasy comment. From Tolkien to Jordan, we have gotten enough god guys. Flawed characters are way more interesting and double the fun!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.akshul.com/2012/05/03/red-seas-under-red-skies-read-along-week-one/