Red Seas Under Red Skies

First of all Scott Lynch is an excellent story teller. I found both books to be among the best I have listened to. There is significantly strong language, but I found it fit with the characters and the story. The thing I liked best in this series is that the author did not waste the readers time reviewing the story of the first book. Too many authors spend too much time recapping the story line of the past book so people who did not read the first book can be caught up, but not Mr. Lynch. If you did not read the first book you will miss out on a lot and likely find yourself confused at times. Thank you for rewarding those who begin a series at the beginning and know the details. I agree with the other reviews in that the narration by Michael Page is superb and makes the story come to live. I highly recommend and will be anxiously waiting for the other books in the series to be released!

I have been a member on Audible for a very long time and this is the first review I have ever written.

RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES has been one of the best books that I have listened to in years. I personally do not like the use of the "F" word, but in this piece and its predecessor I did not mind it so much. I have stopped reading other books for much less, but once I started THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA I could not stop until I listened to RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES.

Do yourself a favor, listen to both books available in this series and see if I know what I am talking about.

Thoroughly enjoyable, gritty adventure fantasy with a couple of hero rogues. The narrator does one of the best jobs of capturing the characters I have heard on Audible. Read the (equally good) prequel "The Lies of Locke Lamorra" first. Highly recommended!

Scott Lynch's debut novel, THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, was a rollicking good read with an inventive world, great characters, and its share of poignant moments. Lynch has kept the momentum going strong in this follow-up, following the heroes to a brand new cityscape where new heists are hatched and intrigues plotted. The plot does sag a bit at times, but it's always redeemed by Lynch's powerful writing and witty dialogue.

Michael Page's narration captures the mood and characters perfectly. He makes you forget you're listening to a narration and opens a window directly onto Lynch's colorful world.

This had every thing the first book had plus a tragic love story and the writer did not flash bake every other word like he did in the first book.

The second of The Gentleman Bastard series is just as cleverly written as the first! I am duly impressed. Lynch's treatment of the death of very close friends--friends more like brothers--in the first book was very fast-paced. You never really had the chance to see our heroes grieve. But in this book, you get that chance. The characters are still cocksure and invincible, but they've definitely grown through their adversities. The greatest appeal to me is the deep abiding friendship that men seem to be able to maintain in spite of each other. They share strengths and vulnerabilities and accept each other's frailties and faults while simultaneously ranting at each other for them. Yet, they remain true. It's an enviable trait to have that depth of loyalty for one's friends. The same narrator performs this reading, and once again is stupendous! Worth savoring every delicious moment!

Great story again (Lies of Locke Lamora is the first book). In this story, there's a two year plan to rob a casino and knock off an emperor... The machiavellian machinations will make your head spin. It's a Robin Hood and Little John in a world of Sheriff of Knottinghams - done in a "Dirty Rotten Scoundels" style of chikenery with plenty of intercharacter banter that is the evidence of a good writer. Nobody could have narrated this story better than Michael Page. He's fantastic. The story sounds like it's narrated in a bathroom, but you get used to it. Great story... Great Narration. I can't wait to see what happens in book 3 (I hope there's a book 3).

I would love to read/listen to more of the Gentlemen Bastard books. I really enjoyed how the world has magic but it isn't built around it. Not that that makes or breaks a book but it was a nice change of pace.

I had barely finished the first book before I immediately downloaded the sequal, and while it was a good and entertaining listen, it sadly felt diminished by the awesome experience I had with its predecessor. This book is exciting and fun and written and narrated just as well as the first, but there was just something missing that made me love it a little less than the first. I dont know if it was because I missed all the childhood stories, or perhaps I just missed Chains, but I let this story languish a bit whereas with the first one I nearly ended up with my earbuds permanently fixed to my head. Its a good story, and its more of the same, though I have to admit it lost itself in the middle and dedicated a significant amount of time building up story that never seemed to really pan out, but all in all this was still a good listen, sadly, it just wasnt the first.

Red Seas is an excellent continuation of the adventures of Locke & Co. However, Scott Lynch has a way of going back and forth in the timeline that takes some getting used to. In Lies of Locke... it was pretty obvious, not so much here. Once you get into the rythum, it all makes sense and well worth the effort. A very, very enjoyable listen! When's Book 3 coming out? I'm actually going to miss the Gentlemen Bastards.