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A review by midici
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
3.0
*3.5 stars, spoilers*
Overall, I like this second installment more than I liked the first. The first needed to introduce the characters, the world, and a very complicated plot all in one. In Red Seas we're already invested in Locke and Jean, we know quite a bit about this world's backstory, and it's easier to settle into the ridiculous shenanigans.
There's been a passage of time of over two years since the semi-disastrous escape from Camorr. Time for Locke to fall into deep depression and be pulled out of it by Jean and time for both of them to settle into Tal Verarr and plan a daring heist of the richest gambling house in the city. Their life-long friendship has been strained by the events of the last book but Jean and Locke are both devoted to each other, and to this plan that they hope will make them very rich.
After the last book I was aware that the con would be only one plot. We have: one military commander wishing to stir up a 'fake' enemy so he can be given more money and power; one pirate captain and her crew who may be willing to play along in order to get revenge on said commander; several assassination plots by persons originally unknown; and behind it all the Bondsmagi lurk, pulling strings...
One thing I enjoy is not only that we see more of the world as Locke and Jean travel about, but we get a better idea of what sort of power structures are involved. Also, inadvertently, we see Locke and Jean upend all of them. When they left Camorr, a huge power vacuum was created in the lower-class criminal population and the spymaster of the city found new recruits to take up her work. At the end of this book a huge coup has taken place, were the Priori and the owner of the Sinspire (essentially with all the criminal contacts) overthrow the military dictator and take control of the city - and Requin is planning to install an all new spy system as well.
My suspicion is that the Bondsmagi are playing a larger roll in international politics than they pretend they are and Locke's actions from the first book have put them squarely in danger. But Locke and Jean don't just play to win - if they are crossed they get revenge. The more the Bondsmagi throw at them, the more audaciously they will respond. I suspect that dynamic is going to come through more and more as the series goes on.
Overall, I like this second installment more than I liked the first. The first needed to introduce the characters, the world, and a very complicated plot all in one. In Red Seas we're already invested in Locke and Jean, we know quite a bit about this world's backstory, and it's easier to settle into the ridiculous shenanigans.
There's been a passage of time of over two years since the semi-disastrous escape from Camorr. Time for Locke to fall into deep depression and be pulled out of it by Jean and time for both of them to settle into Tal Verarr and plan a daring heist of the richest gambling house in the city. Their life-long friendship has been strained by the events of the last book but Jean and Locke are both devoted to each other, and to this plan that they hope will make them very rich.
After the last book I was aware that the con would be only one plot. We have: one military commander wishing to stir up a 'fake' enemy so he can be given more money and power; one pirate captain and her crew who may be willing to play along in order to get revenge on said commander; several assassination plots by persons originally unknown; and behind it all the Bondsmagi lurk, pulling strings...
One thing I enjoy is not only that we see more of the world as Locke and Jean travel about, but we get a better idea of what sort of power structures are involved. Also, inadvertently, we see Locke and Jean upend all of them. When they left Camorr, a huge power vacuum was created in the lower-class criminal population and the spymaster of the city found new recruits to take up her work. At the end of this book a huge coup has taken place, were the Priori and the owner of the Sinspire (essentially with all the criminal contacts) overthrow the military dictator and take control of the city - and Requin is planning to install an all new spy system as well.
My suspicion is that the Bondsmagi are playing a larger roll in international politics than they pretend they are and Locke's actions from the first book have put them squarely in danger. But Locke and Jean don't just play to win - if they are crossed they get revenge. The more the Bondsmagi throw at them, the more audaciously they will respond. I suspect that dynamic is going to come through more and more as the series goes on.