New Arrival: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

Filed by: Darren on March 20, 2007 at 8:51
Filed In: Books

It's here. A UK proof copy of Red Seas Under Red Skies, the follow-up to one of my very favourite books of 2006, Scott Lynch's quite wonderful debut, The Lies of Locke Lamora.

So, the pressure is on. This has to be one of the most eagerly awaited and highly anticipated fantasy sequels of recent years, wouldn't you say? Fans will be drooling at the prospect of a second instalment of the saga of the Gentlemen Bastards. Anti-Lynch critics will be gnashing their theoretical fangs, eager for a chance to rip in and find fault with every teensy perceived flaw and possible instance of less-than-perfection.

Me? I'm enjoying it immensely. I'm about 75 pages in (a slow reading weekend, alas) and there's already a grin plastered on my face every time I turn the page. Having read the first two books in Joe Abercrombie's The First Law series, I've realised that dialogue plays a very big part in my enjoyment of a story; bigger than I was perhaps aware of previously. And both Abercrombie and Lynch (sounds like an Ambergris law firm...) provide absolutely superb dialogue - laced with wit, repartee and absolute character consistency - in bucketfuls.

So, whilst only time will tell whether Red Seas... will continue to live up to its early promise, it's certainly showing a great deal of early promise. I'll be sure to let you know once I've found out how it goes over the remaining 570 pages...

[N.B. That's not the finished artwork by the way, just a scan of the proof cover. Click on it to get full details from Amazon.co.uk... and place a pre-order while you're there, why don't you?]

Filed on: March 20, 2007
Filed under: Books
Tagged with: Scott-Lynch | The-Gentlemen-Bastards |

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2 Responses to 'New Arrival: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch'

Joe on March 21st, 2007 10:15 pm

Ohhh, jealous, not had one myself yet, although delighted to say the member who had the choice for April for the book group here (we take turn about) has picked Lies of Locke Lamora. I almost put that one to the back of my groaning in-pile of 'to be read one day' books but you'd recommended it so it got moved up the list and glad I am that it was, a truly cracking read.
Ariel on March 22nd, 2007 9:11 am

Don't worry mate, I'm sure yours is in the post. I just spent most of the previous week nagging Gollancz for a proof while you were off on your hols... :)

Glad you enjoyed Lies mate. Red Skies is shaping up to be just as cracking.