Red Seas Under Red Skies
In his highly acclaimed debut, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott
Lynch took us on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with a band of daring
thieves led by con artist extraordinaire Locke Lamora. Now Lynch brings
back his outrageous hero for a caper so death-defying, nothing short of
a miracle will pull it off.
After a brutal battle with
the underworld that nearly destroyed him, Locke and his trusted
sidekick, Jean, fled the island city of their birth and landed on the
exotic shores of Tal Verrar to nurse their wounds. But even at this
westernmost edge of civilization, they can’t rest for long – and are soon
back to what they do best: stealing from the undeserving rich and
pocketing the proceeds for themselves.
This time, however,
they have targeted the grandest prize of all: the Sinspire, the most
exclusive and heavily guarded gambling house in the world. Its nine
floors attract the wealthiest clientele – and to rise to the top, one
must impress with good credit, amusing behavior… and excruciatingly
impeccable play. For there is one cardinal rule, enforced by Requin,
the house’s cold-blooded master: it is death to cheat at any game at
the Sinspire.
Brazenly undeterred, Locke and Jean have
orchestrated an elaborate plan to lie, trick, and swindle their way up
the nine floors… straight to Requin’s teeming vault. Under the cloak of
false identities, they meticulously make their climb – until they are
closer to the spoils than ever.
But someone in Tal Verrar has
uncovered the duo’s secret. Someone from their past who has every
intention of making the impudent criminals pay for their sins. Now it
will take every ounce of cunning to save their mercenary souls. And
even that may not be enough…
Scott Lynch
Scott Lynch's writing is a labyrinth of wit, daring adventure, and deeply flawed yet lovable characters. Known for his Gentleman Bastard Sequence, his novels are not just stories—they're intricate heists that twist through the streets of a brilliantly crafted world. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 2, 1978, Lynch didn't walk the traditional writer’s path. Instead, his journey was as varied as the genres he now commands. From dishwasher to graphic designer, office manager to freelance publisher, it was in these eclectic roles that Lynch honed the gritty realism and sharp dialogue that would later define his work.
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence
In a world where cunning and treachery reign, The Gentleman Bastard Sequence pulls readers into a web of intrigue, deceit, and adventure, unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Set in a sprawling, vibrant city where thieves rule the streets and elaborate heists are the order of the day, this series follows Locke Lamora and his loyal companion Jean Tannen as they navigate the underworld’s dangerous games. Together, they outwit kings, criminals, and magical forces with a blend of wit, charm, and unrelenting ambition.
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence consists of three books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of five more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Reviews and Comments
The Lies of Locke Lamora was a hard book to follow, being one of the best first novels from a new author I've ever read. Red Seas Under Red Skies, however, did not fail to impress. What can I say? The pacing, as ever, is phenomenal. There's always a sense of anticipation, amusement, or some other form of entertainment when the sections break off. The story itself was entirely unexected. Whenever you think you have an idea of where it's going, it throws a curve. It induces both laughter and tears, and the ending was not only extremely fast-paced and satisfying, but leaves you with a sense of foreboding going into the next book. All-in-all, another perfect score.