Saturday, May 26, 2012

Red Seas Under Red Skies, read-long, last week (5)

So we've come to the end of another adventure with Jean and Locke and how this one ended, I'm wondering how will they both make it into the next  book.
But I'm optimistic about Mr. Lynch finding a way around it, even if it's the easiest one, it was all a ruse.

Ok, onto the questions provided this week by Lynn of the Lynn's Book blog.

1. Oh my god, such a lot going on I thought the showdown between the Poison Orchid and the Sovereign was brilliantly written and they were holding their own until Utgar and his nasty device turned up. Well a lot of you had kind of predicted it, and I suppose we’d been let off too easy so far in terms of deaths of well-liked characters – but come on, did you expect something like that? And how on earth will Jean ever recover?

I didn't predict it but I thought those who did were on to something. And it proved correct. And it was even worse because it showed how much she truly loved Jean. My heart just broke.
I don't want to think about the aftermath. I suffer thinking about Jean just now. I also believe on the outside it will look like he recovered but he will keep suffering for years to come.
Here is where I must say it was some great writing that managed to convey in their short affair the love they felt for each other.


2. The deceit, the betrayal, first Rodanov and then Colvard. Even now I’m not entirely sure I understand Colvard – Rodanov was never keen on the oath but Colvard seemed okay with it all and yet in this final deceit she was more devious than Rodanov – what do you think was her motive?

I know I don't understand Colvard but I really haven't thought about her betrayal. I didn't get a feeling if there was nobody against the plan, she would do something.
She strikes me more as a cunning politician, always getting the best out of a situation without dirtying her hands.


3. Merrain – such a puzzle, no real answer, the mysterious tattoo, the determination to kill everyone to keep her identity and that of her master a secret. Does anybody have any ideas where she’s from and what she’s up to exactly and who the hell is she working for??

I'm afraid here is where I go back to my standard Lynch answer - no idea. :)
Hopefully she will turn up again in a future book where we get some more info on her.


4. Finally we get to the point of the GB’s latest scheme, all that elaborate planning for two years, fancy chairs, gambling, dust covered cards, abseiling lessons – all for one gigantic bluff. I loved the diversionary tactic here but having finally reached the end of the story and, more to the point, the end result – do you think the GB’s are as clever as they think they are?

First off, the diversionary tactics were great and the plan to do it also great. BUT (saying this with a huge grin), it once again proves our heroes are young, and no  matter how smart they are, they still seem to lack enough experience to make them as clever as they think they are.
I do think they will eventually get there which is where the series will probably end.


5. I must admit that I liked Requin and Selendri – particularly at the end – I don’t think Requin will go after Locke and Jean, he was even sort of cool and composed about it all, in fact he came across as a bit pleased with himself because he had the last laugh. Plenty of good characters this time which did you enjoy reading most about this time?

I don't think Requin will go after them either. And the end made him really a character I can respect. I had such a laugh when he explained to Selendri why they needed to go to the vault. :D
Completely unexpected but so funny how he got the last laugh. He is the one who seems to me really to be at the top of his game.


6. Finally, a triple barrel question, I know I shouldn’t ask this BUT, on reflection do you have a favourite between LoLL or RSURS?? And why? Are you going to pick up Republic of Thieves? And, where do you think Lynch will take us to next??
 
Yes, I consider RSURS a favourite of the two.  Not so many shocking deaths of family characters and friends. Female pirates, Locke taking that kitten with them (I knew it!!), a love story (even though a tragic one), games within games, and the bad guys getting their asses kicked in a really satisfying manner...
Definitely my favourite.
But then again, after reading the Republic of Thieves, I will probably change my opinion to reflect my adoration of that book.
Which of course means I am looking forward to reading it. :)
As soon as possible.
 

16 comments:

  1. I like your comment about Jean and Locke being young - smart, cunning, but young. therefore, they didn't check the goods before going to all the trouble to steal them. They are going to be kicking themselves for years over that one.

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    1. nrlymrtl, I really believe in a few years they could end up on top, pretty much like Requin only not so ruthless.
      Although, I don't believe they will ever be satisfied to just enjoy the spoils of their work... :)

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    2. They'll definitely never just enjoy the spoils of thievery- They'll just build up another massive pile of money and not spend that one either. I love that about these guys- for once it's not greed driving the criminals- they just fucking love tricking people and stealing things :D

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    3. Exactly! :)
      They don't really do it for the money, they do it for the thrills and once you do it for that, well, I don't think there is any way of going back to a normal, un-eventful life.

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  2. I suppose at the end of the day, given the world in which they live and the method they've chosen for living in it you could be forgiven for thinking that just managing to stay alive is prize enough for Locke and Jean. I think like you that, at the end, they will succeed - although whether that means they'll be rich beyond their imagination or just simply able to live a good life - who knows? But that's probably where we'll leave the story. I hope we leave it with a satisfactory end anyway!
    On reflection Requin seems to be as clever and calm and confident as Locke actually thinks he is! He certainly got the last laugh. I couldn't believe they'd stolen fakes.
    Lynn :D

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    1. :D
      I really laughed out loud when I read how they got tricked by Requin. :)
      The thing is, it seems their most elaborate schemes end up with them barely staying alive and not getting the spoils they were after (just barely scraping something out of it).
      I wonder if they will ever be able to lead a good (meaning peaceful) life...

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    2. I do wonder what they would do if they ever did get stupidly rich. I just can't see them giving up their life of adventure! :D

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    3. Me neither Sue. :)
      They would be bored out of their lives otherwise.

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  3. Requin's been burnt by Locke and Jean and he's sensible enough to back off much like the Salvara's. Still, I think it would be best for Locke and Jean to avoid Selendri.

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    1. Ha, good point! I agree completely.
      Requin might have thought it was fun as he got the better of them, but I don't think Selendri is that cheerful about it. Quite the contrary.

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    2. You know, I kind of get the impression that Requin came out of the deal with an odd sense of respect for Locke and Jean just because they pulled it off. If they'd have gotten the real paintings he might have been angry rather than amused.

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    3. My point exactly! :)
      I think Requin respects the effort and intelligence that went into the scheme.

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  4. I wonder if they will end up buying a Lashani (I think it was) title, like they always talk about :). I don't think Requin will go after them, either. Considering his vast wealth and success, he really lost much less to the Gentleman Bastards than pretty much anyone else they've gone after. In the end, they basically just made him look a bit silly, and he doesn't seem the sort to go on a vengeance kick over something like that.

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    1. I believe since Requin didn't really lose much money (and then he had all their winnings in his safe as well), he could appreciate the effort and skill that went into their scheme, since in the end, it was him who had the last laugh. :)

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  5. All the points that you mentioned about RSURS are exactly why I also favour this book, there's so many things, not so many deaths, and really so much excitement! And it was so obvious that Locke wouldn't leave without his kitty!!
    I hope that each new book will be better than the previous one, that would make this one of the greatest series of all time. Looking forward to it!

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    1. Yaay, I'm glad to see someone else agrees with me about prefering RSURS. :)
      Well, if each new book is better than the previous one, we are definitely looking this being some of the greatest series ever. :)

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