Saturday, May 19, 2012

Red Seas Under Red Skies, read-along, w4

Only one more week left and we're done. I'm already scared to contemplate what might befall our heroes in this last part (if I'm to go by the previous book) and we ended on a cliff-hanger this wekk.
Whose bloody idea was to it end there?! ;) (that's me getting into the pirate character)

This week's questions were provided by nrlymrtl at Dark Cargo and here are my answers:

1) I was much relieved when Jean and Locke made up, which started with Locke's gesture of a cup full of honesty with Cpt. Drakasha. Do you think that was hard for Locke? Or was he using this bit of honesty like any other weapon in his arsenal to get what he wants in the end?
Very good question. I really can't say. But I believe he weighed the pros and cons and decided it might work in their favour if he told Drakasha the truth.
I was very happy to see them make up, too. :)


2) The Parlor Passage: We still don't know Locke's true name, but whatever was in that mist does. What do you think it is?
Beats me. I wonder if we'll even get to know (what with Mr. Lynch being rather slow on divulging those type of information).
Possibly something to do with the Elders?


3) There was an interesting section of the book that started about where Locke assisted Drakasha in selling the Red Messenger; he put on the persona of Leocanto Kosta and used the alias Tavras Callas and then Drakasha was still thinking of him as Ravelle..... Did using all those various aliases in such a short amount of time have your mind spinning a little? Do you think Lynch did this on purpose to give the reader a sense of Locke's mind?

In retrospect, I find it sounds a bit confusing but at the time I had no probelms following the story and I probably ignored the exchange of names as I knew who was saying what and just went with that.


4) That was a sweet little kiss between Cpt. Zamira and Cpt. Jaffrim at the end of the Captains' Council. Do you think they have some history, or is it just innocent flirting that's been going on for some time?

I think it's just some flirting between friends but anything is possible. Even that they were more than friends at one point. They certainly seem only friends now.


5) Jean and Ezri. Cue dove-cooing and little winged hearts with sparkles. Do you think Jean will stay with the Poison Orchid or that Ezri will leave her ship to pal around with Jean and Locke?

I think neither will happen as it seems like a possibility now and everything that seems a possibility to the reader is NOT what is going to happen (at least that was my experience so far).
And unfortunately, after reading many posts last week saying they don't think Ezri will make it, I'm now scared for her.


6) What is Utgar up to? What are his motivations?

I honestly have no idea. I'm wondering if I'm reading it wrong but it doesn't seem like what he's doing is all for evil purposes.
We'll see.


7) So last week we hashed over that Merrain killed some of Stragos's guards on Windward Rock. But when Jean and Locke visit him, he doesn't mention it. What is up with that?

I was wondering about that.  And it would be stupid for Jean and Locke to appear without even giving an excuse for the killings if it were them who made them.
I wonder if Stragos suspects Merrain?


8) This week's section left us where the book began - Jean pointing a crossbow at Locke's throat. Do you think Jean knows who sent these crossbowers? Is he on their side? Is it a clever ploy to get him and Locke out of this predicament? Did you find it excruciatingly hard to stop here?

Excruciating doesn't even begin to describe it.  :)
So far, I had two theories of why Jean would behave like that, and the one where he is upset with Locke over Ezri and the pirates went down the drain during this week's part, and somehow I no longer believe it's the Bondsmagi. Although that is still  a possibility.
Basically, I have no idea what is happening.

16 comments:

  1. I am also scarred for Ezri. Or Drakasha. We haven't killed any main characters so far and I have to wonder how things are going to wrap up in the last section. It was exceedingly hard not to finish off the book this past week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't though Drakasha might be in danger (she has children!) but I see your point. I believe it's going to be an interesting last week. :)

      Delete
    2. Now I'm worried for her too!

      Delete
    3. Grace, as I already commented some place, there weren't many deaths in this book so it really is scary to contemplate who might not finish this book.

      Delete
  2. Yeah, be afraid, Lynch is lethal with that pen! That ending is excruciating - but I do trust Jean, mind you even Locke is sweating this one!
    Lynn :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more! :) Very lethal.
      But you have a good point, I also trust Jean.

      Delete
  3. I really hope that it isn't the Bondsmagi messing with Jean, mainly because we have so much to tie up in the last few pages that I can't dope with it being any more complicated! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! I hadn't thought it might be the Bondsmagi controlling Jean! That's an intriguing thought and very much a possibility. I can't wait to start reading the final section. Who will die? How will L&J finish off both the Sinspire con AND deal with Stragos? Will Ezri stick around? So many questions to answer!

      Delete
    2. Complicated is what Mr. Lynch excels at! :)
      We don't have to wait much longer to see what happens in the end (it was a long wait).

      Delete
    3. RealBooks, really, so many questions, I wonder if we'll get them all answered. But I do know I can't wait to see what happens next. :)

      Delete
    4. That would be beyond cruel if the Bondsmagi were messing with Jean. and after all, they DO know his real name, and they've already got agents floating around Tal Verrar.

      Delete
    5. Yes, it would, but like I said, I never guess correctly so I'm not worried about that actually happening. :)

      Delete
  4. Stragos is clearly holding back the fact that his guards were killed which he will probably bring up later when Locke wants to "renegotiate" his contract. Clearly Merrain has him completely fooled since she seems to be working for Bondsmagi or someone else and she's manipulating his grand plan for others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I thought, but I think Stragos should wonder how come Jean and Locke haven't mentioned it at all when he gave specific orders his soldiers were not to be harmed? I mean, if J&L did that, they wouldn't completely ignore the fact that they went specifically against Stragos' orders and never mention it when they came back. Or, in Stragos' mind they could be that impertinent and ignore it...
      Oh, I really can't wait to see what happens next! :)

      Delete
  5. Jean is such a good guy, no matter how pissed he is at Locke I can't see him betraying him. If Jean was going to ditch him, you'd think he would have done it way back at the beginning of the book when Locke was acting like a self pitying jerk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right, the more I read about Jean, the more I like him and he really is a true friend. I'd like him for a friend (or a lover). ;)

      Delete