/lit/ - Literature

>>18643398
Red Seas Under Red Skies, Gentleman Bastard #2 - Scott Lynch (2007)

What I read wasn't what I wanted, but it is entirely what I should've expected. As with the first book, the con artist parts were enjoyable. If it had stayed with that sort of thing the entire time, this would've been an easy four stars. Unfortunately, that was maybe half the book at best. The other half is "piracy" which was far less what I wanted. It wouldn't have been a problem if it was done well, but it's in quotes because I didn't think it was.
I had issues with the pacing as well. The book is presented in three parts. The first part is half the present and half the recent past, similar to the structure of the first book. Fortunately I enjoyed its usage more than in the first book. The second part is bloated and takes far too long to do much of anything at all. The third part may as well be a montage for all it tries to accomplish in as few pages that it does.
While it is a change of pace that each book seems that it will be designed to be almost wholly self-contained, overall I would prefer more of an overarching story. Regardless of how it's structured if I had enjoyed it more I wouldn't have minded.
And so, this may well be where my journey ends with this series. Maybe I'll change my mind in a few years and read the third book, or not. I admit I'm concerned as to why I see listings for up to a seventh book in the series when the fourth book is so long overdue. I don't feel like I'd be missing out on much, which counts for a lot. It's unfortunate, but it's how it sometimes goes.

Rating: 2.5/5

very mixed about this, and i loved the lies of locke lamora. the switch to a new plotline in the middle felt weird, the ending was just kind of boring, and stragos wasn't that interesting. i'm not planning on reading it yet, but should i ever come back to this series for republic of thieves?