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....
Cover Art
Praise
"...one of the very best second novels I've ever read. If anything it's an improvement on the first in the series..." Ariel, The Genre Files
"...let me put your mind at ease. With Red Seas under Red Skies, Scott Lynch lives up to readers' high expectations!" Patrick St-Denis, Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
"Balancing thrilling action sequences with the harsh realities of violence and its aftermath, it's the kind of witty romp that reminds you how much fun heroic fantasy is supposed to be. Rip-roaring entertainment." (Saxon Bullock. SFX )
"As sequels go, Red Seas Under Red Skies is fabulous and a more accomplished, more tightly written novel than its predecessor. Considering what a top notch job Lynch did with his debut, this is impressive." (Rob Bedford SFFWORLD.COM )
"The Lies of Locke Lamora was one of the most stylish debuts in years. Red Seas Under Red Skies manages to be a worthy succesor." (Roz Kaveney TIME OUT )
"The release of another of Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard series has become something of a fantasy event." (EDGE )