A review by marvelmania
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Pros
Locke's grief is well written. Often times in books, a character doesn't grieve properly. Usually they are just like "*insert character here* would've loved this" a few times and then it's forgotten. Locke actually grieves the events of the first book. We see his self-destruction and self-pity in a very real way.
 
This book actually contains main female characters and I loved them. Drakasha was a unique take on a pirate leader and making her a mother was an interesting choice. I hope we see her again in other books or even get a novella spin off with more of her back story. She was a great character and a well written strong leader. Ezri was also a great character.
 
Speaking of Ezri, I loved her relationship with Jean. Although it was fast paced and mostly based in sex, I still found their connection believable and I loved their banter. 
 
SpoilerWhich is why Ezri's death was so sad. Although I predicted it happening, I did not think it would go the way it did. Her death was gruesome and heartbreaking. I hope the author explores Jean's grief in as much of a real way as he did with Locke's in the next instalment.
 
I loved the tension Locke and Jean had. Although it was short lived, I love when main characters that would die for each other are in conflict. Often it's not done correctly, but Scott Lynch did it perfectly. Their arguments were well needed. I am glad that Jean wasn't compliant to Locke this whole book and actually called him out for his behaviour.
I was like "CALL HIM OUT KING" It was one of my favourite moments in this book.
That conflict also provides the support for Locke's decision that ultimately leads to the success of their scheme. It wasn't wasted. 
 
The bleak ending, I need to start the next book ASAP. This book ends very much the same way the first one did. Everything is bleak. Death is imminent. I can't wait to see what happens next.
 
Cons
My only con of this book is that it didn't have the shock factor that I loved about the first book. This book doesn't really get super intense till the last 100 or so pages. That doesn't mean the previous 400 or so pages aren't entertaining, they are. It just lacked the shocking nature the first book had. I can see how this would lead readers to not enjoying this book as much. Personally, I still enjoyed it. The book spends most of its pages establishing characters and groups as it leads to the climax. Scott Lynch's writing is so entertaining that it is able to make up for a slightly lacklustre plot.
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