I am still alive! (Red Seas Under Red Skies read-along)

Contrary to common believes I am actually following the read-along... sort of. It's just that right now I'm almost totally buried in exams and reading and such!

In case you haven't heard of the read-along, or just don't know what a read-along actually is, you can find it out by reading this post by our host the Little Red Reviewer. Basically we are a bunch of bloggers from all over the world who are reading and discussing the book Read Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch. It's the sequel to The Lies of Locke Lamora and book number two in the Gentlemen Bastards-sequence.

Yes, I am aware of the fact that this read-along started April 23th... A looong time ago! And even though I wanted so badly to participate from the beginning I had to, and still have to, prioritize school, unfortunatly. But I just finished my first of the five exams I'm going to have, so between this one and the next I have some catching up to do here!

I have to mention that I've already read the book once, about two months ago, and I absolutly loved it! Even though I have read quite a lot of books in my life, I have to place this one on the number one spot, just a centimetre over Lies of Locke Lamora.

Since you guys are so far into the read-along, I decided that I'd sum up the three first weeks by answering some of the questions from each section, and then end with this weeks questions at the bottom, so here they are!


Week one:

1. The Sinspire. It looks like our heroes (can they really be called that?) find themselves in search of a way into an unbeatable vault. Do you think they have what it takes to make it happen?
If someone can do it, it has to be Locke and Jean. If it can be done, they'll do it, and if not they'll probably do it anyway just to see what happens if they try. I believe they live for the thrill of doing things other people count as impossible... And that's why we love them!

3. It’s a little different this time around, with us just being focused on Locke and Jean. Is anyone else missing the rest of the Bastards as much as I am?
Well, I have to say I did not miss them as much as I thought I would... But as many of you have pointed out (yes, I actually read your answers every week!), It would have been a whole diferent thing if this book was set in Camorr as well. But Tal Verarr is a whole other story! It's like Lynch raised the bar and took everything to a whole other level, and we have all known for a while that Locke and Jean were and are the cleverest of all the Bastards. It's like they were made to work together, and the dynamic between the two of them is the main thing keeping me from missing the others too much.

4. I love the section where Jean starts to build a new guild of thieves. It really shows just how well trained and tough he is. Do you think the Bastards will end up training others along the way again like Bug?
We have always been told Jean has the muscles and Locke has the brains, but here it suddenly changed. We got to see a whole new side to Jean that I have to say I didn't expect. And I loved it!

Week two:

1. Now that we know a little more about Selendri and Requin, what do you think of them? I worry Locke is suddenly realizing this con might be a bit tougher than he expected.
Everything can not always go perfectly and according to plan! What kind of boring book-ish thing would this be then? That being said, do not underestimate Locke...

5. And who the heck is trying to kill Locke and Jean every few days? they just almost got poisoned (again!)!
I remember suspecting a lot of different people, but I could never figure it out! Not until we got to know, and then I didn't understand anything, and then it all made perfect sense.

6. Do you really think it’s possibly for a city rat like Locke to fake his way onto a Pirate ship?
Haha! It's going to be so funny! The whole thing reminded me quite a bit of the scene from the Mulan-film with the song called "I'll Make A Man Out Of You". Just think about it for a moment and you'll understand exactly how funny the comparison is!

Week three:

1. Locke and Jean’s ability to find themselves at the center of a serious mess seems unparalleled. At this point, do you think that Stragos will get the return he expects on his investment in them?
I never for a second thought he would. I'm cuite like Locke in one thing: We both hate to be forced to do things! I believe they will pretend to play along (just so they won't get killed right away) while their brains are constantly working up alternate planes and possible escape-routes. They are true survivors; Adapt or die.

2. Merrain’s activities after our boys leave Windward Rock are interesting. What do you think her plans are?
Let's just say that we all got the fact that sha's not really a Locke-fan.

3. Does anyone know why having cats aboard the ship is so important?
Well... I think its just a detail Lynch made up just so that he could make Locke forget all about it and get into even bigger troubles than he's already head-first into! And it's such a sweet little thing for big sailors to be arguing and fighting about <3

6. Jean is developing more and more as a character as we get further in to the book. Ezri makes the comment to him that “Out here, the past is a currency, Jerome. Sometimes it’s the only one we have.” I think several interesting possibilities are coming into play regarding Jean and Ezri. What about you?
Like I've probably said a thousand times before, I love Jean. He's just so sweet and down-to-earth and simply a nice guy. He deserves to be happy, so why not with her? I mean, if it was ever going to be someone, it would indeed be a girl like Ezri. Locke is amazing, but he has to let Jean decide over his own life and not hold him down...


WEEK FOUR:

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?
Absolutely everything Locke does is done for a reason. Wether its conscious or unconscious from his side... I was just glad the thing with Jean worked out. They are close to perfect together as well as they fulfill each other, so it was about time Locke apologized so that they could continue to get in impossible and deadly situationes together!

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?
Honestly, at this point i'd rather not know. It's a part of his identity, his image. We are not supposed to know his true name. Because if we get to know it, and if it's horrible and not at all like I imagined it, it will kind of ruin a part of the picture of Locke in my mind... If he's going to have a name, it had to be perfect! And that's close to impossible.

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?

"The speed with which they'd assumed these roles led Zamira to infer they'd used theme elsewere."

I love the Sherlock Holmes-films. The ones with Robert Downey Jr. They clearly shows us what goes on inside the head of the mastermind himself! That's what I feel happened here. Normally we (the readers) only have to remember one of Locke and Jean's aliases, but here we truly get a sence of just how complicated their trade is looking from the inside out! The other thing I love about this scene is the fact that Drakasha finally gets to see just how talented Locke is in his true element: Scams and deception-games. He's an artist! I mean Orrin Ravelle, Jerome Valora, Locke Lamora, Leocanta Kosta, Jean Tannen, Jerome De Ferra and who knows how many more! No wonder Drakasha got a little confused...

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?
Aw! I just love them! Like I said, they both deserve some happiness and love. But no matter how, one of them is going to have to give up their entire life as it is today, and I'm not really sure of who I want it to be. I mean, you have all seen just how good sea-legs Jean's got, but I really don't want him to leave Locke. And honestly, Locke is just not made for a life at sea...

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?
He just wants the results, no matter how they get there. But trust me, he's just the kind of guy that saves information like this for later use to his own benefit...

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?
In danger of spilling a lot of spoilers I'm not saying anything... All I have to say is that, for a minute, I could not breathe. Can't wait to discuss this next week though!

New read-along!

As you have probably already noticed, I have participated in a read-along of the book The Lies of Locke Lamora together with a bunch of other bloggers all over the internet for the last couple of weeks. It's been so much fun! I've never joined something like that before, and although I've not been the most active commenter out there I've certainly read almost all the posts from the different week's questions!

The hosts of the last read-along will continue the success and do a read-along for Red Seas Under Red Skies as well, starting at the end of this month... That's the second book in the series about Locke Lamora and the Gentlemen Bastards written by Scott Lynch. I have read it! And it's SO GOOD! So to all of you that haven't... do it! Some says they did not find it as good as the first, but I am actually tempted to say it's better... That's perhaps stretching it a little bit, but it's not fra from the truth. Because after this book *SPOILER* Locke and Jean are the only ones left. Which means that we get to know them on a way deeper level that in LOLL. I like character-driven books, and this one is...

Since I'm about to dive head-first into no less than four graduating exams during the next two months, I might be a little busy from now on, so I might not be able to read the entire book again. Luckily I just finished it (the week the LOLL read-along started) so I'm sure I remember enough to answer each week's questions anyway and participate in the discussions. One simply can not read school-books all day long!
So I'll be joining in the best I can :)

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along FINALE

I know, I know! I'm way too late... This post should indeed have been up and running on Saturday, but I have been doing so much all weekend I did not have a free moment to type it down. But its like they say: Better late than never!

So this marks the end of our "Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along. It's a little sad it's over actually... I was indeed one of those that lack the patience to follow the read-along schedule down to the last detail, so I actually finished the book over a week ago. But since it's a re-read for me, I must insist on the fact that I still remember quite a lot! If you do not know what this post is all about pleas head over here for an explanation.

This is the last part of the read-along, and will therefore be completely packed with SPOILERS... so if you haven't read the book (and actually plan to do it) you may not want to read much further. But if you are in on the read-along, or have read the book once upon a time, or you're just a curious spectator that don't really care about spoilers... here's my answers to this weeks questions provided by Lynn's Book Blog.

http://beastlyworlds.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/liars-and-thieves/

1.       The Thorn of Camorr is renowned - he can beat anyone in a fight and he steals from the rich to give to the poor.  Except of course that clearly most of the myths surrounding him are based on fantasy and not fact.  Now that the book is finished how do you feel the man himself compares to his legend.  Did you feel that he changed as the story progressed and, if so, how did this make you feel about him by the time the conclusion was reached?

Hm... In the beginning of the book I feel like Locke and the Thorn of Camorr are sort of two different people. Locke uses the rumors to his advantage, but he never identifies with them. It's very much like I said last week: Locke does not believe himself to be the Thorn, therefore he is not the Thorn... in the beginning. But during the book a lot of events turns Locke's safe and perfect little world upside down, and that's when Jean finds the "Thorn within" in Locke. He knows that even the name Locke Lamora is not real, and when things get tough he digs deeper down into Locke's personality. It's really he who finds out that inside, Locke is really the Thorn of Camorr. So what if the rumors says the Thorn can walk through walls and such? Locke Lamora does just that when he gets inside 

2.       Scott Lynch certainly likes to give his leading ladies some entertaining and strong roles to play.  We have the Berangia sisters – and I definitely wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of them or their blades plus Dona Vorchenza who is the Spider and played a very cool character – even play acting to catch the Thorn.  How did you feel about the treatment the sisters and Dona received at the hands of Jean and Locke – were you surprised, did it seem out of character at all or justified?

I like the fact that the women in the book are close to equal to the strong male characters. The Berangia sisters vere not exactly some of my favorites, but I was so impressed when Sean beat them in the warehouse! I mean, they had really badass fighting-skills... But I just loved that the fabeled Spider was an old woman! She truly was a strong and smart woman in this story. So much so that I did not flinch as much as I probably should have when Locke hit her... I mean, she strikes me as the type that fights back hard in one way or the other.

She and Locke can, sort of, be compared to Batman and Joker... (Since I first started the Batman-comparison.) Locke needs someone fighting against him to do his best. It's under preassure his best ideas are borne. And Doña Vorchenza would be out of job and unnessesary if it weren't for guys like Locke and the Gentlemen Bastards. That would explain some things... Like why Locke hade to save her (and all the rest of the nobels) instead of just getting revenge on the Grey King. And why Doña Vorchenza let him go even after all that he's done in her city...

3.       Towards the end we saw a little more of the magic and the history of the Bondsmagi.  The magic, particularly with the use of true names, reminds me a little of old fashioned witchcraft or even voodoo.  But, more than that I was fascinated after reading the interlude headed ‘The Throne in Ashes’ about the Elderglass and the Elders and why their structures were able to survive even against the full might of the Bondsmagi – do you have any theories about this do you think it’s based on one of our ancient civilisations or maybe similar to a myth??

Hm... I must be honest and say I have never really thought about it. Im my mind, the Eldren has always just been there in the background adding mystique and wonder to Lynch's world. He might have gotten inspiration from ancient civilizations and legends like the ones about Atlantis? Or they are just a result of Lynch being brilliant? ...again!

4.       We have previously discussed Scott Lynch’s use of description and whether it’s too much or just spot on.  Having got into the last quarter of the book where the level of tension was seriously cranked up – did you still find, the breaks for interludes and the descriptions useful or, under the circumstances did it feel more like a distraction?

Oh! At times it was so frustrating! Stopping the action at a particularly juicy part just to jump back in time or tell a compleatily different story. But I would not be without it! It builds the tention and excitement to even newer heights and sort of spices up the storytelling. I did feel like the descriptions got a little overwhelming at some points, but most of the time it was great!

5.       Now that the book has finished how did you feel about the conclusion and the eventual reveal about the Grey King and more to the point the motivations he declared for such revenge – does it seem credible, were you expecting much worse or something completely different altogether?

Like I'v said before, this is a re-read for me. But apparently that doesn't mean I remember all that much from the first time... You see, I had forgotten who the Grey King really was! I knew who he wasn't, (Chains and other people I read people were guessing at,) but I could not make my brain remember what his story was and why he was doing all these things. When we finally got to know it, it just made sense. A guy that had lost so much at such a young age and under such cruel circumstances, no wonder his brain snapped! I'm not defending him or his actions in any way, I just understand why he became what he did...

6.       Were you surprised that Locke, being given two possible choices (one of which could possibly mean he would miss his chance for revenge on the Grey King) chose to go back to the Tower  – especially given that (1) he would have difficulty in getting into the building (2) he would have difficulty in convincing them about the situation and (3) he would have difficulty in remaining free afterwards? Did anyone else nearly pee their pants when Locke and the rest were carrying the sculptures up to the roof garden? 

Like Jean, I immediatly thought he would try everyting in his power to rescue the people in the Tower instead of satisfying himself by going after the Grey King... Through the book I feel like we have grown to know Locke, for better and worse, and by that point in the story he almost seemed like an independent person who could make his own choices. It's here the true length of Lynch's brilliance and genius shines through. He has made us believe in his character. Created a believable personality for him. He doesn't want a lot of innocent people to die, and what he want more than anything is to stop the Grey King's plans. One can say that what he did was stupid and heroic, but I think he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he had gone after that grey bastard instead...

The carrying of the sculptures was exciting, but the really great moment came just after that. The part where Doña Vorchenza realices what she's done and where all of their money are... I laughed so hard I almost could not keep it together! I knew it was coming, but still it's one of the very best parts of the book! It shows us that even when he's been busted, captured, poisoned and almost killed several times, he's still plotting, planning, locking for a way out or just a way to get back at them. He must have been grinning like a crazy idiot when the Doña didn't look! At least on the inside :)

7.       Finally, the other question I would chuck in here is that, following the end of the book I was intrigued to check out some of the reviews of LOLL and noticed that the negative reviews mentioned the use of profanity.  How did you feel about this – was it excessive? Just enough? Not enough?

I don't usually like swearing... Most of the time its just pointless and out of place. But for me, Lynch actually made it work somehow? It enhanced the believability. A world (and book) with so much fighting, killing, stealing and torture, is svearing really that out of place? If some of my best friends got killed, my house got burned down along with all of my belongings, at least three different people wanted me dead and a sorcerer was watching my every move, it would not simply do to say something like: "Oh, no! I am so angry! We truly are in a lot of trouble..." No, then we actually find ourself in need of some more expressive words and phrases. 

8.       Okay one further, and probably most important but very quick question – having finished, will you pick up the sequel, Red Seas Under Red Skies?

I have read it! And it's SO GOOD! So to all of you that haven't... do it! Some says they did not find it as good as the first, but I am actually tempted to say it's better... That's perhaps stretching it a little bit, but it's not fra from the truth. Because after this book *SPOILER* Locke and Jean are the only ones left. Which means that we get to know them on a way deeper level that in LOLL. I like character-driven books, and this one is...

I know there will be a read-along for Red Seas Under Red Skies as well, starting at the end of this month... Since I'm about to dive head-first into no less than four graduating exams during the next two months, I might be a little buissy from now on, so I might not be able to read the entire book again. Luckily I just finished it (the week the LOLL read-along started) so I'm sure I remember enough to answer each week's questions anyway and participate in the discussions. One simply can not read school-books all day long!
So I'll be seeing you around :)

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along part 4

1. In the chapter “A Curious Tale for Countess Amberglass” we learn of the tradition of the night tea in Camorr. I found that not so much fantastical as realistic – how about you?

It was kind of funny actually… ‘cause I had just poured myself a cup of normal, Norwegian fruit-tea when I read about Doña Vorchenza and Doña Salvara’s midnight-tea. I envied them sooo much! It sounds so fantastic I’m not sure I’d be able to drink the tea before it got cold because I’d be too paralyzed by just staring at its glow… Why can’t they invent such a tea in real life?

2. When Jean meets with what will become the Wicked Sisters for the first time, the meeting is described very much like how people feel when they find their true work or home. Agree? Disagree? Some of both?

What Jean feels for the Wicked Sisters is somewhat similar to what a man might feel for his favorite dog… I find it both extremely cute and a bit disturbing that he has so much affection for a pair of deadly hatches. But it’s like he feels complete whenever he holds them… With absolutely no comparison to Sweeney Todd and his barbers knifes!

3. Salt devils. Bug. Jean. The description is intense. Do you find that description a help in visualizing the scene? Do you find yourself wishing the description was occasionally – well – a little less descriptive?

Yes, it’s intense descriptions, but that’s what I like! I mean, are you bothering to describe something at all, you might as well do it thoroughly. I especially remember the black blood spraying out of the Salt Devils covering all of Jean… Lovely! But seriously, it’s making the story more realistic, and it makes us as readers understand that things are never simple or easy. It’s not just to walk in there, wave your hatches and kill a bunch of Sea Devils, and then rescue Locke from a barrel of piss, without getting messy at all…

4. This section has so much action in it, it’s hard to find a place to pause. But…but.. oh, Locke. Oh, Jean. On their return to the House of Perelandro, their world is turned upside down. Did you see it coming?

I knew It was coming ‘cause I’ve read it before… But the first time I was practically in shock! I could not believe an author could do that to his own main characters. And the scene where Bug dies in Locke’s arms… I cried so hard.

“You brave little idiot. You brave, stupid little bastard. This is my fault, Bug, please… please say this is my fault.”
“No,” whispered Bug…

As much as I hate the fact that they got killed, It makes the story more exciting and it brings a great deal of change to the characters of Locke and Jean. Lynch has no limitations… absolutely anything can happen, and for that I both love and hate him!

5. Tavrin Callas’s service to the House of Aza Guilla is recalled at an opportune moment, and may have something to do with saving a life or three. Do you believe Chains knew what he set in motion? Why or why not?

I think he knew exactly what he was doing! Like it’s being said in the book several times, people tend to see the badge/clothes rather than the face. This knowledge is extremely helpful to Locke and Jean whenever they want to disappear. And a locked door can soon be unlocked for a priest of the Twelve…

6. As Locke and Jean prepare for Capa Raza, Dona Vorchenza’s remark that the Thorn of Camorr has never been violent – only greedy and resorting to trickery – comes to mind again. Will this pattern continue?

Gentlemen Bastards… That’s what they are: Gentlemen. Or were… The Grey King litteraly split the Gentlemen Bastards, so in some way only the Bastards remain. They were family. When someone does something awful to your family you simply don’t say: “No problem, its OK.” I’m normally not for vengeance, but that grey scum and his Bondsmage pet decerves anything Locke and Jean can come up with… I know what they’ll do, and all I can tell you is that you simply can’t wait to read it! Its an endgame totally worthy a Gentleman Bastard…

7. Does Locke Lamora or the Thorn of Camorr enter Meraggio’s Countinghouse that day? Is there a difference?

That is truly a good question… It’s sort of like Batman and Bruce Wayne. Rachel tells Bruce that his true identity is Batman and the rich playboy-face of Bruce Wayne is his mask… But as for Locke, you got to think about the fact that even “Locke” is a costume. We don’t even know his true name. All we really know about him happened after he came in the care of the Thiefmaker. I think that deep down inside he really is the Thorn of Camorr. I also believe that’s what Chains discovered during Locke’s time as an apprentice. Locke will never go so far as believing or acknowledging it, but that really proves my point. Locke is the Thorn even though he does not believe it himself, but Jean knows.

“I need your wits, Locke. I need the Thorn of Camorr.”
“Let me know when you find him. He’s a fucking fairy tale.”
“He’s sitting here in this boat with me. If you’re not him now, you must become him. The Thorn is the only one who can beat the Grey King. I can’t do it alone; I know that much.”

This book is actually about Locke’s journey to accept who he really is. Only then can he win. The incident in the Countinghouse I somehow consider as Locke doing just that. Just think about it. At first he gives lying a half-hearted try. When that doesn’t work he tries to tell the truth. When even that fails he must roam his brain for something utterly brilliant. That’s when the Thorn shows up…

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along part 3

"I don't have to fight you and I don't have to run." He grinned wildly. "I just have to keep you here... until Jean gets back." 

[...]  

"You just keep hitting. I can take it all day. You just keep... hitting me... until... Jean gets back!"

It's week three of the Lies of Locke Lamora read-along ... and I've already read far too much! Ok, I've not finished the book compleatily, just read a couple of pages (or more like 50) more than we were supposed to. Pleas don't be angry! It's just so much fun :) Anyway, this weeks questions was provided by My Awful Reviews, so let's just get started!

1. This section is where we finally get to sneak a peek at the magic in The Gentleman Bastards books. From what we read, what are your initial impressions of the magic Lynch is using? Is there any way that Locke and Company would be able to get around the Bondsmage's powers?

I like the idea that magic exists in their world, but they can't use it unless they're a part of the almighty, highly selective and even more secretive group of Bondsmage. From what we've seen so far the sort of things they can do is not as much making-a-feather-fly-by-the-flick-of-a-wand sort of thing as much as controlling-your-mind-by-simply-staring-at-you! For those of you who have read Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, you understand just how difficult and amazing the Falconer's abilities are. He's sort of super-creepy and fascinating at the same time... This time I honestly don't think Locke quite knows what (and who) he's up against...

2. Not a question, but an area for rampant speculation: If you want to take a stab at who you think the Grey King might be, feel free to do it here. 

An insanely wealthy someone who doesn't particularly like Capa Barsavi.

2.5 (since 2 wasn't really a question) Anyone see the Nazca thing coming? Anyone? Do you think there are more crazy turns like this in store for the book? Would you like to speculate about them here? (yes, yes you would)

I actually did not remember that from the first time I read the book! My brain is similar to the one of a goldfish, that's common knowledge, but I've been able to recall most of the storyline until now. So the answer must be: No, I did not see that coming. And yes, I definitely think there will be more turns like this! That's the fantastic thing about Lynch: It's utterly impossible to guess how his brain works, so I never quite know what to expect. Whenever I think I've got it figured out and have the story under control, he does something completely unexpected that makes me sit there with a big "What?" written all over my face! I hate it, and it drives me crazy, but that's what I love so much!

3. When Locke says "Nice bird, arsehole," I lose it. EVERY TIME. And not just because I have the UK version of the book and the word arsehole is funnier than asshole. Have there been any other places in the books so far where you found yourself laughing out loud, or giggling like a crazy person on the subway?

MANY! I think I mentioned it before, but I had to stop reading at the bus because of the possibility of sudden outbursts of laughter. It's even more funny this time around, because now I know what's going to happen next and laugh at almost anything. The scene where young Jean punches young Locke is fantastic. My sister actually demanded to know why I was grinning like a fool for an entire chapter! And of course all the scenes with Locke and the Falconer is a work of magic. Literary.
("I cannot tell you," said the sorcerer, "what a weight it is upon my conscience to learn that we might loose your gracious acceptance.")
And Bug is the very clown of the story, which is proven by comments like:
"Look at me," he said with his mouth half full, "I'm worth more with every bite!"
And the "Liar." "Liar!" "BASTARD!" sequences are just the very definition of the Gentlemen Bastards. (Me and my sister has been quoting this all day, cracking up in laughter like lunatics, and were of course totally misunderstood by everyone else!)
And the list could go on and on...
("You've got that motherly concern in your eyes, Jean. I must look like hammered shit.""Actually you look like you were executed last week...")
The list of small jewels like these is endless, and I think that's the reason this book is not as dark and engrossing as the plot should indicate.

4. By the end of this reading section, have your opinions changed about how clever the Bastards are? Do you still feel like they're "cleverer than all the rest?" Or have they been decidedly outplayed by the Grey King and his Bondsmage?

Locke is clever. There's no doubt about it. He's just not had to deal with people like the Grey King before, and definitly not with a sorcerer. According to me, the King is cheating by letting a Bondsmage handle all the hard work for him. I believe Locke to be the cleverest of the two of them, but he has not yet realized the depths of his wits... It's always come natural to him. It says he was born to steal and con and trick people. He hasn't had to work for it in the way Jean had. But now he suddenly finds himself in a situation where he has to do better than his usual brilliance. He's got to step it up or risk getting stept on...

5. I imagine that you've probably read ahead, since this was a huge cliffhanger of an ending for the "present" storyline, but I'll ask this anyway: Where do you see the story going from here, now that the Grey King is thought to be dead?

Like I confessed, I've read ahead all right! But in my defense, I already knew what was going to happen anyway. But what I can say is: according to good storytelling, things always have to get worse before they can get better...

6. What do you think of the characters Scott Lynch has given us so far? Are they believable? Real? Fleshed out? If not, what are they lacking?

In short: I love them! In my opinion they, especially the Gentlemen Bastards, are so realistic and believable I almost consider them my friends whom I can not visit since they live in the non-excising city of Camorr. I admire the amount of detail Lynch has put into creating every single character. Accent, hair-color, clothes, style, behavior, humor and personality... It's all there. My favorites are Locke and Jean. The way the two of them are so individual and yet so dependent on one another is fascinating, and their friendship is just, i dont know... real? I think the biggest compliment I could give Lynch is that it feels like his characters are making their own choices. That they are the ones deciding how it's all going to end.

7. Now that you've seen how clever Chains is about his "apprenticeships," why do you think he's doing all of this? Does he have an endgame in sight? Is there a goal he wants them to achieve, or is it something more emotional like revenge?

Hm... in fear of saying too much I'm not going to guess to much here. I'm just going to say that I think he formed the Gentlemen Bastards to train them to be the perfect thieves he always wanted to be. By learning them how to avoid the mistakes he'd done... He wants to create the perfect thief...

Look forward to next weeks reading! It will be action-packed!

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along part 2

Another Lamora-week! Between school, friends, filmmaking and editing, I only barely managed to finish this week's chapters... But I did, and I loved them! (I knew I would, but I realized that my brain does not contain a very detailed long-term memory.) Anyway, I am now ready to deliver my tribute to this week's questions provided by Dark Cargo. But I have to warn those of you who have not read the book (and plan to do so) or are not participating in the read-along or : there will be spoilers!


1) Do you think Locke can pull off his scheme of playing a Midnighter who is working with Don Salvara to capture the Thorn of Camorr? I mean, he is now playing two roles in this game – and thank goodness for that costume room the Gentlemen Bastards have!

(Oh! How I would love to visit their costume room! Mini-heaven...)
Locke is the sort of guy you could place in any given corner of the world and he would make himself comfortable in a matter of seconds, and given a few hours he'd probably already have altered his appearance, made a fake identity and be very busy making people give away their money willingly without even the faintest idea that they were being robbed in broad daylight.

I've got the feeling that it's a very long distance between the limits of what he can and can not do. Although, he has indeed got some limits. After all, he's just human...

One of the things about Locke's character that captivates me is his absolute faith in his own abilities and the things he's doing. He knows what he's capable of, yet he knows he's never alone. He'd actually have been killed quite a few times already had id not been for the other Gentlemen Bastards.


2) Are you digging the detail the author has put into the alcoholic drinks in this story?

Well... not really that interesting. But it's cool that he has made up a whole new set of drinks for his imaginary-world just like he made a bright new religion with twelve gods and such...

3) Who is this mysterious lady Gentlemen Bastard Sabetha and what does she mean to Locke?

Yes, who indeed? Here I must be careful not to say too much... But it's quite obvious that they have a history, and that Locke still loves her. The question is: What on earth did Locke do that made her run off just like that and not even try to make contact for several years? It has to be Locke's doing... Or else it wouldn't be such a touchy subject I figure?


4) Are you as creeped out over the use of Wraithstone to create Gentled animals as I am?

I love animals. I even grew up among them... (Lived on a farm until I was eight years old, and now I have a cat that practically lives in my bed.) So naturally I find it extremely creepy that the animals in the book can be altered to have no personality at all. That would be both sad and boring. I'm glad such things as a Wraithstone does not exist.


5) I got a kick out of child Locke’s first meeting with Capa Barsavi and his daughter Nazca, which was shortly followed up in the story by Barsavi granting adult Locke permission to court his daughter! Where do you think that will lead? Can you see these two together?

One answer: NO. They are just too similar actually... They are good friends, and that's how it should be.

6) Capa Barsavi is freaked out over rumors of The Gray King and, in fact, us readers are privy to a gruesome torture scene. The Gray King is knocking garristas off left and right. What do you think that means?

It means that there are two people in Camorr that don't underestimate the power of a good disguise. Locke is not alone... Found his like? Overpowered? Outsmarted? Wait and see!

7) In the Interlude: The Boy Who Cried for a Corpse, we learn that Father Chains owes an alchemist a favor, and that favor is a fresh corpse. He sets the boys to figuring out how to provide one, and they can’t ‘create’ the corpse themselves. How did you like Locke’s solution to this conundrum?

Chains has learned him to think through and plan in detail so that nothing can go wrong. Locke did just that, only he took it up a notch and was brilliant at it! He is not only a thief, but an artist... He's an actor who take pride in what he does. Clever little bastard :)

Want some good treats? Head over to the Live Journal of the author himself...

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" read-along part 1

At the end of last week I quite accidentally started to re-read one of my absolute favorite books, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Honestly, I only know one single person that has ever shown interest in the book, and that's my sister.
It has always puzzled me that neither the book nor the author is not known and famous world wide, but suddenly I discovered I wasn't alone as a big fan of the books.

I work at a book-store, and while at work I was supposed to find the ISBN-number of The Lies of Locke Lamora so that we could order it. I than found myself looking at nothing less than the web journal of none other than Scott Lynch, the very author of the book.
When I came home I read through most of his resent posts, and I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that a lot of book-bloggers had just started a read-along of the first book!

Naturally I joined, and below is (though a little bit too late) my first post concerning the read-along...
There are a lot of participants to this particular read-along all over the internet, but here you at least have the host-blogs:

The Little Red Reviewer
Dark Cargo
SF Signal
My Awful Reviews

And like I said, even the author has thrown himself into the game together with us to share a lot of background-information!


1. If this is your first time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, what do you think of it so far? If this is a re-read for you, how does the book stand up to rereading?

Like I said, it's a re-read, but it has been a long time, so there are a great many details I don't remember from the first time. This is also the first time i read it in english. Back in 2010, the only copy I had was in Norwegian. (My native language in case you wondered. And yes, I do in fact live in the cold and wet, yet beautiful country named Norway.)
After finishing Read Seas Under Red Skies (the second book in the series) last week, I just had to experience the first book in its original form. Scott Lynch is such a brilliant storyteller and the fluidity of the language that he masters so brilliantly got somehow lost in translation. I never regretted the purchase of my english copy.
When it comes to reading it for the second time, I think the book is actually better somehow than the first time! Perhaps it's because I know what's going to happen and it makes me grinn with expectation :)


2. At last count, I found three time lines: Locke as as a 20-something adult, Locke meeting Father Chains for the first time, and Locke as a younger child in Shades Hill. How are you doing with the Flashback within a flashback style of introducing characters and the world?

Honestly, I don't remember how I felt about it the first time i read it... But I love parallell stories and actually enjoy the mild confusion it always brings. Getting to know the grown up Locke and simultaneously learning where he came from and why he ended up on the doorstep of Father Chains is brilliant! It somehow unravels the secrets and mysteries layer by layer...


3. Speaking of the world, what do you think of Camorr and Lynch’s world building?

I have never been a fan of endless descriptions of places and views. For example The Lord of the Rings has a great deal to much of that for my taste... (Though I love the book!) That being said, I don't think this book has got too much of it, just enough for me as a reader to picture the city of Camorr in my mind.
And truly, that is indeed a peculiar city! Hanging of kids, entertainment containing jumping sharks and armed men and women, a secret peace that keeps the "police" from turning in the citys criminals... and in the midst of this caos we find our little gang of thieves and con-men going under the name the "Gentlemen Bastards".
It's a hideous place with horrible rules, yet it's beautiful and enchanting with a touch of mystic about it. Honestly, it's so vivid and real I almost feel like it does exist somewhere in the world not yet discovered. And it's definitely the best setting Lynch could ever find to put Locke Lamora into!


4. Father Chains and the death offering. . . quite the code of honor for thieves, isn’t it? What kind of person do you think Chains is going to mold Locke into?

I know, I know! And frankly I can't wait to see it happen! I am not going to spill any details for those of you who are reading it for the first time, but I can say one thing: Locke Lamora is one of the very few protagonists that has become my favorite person in the book they appear in.


5. It’s been a while since I read this, and I’d forgotten how much of the beginning of the book is pure set up, for the characters, the plot, and the world. Generally speaking, do you prefer set up and world building done this way, or do you prefer to be thrown into the deep end with what’s happening?

Like I said, I'm no fan of long descriptions, and usually I want to be put right into toe midst of it all. But somehow I consider the start of this book as a very good disguised of doing just that. Just think about it...
The first time we ever get to hear the name Locke is on the first page when he has already done something so awful that the Thiefmaker has to kill him if father Chains won't have him. If that isn't starting off on a high note, I don't know what is?


6. If you’ve already started attempting to pick the pockets of your family members (or even thought about it!) raise your hand.

Well, I have to plague innocence at that point... Although, it did strike me what scams I could play my best fried on the 1st of April had I possessed Locke's ability to lie so convincingly he almost believes it himself sometimes!