Read Along of Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch: Part 3

You can see Redhead’s Part 3 post, and the links to the other blogs taking part, here.

The questions were supplied by Ashley from SF Signal.

If you haven't read the book, or even if you have, why not join in and read along with the rest of us?

This week we have read up to the end of Chapter 10.

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?

It seems most likely that they will die a horrible, painful death from the lack of their antidote doses, but I seriously doubt that we will see this happen: they are our heroes, after all!

As for Stragos, they might bring him something that looks like the war he ordered, but I suspect that it will be not at all what he actually wanted. I predict that some backstabbing and deceit might by heading his way.

2. Merrain's activities after our boys leave Windward Rock are interesting. What do you think her plans are?

It seems that Merrain is playing her own game independently of the Archon. I assume that her employer has some fiendish plot in mind that will add even more mayhem to the already impossible mess. It is interesting that she sees Locke as a serious threat, and so needs to neutralize him.

3. Does anyone know why having cats aboard the ship is so important?

I believe that they are useful for keeping vermin under control, which makes a lot of sense with all that food stored on board, but it seems like there might be another reason here in Mr Lynch’s universe. Cats have always had that air of mystery and folklore connects them to witches, luck and the paranormal, so perhaps they are considered necessary and ‘lucky’ for some other reason. Perhaps they can defeat ghostly vampire mice or something!


For a very interesting story of a real ship's cat, have a look at the Wikipedia page for Mrs Chippy who sailed on Ernest Shackleton's doomed Antarctic expedition.

4. The word "mutiny" creates a lot of mental pictures. Were you surprised? Why or why not?

I was not all that surprised when the crew mutinied. Seeing how the Poison Orchid works so smoothly makes it painfully obvious that Locke and Jean would not fool any sailor with experience for very long. Given Merrain’s actions, it is possible that she planted a few people on board to help sow dissent, but I think it really comes down to their inability to cope with the storm.

5. Ah, the Poison Orchid. So many surprises there, not the least of which were the captain's children. Did you find the young children a natural part of the story?

Considering the description of some of the nocturnal ‘activities’ on board, it seems that children will arrive fairly regularly, unless there is some form of birth control available. I suppose it could seem strange to have her kids on a pirate ship, but I can understand why the Captain would want to have them with her. She is probably away from port for months at a time, and there may not be any family to leave them with while she is away. Also, it seems like her culture is entirely ship-orientated, so it might not be unusual for them. There is also a security issue: if the children were left in port, they could be taken and held to ransom or as hostages.

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?

Oh yes: I foresee much lurve and mushiness, especially after Jean’s rant about Locke and Sabetha. I thought it was sweet that Jean had avoided romance because Locke had been so hurt, but he is a manly man and if given the opportunity he should take it. I also liked how Locke was totally confused by Jean’s rant: it is as if he had forgotten that most men actually like the company of women! Poor Locke, Sabetha really did tear his heart out and jump up and down on it.

7. As we close down this week's reading, the Thorn of Camorr is back! I love it, even with all the conflict.  Several things from their Camorri background have come back up. Do you think we will see more Camorri characters?

The boarding scene was pure Captain Jack Sparrow! It is interesting how Locke can slip into his Thorn persona when he needs to insulate himself. As for more Camorri characters: who knows? I have given up trying to anticipate anything when it comes to Mr Lynch.