Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

[Michael]

I read The Lies of Locke Lamora a few months ago and have started audiobooking Red Seas Under Red Skies. Suffice it to say that Republic of Thieves is now my second most anticipated book this year (please be this year!!!!!!) after A Dance with Dragons.

Any normal year (aka a year George R. R. Martin doesn't release a book) it would be number 1 by a long way.

[caleighm]

Just bought Red Seas Under Red Skies! I read Lies of Locke Lamora a long time ago, though, so I'm worried I'll be totally lost when I start it. I also wasn't *totally* blown away by Lies -- I thought the plot wasn't as clever as it thought it was, if that makes sense. But I hear so many good things! So I'm ready to love the second one now.

[Michael]

I thought the plot wasn't as clever as it thought it was, if that makes sense.

I feel like that was a theme - nobody in that book was as clever as they thought they were, apparently even the author! I enjoyed it for pure enjoyment, if that makes sense. It was just very fun and satisfying.

From what I've listend to so far, you won't be too lost because the whole idea seems to be Locke running away from the mess in the first book.

[caleighm]

I'll be sure to compare notes with you after I've finished Red Seas.

[Marty]

Anyone have any idea when this is coming out? I hearted the first two installments, but things have been up in the air as to when this is coming oot. Anywho, no rush to Lynch, I'd rather he take his time to craft an awesome novel than get a rush-job.

[Michael]

I hear July... it was supposed to come out last year at one point, so I figure he isn't rushing.

[Stephan]

I heard he was depressed or something.

[Coffeeholick]

Anxiety attacks I believe.

[Michael]

@ Caleigh (and anyone else who has read Red Seas Under Red Skies):
I really enjoyed the sequel. Not as much as Lies - I thought it took a while to get going and there was the whole Emo Locke phase (mercifully short but I was worried for a while) but having two guys who feel like they know everything thrown into the pirate life was great fun.

[Stephan]

It seems the book's release is still aimed for November 2011, but might be more likely to come in early 2012.

For The Republic of Thieves, the current plan remains to publish in November 2011, although this is not set in stone and is dependent on the final delivery of the manuscript. Gollancz have been working on parts of the book already and preparing it for production (shades of Voyager and Bantam's treatment of A Dance with Dragons), but a slip to 2012 hasn't been ruled out. Personally, given how heavy 2011 is with long-awaited and eagerly-awaited releases, a slip to 2012 for this book wouldn't entirely be a disaster. Though that said, getting the long-awaited Rothfuss, Martin and Lynch books in one year would be an interesting coincidence (and, combined with Abercrombie, Morgan, Erikson and Sanderson, will make next year's Gemmell Awards a total free-for-all).

Source.

[Michael]

While writing my review for Red Seas Under Red Skies this has shot up my anticipation list to #2 (A Dance with Dragons and all that, you know). It seems that Lynch has had a lot of troubles in his personal life that have curtailed many of his projetcs. Apart from having this book out years ago he was contracted to do a few novellas with Subterranean Press (they also did editions of Lies and Red Seas that didn't look as nice as other stuff they produce to be brutally honest). I don't know the status of the novellas but at this stage I will grab anything Lynch writes.

[MsFehrwight]

I'm a huge fan of Lynch's, and I adore his writing. The author posted in his Live Journal just a couple of days ago, promising six more updates during next week, so it would seem he's on the mend after these very unfortunate personal problems. Fingers crossed Republic of Thieves will be out this year! (There is a promise of news of that, unless it's about the Thorn of Emberlain... That sentence is not all clear to me.)

As to Red Seas; whenever I read Lies, I feel like RSURS simply can't compete, however good it is, but when I actually get into all the pirates and multiple identities and difficulties... It's darker and heavier than Lies, but I love it almost as much.

There has been no news about the novellas, but if you are interested, there is an excellent short story called "In the Stacks" in Jonathan Strahan's anthology Swords & Dark Magic - the New Swords and Sorcery, which features other great writers such as Michael Moorcock, K.J. Parker, and Joe Abercrombie.

[fakiha]

I have heard the same thing that he was depressed or something.

[MsFehrwight]

Since no one has enthused here yet, I'll do it!

Republic of Thieves will be out October 8th (US) / October 10th (UK & Commonwealth)! Yaaaay! (Read the Gollancz announcement here if you already haven't!)