While I didn't like most of this book as much as the previous books, it picked up near the end. Also, it set up some impressive things for the next book, and the last chapter is incredible.
The third book of the Gentlemen Bastards did not disappoint.
Unlike the previous two books, this actually has two simultaneous interwoven plot threads running through the entire novel. This does an excellent job of highlighting the characterization between Locke and Sabetha (finally introduced to us in this volume). Both stories are interesting, different, and full of wonderful characterization and development.
My only complaint is that both stories left me wanting more. The stories were well executed, and resolved satisfactorily; however was left feeling as if I had missed some of the detail and scenery of the previous two novels.
Nikoros came away from the meeting having learned several new words, as well as some novel hyphenations of familiar ones, and a fascinating twist to the art of negotiation that his education had previously neglected
Oh boy, was my review of previous Gentlemen Bastards book Red Seas Under Red Skies an unknown premonition. The mages reappear and what a fun adventure they create for our heroes.What more fun could there be than to try and fix an election for sport under watchful eyes of mages of Karthain (and with their blessing). Once again the book is really two stories - one happening “now” and the other one during Locke’s childhood - providing more background and insight into characters and their motivations. Politics and theater were never so fun before.How can you steal an election if everybody cheats and (almost) everything goes? Blackmail, subterfuge, thieving and other skulldaggery. And oh what …
Nikoros came away from the meeting having learned several new words, as well as some novel hyphenations of familiar ones, and a fascinating twist to the art of negotiation that his education had previously neglected
Oh boy, was my review of previous Gentlemen Bastards book Red Seas Under Red Skies an unknown premonition. The mages reappear and what a fun adventure they create for our heroes.What more fun could there be than to try and fix an election for sport under watchful eyes of mages of Karthain (and with their blessing). Once again the book is really two stories - one happening “now” and the other one during Locke’s childhood - providing more background and insight into characters and their motivations. Politics and theater were never so fun before.How can you steal an election if everybody cheats and (almost) everything goes? Blackmail, subterfuge, thieving and other skulldaggery. And oh what joy it is to read the banter between Locke & Sabetha and learn about their past in the theatre troupe.Scott Lynch always seems to strike a great balance between providing enough interesting information and background, while not overwhelming. I didn’t realize how much history he held back in the previous books and it did not even bother me - he doles out history and context as needed and it’s masterfully done.This might have been my favourite Gentlemen Bastards book yet. Looking forward to the next ones.
A return to form for the series!
Good:
We meet Sabetha! She's well developed character in addition to being Locke's obsession.
Locke's love blunders are masterfully depicted & invoke nice, fluffy schadenfreude feeling.
Two story-lines (historic & contemporary) are both enjoyable & intertwine nicely.
Bad:
Locke's origin story feels tacked-on as a hook for a sequel that is yet to materialize 8 years later.
Scott Lynch's fishy characters find themselves out of water again.
Lynch has a stupendous ability to juggle timelines punctuated with cliffhangers that leave the reader wanting more.
Very glad to see many themes of the excellent first book in the series come home to roost. Red Skies was an excellent book, but "Republic Of Thieves" is really "Lies of Locke Lamora, Part II."
...shouted Locke. "What am I?"
"You're a man who doesn't get to know the answer," said Patience, and now her smile was genuine.
"Republic of Thieves" continues to focus on our favorite Gentleman Bastard and the introduction to the elusive Sabetha. Like other books in the series, this one is told through a combination of flashbacks and present day activities.
The present day story line started off interesting but I feel that the story didn't have time to grow because this novel was very heavy on flashbacks. I am not sure how else Lynch will be able to put Jean and Locke in to a vice and write their escape, but I appreciate he is trying to create unique stories and not rehashing the first book.
As for the flashback, it was great to have more of the Gentleman Bastards involved. There is probably a lot of story left for …
...shouted Locke. "What am I?"
"You're a man who doesn't get to know the answer," said Patience, and now her smile was genuine.
"Republic of Thieves" continues to focus on our favorite Gentleman Bastard and the introduction to the elusive Sabetha. Like other books in the series, this one is told through a combination of flashbacks and present day activities.
The present day story line started off interesting but I feel that the story didn't have time to grow because this novel was very heavy on flashbacks. I am not sure how else Lynch will be able to put Jean and Locke in to a vice and write their escape, but I appreciate he is trying to create unique stories and not rehashing the first book.
As for the flashback, it was great to have more of the Gentleman Bastards involved. There is probably a lot of story left for Lynch to uncover through flashbacks so at the very least that will make the remaining books entertaining.
I am sure there was something profound or meaningful in the play the Camorri performed but I didn't put the effort in to looking for them. I appreciated the fact that the story wasn't page after page of script from the "Republic of Thieves" play.
Finally, every book is building on an action. "Lies of Locke Lamora" threw a pebble in the pond of Bondsmagi. The ripples from that action are still felt in this book, and appear to be growing, especially as the story takes place in their main outpost of Karthain. I like the subtle building of this mysterious practice and am excited to see how future books will incorporate them.
He tardado muchísimo en leer este libro, pero la culpa ha sido de que no he tenido tiempo, no de la calidad. Además es el primero de la saga que me leo en inglés (las ediciones de bolsillo inglesas son mínimas) y tengo que decir que es el que más me ha costado leer en ese idioma.
Ahora toca libro.
La historia empieza poco después del final del anterior con un encargo para los protagonistas de amañar unas elecciones y derrotar a su rival contratado por la otra facción.
La trama política no tiene tanto gancho como las anteriores de ladrones y piratas, pero al menos la ha conseguido hacer entretenida. Para acompañar a la trama principal, hay otra secundaria ambientada en el entrenamiento de los Caballeros Bastardos, que a mi parecer está mejor conseguida.
POSIBLE SPOILER
En toda la historia he echado en falta un plan maestro que se …
He tardado muchísimo en leer este libro, pero la culpa ha sido de que no he tenido tiempo, no de la calidad. Además es el primero de la saga que me leo en inglés (las ediciones de bolsillo inglesas son mínimas) y tengo que decir que es el que más me ha costado leer en ese idioma.
Ahora toca libro.
La historia empieza poco después del final del anterior con un encargo para los protagonistas de amañar unas elecciones y derrotar a su rival contratado por la otra facción.
La trama política no tiene tanto gancho como las anteriores de ladrones y piratas, pero al menos la ha conseguido hacer entretenida. Para acompañar a la trama principal, hay otra secundaria ambientada en el entrenamiento de los Caballeros Bastardos, que a mi parecer está mejor conseguida.
POSIBLE SPOILER
En toda la historia he echado en falta un plan maestro que se fuera desarrollando desde el principio para resolverlo al final por sorpresa, aquí ha sido todo más relacionado con el toma y daca que la maquinación.
3.5. A little too much mooning over Sabetha for me in this episode. Still, nice snappy put-downs and fun intrigue. Much more episodic than the previous volumes, not as epic.
Took the series in a much different direction. Moving toward a more traditional fantasy trope. Not necessarily a bad thing but I am reserving final judgment on this until I see what comes next. I think this will be seen as a turning point in the series.
As much as anything, I liked this book because it didn't follow the exact script that the first two did. Instead of an Oceans Eleven heist, the job in this book was rigging a political election. In the end, it honestly all seemed fairly pointless, but it was fun to read all of the insults Scott Lynch comes up with, and all of the hellraising his characters pull off.
Like the first two books, there's also a secondary storyline taking place years ago when Locke & Jean were still learning to be thieves. That story was... well.. meh. I guess I had a hard time being entertained by the whole Sheakespeare-esque stage actor thing.
Yes, there's Sabetha. She's a nice complement to Jean & Locke. I'll leave it at that.
The final chapter was kind of cool, although the final premise was basically lifted from the Harry Potter books. Hopefully …
As much as anything, I liked this book because it didn't follow the exact script that the first two did. Instead of an Oceans Eleven heist, the job in this book was rigging a political election. In the end, it honestly all seemed fairly pointless, but it was fun to read all of the insults Scott Lynch comes up with, and all of the hellraising his characters pull off.
Like the first two books, there's also a secondary storyline taking place years ago when Locke & Jean were still learning to be thieves. That story was... well.. meh. I guess I had a hard time being entertained by the whole Sheakespeare-esque stage actor thing.
Yes, there's Sabetha. She's a nice complement to Jean & Locke. I'll leave it at that.
The final chapter was kind of cool, although the final premise was basically lifted from the Harry Potter books. Hopefully Lynch actually makes use of this little plot device in future books. Rowling sure as Hell didn't.
Just as good as the first two.
Full review here:
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2013/10/number-three-and-still-going-strong.html
