The Paladin Caper (Rogues of the Republic Book 3)

The 3rd book in the Rogues of the Republic series, where all the mysteries of the previous books get revealed. All the favorites return: Desi, Kail, Loch, Icy and the rest, plus some old enemies. Surprises, wild action scenes and skillful stealing of goods inside impenetrable fortresses like the 2 first books but also the satisfying conclusion to a lot of the plot threads. This book will have you reading it past 3am and cursing the author, only to make you smile on the next chapter.

Book 1) bit juvenile and clunky written... 2 stars

Boom 2) much better and even somewhat compelling, although the plot felt forced. You know that book that conveniently came into play in book 1? Well everyone wants it now at the same time...

Book 3) actually a quite solid novel about the republics most notorious band of thieves. Oh and this time with ACTUAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Holy s***, you didn't see that coming did you?

The basic plot of the trilogy was fair, though it reads as a lightly fleshed out D&D module is played. Everything was a bit too tied together. The heroes' decisions aways turned out right. The heroes always had an ace up their collective sleeve and knew with omniscient clarity how their enemies would react in all situations, with the only reveals coming through long and drawn out fight scenes. At least the subject matter didn't frustrate me enough to figuratively through the book against the wall, à la Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Frequent references to sex and apparently everyone is a budding alcoholic, though it was good enough to finish the trilogy without boredom. It is not the type of writing that keeps me reading far past when I should have been asleep. I DID enjoy the new take on the races and fairy creatures. The magic and religious systems have some interesting beginnings but is are not well-explained, as yet. I hope that, as you continue your writing career, Mr. Weekes, that your craft improves to the level of Sanderson, because your concepts seem to have that much potential. This series can only be thought to have been written for young teens with open minds.

I wish the names of the characters were different.
I don't read these for speed, I like to enjoy them and read along in my head. But the writing was jumpy and sporadic and then the odd names made the story flow less in my head.

May seem silly, but I didn't finish reading the books because of it. The idea of the book series was intriguing and just cuz it's a fantasy / magic world not everyone has to have weird names... There could still be some "marys" and "james'" in the story.

I'm basically thinking of this series as the fantasy version of Ocean's Eleven. Capers, cons, card games, and love and sex. The author has a ton of imagination, and while the first two books follow a formulaic trajectory, there is something fun about seeing what he can do within those narrative constraints. All bets are off in the third book, though, which is incredibly layered and satisfying.

I'm better off for having read these books. They are the perfect bit of optimistic escapism, and I know these characters will stay with me. This third book really solidifies the characters and continues the impressive world building in a way that makes you want to devour it like a glimmering rainbow octopus would.

Targeted where it hurts the most: their families!

The Ancients want to rise again, but they've been stymied by Loch and her band of "unusual suspects" twice, now. This time they'll stop at nothing, and they have a head start. They've already infiltrated the highest ranks of the Republic. Their tentacles reach everywhere, and Loch's group has no lack of mortal enemies with grudges too.

Not to mention enthralled elves and dwarves, golems galore, and a temple full of reanimated-but-dead priests among the obstacles. With the team scattered and hard-pressed, and the Glimmering Folk on the march, Loch would die to stop the Ancients.

Or has she, already?

Spoiler Alert::

I love it!! Like seriously!! The characters were made to be identified with and held in amazement!! This time around Kail definitely had my attention all the way. He went full metal rescuing his mother. FSU and hope for the best! The "then" and "now"s were climatic plot twists. I really didn't think that Ethel was going the betrayal route, kinda messed up that he chose to sell out rather than fight. Hessler is now an untrained bad ass since now he's a Glimmering Folk. But when he and Tern have babies, would they half human half folk or full human or full folk? Does one override the other? Would that be a new breed of world devourers? Questions that I have now, lol. Icy FTW! Stuck by his principals and showed why he's not one to mess with. Walk softly and carry a big stick- FDR. Diz is definitely catching the "white girl" jokes when she meets his mom, no doubt about it but also more than likely Kail's mom and her are going to double team Kail, just because girls united. Loch and Pyvic just need to get married already! All this "I need you but I'm not saying that I need you" bs, ??. Jyelle stuck around longer than I thought she would though. Ghyl died the way a true warrior wishes they go, protecting those that matter the most to them, absolutely had tears reading that.

Mr. Weekes please continue with your works!!

[NOTE: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]

The tone in this last volume of the trilogy is different: somewhat darker, dealing with a more “end of the world”-oriented plot, following several plot points set in place in the previous books, and bringing a nicely-wrapped conclusion to the series. Perhaps too nicely-wrapped? I liked it in general, but I guess I would've appreciated finding more of the first installment's humour.

Loch's usual band of misfits gathers again to disrupt the Ancients' plans, starting with one of their typical heist/cons, in a fashion any reader of this series will recognise. As usual, too, the story goes through a lot of twists and turns: events where our heroes find themselves in dire straits, but had planned for contingencies and switch to Plan B, and so on.

The characters remain well-rounded, resourceful each in their own ways, with their strengths and weaknesses: the ones we know, the ones we see them overcome. Desidora has to deal with her desire to get revenge on the friend who betrayed her, and Ululenia with the transformation she started going through in volume 2. Kail, Loch and Tern get struck where it hurts, as they have to worry for their loved ones. Dairy, definitely not the naïve young man anymore, has to go through his own ordeals, and try to discover himself in the process. Other, secondary characters are brought back into the fray as well. As for the enemies, they are cunning enough, don't hesitate to resort to villains' tactics (hostages, etc.), and manage to be both out of this world and curiously human at times, too.

The story circles through these themes both seriously and humorously. Kail and his “your mother” jokes, for instance: what does it say about his loyalty to his own family? Ululenia and her new urges: they get expressed in ways that correspond to her, making her gradually switch from virgin-lover unicorn to a darker, more eoritcally-inclined version of herself (in amusing ways at times, such as her mind-altering alliterations turning into different words, and in much more lethal ones at other times). Tern with her reactions, the way she makes her friends understand what they need to do, not by ordering them around but through psychology—all the while having to stay away from people she still cares about. Naria with her little games and her ambivalence: it's so hard to tell whether she's “nice” or a “traitor”, and this makes her more interesting, as it's never clear-cut. Pyvic and Derenky: the latter wants the former's job, everybody knows it, and everybody (Derenky included) jokes about it. And other countless little things.

In terms of pacing, much like the characters, we never get to fully rest, and it's obvious that something is always bound to happen. The breaks they manage here and there are never meant to last, and it makes for a grand finale, with action scenes going parallel to each other, enemies that won't relent on the means to take our heroes down, and various settings where every person, every small team has a key role to play.

I am undecided as to some of the twists, though: the last third rests on actions that the characters have planned, but that the readers aren't aware of, and while it's surprising and befitting Loch & Co's wits and abilities to improvise, it also brushes upon of a device consisting in denying information to readers—in other words, it made me wonder if there wouldn't have been a way of letting me, reader, suspect something, without having to use what looked a lot like a deus ex machina. (Not in terms of new events happening: in terms of events that happened in the past, yet are revealed in such a way that they seem to arrive out of nowhere.)

The story's also lacking a sense of urgency when it comes to people dying. Not everyone gets out of there unscathed, however considering the world-shaking potential consequences, the novel seemed to end just a tad bit too conveniently for some (and the scarred ones felt slightly like an afterthought, as if someone had to get hurt for this to be believable, so, hey, let's hurt a few people).

The social commentary, finally, is a bit of an oddball: heavy-handed in some ways, yet crafted through the story in a logical manner that highlights and mocks injustices. Depending on one's mood and sensibilities, this could be a problem. I will confess to paying more attention to the action and characters than to how this commentary was to be taken—sometimes, I guess I just happen to bypass that kind of things.

I'm still giving this novel 4 stars. In spite of my reservations about it, I enjoyed it, and enjoyed seeing all the arcs gathered and solved. The characters are clearly ones I'll keep in my mind for some time.

This is the third book in Patrick Weekes’ Rouges of the Republic series. It’s a complete story on its own and does an ok job of explaining the key concepts and past events, but it builds heavily on previously known characters and spoils revelations from the earlier books. Best not start here – go back to The Palace Job (book 1).

The first quarter of the book contained more action and plot development than some other entire series, and I mean that as a compliment. The pace is breakneck without ever being confusing or feeling rushed.

The core plot of The Paladin Caper is strong itself, but it also brings together numerous elements from the first two books masterfully. Very little is left unresolved and this is a great wrap up or the trilogy while leaving enough room for future books. Weekes’ prose is easy to read and flows well, and he does a phenomenal job providing surprises and tension while keeping everything logical. The balance of action and intrigue is excellent. There were some supporting cast members I wish had gotten more development and a few plot conveniences, but the main cast’s personalities and motivations were explored well and the story excellent overall.

Loch’s band of thieves and rebels have their best outing yet in The Paladin Caper, and the series as a whole is a lot of fun.

Maybe I’m finally getting used format of these books or this one is just less confusing and the author has really started to find their stride but FINALLY I feel less like I’m in the mind of someone with severe A.D.D. and more like I’m just in a fast paced story.

In the conclusion to this series there are again a lot of subtle cons, twists and unexpected situations and turnabouts happening. Just when you think you know what is going on everything gets blown apart and our heroes have to do a lot to get out of all the trouble that they have now found themselves in.

Add to that Desidora’s acceptance of her death priestess powers super cool by the way, Ululenia dealing with her new ‘urges’ since becoming a dark fae and Loch not being as dead as the reports led us to believe and there are even better side stories going on. Favorite character was really a toss-up between Desidora and Ululenia.

***As the queen who eats her mate when she has finished with him, Ululenia’s voice rang in Tern’s mind, I am sex and death, desire and destruction. They will die in ecstasy, knowing that I was their fulfillment, my pleasure their end.***

Also it seems that her mind boggle has morphed arching ardor, bejeweled bosom, curling caress, decadent desire but I’m gonna say a Unicorn dealing with her evil side is a ton of fun. And then there is Des. I love it every time she starts to channel her death priestess power and things start turning all black and silver.

***”How’s Desidora today?”
“Her aura isn’t turning all the plants into giant versions of those carnivorous things that eat flies anymore.” Kail smiled.***

As always there is Dairy who all honesty and goodness even if he isn’t quite a virgin anymore *wink, wink*. Then Tern and Hessler who are an adorable couple. Icy whose past isn’t even close to what I thought it was and Kail with more your momma jokes in any language than a rap contest. Even his own.

***”I’m glad your mother is safe.”
“I think I saved the ancients from her more than the other way around,” Kail said, and grinned. “My mom will take anybody who gets up in her face.”
Desidora shuddered, and at first Kail thought she was sad, and then cold.
After a minute, he realized that she was trying to hold a laugh.
“Diz, Diz?”
“You,” she gasped, still trying not to laugh, “you say all these things about people’s mothers! And then you say that about yours, and I’m not supposed to think anything?”***

The ancients are trying to return with the help of a few soul imbued weapons and Loch and company have to come up with a good way to defeat them. There is also the fact that every elemental deamon they come across is still trying to kill Loch and then there is the specialized assassin team sent by the ancients to help them make their way into the world.

Wow things got so crazy in the end and it was amazing and I really enjoyed how everything went down in the finale. This really has been a fun and fast paced series. The Palace Job takes a little getting used to since there were so many characters to meet but once we picked up our team it was great to follow them through all the stories to get her to the end.

I stumbled across this series wandering around the store & it sounded interesting enough to check out. A short way in to the first book I found I was liking the characters and the universe Weekes had created was pretty novel and fun. I liked it enough to go on to the second book and liked that enough to spend my time on the third.

By this point I guess I'd have to say I gave become a fan. These are characters I like hanging out with, the stories are inventive and engaging, and I'm very satisfied when I reach the end, though slightly disappointed that it's all over.

I'd probably give this a 4.5 stars if I could (but I can't, so 4 it is).

Picked first book on Kindle Unlimited without looking author's biography first. Got the feeling that it reads like good anime or computer game scenario which is quite OK considering author's background. It is really good, even if it is suffering from anime curse when enemies in the firs season are kittens compared to foes in next, and heroes suffering increases exponentially while their luck becomes more and more improbable.
But hey, that's why millions are watching these cartoons and enjoying them.
First book is still the best in the series. However characters are likeable, adventures great, you got the feeling similar to following good party in CRPG and there is to stop after first book.

The twists and turns, betrayals and upsets throughout the entire trilogy were so fast and frequent that it made it almost painful to read at times - but I absolutely couldn't put any of the books down, particularly because I *knew* there would be an unexpected plot twist coming. The characters were also extremely well written - which for me is as important, if not more so, than a well written plot line. I cared what happened and cared what decisions the characters made. These were the first novels I've read by this author, but I absolutely can't wait to read more.

The series only gets better the further you go. Everything is wrapped up satisfactorily, no dangling plot points or sub-plots. Complex but well written, with great characters. It moves dangerously close to social commentary in parts but handles it well without being preachy. It's a fine line to walk, and Weekes stays on the line without crossing over.

I'm ready for more.

love the book, hate this new list of questions when writing reviews for the store.
This was my favorite of the series. The sly humor was there and it seemed more directed at us, which I appreciated. (The media manipulation of war, the obsession with running our lives according to tiny screens, the nature of racism....all there but never preachy. Even better than Pratchett's method of holding up a mirror with fantasy)
Weekes is now an autobuy for me. Thanks, the store Unlimited. I'd never have found this without you.

My Thoughts On The Book:
(May contain minor spoilers to the first two book so read at your own peril!)

'A thief’s good deeds are never done.'

The Plot Of The Story:
Oh my gosh, I swear that this series just gets better and better the further it gets along!
Loch and the gang are back for their third outing and this time it really is life and death for them all as the Ancients are trying to force their way back into the world and anyone who's read the previous book will know who the ringleader for the Ancient's assault on the world is is and I really don't want to say more on the matter without giving the whole thing away but it's a MAJOR blow for the team.
Can Loch and her friends prevent the Ancients from taking over the world while fighting Loch's assassin sister and a demon containing the soul of Loch's worst enemy who's determined to see her as dead as can be? Well, what do you think?
The plot of the book is amazing and it really shows what the team in made of when one of their own turns on them and endangers all of their lives. You get to see a new side of each of them as they fight their feeling on the matter and all of the growing feeling for each other at the same time. It's a massive twist to the dynamics of the group to have one of them betray the rest and is been brilliantly present by Patrick Weekes who shows what a real talent he has.

What Is There To Love?
As with the first two book again this books main focal point and the very best thing about the book are those characters, they are growing immensely with every book, each are showing new and interesting facets to their evolving characters, especially Ululenia, who's growth is more than just a mental one as with her is physical too as she goes through the changes that her actions have caused and it's those changes, the slow and dangerously black transformations caused by the growing darkness within, that are making her the most fascinating character to read at the moment for me. Don't get me wrong, the other character are also showing real signs of intriguing growth and I must admit to being totally enamoured by the bittersweet and growing romance between Tern and Hessler, it's so cuuuuute...... also the flirting betweeen Kail and Desidora is also verging on the adorable too. Loch and Pyvic are still evolving as a couple but seem to spend too much time apart to get the same sweetness flowing between them. These romances are fitting in well with the rest of the plot lines and not overtaking the action in any way which is a major plus point for me.
The world building and background mythology is also something to love and be impressed with as it unfolds and expands as we learn more about the Ancients and their previous time in the world. Fantastic work!

What Is There To Dislike?
Nothing but the rumours that this is a trilogy, even though I can find nothing to confirm or deny this. I hope that the rumour is wring at that there are many more adventures to come for the gang as I feel they have a lot more work to do!

How's The Writing?
Wonderful, Weekes style is advancing with each book and every book seems to be better than the last. He has a simple and understandable style with a great mix of the break-neck action and humour to die for, it's light reading but not fluffy in any sense making it just light and fun while being fast moving and action packed enough to keep every reader engaged and entranced by the book.
The characterisations are fantastic, each character shows more growth than the previous book and now in book three the reader really does feel like they know these character really well and can begin to second guess what they are going to do or feel and that great sense of familiarity that makes this book more special than those that have gone before.
The world-building and background mythology are also expanding nicely and we get to learn more about the world that Loch and the gang live in with this book. The world is beginning to feel like a second home by now and it all adds to my feelings towards the series.

Final Thoughts:
This series is a genuine gem and I am so glad I took a chance on the first book and gave it a read as if I hadn't I would have missed out on a brilliant series and an author worthy of close watching in the future. I will be hoping and praying that there are more books to come and if there are I WILL be first in line to read them as this is a series I truly love and would recommend to fantasy fans who likes their book with a large injection of humour.
Try this series, you won't regret it, I surely haven't!

I received my review copy of the book for free from the publisher, 47North, via Netgalley.

The third in the series and it did not disappoint! I have really grown to like these characters, and I loved the arcs created for all of them. It kept me laughing and starting up way too late every night. A whole lot of fun, I don't want a movie I want a series on Netflix so I can hang out with th his crew over multiple seasons! Thanks very much for a great read, I'd love to see more:)

Loved it. Great assortment of characters with a wide variety of traits that are nicely developed (especially through all three books). While I believe you could enjoy this one outside of the others, it's definitely best within the series. A lot of tongue in cheek, dry humor. I didn't want to stop. I sincerely hope the author writes more.

A great end to the trilogy and good conquers evil with redemption for several of our main characters. It is nice to see that our main characters are able to put the thievery behind then and move on to other things. A great book and well worth the read and good finish to plotline and characters.

This series was amazing! I cannot give it enough praise. At times I was scolding the author as to where I thought this was going then bam! A twist I was not expecting that had me reading faster with excitement. Patrick Weekes has a fantastic way of telling these stories and I highly recommend this series! Thank you Mr Weekes for a thrilling adventure!

I happened upon the first book in this series and grew to like the characters. This is the third. I'm a sucker for a strong female protagonist and this series has a few. It's a caper plot with some adventure and intrigue all set in a fantasy realm. Sounds like it shouldn't work with all that happening, but it does.

Humorous, quick, nearly ready to be made into a movie. Action-packed with magic, swords, magic swords, elves, dwarves (but not as you'd expect them to be!), a floating city, and meddling deities. A cross between Terry Practchett and George R. R. Martin.

The usual antics one expects from Loch and her crew with the addition of a few really great characters and insights into the ones we've grown familiar with. Kind of sad the journey is over, but what a journey it was.

This author is amazing. What a twisted convoluted plot that leaves you guessing through the whole book. Characters are wonderful. Laugh out loud funny. Crazy action. Sexual innuendo but no sex scenes. Love this author and this series

A thrill ride through fantastical worlds with imaginative creative characters. Continual challenges, stronger wills, brutal honesty and acceptance, renews some of my faith in people. A great series, I am truly glad i picked up to read. Thoroughly enjoyed, I recommend!

A cross between Ocean's Eleven and the Riyria Revelations with some really cleverly thought-provoking characters. All three of these are funny, gripping, full of fun twists that make you want to read them again now that you know the inside joke. Hoping there are more of these coming along very soon indeed!

It was so enjoyable to be surprised by twists that were masterfully set up in earlier books. What a satisfying trilogy -- fantasy, mystery, adventure, wry social commentary, romance, humor... highly recommended!

I didn't think the third could possibly surpass the first two in humor, writing, and general awesomeness, but it is. The humor is dead on and socially relevant. The characters are spectacular. These books are plotted masterfully. It is like Ocean's Eleven but in fantasy setting and much better story. This is one of my favorite trilogies, and I know I will read/listen to it several more times. My only regret is there is no audio book version of two. I hope he writes more.

I don't want to give anything away, like telling who dies or who betrays whom. But I will say that he weaves a great web of a story and ties it all up nicely in the end.

I can't wait to read another.

The characters in this series have captured me in a way no book has been able to in some time. I truly enjoyed watching the facets of each be revealed and then grow as individuals and a team. The story is great; the characters are unforgettable. I will miss them and look forward to returning to this trilogy time and again.

I loved all three of these books. They would make GREAT movies. They are fun and they make me happy. They also have good themes but don't beat you over the head with them. Screw the dystopian BS, I'll take laugh out loud action any day of the week.

Continuing the adventures of Lock and friends. Fascinating and engaging, keeps you guessing how things are going to end. Like a good magic act , you are still amazed even when you see how it is done. Great characters and exciting situations keep you turning the pages.