Book Three of the Gentleman Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch (2014-07-31)

Very exciting and intricate adventure of Locke Lamora tinged with political scampery. I enjoyed how Locke and Jean have grown over the past few books, and the entrance of Locke's mythical love interest. The story is gripping, as always, and while I don't exactly understand Lockes attraction, I believe she's a damn fine thief. Well worth a buy, and very interested to see if there will be new adventures down the line.

This was a very fun read. Great pacing plotting and scheming. I was very pleased to find this book and thought the author did a great job of showing us characters who have a history and letting us see how they act now without showing us everything in their past.

Then I found out this is book three of a series......

Oh well it was a great book and now I am off to read number one.

An excellent sequel to Lynch's first two books, The Republic of Thieves starts off soon after the last book began, with Locke dying from a slow poisoning and Jean willing to do absolutely anything to save his life. We eventually learn more about the mysterious mages who are the Gentlemen Bastards sworn enemies, and follow the further adventures of Locke and Jean, meet a mysterious figure from their past, and watch as they try to rig an election. A great read!

This book was enjoyable however I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two in the series. I didn't care for how the "interlude" story and the "main" story were interleaved in this book. In previous books the interlude stories were generally short and had some connection to the main plot. In this book it seemed like the flashback interlude was the story Lynch wanted to tell as opposed to the 5 year game. I found the constant shifting back and forth to be annoying rather than engaging. I also found the 5 year game plot to be mostly tedious and nonsensical.

This is the most ponderous and fluffed book of the three. I enjoyed it, but felt like I was pushing through at parts. I don't understand the flashback plot- was it a prequel included to hit a word count?

I loved this book. The overall theme and story arc was great. There were two very distinct stories for much of the novel, yet as we neared the end, the stories interweaved well and really brought it all to happy close hinting at the true size of the story arc and how the first book, second book and this relate in the greater scheme of the 7 novel series. I can't wait for Scott Lynch to release the next book in the series!

Loved the writing style, the nods to Shakespeare, carefully crafted drama. Plot is predictable in a way but it feels like a nod to the five act play since the book revolves around a five act play. I mainly don't like how some of the characters feel flatter than the previous books. Also some of the time line feels off.

Often sequels are not as satisfying as the first book in the series. Republic of Thieves I felt was more enjoyable than the second book in the series, and close to the first in providing more depth, dimension and insights to the characters and the world they inhabit. It was a very fun read.

As a fan of the first two Gentlemen Bastards novels, I was not disappointed in this one. The beginning is a little Deus Ex Machina, but that would be expected given the corner Mr. Lynch wrote himself into previously. This is dispensed with quickly enough and the meat of the story is given pride of place. A good third entry.

Scott Lynch does not disappoint, as long as you remember that this IS the third book. It begins with an unconscious Lock hallucinating his beginnings and fills in parts left out in the first book. This is very cleverly done to give depth to the earlier characters, both living and dead. And of course leads to more adventures.
Unlike other books that seem to lead to another story, I am not frustrated and look forward to the next. I love the Gentlemen Bastards. Please sir, may I have more?

lynch delivers another great read in the series. These books are just enjoyable. This book flys by as the story unfolds you are are engrossed by the characters and the ending is a surprise and leaves you wondering where the fourth book is going. The reason I enjoyed these books so much is they are a fun departure from the genre and are truly a romp.

This book is great, but sadly reinforces the stereotype of evil gingers roaming across the land in soulless packs hunting for victims.

All joking aside, this was great. I'm not a huge fan of the "play" part of the book, but it does encapsulate and give depth to the characters, including giving great character development. I felt like I understood why the characters made the decisions they did.

Read the other two Gentleman Bastards books first, but definitely pick this bastard up!

I loved this storyline for the first two books... I thought this would conclude in a much different manner. One of my pet peeves is the back and forth of characters... I think it is a writing flaw for an author to have the same issue be a continual storyline back and forth, for 3 books no less! Will two characters be together, or not... I don't know, but I am sure as heck going to be upset if you don't conclude the issue after 3 books. I am a romantic I support, or a happy ending type reader... so if you don't tell me the conclusion of the issue, or it isn't happy I get a little upset.

This particular time, it is the back and forth that has totally peeved me off... I personally think he should have concluded the story with this book (with a different ending) and it would have been a great ending to this story. Then he could have written about something new, or done stories in the same world, but from a different angle... or continued the storyline AFTER these characters... nope instead we get a crappy resolution and the process drags on... until when? Who knows, will it ever end? Who knows...

This is an amazing series. If you like Pat Rothfuss or George R.R.R.R.R. Martin, You will love this book. Locke is the best effing anti-hero I've discovered in any series. Very fast paced and exciting. And sad. So, so, so, so mother-effing sad. (just one part)

I wasn't actually so keen to continue the adventures of Locke and Jean but the story flowed fantastically. I was always ready to pick it up and continue reading.

To me this is more of the same as the first two novels, not very different in concept. The things you liked in the first two parts are here again although perhaps a bit less fighting which I missed.

Well done Scott Lynch. You have left me looking forward to the next part.

The Republic of Thieves is a continuation of the excellent Gentlemen Bastard Sequence, and while it's probably the weakest of the three books, it's still a very enjoyable read that greatly expands on the world building of the series and Locke Lamora's background. The main story takes place immediately after the ending of the second book of the series, Red Seas Under Red Skies, as once again the duo of Jean Tannen and Locke Lamora have to move on to a different City State after all of the shenanigans they went through in the previous book. Pretty much immediately they are under the power of another person that holds their lives in her hands, with it this time being the mother of The Falconer, a Bondsmagi of Karthain that they'd encountered (to avoid any spoilers) in the first book. She requires their unique set of skills to rig an election of the normal humans in Karthain, part of a game the Sorcerers Guild plays every five years. The biggest hurdle in winning the game is their opponent that's also trying to rig the election for the opposing party, a woman from their past and a former Gentlemen Bastard who just happens to be the love of Locke Lamora's life, Sabetha Belacoros.

I always found it so interesting that in the previous two books, Sabetha was a character mentioned multiple times, but she never actually appeared in any of the flashbacks or the present day story line. This is definitely remedied in The Republic of Thieves, as she's featured in both the main story of the book, and the series of flash backs going from their first meeting their first big scheme as a team. Here is where the book really shined for me, as while I enjoyed the political thriller of the present story line, I was enthralled by the long flashback where the young Gentlemen Bastards are sent off to join an acting troupe and save the director Moncraine from massive debt and prison/hand-amputation for punching a noble. I absolutely loved all of the character building in this session of the story, and the multi-layered writing as the characters are acting in a Shakespearean Tragedy of Scott Lynch's own creation. I think a lot of other writers would have left a lot of it ambiguous, but the author doesn't stray from writing the play the characters are rehearsing and acting in while taking place in a fantasy novel.

The slowly budding love between Sabetha and Locke was a joy to read, and it served as a really interesting counterpart to the present day story line years later where they've been separated for years but are starting to potentially rekindle that relationship. Of course things wouldn't be that easy, as if the ever watching Bondsmagi of both sides promise to kill the opponent of their representative if either of them don't put everything into winning the game. There's also some twistiness introduced with Locke's background and his true name that could change everything the characters think they know.

Overall, this is a wonderful continuation of an excellent series of books, that while not quite matching the quality of the first two books, is a must read for an fan of the earlier books. My biggest complaint is probably that the stakes aren't quite as high in this book as the first two, and the conclusion is nowhere near as insane. Still, I'd definitely recommend it.

Though the self-serving moaning of Locke, stead fast BFF Jean and ever illusive Sabetha becomes a bit trite - I can't help to love these characters. The writing is well paced and the use of more than two syllable words refreshing. This book held less tension than the previous two installments, but it was nice to meet Sabetha and to see what the Magi had up their sleeves.

I have been anxiously awaiting the third installment of the Gentleman Bastard series, and not only am I not disappointed, but I also think this is the best of the three published books.
*******************************************
First of all, as you can see, I was totally drawn in by the first two books:

The Lies of Locke Lamora, review from December 2011 -

Gangland meets the World of Fantasy...what a great read with which to usher out 2011!

I actually discovered this book on a discussion thread in a GRRM fan group. The topic of this thread was basically "What should we read while we're waiting for Martin's Winds of Winter to be published?" and many fans recommended Locke Lamora's tale, with comments like "it's freaking amazing!" So I couldn't resist and I couldn't agree more! Scott Lynch uses the typical fantasy-genre descriptiveness to create a vividly beautiful world, with sinister mafioso undertones. Like George R.R. Martin, he creates multi-dimensional characters whereby the "good guys" aren't always 100% good, and the "bad guys" have their "reasons" too. In any case, the Gentleman Bastards are slick thieves with a heck of a lot of style! Looking forward to the next book in the series...

Red Seas Under Red Skies, review from July 2012 -

It's funny because I initially started reading this one immediately after finishing The Lies of Locke Lamora back in January 2012 and for some reason I just couldn't get into it at that point (even though I absolutely loved Book One). However, when I picked it up this time, I couldn't put this amazing story down! Not only do we continue to read about the con-artistry & thievery of lovable anti-heroes, Locke Lamora & Jean Tannen, we also get some rip-roaring open-sea piracy, with some help from escaped prisoners and some absolutely kick-a**, brave & sensuous lady pirates!

This particular installment is incredibly complex, as Scott Lynch once again creates a vividly beautiful world filled with multiple layers of political & criminal intrigue, where the thieves and the politicians are often interchangeable. Piracy, of course, is a major part of the story, and even though I had to get used to all the pirate-speak, it really added authenticity to the tale.

A fantasy that combines swashbuckling adventures, monstrous creatures, political intrigue, love, friendship and, yes, even kitty cats surely can't be beat! I hope to read "The Republic of Thieves" soon.

************************************

The Republic of Thieves picks up weeks after Book 2 ends, with Locke once again facing death and Jean looking for a cure. And as it turns out, the cure lays in magic, con-artistry and political corruption that finally brings us face-to-face with Gentlelady Bastard Sabetha Belacoros.

Another fascinating plot element here, is Lynch's use of the story-within-the-story. Through his continued use of "Interludes", the author brings us back to Locke's early years, where get to learn more about Father Chains, Calo, Galdo and his rocky relationship with Sabetha. While the young Gentleman Bastards pull off another act in the name of the Crooked Warden, they also become actors in a play that seems to show how much art imitates life.

So many layers, so many twists, so many episodes of anti-heroic adventure, all well-written, engrossing, and leaving me wanting more!

This was amazing. So worth the long wait. Finally some explanations of the past as well as more lies and games. Oh Locke Lamora how I love you!!!

If you like the first book or second book, you will love this one. You need to read the first or second one though. I truly can't wait for the next one!

Honestly I felt a little disappointed with the book. It picks up good from where we were previously left, but after a while it turns to love and pranks with nothing of the past book's problem "tingle" and anticipation of what is going to happen next.

It does feel up part of Locke's story about "love" and all but I still felt it a bit, ummm... wanting

Definitely not as aw inspiring as Lynch's first work. But I still really enjoyed The Republic of Thieves. Much more about politics and had a lot more romance and emotions tangled in to the plot as the first 2 books. But he sets up the ending in a tantalizing way. I REALLY hope we get to know were things from this point on. REALLY soon.

A great third book in this series. My major complaints were that the flashbacks didn't have much of a sense of danger, because you *know* everything works out fine in the end (obviously, because they're all in the "present") but it did help shade in some of the relationship between Locke and Sabetha. Overall it was a little anti-climactic, but still a good read.

The Republic of Thieves carries through in the same style as the previous two books in the series, but lacks the clever payoff found in the first novel. The structure of the novel is basically split, half telling a story of their past and half their current game. While it was nice to learn background into the main character's previously mentioned sole love interest, there was very little that I would deem necessary from their past story to propel or provide emotional background for the current one.

I absolutely loved this book. The dialogue was splendid, the description was witty, and the ending let me know that there would be more to this series. However, the key in this book was the relationship between Locke and Sabetha, and there just wasn't enough of Sabetha to hold up her end against the Force That Cannot Be Stopped that is Locke working with Jean. We only get her point of view once in the whole book, and that's just not enough for me. She does speak out some of the time; when she explains to Locke why she dyes her hair, I loved it. But there isn't enough of that. At the beginning, she comes off like a gentler, kindler Lily Evans, though I was delighted to see she grew beyond that. But there is too much of the time in the series when she is gone. There's not enough *there* there for Sabetha to be able to hold her own. Lynch does do wonderful female characters (especially the exceptional old woman in the first book, and Ezri in the second). But for some reason Sabetha comes out a bit flat.

That being said, I would be delighted to keep on inhaling this series as long as the books come out.

The burning question in all our minds after his last book. Well, since there is another Gentlemen Bastards book that seems unlikely. But how do they get out of trouble? You'll have to read this one to find out. Great story, plus we get more of their history. And the setup for the next one is fabulous.

Lynch needs to stop criticizing his work. Write it and hand it in. It was probably excellent the first time he wrote it and then he started going over it and changing things. Dude, just leave well enough alone.

I've enjoyed the gentlemen bastards books, and this was no exception. It is well placed, with interesting plot twists and more back story to flesh out the characters. I will be starting the next book as soon as I am able.

Scott Lynch has created an incredible fantasy world full of interesting characters, amazing locations, and complex mythology while still maintaining a gritty realism. This third book of the Gentleman Bastards series is just as good as the ones before it. Definitely recommended for fantasy fans.

I waited years for "Thieves" and am not disappointed. Great writing, characters and world-building. Yes, the book does suffer from some structural problems, and the threat (if any) could be more clearly defined, but it reads so fluidly and the characters/world are so wonderfully-drawn I found myself swept away regardless. Keep 'em coming, Scott!

Scott Lynch has created an incredible fantasy world full of interesting characters, amazing locations, and complex mythology while still maintaining a gritty realism. This third book of the Gentleman Bastards series is just as good as the ones before it. Definitely recommended for fantasy fans.

I waited years for "Thieves" and am not disappointed. Great writing, characters and world-building. Yes, the book does suffer from some structural problems, and the threat (if any) could be more clearly defined, but it reads so fluidly and the characters/world are so wonderfully-drawn I found myself swept away regardless. Keep 'em coming, Scott!

.The plot was ridiculous! The more I read the more lost I became. Why did you wait so long to let Locke and Sebetha hook up. I loved these two and we had to keep waiting and waiting. The first two books were a delight. I have rarely been this disappointed with a third book of a trilogy.

I'd waited a while after finishing Red Skies before picking this book up. While parts were a little slow, I thought it was a good story, with a complicated structure that resolved nicely. Looking forward to the final installment.

A very cleverly written book which switches between the Gentleman Bastards training in Camorr under Father Chains and Locke and Jean's adventures as political consultants. I laughed out loud a number of times (thank you Sanza twins) and enjoyed finally meeting Sabetha, a character Lynch created with some real depth. Lynch's writing has improved with some excellent parallels between the two stories. If you enjoyed the first two, you will enjoy this one.

I loved the Lies of Locke Lamora. I really liked Red Seas Under Red Skies. This latest installment of the Gentleman Bastards starts as an epilogue of Red Seas but then gets rolling with Lynch's trademark dual timeline narratives in which the past informs the present. So far, so good.

Then as the schemes develop it becomes clear that neither narrative has the character driven power or tension of its predecessors. It reminded me of a failed D&D experience I had: my friend the dungeon master kept throwing omnipotent characters at us as employers, guides and villains that really became the protagonists instead of the players because...well, they moved the plot forward while we merely existed in it.

That is the plight of Locke and Jean 90% of the time: rolling with the punches and tiptoeing around demigod mages. Even the ending is not really about Locke and Jean overcoming their masters and coming out on top; the magi take center stage and even manage to ruin Locke's origin story with a last minute revelation (won't spoil it, but it feels like when George Lucas edited the original Star Wars trilogy).

The weakest of the Gentleman Bastards novels Two different stories are being told, neither compelling or interesting.
Story One is a narrative about an Election. Riveting if you are a political wonk perhaps but hardly the compelling thievery and adventure the previous novels contained.

Story Two is about putting on a play. A boring boring narrative about putting on a play. Fully 1/3 of the book is descriptions of the actors on the stage and it just drags along.

Worth reading to find out where Locke and Jean are setup for their next adventure but I found myself skipping pages and pages of the boring parts.

Another fabulous story in the Gentleman Bastards collection. A very enjoyable read, but better if you have read the prior two books. This issue fills in the history of the group in detail, and sets the stage for the future as well. Excellent.