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adventurous
emotional
funny
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have now joined the ranks of the Gentleman Bastards fans anxiously waiting for more books!
The plot of The Republic of Thieves was somewhat more straightforward than the previous book, but it took a while for it to really get into the thick of things. I was about 2/3 through the book before the true action with the election really began! Even so, I don’t feel like it took me that long to get into the book. I do wish Stragos’s poison had had more of an impact — obviously Locke was nearly dead in the beginning, but once they dealt with the poison that was it. It was humorous how it made him starving for the rest of the book, but I kind of wish there had been more of a lasting impact than that, I guess? Regardless, Patience and Coldmarrow transferring the poison out of him was a really incredible scene to introduce us to Bondsmagi other than the Falconer. Patience in general was a great character who I wish we’d seen more of, and I’m a little sad about her ending… but boy am I excited to see more of her son.
Also, regarding the Falconer — I do love a conniving character dead set on revenge, although the epilogue seemed to imply there’s something else he’s going after. Going after the other (now former) Bondsmagi rather than dealing with Locke and Jean, perhaps?
The Interlude plotline was very fun. It reminded me of Moulin Rouge, if they’d killed the Duke and had to dispose of his body. Teenaged Gentleman Bastards, trying to put on an actual stage production without any thievery! There wasn’t much of Father Chains in this one, but it was nice to see Calo and Galdo again, as well as Sabetha. I loved getting to finally meet her after two books of her looming reputation. I wish we’d spent more time with her in the present, and I would’ve loved to have seen more of her and Jean (it was mostly just her and Locke’s relationship), but I liked what we got to see. It was very fun to see Locke and Jean meet their match with another Gentleman Bastard, and I’m intrigued to know what seemed to be hanging over her head, why she needed to take the job as their opposition. It was kind of adorable how absolutely down bad Locke is for her, and I like how he really learned to actually listen to her. There were various moments where he seemed to trample over her (like on the inn rooftop, she mentioned being scared, he replied something like “you’re never scared” — I think she knows her own emotions, kid), but he clearly seemed to grow past that and really respect her.
As for Locke’s character arc, and where it seems to be headed… I normally don’t really like when a character’s arc basically goes “oh by the way, you’re actually some really important unique person and you just forgot.” It often feels cheap, unearned, a boring attempt at making a character interesting. But at least so far, I don’t think I mind how it’s being implemented with Locke. There’s still more to see, of course, nothing has really happened yet beyond him learning who/what he is (or was), but I’m hopeful it’ll play out well. I’m also interested to see if he really is a mage’s soul in an utterly normal body, or if there will be something more there.
Fantastic Locke and Jean moments as always. The scene where Jean yells at him about how he doesn’t stand still, endliktgelaben… heartbreaking! I’m always a sucker for scenes when characters get mad at each other because of how much they love each other.
All these wishes/expectations for the future of the series hinging on The Thorn of Emberlain being released, of course! I believe in you Scott Lynch, I’m on my way to read the new short story now so I know the series isn’t dead <3
The plot of The Republic of Thieves was somewhat more straightforward than the previous book, but it took a while for it to really get into the thick of things. I was about 2/3 through the book before the true action with the election really began! Even so, I don’t feel like it took me that long to get into the book. I do wish Stragos’s poison had had more of an impact — obviously Locke was nearly dead in the beginning, but once they dealt with the poison that was it. It was humorous how it made him starving for the rest of the book, but I kind of wish there had been more of a lasting impact than that, I guess? Regardless, Patience and Coldmarrow transferring the poison out of him was a really incredible scene to introduce us to Bondsmagi other than the Falconer. Patience in general was a great character who I wish we’d seen more of, and I’m a little sad about her ending… but boy am I excited to see more of her son.
Also, regarding the Falconer — I do love a conniving character dead set on revenge, although the epilogue seemed to imply there’s something else he’s going after. Going after the other (now former) Bondsmagi rather than dealing with Locke and Jean, perhaps?
The Interlude plotline was very fun. It reminded me of Moulin Rouge, if they’d killed the Duke and had to dispose of his body. Teenaged Gentleman Bastards, trying to put on an actual stage production without any thievery! There wasn’t much of Father Chains in this one, but it was nice to see Calo and Galdo again, as well as Sabetha. I loved getting to finally meet her after two books of her looming reputation. I wish we’d spent more time with her in the present, and I would’ve loved to have seen more of her and Jean (it was mostly just her and Locke’s relationship), but I liked what we got to see. It was very fun to see Locke and Jean meet their match with another Gentleman Bastard, and I’m intrigued to know what seemed to be hanging over her head, why she needed to take the job as their opposition. It was kind of adorable how absolutely down bad Locke is for her, and I like how he really learned to actually listen to her. There were various moments where he seemed to trample over her (like on the inn rooftop, she mentioned being scared, he replied something like “you’re never scared” — I think she knows her own emotions, kid), but he clearly seemed to grow past that and really respect her.
As for Locke’s character arc, and where it seems to be headed… I normally don’t really like when a character’s arc basically goes “oh by the way, you’re actually some really important unique person and you just forgot.” It often feels cheap, unearned, a boring attempt at making a character interesting. But at least so far, I don’t think I mind how it’s being implemented with Locke. There’s still more to see, of course, nothing has really happened yet beyond him learning who/what he is (or was), but I’m hopeful it’ll play out well. I’m also interested to see if he really is a mage’s soul in an utterly normal body, or if there will be something more there.
Fantastic Locke and Jean moments as always. The scene where Jean yells at him about how he doesn’t stand still, endliktgelaben… heartbreaking! I’m always a sucker for scenes when characters get mad at each other because of how much they love each other.
All these wishes/expectations for the future of the series hinging on The Thorn of Emberlain being released, of course! I believe in you Scott Lynch, I’m on my way to read the new short story now so I know the series isn’t dead <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Terminal illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Significantly better than the second book. Some good slow burn re Locke and Sabetha. Makes me sad that its been 11 years waiting for the fourth book. Woof
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a devourer of the previous two books, I jumped into this one eagerly expecting the wonders of Locke and Jean to unravel into something amazing, especially with the possibility of finally meeting this magical Sabetha!
... I was disappointed. The previous romance in the last book was passionate, communicative, balanced, and heartfelt in every sense of the word. Women as a whole in the previous novels were a sight to behold, and truly made me (a female reader) see them as true equals to the men. Even if they died, they were majestic and were taken by Aza Guilla in the epitome grace. Sabetha pales in comparison; she feels like a girl so desperate to be the queen bee that she fails to see how she can embetter Locke and the other Bastards while still shining beside them, as best shown by Locke and Jean. She works alone now because she was jealous and afraid of being in the Bastards' shadows. While understandable, she is flighty, spooked by her own shadow (not to mention a heartfelt relationship), and I feel she actually brought Locke and Jean down, which does not validate her reasons. She could have been the "Rose of Camorr", but I can see how Locke grew into and became the "Thorn of Camorr" while her works stayed "petty" (as far as we know) and theatrical. The scheme she, Locke, and Jean completed seemed juvenile and lacking gravitas when compared to the previous book where they knowingly crippled a political empire- headfirst.This crippling was more of an third-party-related accident
As a whole, if she were replaced with some other phantom, it wouldn't have diminished the story at all and might have given inspiration for the Bastards' genius. Even my romance fix was sated,thanks to Jean's history , so she was arguably unnecessary (we'll see later).
I also was disappointed to have an epic history about Locke suddenly (seriously, bad timing) dropped in; he didn't need his past explained, he simply was, and that's what made him amazing. He turned from a relatable, average guy who gets in above his head (brilliantly!) with lovable foibles (perfect for the Crooked Warden in every way) to some epic magically made entity- that did not better him or the story. Lastly, I would have appreciated more closure with the group as they returned to Chains, their escapades was worth a casual retelling to their benefactor.
This book does not read like an ending, and as the author expertly laces the past with the present, this is a book starting to lace a new future for us readers to enjoy. I'll definitely be in line for a copy, my thoughts of Sabetha aside, and hope to see more clever and thought through schemes that are worthy of the Bastards.
Edit: Just found that book #4, "The Thorn of Emberlain" will be released (as of 5/10/23) in Feb '24 and there are a total of seven books in the series. I'm glad this isn't the end, but I'm worried it might feel like the end of the series.
Edit 2: I've found another book that is a sibling-story to this, but Nevernight by Jay Kristoff shows precisely what Sabetha was trying to be. Mia's surpassed this older woman with flying colors at almost half her age. If you enjoyed The Lies of Locke Lamora, you will absolutely feel right at home with Nevernight.
... I was disappointed. The previous romance in the last book was passionate, communicative, balanced, and heartfelt in every sense of the word. Women as a whole in the previous novels were a sight to behold, and truly made me (a female reader) see them as true equals to the men. Even if they died, they were majestic and were taken by Aza Guilla in the epitome grace. Sabetha pales in comparison; she feels like a girl so desperate to be the queen bee that she fails to see how she can embetter Locke and the other Bastards while still shining beside them, as best shown by Locke and Jean. She works alone now because she was jealous and afraid of being in the Bastards' shadows. While understandable, she is flighty, spooked by her own shadow (not to mention a heartfelt relationship), and I feel she actually brought Locke and Jean down, which does not validate her reasons. She could have been the "Rose of Camorr", but I can see how Locke grew into and became the "Thorn of Camorr" while her works stayed "petty" (as far as we know) and theatrical. The scheme she, Locke, and Jean completed seemed juvenile and lacking gravitas when compared to the previous book where they knowingly crippled a political empire- headfirst.
As a whole, if she were replaced with some other phantom, it wouldn't have diminished the story at all and might have given inspiration for the Bastards' genius. Even my romance fix was sated,
I also was disappointed to have an epic history about Locke suddenly (seriously, bad timing) dropped in; he didn't need his past explained, he simply was, and that's what made him amazing. He turned from a relatable, average guy who gets in above his head (brilliantly!) with lovable foibles (perfect for the Crooked Warden in every way) to some epic magically made entity- that did not better him or the story. Lastly, I would have appreciated more closure with the group as they returned to Chains, their escapades was worth a casual retelling to their benefactor.
This book does not read like an ending, and as the author expertly laces the past with the present, this is a book starting to lace a new future for us readers to enjoy. I'll definitely be in line for a copy, my thoughts of Sabetha aside, and hope to see more clever and thought through schemes that are worthy of the Bastards.
Edit: Just found that book #4, "The Thorn of Emberlain" will be released (as of 5/10/23) in Feb '24 and there are a total of seven books in the series. I'm glad this isn't the end, but I'm worried it might feel like the end of the series.
Edit 2: I've found another book that is a sibling-story to this, but Nevernight by Jay Kristoff shows precisely what Sabetha was trying to be. Mia's surpassed this older woman with flying colors at almost half her age. If you enjoyed The Lies of Locke Lamora, you will absolutely feel right at home with Nevernight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Alcohol
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny
While not an actively combatheavy book, unlike the previous two, there are still some trademark violent and adult themes.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Republic of Thieves caps off Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard sequence in the best of ways (currently). Yes, the sequel is curruently now at ten years in development, but the novels are all self-contained enough that I don't see it as too much of a problem with the series. The plot itself is very simple from the outside, but by the third book of the series, the audience is so accustomed to the characters and their traits that the joy of the book itself comes from these characters interacting. The relationship of two characters is the crux of this novel, and one that has been hinted at and built up for the past two books. The story switches between a fun current day plot and an engaging past narrative, both of which are equally as entertaining. Lynch deserves all the accolades for this one. 9.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury