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elsebeok's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual violence
the_real_al_cal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After many, many years of keeping this book on my shelf, I finally decided to delve into it! After seeing countless adoring reviews from readers who share my taste in books, I thought I was in for a wild, spectacular ride. How did I feel upon finishing this book? ...It was just okay.
What I liked about the book (without spoilers): Most of the main characters. I really enjoyed the Gentleman Bastards and their relationships with one another. I have a soft spot for twins in storytelling, so I instantly fell in love with the Sanza boys. The worldbuilding was also pretty good, and the world was easy to picture in my mind's eye. The dialogue was fun. Most of the action was well-written, and the antagonists didn't pull their punches, which made the danger much more real. Locke's plans are always really fun and interesting to follow, and you don't always know what he's up to until he puts his plan into action. It's a really fun way to tell the story.
What I didn't like about the book (without spoilers): THE PACING. That was the most frustrating part of the entire book for me, and the thing that stuck out to me the most. It constantly away from the action to tell little vignettes from the past. Sometimes the stories are touching or add to the plot in some way, but other times they feel totally unnecessary. They're often right after exciting cliffhangers, which completely destroys the tension that Scott Lynch builds in each chapter. They weren't bad moments; they were just told at the wrong time. If the entire story had been told in a more linear fashion, I probably would have really enjoyed those chapters--and the whole book--a lot more.
I have a feeling that this may be different in the rest of the series, but I also didn't care for the treatment of women in this story. There were a few named women, but they were often only there as plot devices before they were shuffled out of the way. The Gentleman Bastards kept referencing another woman, but she never showed up. I imagine she plays a bigger role later in the series, but judging this book based on the women who were included, it wasn't the most diverse or empowering story that ever existed.
All this to say: I won't say I'll never read the rest of the series, but I'm not chomping at the bit to buy the next book either.
What I liked about the book (without spoilers): Most of the main characters. I really enjoyed the Gentleman Bastards and their relationships with one another. I have a soft spot for twins in storytelling, so I instantly fell in love with the Sanza boys. The worldbuilding was also pretty good, and the world was easy to picture in my mind's eye. The dialogue was fun. Most of the action was well-written, and the antagonists didn't pull their punches, which made the danger much more real. Locke's plans are always really fun and interesting to follow, and you don't always know what he's up to until he puts his plan into action. It's a really fun way to tell the story.
What I didn't like about the book (without spoilers): THE PACING. That was the most frustrating part of the entire book for me, and the thing that stuck out to me the most. It constantly away from the action to tell little vignettes from the past. Sometimes the stories are touching or add to the plot in some way, but other times they feel totally unnecessary. They're often right after exciting cliffhangers, which completely destroys the tension that Scott Lynch builds in each chapter. They weren't bad moments; they were just told at the wrong time. If the entire story had been told in a more linear fashion, I probably would have really enjoyed those chapters--and the whole book--a lot more.
I have a feeling that this may be different in the rest of the series, but I also didn't care for the treatment of women in this story. There were a few named women, but they were often only there as plot devices before they were shuffled out of the way. The Gentleman Bastards kept referencing another woman, but she never showed up. I imagine she plays a bigger role later in the series, but judging this book based on the women who were included, it wasn't the most diverse or empowering story that ever existed.
All this to say: I won't say I'll never read the rest of the series, but I'm not chomping at the bit to buy the next book either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
rangerwing75's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ll be frank and admit that the only reason I wanted to read this was because of Murphy Napier constantly singing its praises, and I trust her judgment on good books.
And holy hell was she right.
The dialogue was the best part of this book. The characters are witty and filled with all kinds of colourful insults and threats.
The world is so so detailed. Like. It’s clear a lot of care was put into crafting this world. However, I found this could be a bit of a detriment at times. There’s a lot to remember, because everything impacts the plot in some way, and I struggle with grasping detail sometimes.
My only other big gripe is that there were times when the plot dragged. When it dragged, it dragged hard. I’m also not so sure how I feel about the interludes (which is just a fancy term for the flashbacks). Yes, they provided the necessary information for what was to come, and I don’t think there was a better way to have gone about it, but it just wasn’t something I personally enjoyed.
Overall, solid book. Locke and Jean’s friendship is top tier. Be mindful of the constant threats to cut off people’s balls.
And holy hell was she right.
The dialogue was the best part of this book. The characters are witty and filled with all kinds of colourful insults and threats.
The world is so so detailed. Like. It’s clear a lot of care was put into crafting this world. However, I found this could be a bit of a detriment at times. There’s a lot to remember, because everything impacts the plot in some way, and I struggle with grasping detail sometimes.
My only other big gripe is that there were times when the plot dragged. When it dragged, it dragged hard. I’m also not so sure how I feel about the interludes (which is just a fancy term for the flashbacks). Yes, they provided the necessary information for what was to come, and I don’t think there was a better way to have gone about it, but it just wasn’t something I personally enjoyed.
Overall, solid book. Locke and Jean’s friendship is top tier. Be mindful of the constant threats to cut off people’s balls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Cursing, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Stalking, and Sexual content
leanne_miron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Excrement
Minor: Vomit, Body shaming, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
shift's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
noel0220's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
kbusemeyer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book at the beginning since I didn’t really know where it was going.
I think the characters drew me in more than the plot itself, but it was lots of intrigue on intrigue. I liked how it was full of so many tricks that I would expect something and be blindsided by something else.
I didn’t see the whole Nezhca business coming or that The Gray King was trying to kill The Gentlemen Bastards. But then the lanterns definitely seemed suspicious and I knew something was up with those.
Also the plague boat makes sense after all was revealed, loved how Locke set that up to be sunk.
I appreciated that Locke didn’t just outsmart everyone else, he had his own struggles and own things that he didn’t get to take his way out of.
Although this was also way gorier than I thought, especially with the bondsmage and even the assassin.
Also rip to the Sanza brothers, that was so sad and then Bug too. I think it was well-written but still so sad.
Overall entertaining and fun read.
I think the characters drew me in more than the plot itself, but it was lots of intrigue on intrigue. I liked how it was full of so many tricks that I would expect something and be blindsided by something else.
I didn’t see the whole Nezhca business coming or that The Gray King was trying to kill The Gentlemen Bastards. But then the lanterns definitely seemed suspicious and I knew something was up with those.
Also the plague boat makes sense after all was revealed, loved how Locke set that up to be sunk.
I appreciated that Locke didn’t just outsmart everyone else, he had his own struggles and own things that he didn’t get to take his way out of.
Although this was also way gorier than I thought, especially with the bondsmage and even the assassin.
Also rip to the Sanza brothers, that was so sad and then Bug too. I think it was well-written but still so sad.
Overall entertaining and fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Blood
Minor: Murder
212keatsk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the most well written books I have ever read. The detail goes right down to the color of the cobblestones on the streets. An amazing heist story. Almost like pirates of the Caribbean and artemis fowl combined for adults. And torture. Lots of that too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Vomit, Violence, and Death
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This is a book you have to really want to be into to enjoy and that wasn't me. It's intolerably long and overly descriptive yet with unmoving writing. I mean, I love some good world building but this was too much. I hope I never see the word “interlude” again. And though I did eventually like Locke enough, for the most part the characters were underdeveloped to the point I was stone faced when serious things happened to them bc I couldn't connect with them at all. But I did like the Gray King's coup. It was violently ruthless and gory and one of the few moments here where things actually happened and you know what? The Gray King had some points. Also, I don't know about yall but I found this book so moralistic at points, like shut up. But I'll give credit to Mr. Lynch's writing in one regard. The way he writes prayers is actually so heartfelt and they're kinda beautiful. And I liked that there wasn't too much cynism in regards to religion here compared to other dark fantasy books that do that to show how gritty and irreverent the characters/world is and blah blah.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
veronika_kasardova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, Torture, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, and Violence