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thunkr's review against another edition
5.0
The main story was good, but it was the characters that I LOVED. After reading the first book of the series I thought it was just going to be another build up to a heist job. But coming into this second story I didn't need to learn these characters but, instead, got to know them even better. Each character different and imperfect and radiant. Can't wait to get into the third book.
seshoptaw's review against another edition
3.0
3*
It some ways, the second installment of the Rogues of the Republic series did not disappoint. The action was constant and surprising and of course, our beloved heist gang is back together. Weekes continues to <b>nail</b> the humor with his mom jokes (I just <i>love</i> Kail) that somehow make me laugh each and every time <i>yet again</i>, somehow perfectly balancing humor with gravity. Weekes gets it.
In addition, that twist towards the end was a surprise for me that I didn't see coming. It was an interesting betrayal that I really hated (but at the same time, was completely perfect in it's own way - although that probably sounds confusing and contradictory) and the author did a really good job with it.
However, for me, part of the spark and fun that was in the first book, was somewhat lacking in this book. I got bored even in the middle of action-packed scenes and it dragged on for me a lot more than the first book. I'm not sure if the action was just so constant and overwhelming (especially since the team is split up throughout most of the novel and we, as readers, had to keep up with the different actions scenes taking place) or if it was sometimes the repetitive feeling you get from some of the scenes, but I just couldn't get in to this book as much as I wanted to. But the fact that the team members were so rarely together during this book was something I didn't like at all. Lock and Pyvic barely exchanged 3 words during the entire novel and had been so much fun to see the team interacting as a <i>team</i> in the first book (and all of the personal exchanges that provided), which you just don't get hardly at all in book 2. At least 1 person seems to be somewhere else at all times and that makes me sad.
As I mentioned in my review of The Palace Job, I loved how Loch and her team were able to outsmart and outmaneuver their enemies, adapting their plans (that have more often than not) gone wrong. It's not that this <i>never</i> happens in The Prophesy Con, it just becomes a lot more rare. Plans are made, plans fail, and the team is the one that loses this time - and how all of them make it out alive, I'm still not sure.
From the very beginning, this second heist seems a bit confusing as well. I was confused about how and why Loch got blamed for EVERYTHING that the villain did in the last novel. Both the Republic and the Empire want her head - and may I remind everyone that Loch is a just a former <i>scout</i> that has the comparatively low ranking of a mere <i>Captain</i>. Loch shouldn't have been the end-all, be-all for whether these 2 countries got into a war or not and honestly, I have no idea why exactly this is.
I also hated the Knights in this novel. The leader especially just seemed crazed from the very beginning and this increases as Loch and her team continue to evade death and capture. Although they added some actions sequences, I'm not convinced they were a needed addition and I think they just contributed to drawing out the novel and making it longer than it needed to be.
Because I had such trouble finishing this book, I'm not sure I'm going to continue the series - despite the missed "your mom" jokes, which I'm sure will be as epic as ever. Never say never, but I don't really have any plans to get book 3 in the near future.
It some ways, the second installment of the Rogues of the Republic series did not disappoint. The action was constant and surprising and of course, our beloved heist gang is back together. Weekes continues to <b>nail</b> the humor with his mom jokes (I just <i>love</i> Kail) that somehow make me laugh each and every time <i>yet again</i>, somehow perfectly balancing humor with gravity. Weekes gets it.
In addition, that twist towards the end was a surprise for me that I didn't see coming. It was an interesting betrayal that I really hated (but at the same time, was completely perfect in it's own way - although that probably sounds confusing and contradictory) and the author did a really good job with it.
However, for me, part of the spark and fun that was in the first book, was somewhat lacking in this book. I got bored even in the middle of action-packed scenes and it dragged on for me a lot more than the first book. I'm not sure if the action was just so constant and overwhelming (especially since the team is split up throughout most of the novel and we, as readers, had to keep up with the different actions scenes taking place) or if it was sometimes the repetitive feeling you get from some of the scenes, but I just couldn't get in to this book as much as I wanted to. But the fact that the team members were so rarely together during this book was something I didn't like at all. Lock and Pyvic barely exchanged 3 words during the entire novel and had been so much fun to see the team interacting as a <i>team</i> in the first book (and all of the personal exchanges that provided), which you just don't get hardly at all in book 2. At least 1 person seems to be somewhere else at all times and that makes me sad.
As I mentioned in my review of The Palace Job, I loved how Loch and her team were able to outsmart and outmaneuver their enemies, adapting their plans (that have more often than not) gone wrong. It's not that this <i>never</i> happens in The Prophesy Con, it just becomes a lot more rare. Plans are made, plans fail, and the team is the one that loses this time - and how all of them make it out alive, I'm still not sure.
From the very beginning, this second heist seems a bit confusing as well. I was confused about how and why Loch got blamed for EVERYTHING that the villain did in the last novel. Both the Republic and the Empire want her head - and may I remind everyone that Loch is a just a former <i>scout</i> that has the comparatively low ranking of a mere <i>Captain</i>. Loch shouldn't have been the end-all, be-all for whether these 2 countries got into a war or not and honestly, I have no idea why exactly this is.
I also hated the Knights in this novel. The leader especially just seemed crazed from the very beginning and this increases as Loch and her team continue to evade death and capture. Although they added some actions sequences, I'm not convinced they were a needed addition and I think they just contributed to drawing out the novel and making it longer than it needed to be.
Because I had such trouble finishing this book, I'm not sure I'm going to continue the series - despite the missed "your mom" jokes, which I'm sure will be as epic as ever. Never say never, but I don't really have any plans to get book 3 in the near future.
funkeylock's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
3.0
This needs a hundred pages pruning from the first two thirds. The banter’s good but there are too many fights and narrow escapes. It all gets a bit repetitive. TBH we could have set the whole thing on the tree ship with some additional plot via interludes and not missed much.
And another thing; “Wards at 50%” and “Perimeter alarm is telling me we lose containment in about thirty.” smacks too much of Star Trek and that necessarily implies fanfic, which is to downgrade the quality of the writing which is mostly excellent.
And another thing; “Wards at 50%” and “Perimeter alarm is telling me we lose containment in about thirty.” smacks too much of Star Trek and that necessarily implies fanfic, which is to downgrade the quality of the writing which is mostly excellent.
docbrooke's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
guyro's review against another edition
4.0
still lacking a proper explanation of whats going on. drops you in the middle with no clue.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I love this gang. They are so much fun and entertaining that I don't even realize the book is over until the audio stops playing.
The Prophecy Con is the second installment to the Rogues of the Republic series. In it, you will still met Loch and her gang. They have a new heist mission (aka it's like Ocean 12 right now), in which they have to steal a book. This whole thing falls heavy on their shoulders.. because if they fail - a war will happen.
We also meet the Princess of the Empire, and ugh, she just annoyed me. I mean, I'm glad she had goals and was persistent.. but could she just leave Loch alone? I also really enjoyed seeing Lock and Pyvic together - they were so freaking adorable!
Other than that, a lot happened in this book. It was jam-packed with action, just like the previous book, and it was quite enjoyable. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. Whether it was with the actual heist, relationship wise, or ya know.. who may or may not die. It was a constant guessing game that entertained me.
I can't wait to dive into the third book just to see how it's all going to end.
The Prophecy Con is the second installment to the Rogues of the Republic series. In it, you will still met Loch and her gang. They have a new heist mission (aka it's like Ocean 12 right now), in which they have to steal a book. This whole thing falls heavy on their shoulders.. because if they fail - a war will happen.
We also meet the Princess of the Empire, and ugh, she just annoyed me. I mean, I'm glad she had goals and was persistent.. but could she just leave Loch alone? I also really enjoyed seeing Lock and Pyvic together - they were so freaking adorable!
Other than that, a lot happened in this book. It was jam-packed with action, just like the previous book, and it was quite enjoyable. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. Whether it was with the actual heist, relationship wise, or ya know.. who may or may not die. It was a constant guessing game that entertained me.
I can't wait to dive into the third book just to see how it's all going to end.
amanizaha's review against another edition
3.0
While the first installment was action-packed, this book felt like one long, unending action scene, with brief pockets of story-telling. The Prophecy Con started off strong but quickly became repetitive, with each section seemingly ending on a minor cliff-hanger or fade-to-black. I still wish we saw more character depth, especially with Loch, and still do not see a point to the introduction of Tern and Hessler's romantic relationship.
Hm. Weirdly, there's no sort of weight to anything. Everything felt equally high- or low-stakes, equally urgent. There are no significant ups or downs, just the plot barrelling straight ahead. While it still has that element of fun, a lot more effort was required to complete this second book.
Hm. Weirdly, there's no sort of weight to anything. Everything felt equally high- or low-stakes, equally urgent. There are no significant ups or downs, just the plot barrelling straight ahead. While it still has that element of fun, a lot more effort was required to complete this second book.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
Not so much a heist as a D&D campaign writ down. It was fun, as was the previous book, but our main characters are all just careening around, with as usual a vague overlay of Fantasy Stuff that's supposed to pass as world-building while characters say things like "You're the best boyfriend ever!" and call each other "baby." It's striving for Pratchett's City Guard-like levels of profoundness towards the end, but the author isn't even close to getting there, and the inclusion of very of-the-moment-but-with-fantasy stuff like a lengthy counseling session where a priestess of love talks with a Fantasy Version Stereotypical Reddit Incel just means the book is going to be super dated in less than a decade. There's no staying power. It reminds me, over all, of a 21st-century version of the dated and forgettable humorous fantasy novels I read in the nineties. Nothing wrong with it, but... meh.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure what it was that this novel lacked that the first one had, but where I loved the first one, I just couldn't finish this one. Honestly, it could have had more to do with my state of mind than the novel itself.