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czfries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, Gore, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cursing, and Child death
Minor: Sexual content
randanopterix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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
I have so much to say about this book it’s honesty impossible to say it all. As far as I’m concerned, it’s perfect. No book has made me laugh as often and few books have made me cry as hard. I have BIG FEELINGS about this book.
It’s heists are genius in their construction, the characters are insanely loveable, the dialogue is realistic and hilarious, and the relationships built between the cast are surprisingly heartwarming. Now, if you think the stakes are high 100 pages in, friend, I hope you’re ready to be stressed as FUCK because the stakes only get higher and higher.
I’m obsessed with this book, not much more to say past that.
Tagging the rest of this review as spoilers as it’s pretty much going to include notes from my annotations:
• Jean Tannen is a murderous, sensitive, smart, fat king and I hope he lives to be 200 and the rest of his life full of happiness and joy.
• Locke is a terrible little rat of a man who I desperately want to be happy. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, king.
• Calo and Galdo, real ones. Y’all didn’t deserve any of that.
• Bug absolutely fucking broke me. Heartbroken. The worst part was that I read up to Calo and Galdo’s death when I had to clock out from work. I had the whole ride home to be shattered about them and scheme about how Bug, Jean, and Locke were gonna take revenge before I finally got home to read the rest of the chapter….
• WHERE. IS. SABETHA.
• Bondsmagi OP, plz nerf /s
• Doña Vorchenza keeps taking those L’s.
• Let me preface this by saying that I LOVED the way women were written and portrayed in this book. Absolutely none of it was patronizing or unrealistic and they were all distinct characters capable of the same level of cunning and brutality as any of their male counterparts. THAT BEING SAID: Was a little disappointed that the two women characters who had potential to be a part of the main crew as it were (Nazca and Sabetha) were neatly folded up and put away for the majority of the novel. Hoping I get to know what the deal is w Sabetha in the next book because she didn’t even show up in the flashback portions of this one and it made her feel like she wasn’t even a part of the Bastards…
• The bank scene is genuinely one of the most insane, most clever, and most hilarious things I’ve ever read. POOR BENJAVIER.
• I was on the toilet during the scene where Locke speaks Bug’s true name and let me tell you, crying heartily about that while pooping was not my most dignified moment.
It’s heists are genius in their construction, the characters are insanely loveable, the dialogue is realistic and hilarious, and the relationships built between the cast are surprisingly heartwarming. Now, if you think the stakes are high 100 pages in, friend, I hope you’re ready to be stressed as FUCK because the stakes only get higher and higher.
I’m obsessed with this book, not much more to say past that.
Tagging the rest of this review as spoilers as it’s pretty much going to include notes from my annotations:
• Jean Tannen is a murderous, sensitive, smart, fat king and I hope he lives to be 200 and the rest of his life full of happiness and joy.
• Locke is a terrible little rat of a man who I desperately want to be happy. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, king.
• Calo and Galdo, real ones. Y’all didn’t deserve any of that.
• Bug absolutely fucking broke me. Heartbroken. The worst part was that I read up to Calo and Galdo’s death when I had to clock out from work. I had the whole ride home to be shattered about them and scheme about how Bug, Jean, and Locke were gonna take revenge before I finally got home to read the rest of the chapter….
• WHERE. IS. SABETHA.
• Bondsmagi OP, plz nerf /s
• Doña Vorchenza keeps taking those L’s.
• Let me preface this by saying that I LOVED the way women were written and portrayed in this book. Absolutely none of it was patronizing or unrealistic and they were all distinct characters capable of the same level of cunning and brutality as any of their male counterparts. THAT BEING SAID: Was a little disappointed that the two women characters who had potential to be a part of the main crew as it were (Nazca and Sabetha) were neatly folded up and put away for the majority of the novel. Hoping I get to know what the deal is w Sabetha in the next book because she didn’t even show up in the flashback portions of this one and it made her feel like she wasn’t even a part of the Bastards…
• The bank scene is genuinely one of the most insane, most clever, and most hilarious things I’ve ever read. POOR BENJAVIER.
• I was on the toilet during the scene where Locke speaks Bug’s true name and let me tell you, crying heartily about that while pooping was not my most dignified moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Murder, Child death, Cursing, Alcohol, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Trafficking, and Slavery
Minor: Abandonment, Classism, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Rape, War, and Drug abuse
siannas_second_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, and Vomit
lotten4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The dialogue was very funny and the plot changed directions a lot but still made sense. The characters and their relationships were perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Gore, Kidnapping, Child death, Grief, Blood, Death, Vomit, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Genocide and Trafficking
lillulu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
4.75
Thirteen things I loved for the thirteen Gods of Therin: brilliant dialogue, ridiculous escapades, intense comedy-laced action, detailed and direct backstory, Locke's web of lies, subtle world-building, the narrative rhythm of the interludes, the red justice, revisiting small narrative points to make them relevant later in the story, the COMRADERIE between the Gentlemen Bastards, the gruesome, beautiful and haunting descriptions of the city of Camorr and its people, the simple yet clearly thought-out narration...I have more but I just need to keep your attention until Jean gets here.
Adding to favorites shelf. ⭐
Adding to favorites shelf. ⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture
lolaslalaland's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this urban fantasy set in Camorr, a city much like Venice, we follow a group called the Gentleman Bastards. They set up cons with elaborate disguises, slight of hand, practiced mannerisms and accents, and many other skills a thief develops. But now the Grey King wants something from them, and that can only mean trouble.
First, I want to talk about the setting of this book and its politics. Camorr is a city set on water, and apparently existed before the humans came. This part I thought was super interesting, and I'm not even upset that I didn't get more background on it because clearly this first book was not about that. Also, I'm sure there will be more on this in the next two books (if I'm not mistaken there are 3 books total... let me know if I'm wrong please.) Because of this strange history, I imagined Camorr almost alien-esque with human structures added around.
As for the politics, it really made me think of like 60s street gangs mixed with medieval monarchy. There is a ruling Duke who we never really meet, instead, we spend time in the slums where the "mafia" rule.
Also, the popular religion of Camorr was really awesome. Especially how it seems to guide people's lifestyles, such as our Gentleman Bastards. They are not thieves to survive, or to take from the rich and enact justice, they are thieves because that is their religion.
Now, about our characters: our main protagonist is Locke, who like the other Gentleman Bastards was an orphan brought into the care and teachings of this 13th god, Benefactor of thieves and misfits. Each of the Gentleman Bastards has their own skills that makes them vital to the team, and they are all just an absolute joy to read about. I love good dialogue, and this book was chock full of wonderful dialogue! And it amplified their kinship and team dynamic.
I would not say this book is about character development, but rather turning a con into a revenge plot. Outsmarting the enemy and unmasking culprits we did not expect.
The pacing of this story worked exquisitely especially with how the stakes grew higher and higher and secrets were unveiled as we read. I couldn't put this book down, but I will say some trigger warnings for strong language, torture, gore, and violence.
And my final praise is for the prose. It just added to the plot and overall ambiance of conniving, thieving and deception with its vocabulary and tone.
So, conclusion, this book was fucking awesome and I want to read the next ones!
First, I want to talk about the setting of this book and its politics. Camorr is a city set on water, and apparently existed before the humans came. This part I thought was super interesting, and I'm not even upset that I didn't get more background on it because clearly this first book was not about that. Also, I'm sure there will be more on this in the next two books (if I'm not mistaken there are 3 books total... let me know if I'm wrong please.) Because of this strange history, I imagined Camorr almost alien-esque with human structures added around.
As for the politics, it really made me think of like 60s street gangs mixed with medieval monarchy. There is a ruling Duke who we never really meet, instead, we spend time in the slums where the "mafia" rule.
Also, the popular religion of Camorr was really awesome. Especially how it seems to guide people's lifestyles, such as our Gentleman Bastards. They are not thieves to survive, or to take from the rich and enact justice, they are thieves because that is their religion.
Now, about our characters: our main protagonist is Locke, who like the other Gentleman Bastards was an orphan brought into the care and teachings of this 13th god, Benefactor of thieves and misfits. Each of the Gentleman Bastards has their own skills that makes them vital to the team, and they are all just an absolute joy to read about. I love good dialogue, and this book was chock full of wonderful dialogue! And it amplified their kinship and team dynamic.
I would not say this book is about character development, but rather turning a con into a revenge plot. Outsmarting the enemy and unmasking culprits we did not expect.
The pacing of this story worked exquisitely especially with how the stakes grew higher and higher and secrets were unveiled as we read. I couldn't put this book down, but I will say some trigger warnings for strong language, torture, gore, and violence.
And my final praise is for the prose. It just added to the plot and overall ambiance of conniving, thieving and deception with its vocabulary and tone.
So, conclusion, this book was fucking awesome and I want to read the next ones!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Murder
claire_baco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
wolfthorn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it very intriguing. I thought it was quite difficult to get to grips with as it seems to throw the reader into the middle of an already established plot and I can see how that can be problematic for some readers. I spent quite a bit of the early part of it not entirely understanding what was going on. I kept waiting for a full backstory but there's a lot of it that you never get to find out. There is some backstory doled out intermittently as Interludes before the main chapters but it still left me wanting to know a lot more.
There's a major twist about halfway through that I didn't anticipate, and the second half of the book contains several other twists and various thrilling incidents which really made it exciting reading. It's quite a long read and I didn't really get into it until a third of the way in, but after that point, I was hooked. There were several moments throughout the last third when I realised what Locke's plan or intention was, and seeing how it all came together was most joyous. It's definitely one that you have to stay with, but I think it's worth it. I could write a really lengthy review of the plot in great detail because I was just so taken with it but that would be too much. The characterisations are great, although I didn't like Locke at first because he seemed to be too smug and perfect, but I soon found out that he wasn't like that at all. It was nice for him to have definite flaws, he might be intelligent and great at disguises, but he can't fight with fists or sword to save his life. Literally. The amount of times he got beaten up!
The world building itself is outstanding. The religion and system of 13 gods is very detailed and complex, and having it link in with the calendar so that years are named after the gods all ties together incredibly well. The class system, the economy, and justice system are all well laid out. I loved the detail regarding clothing and how that indicated a person's status. Locke's eye for style, fabrics, and colours suits the time and place, particularly with it being based loosely on 16-17th century Venice.
The main plot of the book is all finished off quite nicely, but I was still left with so many questions about the world, its history with the Elderglass and previous inhabitants; what happened to Chains and Sabetha; and, most importantly, what will Locke and Jean do next??
There's a major twist about halfway through that I didn't anticipate, and the second half of the book contains several other twists and various thrilling incidents which really made it exciting reading. It's quite a long read and I didn't really get into it until a third of the way in, but after that point, I was hooked. There were several moments throughout the last third when I realised what Locke's plan or intention was, and seeing how it all came together was most joyous. It's definitely one that you have to stay with, but I think it's worth it. I could write a really lengthy review of the plot in great detail because I was just so taken with it but that would be too much. The characterisations are great, although I didn't like Locke at first because he seemed to be too smug and perfect, but I soon found out that he wasn't like that at all. It was nice for him to have definite flaws, he might be intelligent and great at disguises, but he can't fight with fists or sword to save his life. Literally. The amount of times he got beaten up!
The world building itself is outstanding. The religion and system of 13 gods is very detailed and complex, and having it link in with the calendar so that years are named after the gods all ties together incredibly well. The class system, the economy, and justice system are all well laid out. I loved the detail regarding clothing and how that indicated a person's status. Locke's eye for style, fabrics, and colours suits the time and place, particularly with it being based loosely on 16-17th century Venice.
The main plot of the book is all finished off quite nicely, but I was still left with so many questions about the world, its history with the Elderglass and previous inhabitants; what happened to Chains and Sabetha; and, most importantly, what will Locke and Jean do next??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
cozylifewithabby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent