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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I was surprised to read a review of The Republic of Thieves by Patrick Rothfuss that said the Gentleman Bastards series was one of his absolute favorites. After reading the book, I understand. The use of the flashback storyline, where the characters are actors in a play, was very Rothfuss-ian. It was also nice to see the characters from the first book, which were more meaningful and memorable than those in the second.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
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
Hmm
The first book was great. The second book felt like filler. And this book...felt like backstory. The plot was split in two between the present (the election in Karthain) and then past (the whole "let's put on a play and cover up a murder"), but the emphasis of both plots was the relationship between Locke and Sabetha. She seemed quick to anger and it was easy to empathize with Locke's confusion...I'm not really sure why she left in the end. The bondsmagi woman showed you a picture of some random dude standing with a redheaded woman and claimed that it was Locke, so you run away? Really? She literally could have painted the thing herself an hour before showing it off. Or, she could have been lying. Lols, funny that a bunch of conartists barely even consider that possibility... But even if it were real and Locke really was some reincarnated bondmagi, I'm still not sure why Sabetha would leave. Super annoying.
I'm really confused about Patience's role in the end, the part with her being called the seamstress.... what did that have to do with Locke? I think I missed something. I thought she meant that she was his lover or something, conning him into falling for her. Which would make the falconer his son probably and would have been pretty fucked up. But it doesn't seem like that's what she meant because no one reacted as they would have if that had been the case... so I'm still confused.
Ok. Honestly, the book wasn't bad. It was pretty fun--I didn't care much for the politics of this "5 year game", and they didn't do anything particularly clever that made it exciting. It was nice to see Carlo and Galdo again, which makes it even more sad that they're dead... But the revelation about Locke's true identity really came out of no where. Patience just walks in and drops that bombshell without any leadup or foreshadowing, it was really random and jarring. I hated it. And I didn't beleive it, and expected her to be lying just to get Locke and Sabetha to stop focusing on each other and get back to work. But, nope...
I don't know. I love the sarcastic style of the narrative and the characters are super fun, but the plot was just as forgettable as the second book.
And this book made me realize even more how irrelevant the second book was. That entire adventure could not have happened and this book would hardly have been affected at all.
Also Jean's role in this book kind of sucked, he didn't really do anything.
ok I'm done ranting.
The first book was great. The second book felt like filler. And this book...felt like backstory. The plot was split in two between the present (the election in Karthain) and then past (the whole "let's put on a play and cover up a murder"), but the emphasis of both plots was the relationship between Locke and Sabetha. She seemed quick to anger and it was easy to empathize with Locke's confusion...I'm not really sure why she left in the end. The bondsmagi woman showed you a picture of some random dude standing with a redheaded woman and claimed that it was Locke, so you run away? Really? She literally could have painted the thing herself an hour before showing it off. Or, she could have been lying. Lols, funny that a bunch of conartists barely even consider that possibility... But even if it were real and Locke really was some reincarnated bondmagi, I'm still not sure why Sabetha would leave. Super annoying.
I'm really confused about Patience's role in the end, the part with her being called the seamstress.... what did that have to do with Locke? I think I missed something. I thought she meant that she was his lover or something, conning him into falling for her. Which would make the falconer his son probably and would have been pretty fucked up. But it doesn't seem like that's what she meant because no one reacted as they would have if that had been the case... so I'm still confused.
Ok. Honestly, the book wasn't bad. It was pretty fun--I didn't care much for the politics of this "5 year game", and they didn't do anything particularly clever that made it exciting. It was nice to see Carlo and Galdo again, which makes it even more sad that they're dead... But the revelation about Locke's true identity really came out of no where. Patience just walks in and drops that bombshell without any leadup or foreshadowing, it was really random and jarring. I hated it. And I didn't beleive it, and expected her to be lying just to get Locke and Sabetha to stop focusing on each other and get back to work. But, nope...
I don't know. I love the sarcastic style of the narrative and the characters are super fun, but the plot was just as forgettable as the second book.
And this book made me realize even more how irrelevant the second book was. That entire adventure could not have happened and this book would hardly have been affected at all.
Also Jean's role in this book kind of sucked, he didn't really do anything.
ok I'm done ranting.
My words pale in comparison to the genius of this book.
It has been a long time since my desire for a book to last forever equalled to my desire to know what happens next. I hope this properly paints a picture of the brilliance of this book.
Firstly, Sabetha. I am so happy that we finally got to meet her! I was scared that it would be a bit cliché but her and Locke's romance was a pleasure to read. There was quite a lot of angst but it was masterfully woven throughout the past and present which gave it depth and context. My heart strings have definitely been pulled, but I'm not complaining - I'm so happy that we got to see this this side of Locke.
Speaking of Locke, how can I succinctly sing his praise? He was ever more the brilliant, fumbling idiot that I had the pleasure to meet in the first book. Truly a man with an extraordinary mind, and with all the accompanying flaws that make up all his charm. Compared to how subdued I found him and Jean in the second book, I can confidently say that, damn, HE IS BACK! I was so charmed by how he could think on his feet as well as fall for the dumbest tricks. Ah, what a wonderful balance! It made the moments where he was on his toes all the more enjoyable! And Jean, I really love him, and I really enjoyed that Ezra’s death was addressed especially with Locke being reunited with Sabetha.
And Jean. I love him more than I can explain. I LOVED his moments with Sabetha, how well placed his judgement lies, how deep his reflections and how loyal he is to those he loves. Ezri's death clearly weighed on him, and gave him a guarded edge for himself and Locke that I found both endearing and heartbreaking. In the end, Locke and Jean are one of the best duos I have had the pleasure to meet. Their interactions warmed my heart, made me laugh, brought me to tears. Behind all their insults and crass behaviour, I understand the depth of their devotion to each other.
In spite of all the outlandishness of this book, it felt so very human. It spoke of loss and love and core emotions that are synonymous to life. At times, this book felt bigger than itself and this might have been owed to Scott Lynch's personal life at the time of writing this book. These reflective moments make up the beauty of this story. Indeed, I love how all the characters are utterly human, just a bunch of rag-tag individuals that found each other and built on hell of a strange family.
I already know that I'll barely be able to contain my smile when Locke and Jean (and fingers crossed Sabetha) will come back into my life with the fourth book. I only hope that my heart and nerves will survive the sparks of genius Lynch will be casting our way.
It has been a long time since my desire for a book to last forever equalled to my desire to know what happens next. I hope this properly paints a picture of the brilliance of this book.
Firstly, Sabetha. I am so happy that we finally got to meet her! I was scared that it would be a bit cliché but her and Locke's romance was a pleasure to read. There was quite a lot of angst but it was masterfully woven throughout the past and present which gave it depth and context. My heart strings have definitely been pulled, but I'm not complaining - I'm so happy that we got to see this this side of Locke.
Speaking of Locke, how can I succinctly sing his praise? He was ever more the brilliant, fumbling idiot that I had the pleasure to meet in the first book. Truly a man with an extraordinary mind, and with all the accompanying flaws that make up all his charm. Compared to how subdued I found him and Jean in the second book, I can confidently say that, damn, HE IS BACK! I was so charmed by how he could think on his feet as well as fall for the dumbest tricks. Ah, what a wonderful balance! It made the moments where he was on his toes all the more enjoyable! And Jean, I really love him, and I really enjoyed that Ezra’s death was addressed especially with Locke being reunited with Sabetha.
And Jean. I love him more than I can explain. I LOVED his moments with Sabetha, how well placed his judgement lies, how deep his reflections and how loyal he is to those he loves. Ezri's death clearly weighed on him, and gave him a guarded edge for himself and Locke that I found both endearing and heartbreaking. In the end, Locke and Jean are one of the best duos I have had the pleasure to meet. Their interactions warmed my heart, made me laugh, brought me to tears. Behind all their insults and crass behaviour, I understand the depth of their devotion to each other.
In spite of all the outlandishness of this book, it felt so very human. It spoke of loss and love and core emotions that are synonymous to life. At times, this book felt bigger than itself and this might have been owed to Scott Lynch's personal life at the time of writing this book. These reflective moments make up the beauty of this story. Indeed, I love how all the characters are utterly human, just a bunch of rag-tag individuals that found each other and built on hell of a strange family.
Spoiler
In this sense, I am still very much reeling from the revelation that Locke is the reincarnation of a dark mage, a notorious one at that! I don't know what to make of this, partly because I'm still in shock but also because it makes him too visible. I liked that Locke and Jean were unknown but to the readers, that they dipped their toes in things bigger than themselves but were able to escape the flare at the end of the day. I'm still hoping that what Patience told Locke was a lie or a ploy. The revelation of his identity was cryptic enough that I know the next book will have more answers and I'm both terrified and ecstatic. In any case, I trust that Scott Lynch will give us a wonderful story.Accept that we've given you a chance to solve the mysteries of your past. Perhaps even a chance to redeem yourself for a terrible crime. A crime whose first victim's stolen body you will wear like a mask until the day you die
I already know that I'll barely be able to contain my smile when Locke and Jean (and fingers crossed Sabetha) will come back into my life with the fourth book. I only hope that my heart and nerves will survive the sparks of genius Lynch will be casting our way.
Blessed is the one who aids a thief, hides a thief, revenges a thief, and remembers a thief, for they shall inherit the night.
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
sad
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
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Een wat teleurstellend boek na de eerste twee, die ik echt goed vond. Het einde was iets te open en de reden voor de verkiezingen niet geheel duidelijk. Jammer, want de voorgaande boeken vond ikgoed.