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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
Loved that looming questions from book one were finally addressed in this third story. I love the continual character building on the main characters even as we are deep into the series. The flash back to present style of writing makes these books an easy listen. However hoping that old villains were taken care of initially, I’m not thrilled by where the story will take the reader but I understand why it was done.
adventurous
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
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To be honest, I think the rating is a bit too generous, but anyway. Now I say review, but you should read raging about Sabtha and the other related things instead.
Without any preamble, I wish the political aspect of the book had been more dominant. I feel like we didn’t delve as deeply into this area as we should have, and it seems that the author merely dipped his toes cautiously into waters he could have dived into. Perhaps if he had, it would have diminished the romantic section of the book, and therefore, it would have been more enjoyable.
You know, the thing is that the longer the time between introducing a character or a couple and their actual presence in the story, it seems that one has more time to imagine it for themselves, and thus, they also develop greater expectations. Even if we cut the rope of imagining out of this picture, one thinks that this character or dynamic must have something interesting to say that the author is keeping them away from the narrative for now until the right moment. Then, additionally, knowing the other characters better effects how one perceives that character or dynamic. For example, in this book, I got the impression that this Sabetha must be a very interesting person whom Lock, despite not being sure he will ever see her again, cannot move on from. Or this romantic dynamic between Lock and Sabetha must be intriguing since it has been hinted at since the first book, but we don’t yet know what’s going on. Therefore, it feels like a double-disappointment when one not only doesn’t like this new character and dynamic, but also cannot tolerate them.
What I gathered from Sabetha throughout the story is this: this character was supposed to be that interesting female character who is also strong and independent in personality, doesn’t need Locke, is smart, and thus is considered a suitable rival for him; perhaps even supposed to be better than him. I emphasize that it was "supposed" to be because this is not at all what I saw in Sabetha. What I saw was jealousy toward Locke regarding privileges she believed Locke simply had, often because of his gender. I can’t believe I’ve reached a point where I have to write these sentences, but just because a female character feels that a man’s privileged, doesn’t make it so. Regarding Locke and his position among the other Gentlemen Bastards, it wasn’t a privilege he just gained. While Sabetha often went off alone for training or missions to various places, Locke was forming friendships with other individuals and had time to deepen those relationships. The Sanza twins didn’t follow Locke because he had extra muscle between his legs; they followed him because Locke had proven himself. Moreover, even during those times when Sabetha was with the group, she behaved as if she was better than all of them rather than giving off a sense of being an equal comrade. This makes it difficult for one to find their place in a group and when they cannot find their place, they cannot expect others to follow them. Now I’m even more angry that Sabetha considered Jean Locke's privilege. True, Jean has saved Locke’s life many times, but Locke has never just sat back with his feet up. What deepens the dynamic between these two is this same thing: it seems they are competing to see which one can reach the grave first for the other. It genuinely angers me that Sabetha allows her jealousy to be used as a logical reason to guilt Locke over this friendship because for me, the difference between Lock and Sabetha lies in these things: friendship and loyalty. Sabetha's dynamics with every character seemed somewhat forced to me, and it seems that this effort to portray her independence drew a clear line between her and the other characters. On the other hand, I truly consider Sabetha's actions in this book as betrayal. People can say whatever they want; any logical reason they want to provide doesn’t justify her choice to become rivals against the others just because their profession involves theft and trickery. Even if I accept this, I can't accept the part where Sabetha used Lock's feelings to deceive him and steer Locke and Jean away from Karthain. That truly appears as betrayal from my perspective. I don’t care about rivalry; I don’t care that they aren’t honorable people; I don’t care at all that her actions were clever; I see betrayal as the worst thing a character can do and the quickest way for them to fall from my grace. Loyalty is very important.
Here, I can even refer to that comment where she was saying that Father Chains raised them like family, as if he placed an extra burden on their shoulders by doing that. That man gave you family. Family is not a burden. Family is the reason we endure hell.
And well, here’s the reason Locke was someone people followed, not Sabetha: Sabetha saw the group as an extra burden, while Lock considered the group his family and brought hell to Camorr for their revenge in the first book.
Now, stepping away from the comparison and focusing a bit on their dynamic: a headache. Sabetha's words to Locke were truly a source of headaches; I don't know how Lock fell in love with her. For heaven's sake, no girl would ever turn to a boy and say, “We girls this, you boys that. You think you can guess us but you can't, you boys want to decide for us.” They don’t need to at all; it’s childish. Well-written female characters just need to walk, and we’ll bow to them, and whatever they say, we’ll agree. Do you know why? Because they make sensible and appropriate remarks instead of nonsense like “I’m better than everyone, I’m cooler than everyone.” And often Sabetha starts out this way and jumps on Lock, then suddenly softens so they can have a romantic moment. I mean, it was truly admirable how she switched modes. Like, Lock was saying, “When I was five years old, I saw the roots of your red hair and fell in love with you,” then Sabetha gets upset that "you're sexualy attracted to me because of my hair and you don’t really love me." The boy had just reached maturity; so what the hell? Two minutes later, of course, she’s fine with him again. I also get frustrated that Locke accepted all this irrationality and said she was right. Like, no way man. You might love her, but I prefer my mental peace.
Another important thing about this book was its plot twist at the end, which honestly I wasn't that impressed with. Maybe it wasn’t executed well; it really felt unnecessary and instead of being surprising, it was more annoying. and it really wasn't that unpredictable because anyone, after the first book, would think about what would happen if Locke himself were a Bondsmage. So this really doesn’t create any curiosity for me regarding the next book. And I'm also not very fond of the Falconer's return. We had this character in the first book and read almost an entire book about his power, then suddenly he was defeated. Now that same character has returned, and it seems groundwork is being laid for him to be even more powerful than before, so I'm really wary that the author might not be able to handle the magnitude of the character again and we'll see his defeat just as suddenly.
Overall, I don’t think this book was one that I enjoyed. I didn’t want to complain so much and be unkind to it; throughout the whole time I was trying to enjoy it, but it was really hard. I hope the next volume is better. I hope the author returns to the same potential shown in the first volume. This wasn’t his best work. I guess in the future we’ll find out whether the next volumes get better or not.
Without any preamble, I wish the political aspect of the book had been more dominant. I feel like we didn’t delve as deeply into this area as we should have, and it seems that the author merely dipped his toes cautiously into waters he could have dived into. Perhaps if he had, it would have diminished the romantic section of the book, and therefore, it would have been more enjoyable.
You know, the thing is that the longer the time between introducing a character or a couple and their actual presence in the story, it seems that one has more time to imagine it for themselves, and thus, they also develop greater expectations. Even if we cut the rope of imagining out of this picture, one thinks that this character or dynamic must have something interesting to say that the author is keeping them away from the narrative for now until the right moment. Then, additionally, knowing the other characters better effects how one perceives that character or dynamic. For example, in this book, I got the impression that this Sabetha must be a very interesting person whom Lock, despite not being sure he will ever see her again, cannot move on from. Or this romantic dynamic between Lock and Sabetha must be intriguing since it has been hinted at since the first book, but we don’t yet know what’s going on. Therefore, it feels like a double-disappointment when one not only doesn’t like this new character and dynamic, but also cannot tolerate them.
What I gathered from Sabetha throughout the story is this: this character was supposed to be that interesting female character who is also strong and independent in personality, doesn’t need Locke, is smart, and thus is considered a suitable rival for him; perhaps even supposed to be better than him. I emphasize that it was "supposed" to be because this is not at all what I saw in Sabetha. What I saw was jealousy toward Locke regarding privileges she believed Locke simply had, often because of his gender. I can’t believe I’ve reached a point where I have to write these sentences, but just because a female character feels that a man’s privileged, doesn’t make it so. Regarding Locke and his position among the other Gentlemen Bastards, it wasn’t a privilege he just gained. While Sabetha often went off alone for training or missions to various places, Locke was forming friendships with other individuals and had time to deepen those relationships. The Sanza twins didn’t follow Locke because he had extra muscle between his legs; they followed him because Locke had proven himself. Moreover, even during those times when Sabetha was with the group, she behaved as if she was better than all of them rather than giving off a sense of being an equal comrade. This makes it difficult for one to find their place in a group and when they cannot find their place, they cannot expect others to follow them. Now I’m even more angry that Sabetha considered Jean Locke's privilege. True, Jean has saved Locke’s life many times, but Locke has never just sat back with his feet up. What deepens the dynamic between these two is this same thing: it seems they are competing to see which one can reach the grave first for the other. It genuinely angers me that Sabetha allows her jealousy to be used as a logical reason to guilt Locke over this friendship because for me, the difference between Lock and Sabetha lies in these things: friendship and loyalty. Sabetha's dynamics with every character seemed somewhat forced to me, and it seems that this effort to portray her independence drew a clear line between her and the other characters. On the other hand, I truly consider Sabetha's actions in this book as betrayal. People can say whatever they want; any logical reason they want to provide doesn’t justify her choice to become rivals against the others just because their profession involves theft and trickery. Even if I accept this, I can't accept the part where Sabetha used Lock's feelings to deceive him and steer Locke and Jean away from Karthain. That truly appears as betrayal from my perspective. I don’t care about rivalry; I don’t care that they aren’t honorable people; I don’t care at all that her actions were clever; I see betrayal as the worst thing a character can do and the quickest way for them to fall from my grace. Loyalty is very important.
Here, I can even refer to that comment where she was saying that Father Chains raised them like family, as if he placed an extra burden on their shoulders by doing that. That man gave you family. Family is not a burden. Family is the reason we endure hell.
And well, here’s the reason Locke was someone people followed, not Sabetha: Sabetha saw the group as an extra burden, while Lock considered the group his family and brought hell to Camorr for their revenge in the first book.
Now, stepping away from the comparison and focusing a bit on their dynamic: a headache. Sabetha's words to Locke were truly a source of headaches; I don't know how Lock fell in love with her. For heaven's sake, no girl would ever turn to a boy and say, “We girls this, you boys that. You think you can guess us but you can't, you boys want to decide for us.” They don’t need to at all; it’s childish. Well-written female characters just need to walk, and we’ll bow to them, and whatever they say, we’ll agree. Do you know why? Because they make sensible and appropriate remarks instead of nonsense like “I’m better than everyone, I’m cooler than everyone.” And often Sabetha starts out this way and jumps on Lock, then suddenly softens so they can have a romantic moment. I mean, it was truly admirable how she switched modes. Like, Lock was saying, “When I was five years old, I saw the roots of your red hair and fell in love with you,” then Sabetha gets upset that "you're sexualy attracted to me because of my hair and you don’t really love me." The boy had just reached maturity; so what the hell? Two minutes later, of course, she’s fine with him again. I also get frustrated that Locke accepted all this irrationality and said she was right. Like, no way man. You might love her, but I prefer my mental peace.
Another important thing about this book was its plot twist at the end, which honestly I wasn't that impressed with. Maybe it wasn’t executed well; it really felt unnecessary and instead of being surprising, it was more annoying. and it really wasn't that unpredictable because anyone, after the first book, would think about what would happen if Locke himself were a Bondsmage. So this really doesn’t create any curiosity for me regarding the next book. And I'm also not very fond of the Falconer's return. We had this character in the first book and read almost an entire book about his power, then suddenly he was defeated. Now that same character has returned, and it seems groundwork is being laid for him to be even more powerful than before, so I'm really wary that the author might not be able to handle the magnitude of the character again and we'll see his defeat just as suddenly.
Overall, I don’t think this book was one that I enjoyed. I didn’t want to complain so much and be unkind to it; throughout the whole time I was trying to enjoy it, but it was really hard. I hope the next volume is better. I hope the author returns to the same potential shown in the first volume. This wasn’t his best work. I guess in the future we’ll find out whether the next volumes get better or not.
Early Locke and Jean, later Locke and Jean, plus the mysterious Sabetha and early Sanzas.... twists as per usual, not quite as enjoyable as the earlier books but I still hope that there will be more....Perhaps following the doubly treacherous loose end of Merrain from Red Seas?
Bookriot Read Harder Challenge 2015: Task 6, a book by a person whose gender is different to your own
Why I chose this book: Because I promised myself a Scott Lynch re-read in 2015 anyway and I've not read this yet. Besides, I kinda love him after this: http://jezebel.com/5966940/fantasy-author-scott-lynch-owns-critic-who-whines-about-the-female-pirate-captain-in-lynchs-new-book
And it doesn't disappoint! It's murkier and twisted than ever; getting right into the politics of the Bondsmagi and What Really Happened With Sabetha. Very glad I maintained all three books so far in one go.
Why I chose this book: Because I promised myself a Scott Lynch re-read in 2015 anyway and I've not read this yet. Besides, I kinda love him after this: http://jezebel.com/5966940/fantasy-author-scott-lynch-owns-critic-who-whines-about-the-female-pirate-captain-in-lynchs-new-book
And it doesn't disappoint! It's murkier and twisted than ever; getting right into the politics of the Bondsmagi and What Really Happened With Sabetha. Very glad I maintained all three books so far in one go.
Overall, enjoyed this series. 1000% needs a 4th book. Review in parts:
Prologue
Locke recounts his first meeting and time with Beth (Sabetha). She was rumored to have drowned in a river during a heist that went south.
Part l
Six weeks after the events of Book 2, Locke and Jean are in The City of Lashain to meet with an alchemist named Erkemar Zodesti. Jean kidnaps him to try to help, but he isn’t of help, and they are soon visited by Whispers Cortessa who prompts them to leave the city. They are visited by a Bondsmagi named Archedama Patience (one of the higher powered sorceresses) who reveals herself to be the Falconer’s mother. [Interlude: Locke recounts his first few weeks joining the Gentleman Bastards. Chains recruited Beth and they orchestrated her fake death. Chains sets up an elaborate test in which Locke thinks Sabetha was kidnapped, so he gives her a poison so that she can kill herself and not reveal any secrets about the Gentleman Bastards. After he finds out it was a test, Locke is mad, but Chains is glad he passed.] Patience says she’ll heal Locke if him and Jean help her rig an election. Every five years the citizens of Karthain elect an assembly, the Konseil. There are 19 representatives that run the city and Patience wants the majority of seats to go to the faction of her preference. Patience, Jean, and Locke set sail to Karthain. Patience and a younger Bondsmage named Coldmarrow preform a ritual to expel the poison from Locke. [Interlude: Locke’s 13th birthday. Chains takes him and Sabetha to the Orphan Moon ritual where they pledge allegiance to the Nameless 13th God of thriving/crime]. Patience shares a memory with Jean and Locke of when her and the other Bondsmagi debated The Falconer’s contract to go to Camorr. Patience prepares Jean and Locke for arrival and tells them they’ll have a contact in the Black Iris (one of the political factions). She tells Locke that Sabetha was hired by her rivals.
Whispers cortessa?? Okay drag name.
Honestly surprised Locke passed that test in the interlude— good for him but also Chains is a dick for that but also really good mentor.
I always enjoyed the Interludes but now we also have the Intersections woven in? The first one obviously between two Bondsmagi… interesting… what is special about Locke??
Regal the cat is back omg
Ah shit, I knew it was only a matter of time before we got to meet Sabetha… time to see what’s in store!
Part ll
They arrive in Karthain and meet a man named Nikoros. He is working for Patience and with Jean & Locke, but he’s a part of the rival party: the Deep Roots. Their allies are referred to as the “Committee” and the Deep Roots are the “Trust”. That evening, they attend a dinner. They meet Epitalus and Dexa (head of the Deep Roots committee). A man named Vidalos comes to arrest one of the men (Josten) for unpaid taxes, but Locke can tell it was all set up by Sabetha. [Interlude: The Gentleman Bastards are working on a job. Locke is going under the alias Lucaza de Barra. He meets two men named Sylvanus, Alondo Razi, and a woman named Jenora. Their boss named Moncraine was arrested for assaulting someone of noble blood.]
Locke and Jean are summoned by Verena Gallante (Sabetha’s alias). They reunite and catch up, but Sabetha tricks them and has them put on a prison ship leaving Karthain. [Interlude: Sabetha and Locke rescue Moncraine from his cell. Jasmer Moncraine has a theater and a show called “The Republic of Thieves”. Locke and Sabetha convince Lord Boulidazis (whom Moncraine punched) not yo press charges. In exchange, Boulidazi wants Locke to help him convince Sabetha to marry him].
Jean and Locke escape during a rough storm and sail back to Karthain. [Interlude: Moncraine is free and his debts are paid, so he goes back to directing The Republic of Thieves play. The gentleman bastards, in disguise, agree to act in the play. He recruits a friend named Chantal Couza to play a part. Her husband, Bertrand, used to act but now writes his own plays. Later that evening, Locke confesses his love to Sabetha, but accidentally comments on her true hair color being read, and she thinks he’s just trying to sleep with her and she gets upset. Boulidazi overheard their conversation and confronts Locks after realizing they’re lying to him about their identities.]
Love the interlude and getting more of the Sanza twins again
I’m glad Sabetha still cares for Locke and Jean.. I mean, yes she tricked them and had them sent away from Karthain on the boat, but that was in place of killing them or worse. So, I’m glad they got to reunite for sure.
A bit of a slower section of the book? All of this backstory/interlude about the Republic of Thieves play with Moncraine is a bit boring but I’m interested to see where it goes… also, low key, Sabetha is annoying for being upset with Locke about him commenting on her hair. Like it’s just so obvious he’s such a simp for her and is truly in love and when he finally truly communicates that and makes that comment about her real hair being red and she gets all upset? I get it was a trigger for her but still like girl be so fr he obviously genuinely cares about you!!
Interested to see what happens with Locke and Jean return to Karthain…
Part lll
Jean and Locke return to Karthaine. They learn the Canton of Emberlain and the rest of the Seven Marrows is seceding. Locke and Sabetha agree to a truce and go to dinner. Locke has Nikoros and the others look for dirt on the opposing parties members. Patience decides to tell Locke and Sabetha where Locke comes from and what he is. [Interlude: Sabetha and Locke play off their conversation as acting practice. The crew prepares to open the play, the find Boulidazi stabbed with shears]. Patience tells Locke and Sabetha about her powerful mentor who went mad trying to bring his wife back from the dead. He fled to Camorr and would practice sorcery on the poor and ill. His name was Lamora Acanthus and he was responsible for creating the Black Whisper plague in Camorr. He was presumed dead until recently, when they realized Locke is Lamora Acanthus’ spirit in a new body. Meanwhile, we learn Coldmarrow (Patience’s mentee) is actually working against her with Archedama Forsight. [Interlude: They learn Jenora killed Boulidazi in self defense. They all agree to open the play, keep the money, and make it look like he disappeared. The play is a success, but Moncraine steals the money]. The Black Iris party narrowly wins majority, but then one of Locke’s associates confesses he’s actually independent, so he’ll be the deciding vote for the next five years. Meanwhile, Coldmarrow and a few others blow up themselves and seventy other magi. Patience visits Locke and Jean. After the election, Sabetha fled on her own accord. Patience says the Bondsmagi are over and secluding themselves away from Karthain. Patience reveals the plan all along was for the Bondsmagi to kill themselves off when they got too powerful, and Patience was one of the few interested with seeing this out (Coldmarrow too— he wasn’t betraying her as we were led to believe).
So, part lll was okay?
The way Locke and Sabetha were .02 seconds away from getting to hook up and Patience decides to walk on. Smh.
Sabetha sharing that men will literally r*pe a woman with red hair to death in this world makes me sick to my stomach fr… like definitely understand why that was so much more of a trigger now.
We simply got way too much of this Republic of Thieves play..kinda meh but also I suppose it serves for a deepening connection between Sabetha and Locke.
Chapter 9 was definitely the most gag chapter in this series thus far. You mean to tell me Locke Lamora is essentially the reincarnate of a powerful Bondsmagi who also happened to be Patience’s mentor??? Literally what??
———
So, overall, this was a decent third book. This series 100% needs a fourth book. I know Scott lynch is meant to be writing one apparently but idk. The epilogue in this book just was too open for there not to be more. Like The Falconer is able to use sorcery still and escapes prison and kills his mom (Patience)??? Imma need to see more of him.
Locke Lamora and Jean are genuinely funny and I enjoyed their humor and “we’ll figure it the fuck out as we go” attitude. They were very enjoyable as main characters and I am glad Jean didn’t die.
I appreciate the map of Karthain Scott Lynch out in this book but I simply need a world map too.
Definitely enjoyed the romance between Sabetha and Locke in this. We didn’t get any romance outside of some in book 2 so that was a refreshing change of pace.
I will say a major critique / complain is that this series felt more of an anthology than a consistent and continuous story. I felt like I read the same general plot 3x. That is, having 2 opposing forces and Locke & Jean being in between… like we saw that in book 1 (Barsavi vs Grey King) and in book 2 (Archon/Stragos vs. Requin/Priori). Definitely makes me feel like this is more of an anthology than a true series even though they do all connect… and to that point, this book did kinda circle everything back in and we did see a lot of references to the stuff that happened in Tel Verrar and Camorr (I.e., Sabetha and the Bondsmagi were keeping track the whole time).
Lastly, Patience telling Locke: “Three things must you take up and three things must you lose before you die: a key, a crown, a child. You will die when a silver rain falls.” I NEED to know more about this.
So, in total, I think this was a fun series. Characters were likeable and it was consistently funny. World building was fun and not complex by any means. To me it definitely reads more of a “the adventure of Locke Lamora” anthology series but it still met the mark of being cohesive enough for me to be entertained.
Prologue
Locke recounts his first meeting and time with Beth (Sabetha). She was rumored to have drowned in a river during a heist that went south.
Part l
Six weeks after the events of Book 2, Locke and Jean are in The City of Lashain to meet with an alchemist named Erkemar Zodesti. Jean kidnaps him to try to help, but he isn’t of help, and they are soon visited by Whispers Cortessa who prompts them to leave the city. They are visited by a Bondsmagi named Archedama Patience (one of the higher powered sorceresses) who reveals herself to be the Falconer’s mother. [Interlude: Locke recounts his first few weeks joining the Gentleman Bastards. Chains recruited Beth and they orchestrated her fake death. Chains sets up an elaborate test in which Locke thinks Sabetha was kidnapped, so he gives her a poison so that she can kill herself and not reveal any secrets about the Gentleman Bastards. After he finds out it was a test, Locke is mad, but Chains is glad he passed.] Patience says she’ll heal Locke if him and Jean help her rig an election. Every five years the citizens of Karthain elect an assembly, the Konseil. There are 19 representatives that run the city and Patience wants the majority of seats to go to the faction of her preference. Patience, Jean, and Locke set sail to Karthain. Patience and a younger Bondsmage named Coldmarrow preform a ritual to expel the poison from Locke. [Interlude: Locke’s 13th birthday. Chains takes him and Sabetha to the Orphan Moon ritual where they pledge allegiance to the Nameless 13th God of thriving/crime]. Patience shares a memory with Jean and Locke of when her and the other Bondsmagi debated The Falconer’s contract to go to Camorr. Patience prepares Jean and Locke for arrival and tells them they’ll have a contact in the Black Iris (one of the political factions). She tells Locke that Sabetha was hired by her rivals.
Whispers cortessa?? Okay drag name.
Honestly surprised Locke passed that test in the interlude— good for him but also Chains is a dick for that but also really good mentor.
I always enjoyed the Interludes but now we also have the Intersections woven in? The first one obviously between two Bondsmagi… interesting… what is special about Locke??
Regal the cat is back omg
Ah shit, I knew it was only a matter of time before we got to meet Sabetha… time to see what’s in store!
Part ll
They arrive in Karthain and meet a man named Nikoros. He is working for Patience and with Jean & Locke, but he’s a part of the rival party: the Deep Roots. Their allies are referred to as the “Committee” and the Deep Roots are the “Trust”. That evening, they attend a dinner. They meet Epitalus and Dexa (head of the Deep Roots committee). A man named Vidalos comes to arrest one of the men (Josten) for unpaid taxes, but Locke can tell it was all set up by Sabetha. [Interlude: The Gentleman Bastards are working on a job. Locke is going under the alias Lucaza de Barra. He meets two men named Sylvanus, Alondo Razi, and a woman named Jenora. Their boss named Moncraine was arrested for assaulting someone of noble blood.]
Locke and Jean are summoned by Verena Gallante (Sabetha’s alias). They reunite and catch up, but Sabetha tricks them and has them put on a prison ship leaving Karthain. [Interlude: Sabetha and Locke rescue Moncraine from his cell. Jasmer Moncraine has a theater and a show called “The Republic of Thieves”. Locke and Sabetha convince Lord Boulidazis (whom Moncraine punched) not yo press charges. In exchange, Boulidazi wants Locke to help him convince Sabetha to marry him].
Jean and Locke escape during a rough storm and sail back to Karthain. [Interlude: Moncraine is free and his debts are paid, so he goes back to directing The Republic of Thieves play. The gentleman bastards, in disguise, agree to act in the play. He recruits a friend named Chantal Couza to play a part. Her husband, Bertrand, used to act but now writes his own plays. Later that evening, Locke confesses his love to Sabetha, but accidentally comments on her true hair color being read, and she thinks he’s just trying to sleep with her and she gets upset. Boulidazi overheard their conversation and confronts Locks after realizing they’re lying to him about their identities.]
Love the interlude and getting more of the Sanza twins again
I’m glad Sabetha still cares for Locke and Jean.. I mean, yes she tricked them and had them sent away from Karthain on the boat, but that was in place of killing them or worse. So, I’m glad they got to reunite for sure.
A bit of a slower section of the book? All of this backstory/interlude about the Republic of Thieves play with Moncraine is a bit boring but I’m interested to see where it goes… also, low key, Sabetha is annoying for being upset with Locke about him commenting on her hair. Like it’s just so obvious he’s such a simp for her and is truly in love and when he finally truly communicates that and makes that comment about her real hair being red and she gets all upset? I get it was a trigger for her but still like girl be so fr he obviously genuinely cares about you!!
Interested to see what happens with Locke and Jean return to Karthain…
Part lll
Jean and Locke return to Karthaine. They learn the Canton of Emberlain and the rest of the Seven Marrows is seceding. Locke and Sabetha agree to a truce and go to dinner. Locke has Nikoros and the others look for dirt on the opposing parties members. Patience decides to tell Locke and Sabetha where Locke comes from and what he is. [Interlude: Sabetha and Locke play off their conversation as acting practice. The crew prepares to open the play, the find Boulidazi stabbed with shears]. Patience tells Locke and Sabetha about her powerful mentor who went mad trying to bring his wife back from the dead. He fled to Camorr and would practice sorcery on the poor and ill. His name was Lamora Acanthus and he was responsible for creating the Black Whisper plague in Camorr. He was presumed dead until recently, when they realized Locke is Lamora Acanthus’ spirit in a new body. Meanwhile, we learn Coldmarrow (Patience’s mentee) is actually working against her with Archedama Forsight. [Interlude: They learn Jenora killed Boulidazi in self defense. They all agree to open the play, keep the money, and make it look like he disappeared. The play is a success, but Moncraine steals the money]. The Black Iris party narrowly wins majority, but then one of Locke’s associates confesses he’s actually independent, so he’ll be the deciding vote for the next five years. Meanwhile, Coldmarrow and a few others blow up themselves and seventy other magi. Patience visits Locke and Jean. After the election, Sabetha fled on her own accord. Patience says the Bondsmagi are over and secluding themselves away from Karthain. Patience reveals the plan all along was for the Bondsmagi to kill themselves off when they got too powerful, and Patience was one of the few interested with seeing this out (Coldmarrow too— he wasn’t betraying her as we were led to believe).
So, part lll was okay?
The way Locke and Sabetha were .02 seconds away from getting to hook up and Patience decides to walk on. Smh.
Sabetha sharing that men will literally r*pe a woman with red hair to death in this world makes me sick to my stomach fr… like definitely understand why that was so much more of a trigger now.
We simply got way too much of this Republic of Thieves play..kinda meh but also I suppose it serves for a deepening connection between Sabetha and Locke.
Chapter 9 was definitely the most gag chapter in this series thus far. You mean to tell me Locke Lamora is essentially the reincarnate of a powerful Bondsmagi who also happened to be Patience’s mentor??? Literally what??
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So, overall, this was a decent third book. This series 100% needs a fourth book. I know Scott lynch is meant to be writing one apparently but idk. The epilogue in this book just was too open for there not to be more. Like The Falconer is able to use sorcery still and escapes prison and kills his mom (Patience)??? Imma need to see more of him.
Locke Lamora and Jean are genuinely funny and I enjoyed their humor and “we’ll figure it the fuck out as we go” attitude. They were very enjoyable as main characters and I am glad Jean didn’t die.
I appreciate the map of Karthain Scott Lynch out in this book but I simply need a world map too.
Definitely enjoyed the romance between Sabetha and Locke in this. We didn’t get any romance outside of some in book 2 so that was a refreshing change of pace.
I will say a major critique / complain is that this series felt more of an anthology than a consistent and continuous story. I felt like I read the same general plot 3x. That is, having 2 opposing forces and Locke & Jean being in between… like we saw that in book 1 (Barsavi vs Grey King) and in book 2 (Archon/Stragos vs. Requin/Priori). Definitely makes me feel like this is more of an anthology than a true series even though they do all connect… and to that point, this book did kinda circle everything back in and we did see a lot of references to the stuff that happened in Tel Verrar and Camorr (I.e., Sabetha and the Bondsmagi were keeping track the whole time).
Lastly, Patience telling Locke: “Three things must you take up and three things must you lose before you die: a key, a crown, a child. You will die when a silver rain falls.” I NEED to know more about this.
So, in total, I think this was a fun series. Characters were likeable and it was consistently funny. World building was fun and not complex by any means. To me it definitely reads more of a “the adventure of Locke Lamora” anthology series but it still met the mark of being cohesive enough for me to be entertained.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated