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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this more!! Obviously Lynch is in the midpoint of a sweeping epic, but this one felt too plotty to me in a way that detracted from how much I love Locke & Jean. I just want a swashbuckling buddy novel!! Saw another review that said Sabetha in reality is a disappointment, but I didn't feel that way - enjoyed both the awkwardness of their adolescent fumbling and the "will they or won't they" vibe of their adult interaction, including some good communication! The first two novels are also very plotty, too, but I think what makes the difference is the setting changes. Here, the mage, election, and play storylines end up feeling tedious as opposed to excitedly involved (although - do love where the mage storyline ends, and feel like Lynch has done great work foreshadowing how the Eldren history relates to all this throughout the series). I'll keep reading, but am taking a break.
I didn't like the play parts and I wasn't interested in Sabetha at all.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
This book was a lot.
The Interlude flashback storyline is perfect, a return to the distant past that again provided an entertaining story break, built characters and relationships, and added suspense to the main storyline. It illuminated, in hindsight, how much that was missing from Red Seas.
The new character addition was a great payoff to previous backstory that still adds layers to the new story.
I was yet again distracted by potentially dubious motivations of villains, but I feel better prepared to discuss it this time:
1. The fact that Scott Lynch incorporates dialogue where these motivations are scrutinized signals to me that he acknowledges the skeptics. He isn't throwing out half baked ideas and hoping we don't overthink it. The explanations he provides haven't instantly satisfied, but I think a re-read where I'm not burdened by the discovery of every new plot point, and where I'm reading not listening, should help them hold up.
2. Even if the plot doesn't withstand intense scrutiny, creativity deserves credit. This story is so different from a typical fantasy series - magic, royalty, and the struggle for power may all be present, but their usage, and the Gentleman Bastards' place within the world, are truly refreshing.
When I relax and experience the action, dialogue, and prose, these are no-brainer 5 star books. When I think, "this is my favorite fantasy series ever, this is the Harry Potter of my adult years", I scrutinize harder and I wonder. But so far I think the series is rising to the expectation.
The Interlude flashback storyline is perfect, a return to the distant past that again provided an entertaining story break, built characters and relationships, and added suspense to the main storyline. It illuminated, in hindsight, how much that was missing from Red Seas.
The new character addition was a great payoff to previous backstory that still adds layers to the new story.
I was yet again distracted by potentially dubious motivations of villains, but I feel better prepared to discuss it this time:
1. The fact that Scott Lynch incorporates dialogue where these motivations are scrutinized signals to me that he acknowledges the skeptics. He isn't throwing out half baked ideas and hoping we don't overthink it. The explanations he provides haven't instantly satisfied, but I think a re-read where I'm not burdened by the discovery of every new plot point, and where I'm reading not listening, should help them hold up.
2. Even if the plot doesn't withstand intense scrutiny, creativity deserves credit. This story is so different from a typical fantasy series - magic, royalty, and the struggle for power may all be present, but their usage, and the Gentleman Bastards' place within the world, are truly refreshing.
When I relax and experience the action, dialogue, and prose, these are no-brainer 5 star books. When I think, "this is my favorite fantasy series ever, this is the Harry Potter of my adult years", I scrutinize harder and I wonder. But so far I think the series is rising to the expectation.
adventurous
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I really want to give this 4.5 stars because nothing will ever beat the first two books. (I mean, kick-ass lady pirates?! Come on!) But it was still fun and awesome and we finally get to meet Sabetha. I'll be honest, though, as much as I like her, she doesn't kick ass the way the pirates do. I'd *really* like it if Zamira makes another appearance in the series. Bonus if Sabetha and Zamira ever get to meet.