juliaem 's review for:

The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

3.5

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

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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.