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A review by sashastorylover
The Gentleman Bastard Series by Scott Lynch
2.0
2.5 stars
This flopped, this flopped so badly, I'm restraining myself from bursting into dance party all on my own because yay I'm finally done with this book.
Before I get to the whys of my disappointment I want to preface it saying that I like The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies and I was excited to start the third installment, perhaps I was expecting too much and the flaws, the seeds of which were in book 1 & 2, flourished in book 3. I couldn't get past them and I was getting more annoyed the more I read.
What I did not like:
• the plot. We have seen it all already, in book 1 and especially in book 2. This isn't a spoiler so here goes: the premise of this book is person X forces Locke and Jean to do the thing Y in exchange doing the thing Z for these two. Exactly like in book 2. ,b>I'm so sick of the author reusing the same plot basis in three books in a row, why?
• Sabetha is the only relevant female character in the novel. Scott Lynch made her into Locke's love interest (and frankly an obsession, if you ask me, Locke isn't okay). Granted, the author did give Sabetha feminist lines, but that's about it. We read the story from 3rd person pov of Locke, and Sabetha has become nothing but ~mysterious seductive smart~ femme fatale. We don't see her as her own person, just through the eyes of obsessed and infatuated Locke.
Scott Lynch gave her just one chapter of her own pov, and guess what she does there? She thinks about Locke and the whole chapter is about Locke.
It was nauseating to read, not just taht one chapter, but the whole book. I admit Scott Lynch tried to do the right thing, as I said, he gave Sabetha good lines and perhaps he had good intentions, but alas. Ultimately she was just a prop for male character.
And she's the only relevant female character to the story. There are several side characters but they are of little importance, to be honest.
• the world-building was supposed to be diverse and we see some of it in book 2, however in book 3 it's most white "European"-based locations. But it would've been fine, however, on several occasions it was stated that dark skinned people are viewed as lesser people and homophobia is a confirmed thing. Like why would you include these elements? They are not important to the plot, they are not properly addressed. It's just offhand remarks like "oh no John will be found guilty because on top of all he's black", "oh no what will he think about being called gay, it's frowned upon here", etc. These moments are little but they are telling. It seems they are so ingrained into the author's mentality he can't help but include them.
• Locke's obsession ughm love? It was just so annoying. Apparently he fell in love with Sabetha when he was about 6 years old. He's frustrating and his "love" is portrayed as somethings good, like he cares so much. But it feels like obsession, especially after several rejections from Sabetha. I have to say that nothing rapey happened, but this also was portrayed as hey look at Locke he's so noble, he gives Sabetha right to choose, but it's a basic thing, he shouldn't be praised for being a decent human being, especially considering he's mostly good guy.
I don't know, friends, from start to finish Locke made me nauseous.
• don't let me started about the big back story reveal nonsense...
What I liked:
• the dual time line was rather interesting
• some exciting plot points and cool mischief plans
• women in position of power, as head of the government, police etc. This is a nice world-building element.
• it was rather easy to read, I guess, and I did finish the book.
I'm struggling to find anything I genuinely liked. Some things I didn't mind, I did like the epilogue though.
Bottom line, will I read book 4?
Most likely, because Scott Lynch doesn't puplish books frequently so if the next book is published in 2019 or 2020, it's highly likely I'll buy it, if I still alive by then.
Content warning: violence, sexual assault, some body horror scenes
This flopped, this flopped so badly, I'm restraining myself from bursting into dance party all on my own because yay I'm finally done with this book.
Before I get to the whys of my disappointment I want to preface it saying that I like The Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies and I was excited to start the third installment, perhaps I was expecting too much and the flaws, the seeds of which were in book 1 & 2, flourished in book 3. I couldn't get past them and I was getting more annoyed the more I read.
What I did not like:
• the plot. We have seen it all already, in book 1 and especially in book 2. This isn't a spoiler so here goes: the premise of this book is person X forces Locke and Jean to do the thing Y in exchange doing the thing Z for these two. Exactly like in book 2. ,b>I'm so sick of the author reusing the same plot basis in three books in a row, why?
• Sabetha is the only relevant female character in the novel. Scott Lynch made her into Locke's love interest (and frankly an obsession, if you ask me, Locke isn't okay). Granted, the author did give Sabetha feminist lines, but that's about it. We read the story from 3rd person pov of Locke, and Sabetha has become nothing but ~mysterious seductive smart~ femme fatale. We don't see her as her own person, just through the eyes of obsessed and infatuated Locke.
Scott Lynch gave her just one chapter of her own pov, and guess what she does there? She thinks about Locke and the whole chapter is about Locke.
It was nauseating to read, not just taht one chapter, but the whole book. I admit Scott Lynch tried to do the right thing, as I said, he gave Sabetha good lines and perhaps he had good intentions, but alas. Ultimately she was just a prop for male character.
And she's the only relevant female character to the story. There are several side characters but they are of little importance, to be honest.
• the world-building was supposed to be diverse and we see some of it in book 2, however in book 3 it's most white "European"-based locations. But it would've been fine, however, on several occasions it was stated that dark skinned people are viewed as lesser people and homophobia is a confirmed thing. Like why would you include these elements? They are not important to the plot, they are not properly addressed. It's just offhand remarks like "oh no John will be found guilty because on top of all he's black", "oh no what will he think about being called gay, it's frowned upon here", etc. These moments are little but they are telling. It seems they are so ingrained into the author's mentality he can't help but include them.
• Locke's obsession ughm love? It was just so annoying. Apparently he fell in love with Sabetha when he was about 6 years old. He's frustrating and his "love" is portrayed as somethings good, like he cares so much. But it feels like obsession, especially after several rejections from Sabetha. I have to say that nothing rapey happened, but this also was portrayed as hey look at Locke he's so noble, he gives Sabetha right to choose, but it's a basic thing, he shouldn't be praised for being a decent human being, especially considering he's mostly good guy.
I don't know, friends, from start to finish Locke made me nauseous.
• don't let me started about the big back story reveal nonsense...
What I liked:
• the dual time line was rather interesting
• some exciting plot points and cool mischief plans
• women in position of power, as head of the government, police etc. This is a nice world-building element.
• it was rather easy to read, I guess, and I did finish the book.
I'm struggling to find anything I genuinely liked. Some things I didn't mind, I did like the epilogue though.
Bottom line, will I read book 4?
Most likely, because Scott Lynch doesn't puplish books frequently so if the next book is published in 2019 or 2020, it's highly likely I'll buy it, if I still alive by then.
Content warning: violence, sexual assault, some body horror scenes