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The Republic of Thieves

(Gentleman Bastard #3)

Scott Lynch (Goodreads Author)

4.22 · Rating details · 79,613 ratings · 4,807 reviews

With what should have been the greatest heist of their career gone spectacularly sour, Locke and his trusted partner, Jean, have barely escaped with their lives. Or at least Jean has. But Locke is slowly succumbing to a deadly poison that no alchemist or physiker can cure. Yet just as the end is near, a mysterious Bondsmage offers Locke an opportunity that will either save ...more

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Hardcover, First Edition, 650 pages

Published October 8th 2013 by Del Rey

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Apr 16, 2017 Petrik rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5/5 Stars

Let me begin by saying that if I’ve read this book without knowing about Scott Lynch’s struggle with depression during this 6-years time of writing it, I’ll probably rate this book lower. This doesn’t mean that the book received a better rating from me because of his depression, but the knowledge did provide me with a better sense of understanding to the events that happened in this book, specifically to why some parts are infuriating to read and why there are times when the words he ...more

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Jul 21, 2017 Sean Barrs rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-star-reads, fantasy

“You want a lesson, boy? If you find yourself being born, climb back in as quick as you can, because life’s a bottomless feast of shit.”

And isn’t that the truth? Locke Lamora has been through hell, and his life is about to get even more messy. After dealing with a dreaded Bondmagi in the Lies of Locke Lamora, and somehow surviving, Locke has found himself on borrowed time after his experience in Red Seas Under Red Skies.

Pumping through his veins is a deadly poison. It is slowly eating away a “You want a lesson, boy? If you find yourself being born, climb back in as quick as you can, because life’s a bottomless feast of shit.”

And isn’t that the truth? Locke Lamora has been through hell, and his life is about to get even more messy. After dealing with a dreaded Bondmagi in the Lies of Locke Lamora, and somehow surviving, Locke has found himself on borrowed time after his experience in Red Seas Under Red Skies.

Pumping through his veins is a deadly poison. It is slowly eating away at his organs until nothing remains. His blood is trying to escape from his body, seeping through his eyes, his fingers and who knows where else. It’s a nasty way to go, and there’s no known cure. Sounds like the end of his thieving days until someone very unexpected offers him a deal in exchange for his life. A tempting offer, though even death sounds more appealing than working for such a nasty bunch of people. Locke’s a survivor though; he will take his chances and live to steal another day.

Let the game begin

description

Here’s where the novel started to get real interesting. Told side by side with the main story, Lynch revisits Locke’s childhood once more. There was once a girl, Sabetha, someone who has haunted his steps since the day he met her. Locke is a charmer. As an adult, he is the kind of guy who can get anything he wants and anyone he wants if he really applied his mind to it. But he doesn’t. He’s only ever wanted one person. His love was strong, pure and enduring. And now he is about to face off against her as part of the deal he accepted.

On opposing sides of an election between the Bondmagi, each thief has been tasked with insuring that their respective party wins the day. They test each other’s wits, engage in underhand moves and try to remove their opponent in the most efficient of ways. The mages sit back and enjoy the show. No blood is allowed to be spilled so this very much remains a game of intellect between two equals. It became even more interesting as the sub-plot (how Locke and Sabetha first became romantically involved) is told along with it. Lynch really knows how to end his chapters on a powerful line that just keeps you hooked on the story. I stormed through this book as I wanted to see how the past shaped the future.

The romance plot was eloquently handled. Locke loves Sabetha, and he understands that she needs space and time, but what he struggles to understand is the fact that she is his equal as a thief. She doesn’t want to exist in his shadow. She wants to create her own legend, not be part of someone else’s. Time will bring them back together again, though I don’t think things will ever work out the way Locke wants. But that’s life.

This has easily been the strongest book in the series so far, I really look forward to seeing how it all develops in the future. ...more

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Jul 31, 2019 Merphy Napier rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, five-stars, adult

I have no complaints. No critiques. This series is perfect in my eyes. It's my new favorite series of them all. I cannot WAIT for book four

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Apr 15, 2017 Lady Luna. ✨ rated it really liked it

Shelves: great-books, cute-shit

4/5

“False names are fun,” said Calo. “Call me Beefwit Smallcock.”

**this review contains mass amounts of quotes and fanart because I'm so inlove with these books and can't get enough. You have been warned**

description

This is a tough review for me to write, mainly because I really love this series and consider it a favorite, so I had high expectations for this novel. However my expectations for this one were not met and I'm kinda disappointed. I really truly feel it is the weakest story in the se ...more

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Feb 02, 2017 C.G. Drews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, audio-books, 5-star, read-2017, epic-fantasy

By this point I fully confess I AM DOOMED TO LOVE EVERY BOOK IN THE GENTLEMEN BASTARD SERIES. Doomed I tell you. Because it's hurting me but I'm so obsessed I can't stop???? And although this one is actually my least favourite of the 3 so far...it's still freaking 5 stars. So DOOMED, I say again, and then I fall on a heap on the floor because The Thorn of Emberlain doesn't come out till April and I'm suuuuuuffering with the waiting.

(NOTE: the cliffhanger isn't actually as bad as the last book's. ...more

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Nov 19, 2018 Charlotte May rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy, 500-page-plus, favourites

"Hardship is boring as all hell. Gotta find laughs if you can't stay drunk."

What a great fantasy series this is! I did find this one ever so slightly harder to tackle, it's a good 100 pages longer than book 2 and a lot of the content was quite political and less fast moving.

Locke and Jean have managed to escape their latest escapade on the high seas and are now firmly back on land. Before long they have been swept up by the Bondsmagi and forced into another heist filled with deception and tric ...more

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Jul 02, 2018 Dana Ilie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

I LOVED the flashbacks in the The Lies of Locke Lamora, and I LOVED seeing the gentlemen bastards all working and interacting with each other. In Red Seas Under Red Skies, those flashback were only there for a little bit, and I severely missed seeing all the bastards together! Not this time though! In The Republic of Thieves, we have a full book of interlude flashbacks that contain all the original members of the gentleman bastard… include Sabetha!
The flashback this time dealt, at first, with ho I LOVED the flashbacks in the The Lies of Locke Lamora, and I LOVED seeing the gentlemen bastards all working and interacting with each other. In Red Seas Under Red Skies, those flashback were only there for a little bit, and I severely missed seeing all the bastards together! Not this time though! In The Republic of Thieves, we have a full book of interlude flashbacks that contain all the original members of the gentleman bastard… include Sabetha!
The flashback this time dealt, at first, with how Locke and Sabetha first met – how Locke was such a little school-boy trying to talk to and impress her – to suddenly everyone goes to a theatre pretending to be actors to start in the play, The Republic of Thieves.

In The Republic of Thieves, the framework of the past operates around Locke and Sabetha's shared history, while the present is a competition over elections in a foreign country, the Bondsmagi's backyard. And it really is a competition, an utterly hilarious one as Locke and Sabetha strive against and with each other, smacking you in the face with how ridiculous politics in elections become.

We get more of the mysterious creepers that are the Bondsmagi with alarming implications of what's to come in future books. We get more of Jean Tannen, and he keeps pushing Locke, too. We get horrifying situations and the characters' wit has me snickering through them. We get an ending that is bittersweet and perfect.
I have to say: its incredible reading how Locke’s characters has changed over these three books! The Locke I first met in Lies and as a child with Chains, is nothing like the Locke we see in this book. Heck, the Locke at the start and end is different! But what’s so incredible is, through all of Locke’s character personality and motive, not once I have question how he did this or why he suddenly believes that.

Fans of the series know how much of a rollercoaster life has taken Locke on, but somehow, Scott has made it all make sense. Not one time have I ever questions one word, action, motive, or choice that Locke has made – or any character for that matter!

The Republic of Thieves packs a punch or three, and it's fun besides. It's not what I was expecting, but I'm delighted with what we got.

...more

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Oct 30, 2010 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned, crime, dystopia, fantasy, af, series

(This review doesn’t really contain spoilers until the second part, when I say there are spoilers. However, some vague information about earlier books is drawn upon in the first part. If you’re being cautious, don’t read this review.)

Upon first discovering its impending release...

description

Sabetha?!

...Wait. Wait, you mean we actually get to meet Sabetha?

Well, Jesus. I've been wanting to meet this 'Sabetha' forever. If she's the reason Locke is both obsessed with and wary of red-heads, I want to know who s ...more

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May 07, 2018 Adina rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-sf

2.5*- 3* RTC

I was in love with the first book in the series, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Everything about it made me jump with joy while reading, even the gory parts. I loved the characters, the cussing, the banter between the characters, the dark side of Locke’s mind, even the never ending world building. On to Red Seas Under Red Skies. I still enjoyed it a lot even though more than half was set on the sea and I am not a fan of seafaring. Still, the plot was interesting, Locke and Jean were as fu 2.5*- 3* RTC

I was in love with the first book in the series, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Everything about it made me jump with joy while reading, even the gory parts. I loved the characters, the cussing, the banter between the characters, the dark side of Locke’s mind, even the never ending world building. On to Red Seas Under Red Skies. I still enjoyed it a lot even though more than half was set on the sea and I am not a fan of seafaring. Still, the plot was interesting, Locke and Jean were as fun as ever and the ending did not disappoint.

The Republic of Thieves, on the other hand, was a disappointment. I postponed reading it because I was expecting a fail based on my friends reviews and the author’s state of mind when he wrote the novel. Scott Lynch suffers from severe anxiety and depression and wrote TROT while going through a divorce. You can clearly see that he was unwell in his writing, by its bleakness and lack of spark. I am sorry for him, I hope he recovers and manages to continue the series but I will not give extra points for sympathy. I will write my reviews for the content of what I’m reading.

Why was I so disappointed? Let’s start with the plot. It was boring, stale and the resolution lacked the spark of genius that the other two volumes had. In short and spoiler free, Locke and Jean are hired (coerced) by half of the Bondsmagi to help them win/rig an election between two parties. Surprise, the opposition hires Sabetha counter Locke’s efforts. We finally get to meet the infamous love of Locke’s life and they are supposed to be fighting with each other. It should have been amazing, fireworks should fly around, I shouldn’t have been able to put the book down. Sadly, that did not happen. The whole election intrigue was lacking any life and I sort of just wanted to end.
Next, the love story. We waited for 1200 pages or so to meet Sabetha and when we did it was so anticlimactic and lame. I could not see any chemistry between the two of them although the author tried hard to create some. Locke felt a bit pathetic with his puppy-love attitude and his willingness to suffer continuously because of love.

Thirdly, the side story which covers about half of the book. We are taken back in time when the crew was still together and younger. They are sent by Father Chains to play in an itinerant theater company outside Camorr and there they are faced with a number of challenges. We also get the chance to see how Sabetha and Locke got together. Sadly, this part was a boring as the other onet and again there was no chemistry between the two lovebirds.

The first 100 pages and the last 100 saved the novel for me but it wasn’t enough to make it a good read. I will continue with the series if the author ever gets to finish the next one (which I doubt) but I will not hold my hopes too high.
...more

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Apr 14, 2016 Orient rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: action lovers

Recommended to Orient by: Milda Page Runner

Shelves: desperado, recs-by-milda, entertaining, fantasy, hero, killer

Gentleman Bastards books are special and unforgettable to me for a good reason: Mr. Lynch used a strong, fun storyline that kept me hooked. "Republic of Thieves" has two branches in a storyline and it is a fun read too. The two stories blend perfectly with the events helping to reveal one another. I think it's a complicated trick to present a story, but Lynch does it skillfully. The main star of this novel is the political intrigue and the Bastards do it nicely with their sly and shrewd characte ...more

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May 30, 2013 AnHeC the Paperback Obliterator rated it liked it

Word count: about 250 000 or something, just a rough estimate
Rating: Bouncing around like a unicorn on a pogo stick + why do you keep on hitting me in the face with a brick while I'm trying to have fun? = (yes, you've guessed it) MIND NUMBING CONCOCTION OF AWESOME AND HORRID.

I'm sorry, but there is no way to keep it brief.

First of all, it’s a long book. Yes, reading it undeniably takes a while, but I’ve very much enjoyed it in general. Don’t let the length discourage you from picking that one ...more

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Feb 20, 2019 Matthew rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Matthew by: Mike

Shelves: fantasy, audio, 2019

This first book in this series was very good.

The second book in this series was excellent!

This book was just meh . . .

Each one of the books is a similarly meandering and complex epic adventure with twists, turns, and surprises. The Republic of Thieves was no exception. The problem was that I could not really get invested in either of the main storylines. The previous books were true adventures while these stories just felt like ho –hum, day in the life type stuff.

I will say that if you like the ...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Nico rated it it was ok

Shelves: arc

German Review on Gosureviews

After 6 years I expected a better story.
Sabetha, teased in the previous two books, turns out to be a very weak and shallow character. One of the main plot lines, their "love story" just doesn't work. They don't really have any chemistry together and later in the book I actually got annoyed whenever they had a scene together.
It started very strong, but the main story was utterly boring and predictable, so much that I had a hard time finishing the book. The end made u ...more

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Jul 26, 2016 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it really liked it

Shelves: buddy-read, bro-mantic, awesome-audio, witches-warlocks-and-magic, 4-5-stars, fantastic-fantasy

We are back on track!!!

I don’t have time for a super in depth review but let’s just say that some of the magic that was lost for me in Red Seas over Red Skies is now back again.

Part of the reason is the flashbacks to when Locke and Jean were kids running scams and seeing Sabatha when she was part of their team. The other reason is Sabatha now. SHE IS AMAZING!!! You are either going to love her or hate her but I love her and I love Locke’s reactions to her.

“I’m, uh, going up to the room … to

“I’m, uh, going up to the room … to get ready.”
“You’ve got at least four hours before we have to leave.”
“Yeah, but if I don’t start my nervous pacing now, I’ll never have it all done in time.”

The other reason was the competition between Sabatha, Locke and Jean. Each has been commissioned by the bonds magi in a political game trying to win an election. I loved the games that they played with each other as Locke and Jean are pitted against Sabetha. It was a funny game and I loved all the one upping they did against each other. It was a great game.

Still there are some big revelations about Locke and where he might have come from. Is it true….was it a farce. I still have no idea because it could go either way at this point.

Lynch has some great lines and banter throughout this book and I was able to follow along with his story so much better this time around. It seemed like he had a clear idea where his story was going and I loved the journey that he took me on. Plus we are left with a very unexpected ending that made me want to continue on right then….but alas just a little longer until the next book is out.

Some of my favorite lines were:

“Butterflies instantly came to life in his stomach, and the little bastards were heavily armed.”

“My disinterest in your bullshit is so tangible you could make bricks out of it”
“Well … damn. You’re obviously in a mood.”
“Am I?” There was danger in her tone. “Am I really? Why should that be exceptional? A boy may be as disagreeable as he pleases, but when a girl refuses to crap sunshine on command the world mutters darkly about her moods.”

“You’ve the presence of a mouse fart in a high wind. Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.”

If you were on the fence like I was after Red Seas Under Red Skies I say give this a go as I think that we are back to the brilliance of the original Lies of Locke Lamora.
...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Solseit rated it really liked it

Finally I sit down to write a thoughtful (let's say, trying to) review of the book.

This is just the best book yet on Locke and Jean. We are at a point in which we know the two are the closest buddies ever. They are (and continue to be) the priority on everything and everyone for each other.

Their dialogues are pure gold. I was listening to the audiobook while at the gym and I would giggle or laugh every now and again and people would stare at me as if I was crazy. The jury is still out there on ...more

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Dec 25, 2016 Natalie Monroe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: get-a-life-pixie-girl, he-s-so-bad-but-he-does-it-so-well, could-have-been-better, fearless-protagonists, kick-ass-heroines, pants-are-snowmen-and-they-are-june, favorites, laugh-out-loud-humor, surf-n-turf, fabulous-five-stars

"You're trying to be charming again," she said softly, "but I choose not to be charmed, Locke Lamora."

Long last, after three hefty books, we finally meet Locke's lost love, Sabetha Belacoros.

Quick crash course for those with short-term memory loss: Sabetha was a Gentleman Bastard and is hinted to be romantically involved with Locke, and then left for some unknown reason. Locke still loves her, but is slightly bitter about it.

That's from the first two books. In this one, we finally meet the ...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Artemas rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 600-749-pages

Crooked Warden, Nameless Thirteenth, guide Scott Lynch’s pen swiftly through Locke Lamora’s next daring adventure. Grant him new ways of tickling my fancy with poetic swearing, witty scheming, and vicious storytelling.

So apparently the Nameless Thirteenth enjoys pissing on mortals and laughing at their prayers. THIS is what I’ve been waiting years for? THIS didn’t even have the same feel as the first two books in the beloved Gentlemen Bastards series. It felt more like a PG-13 version of an R ra ...more

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Jun 15, 2014 Will M. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, fantasy, 2014

Blessed is the one who aids a thief, hides a thief, revenges a thief, and remembers a thief, for they shall inherit the night.

I used to think of the Gentleman Bastard series as a mediocre series, but this third instalment finally managed to impress me. Action wise, this had quite a few. Not enough to fully impress me, but quite adequate to keep things interesting. This novel felt more like a character development novel for Locke and the ever mysterious Sabetha.

So we finally get to know who Sabetha is, and not only that, but we also get to know their past. We finally understand why Locke is so obsessed with her. Just like his first two novels, we have 2 alternating chapters of current events and the interludes. Just like before, I also liked the interludes in this novel. I really liked Father Chains in the fist novel, and it's quite refreshing to read more of him in the third one. As for Sabetha, she's exactly how I envisioned her. Playing hard to get in the beginning, but falls for the guy anyway. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just that I saw it coming. Jean was quite as interesting as he was in the previous novels. Locke and Jean will always be one of my favorite characters in the fantasy genre.

Plot wise, this one kind of lost its track. Lynch tried to incorporate the romance and the plot, but he kind of focused on the romance instead. I would've hated this because of that, but Locke and Sabetha's story was just really interesting to read about. I didn't find it cliche, because of the witty things Father Chains did to them, or made them do. This is a wonderful adventure-fantasy novel with an amazing set of characters. This is way better than the second book, and by a long shot. I'm just really impressed by how Lynch managed to keep my interest for 721 pages. It's not the longest Fantasy novel I've read, but I guess it's one of the best. It didn't make it to my favorites list though, but clearly this one deserves the 5 star rating.

While I previously stated that this one focused on the romance, the author still managed to incorporate his natural wit and write with such impeccable technique. The way the romance was written is not the typical cliche romance of two characters you mostly read about. It's filled with adventure, and managed to be a page turner. You would want to know what will happen next. His ever present plot twists were also evident, and that ending was perfect. The latter part was full of plot twists chapter after chapter, and I honestly didn't see them coming. The epilogue was perfect. He couldn't have written a better cliffhanger. I hate and love him for that. The ending of the book itself though, prior to the epilogue, was even better. What is Locke going to do next? Why did the author give him such a terrible fate. I have to know what's going to happen next. An arc copy of the fourth novel would be greatly appreciated.
(view spoiler).

Most of my friends rated this 4 stars, and I understand why. I believe most of them loved the first and second novel, but I didn't. I was even expecting to hate this third one because I got bored with the second. It's all opposite now because they rated the first and second 5, and I rated those two with 4 and 3. Of the three novels currently published, this is the only one that managed to really impress me. I didn't get bored while reading, so that's a good thing. The plot is really good and the characters are amazing. 5/5 stars from me, and I can't wait for the next novel. ...more

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Oct 24, 2017 Connor rated it really liked it

Shelves: high-fantasy

Of the three books in the Gentleman Bastard series (Will there ever be any more?) I liked this one least. I really loved meeting Sabetha finally, and seeing Locke and her past. I also loved that we get more information on Locke's mysterious past. I wish this one had kept up the same sense of urgency and suspense that the first two books had though. I wasn't as captivated by the plot because this one focused so much on Locke and Sabetha's perpetually strained relationship. I'm looking forward to ...more

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Jun 01, 2019 may ❀ rated it really liked it

Shelves: 600-pgs, aaaaaaaaaa, bye, i-am-trash, i-will-go-down-with-this-ship, my-heart, series, ded, high-fantasy

well,,,,,,,,,,that epilogue was really a turn of events.

i'm freaking obsessed with this series, gIVE ME MORE

rtc

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May 03, 2015 TS Chan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed reading this series. I love the Locke and Jean bromance. And I'm delighted with the humour, though crude, is strangely eloquent. However, the quality of the books seem to be dropping as the series progressed.

As engaging as the plot was, The Republic of Thieves did suffer from really uneven pacing; some setpieces were dragged out, some rushed through. What I did absolutely love from this book was the backstory Interludes which brought the reader back to Locke's much younger days ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Nathan rated it really liked it

Shelves: author-male, rated-4-star, read-2013, high-fantasy

Fantasy Review Barn

Spoilers from the first two books guaranteed.

Prologue

The young man has found a rekindled interest in the fantasy genre. Joe Abercrombie pulled him back in with The First Law. George RR Martin tried to break him. Eagerly the man searches forums for something new, something great, a series to follow for years to come. Making his choice he grabs one of the shelf, thinking “damn that is a long, awkward title.”

1

The man, slightly older, fires up his Kindle. It is finally here! Eage ...more

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Aug 21, 2010 Simeon rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

An unedited preview of the first 5500 words of the Republic of Thieves can be read here. Publication has also been pushed back to September, 2013.

I'm sorry all you gentlemen bastards, but now we wait.
...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Jesper rated it really liked it · review of another edition

As usual the worldbuilding is great. You really want to be a part of this world, the scents, the buildings, the people. The pace is a lot slower than the rest of the series and I found this one not quite as enjoyable as the prequels, but still a very good book.

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Aug 21, 2015 Maxwell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, i-own-it

Seeing as this is the 3rd book in a series, I don't want to say too much about the plot. I will say that I enjoyed this one much more than Red Seas Under Red Skies but still not quite as much as the first book The Lies of Locke Lamora.

I appreciate that we *finally* got to learn more about Sabetha, and the flashbacks in this book, YOU GUYS, the flashbacks were SO good. I loved the theatrical and political aspects of this one a lot. And as always, Locke & Jean are the ultimate BroTP (pretty sure ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 ChopinFC rated it really liked it

full review...

The Republic of Thieves is yet another outstanding and highly entertaining continuation of the witty, highly sarcastic and definitely R17-rated series Gentleman Bastards!

4 ½ Stars

Again, Scott Lynch had me on the floor belly up laughing for most of the series, and trust me ‘The Republic of Thieves’ was just as fun as the previous 2 entries in the series! I’m a big believer of Goodreads, and all the wonderful (and some not so wonderful) reviews in here. Nothing is worse than reading ...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Jennifer Lim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, romance, grimdark

Quit being so hard on yourself. We are what we are; we love what we love. We don't need to justify it to anyone... not even to ourselves.

Yes. You are absolutely correct, Locke. So no matter how unhappy I am with this installment, no matter how lovesick you were with Sabetha, no matter how thinner this book's plot is compared with the first two, no matter how bored I felt when Patience is talking, I am still giving this four stars, because gods damn it, I am so biased when it comes to Lynch ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Mayim de Vries rated it liked it

Without any doubts Gentleman Bastards is one of my favourite series to date even though from instalment to instalment it steadily goes down the slope with the full quintuple fuckdamn of stars for The Lies of Locke Lamora , three and a half star aboard for the Red Seas Under Red Skies and three very conflicted stars here.

If you remember, I had a feeling that the previous instalment of Gentleman Bastards was the book proper an accompanying pirate novella. Now, the Republic of Thieves is also a co Without any doubts Gentleman Bastards is one of my favourite series to date even though from instalment to instalment it steadily goes down the slope with the full quintuple fuckdamn of stars for The Lies of Locke Lamora , three and a half star aboard for the Red Seas Under Red Skies and three very conflicted stars here.

If you remember, I had a feeling that the previous instalment of Gentleman Bastards was the book proper an accompanying pirate novella. Now, the Republic of Thieves is also a combo novel; it contains two books mashed together intermittently. The first one, the present, picks up promptly where we finished the pirate adventures of Tal Verrar. The second, the past, sheds light onto those golden years in Camorr when all the Gentleman Bastards were in their prime.

In the Republic of Thieves Past, present and future walk into a bar and it IS tense. Both have things I loved and things I found wanting.

In the present, Locke is dying, his humours terminally imbalanced due to the poisoning and no force on earth able to cure him save the Bondsmagi and those are not sweetly predisposed towards Locke since the unfortunate affair with the Falconer. Do you remember Falconer? Brush up your memory, issues around him are becoming central to the story again. It turns out that Karthain is not as monolithic as we were led to believe in the previous instalments and one of the warring factions offers to save Locke in exchange for a job neatly done: winning the elections. Rigged from top to bottom.

“Government affairs are a bit beyond our experience,” said Jean.
“Nonsense. You’ll feel right at home. What is government but theft by consent? You’ll be moving in a society of kindred spirits.”

Oh, and have I mentioned that Sabetha their chief opponent in this game?Book one was the tale of revenge, book two gave us a story of friendship, this time we are given a romance.

The romance rules both the past and the present. In the former, Locke and Sabetha come together, in the latter, they come to terms. Or try to, at least. I am not happy at all with the way this was played.

The past has no conclusion to the story, there is no point, no morale, no ending. Even the buildup in terms of explaining the background of the romance was lacking (we still don’t know the details of the initial breakup). The main strength of the interludes was that it is marvellous to read about the whole gang alive and kicking. In terms of the Sabetha-Locke affair, the interludes were clumsily done with loads of unnecessary details and as such they read more like a prequel than the genius intervals of the first instalment.

The present is better in terms of pacing and emotional whirlwind but the way it ends is perplexing. (view spoiler)

I was waiting for Sabetha so long and with such apprehension, that I don’t blame Mr Lynch for not being able to meet my expectations. He scattered the innuendos with the precision of a master fencer. He led us to believe that the cosmic love between them is less a case of happy coincidence, more of a tragic destiny. Unfortunately for me, when Sabetha is deprived of her mystery shroud, she turns out to be an utter disappointment. For me, Mr Lynch has failed to convey the image of wonder, I cannot look at Sabetha through Locke’s eyes. I don’t see in her the miracle she purportedly is. She does not convince me. What I see is an arrogant girl, a cruel perfectionist with her conscience sensibly trimmed and a functionalist approach to life whereby everything and everyone else is just a tool to advance her own agenda. She has her moments, true, but overall, she is just an annoyance.

“A boy may be as disagreeable as he pleases, but when a girl refuses to crap sunshine on command the world mutters darkly about her moods.”

What I liked about the Republic of Thieves is that it gives the reader another layer of the story and the worldbuilding. We are invited to reconsider the things we think we know about the world and the things we take for granted - like the Elders and their sudden disappearance. This becomes a very important motif and a new element to the puzzle. I like the way Mr Lynch shows different facets of the same story in each book adding a new hue here and a new perspective there. It gives us a complex world, a world that is not black and white.

The electoral shenanigans in Karthain are fun to read, even if we read them with the feeling that none of this matters truly. The whole geopolitical conundrum of the Iron Sea is just a background to the character-driven story. It is all about Locke, nothing more and nothing less. But the turn Locke’s life takes is questionable, though I am willing to give Mr Lynch benefit of the doubt and assume he can pull this through. (view spoiler) Future looks dark and there are things moving and dreaming in the darkness. Let’s hope the Thorn of Emberlain will give us answers.

—
My review of The Lies of Locke Lamora.
My review of Red Seas Under Red Skies. ...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Veeral rated it really liked it

Shelves: woolly-mammoths, netgalley-arc, read-in-2013, 600-800-pages, epic-fantasy

The essence of The Republic of Thieves could be derived from one name:

Sabetha.

Yes, finally Sabetha Belacoros is here! And as expected, Sabetha’s and Locke’s relationship is central to the whole plot of ‘The Republic Of Thieves'.

The book is divided into two parts. The first one deals with the backstory of Locke and Sabetha - at Camorr (where they grew up) and at Espara, where the Gentleman Bastards are sent to perform on stage by Chains. The second plot starts right from where Red Seas Under Red ...more

flag 29 likes · Like · see review

Mar 22, 2016 Ashley Marie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-high, i-own-it, audiobook-would-recommend, kickass-ladies, food-glorious-food, wtf-did-i-just-read

3.5 rounded up bc Locke. and the flashbacks. god the flashbacks.

"Here's to politics," said Sabetha. "Let's never hop in bed with it again."

If there's one takeaway from this book for me, that's it. Also, (view spoiler) Never EVER thought I would say that.

After the first book, I know I'd be a fool to NOT be wary of the Bondsmagi, any of them. And they finally make a spectacular reentrance here, much to the chagrin of our heroes (is that a spoiler? ...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Fantasy series with bank heist in one book [s]	4	43	Feb 11, 2020 07:32PM
Nothing But Readi...: Lynch, Scott--The Republic of Thieves (Gentlemen Bastard #3); Informal buddy read; Starts 15 June 2018	66	164	Jul 02, 2018 06:29PM
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Republic of Thieves [Feb 14, 2018]	134	63	Feb 20, 2018 06:42AM
Fantasy Buddy Reads: The Republic of Thieves [July 2017]	98	94	Jul 13, 2017 07:46PM
SF/F Read Alongs: [July-Aug] The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastards #3)	57	37	Aug 14, 2016 12:20AM
Around the Year i...: The Republic of Thieves, by Scott Lynch	2	23	Feb 17, 2016 10:01PM

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About Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch

19,761 followers

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 2, 1978, the first of three brothers. I've lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area my entire life; currently, just across the border in Wisconsin, about half an hour east of the Twin Cities.

The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this s ...more

Other books in the series

Gentleman Bastard (7 books)

Books by Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)

Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2)

The Thorn of Emberlain (Gentleman Bastard, #4)

The Lies of Locke Lamora / Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard #1-2)

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“A boy may be as disagreeable as he pleases, but when a girl refuses to crap sunshine on command, the world mutters darkly about her moods.” — 302 likes

“Stand aside, and try not to catch fire if I shed sparks of genius.” — 215 likes

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