Gentleman Bastards discussion
This topic is about
The Republic of Thieves
Book #3
>
The Republic of Thieves Read Along Part I
date
newest »
newest »
1) Chains is always a great deal of fun. It was nice to see the twins again, but I'm looking forward to more cooperative heists where everyone is an expert instead of a child just learning the ropes.2) She has some potential, but we're only getting a taste of her so far. I think Lynch did a decent job of making her coolly competent without going over-the-top. She makes a nice foil for Locke's ridiculousness, but I'm hoping to get a better sense of her as a person outside of her role in the various ploys of the Gentleman Bastards.
3) A mild criticism my wife had of the first book was that it sometimes feels like Locke is such a "big" character that challenging him is difficult and feels slightly contrived initially. I think Lynch has gotten more effective at telegraphing his elaborate set-ups far enough in advance that it doesn't feel so forced. I remember the throwaway line in Red Seas Under Red Skies about the Bondsmagi being able to cure Strago's Extra Special Poison, so I expected that Locke and Jean would need to go to them for help. The Crooked Warden is apparently the patron of writers, as well, in his capacity as the Father of Necessary Pretexts. *smirk*
4) I thought they were reasonable conditions under the circumstances. The Gentleman Bastards aren't mercenaries. They rob who they want when they want and how they want, which means they always know exactly who they're working for and with. They do their research to minimize how much improvisation they will need to do later. The "big cons" we see in the books is that these are the ones where all the plans went horribly wrong, forcing the Gentleman Bastards to spin BS into a parachute just to keep themselves from splattering on the cobblestones below.
5) I'm not *quite* to the end of this section yet, but if Patience were telling the whole truth it wouldn't be much of a Gentleman Bastard book. ;-)
Eric wrote: "1) Chains is always a great deal of fun. It was nice to see the twins again, but I'm looking forward to more cooperative heists where everyone is an expert instead of a child just learning the rope..."I too am looking forward to the current Jean & Locke story, though the flashbacks give insight into Locke's character and his stubborn ways.
I recently reread Lies of Locke Lamora and am rereading Red Seas Under Red Skies inbetween the sections of this read along and there is so much I am catching on the rereads - about the cultures and places, and yes, foreshadowing.
I find it very entertaining that we get to see what these Master Minds of Thievery do when faced with the unexpected. And not just the little bits of unexpected that they could compensate for because of their past experience - but big things.
Oh, and I love the creative swearing :).
Susan wrote: "Eric wrote: "1) Chains is always a great deal of fun. It was nice to see the twins again, but I'm looking forward to more cooperative heists where everyone is an expert instead of a child just lear..."Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind author) did a review of tLoLL and openly admitted that Lynch was much better at creative swearing than he is.
Eric wrote: "Susan wrote: "Eric wrote: "1) Chains is always a great deal of fun. It was nice to see the twins again, but I'm looking forward to more cooperative heists where everyone is an expert instead of a c..."Yes! I saw that. He also had something on his facebook feed about Red Seas Under Red Skies. I love it when one of my favorite authors compliments another of my favorite authors.
Loving book 3 so much, so far. A bit past Interlude I, but I have to say I was thrilled with the return of Father Chains. :-) Calo and Galdo I can take or leave, but throw Chains into the mix, and I'm sold. Since we've all been in anticipation of Sabetha, I have no strong feelings as of yet on her, but I am anxious to see what progresses. More than the next Rothfuss or Martin book, however, was my anticipation for this one.
Katey wrote: "Loving book 3 so much, so far. A bit past Interlude I, but I have to say I was thrilled with the return of Father Chains. :-) Calo and Galdo I can take or leave, but throw Chains into the mix, ..."I'm listening to the audiobook and Chains is magnificent in it! I highly recommend it, if you like audiobooks.
After participating in the read alongs of Books 1 & 2 about a year and a half ago, I was very, very much looking forward to Book 3. I think a good chunk of the reason is because Book 1 and Book 2 were so very different from one another.
Susan wrote: "Katey wrote: "Loving book 3 so much, so far. A bit past Interlude I, but I have to say I was thrilled with the return of Father Chains. :-) Calo and Galdo I can take or leave, but throw Chains i..."The narrator of the audiobooks for this series is *amazing*. I was impressed in the first book with his ability to create the voices of Locke's alter egos that were simultaneously exactly the way they were described in the book, distinctly recognizable as those aliases, and yet still identifiable as Locke. There's a scene in the current week's reading where he does something especially awesome with character voices. It had me positively floored.
Eric wrote: "Susan wrote: "Katey wrote: "Loving book 3 so much, so far. A bit past Interlude I, but I have to say I was thrilled with the return of Father Chains. :-) Calo and Galdo I can take or leave, but ..."I went back and reread Books 1 & 2 before this read along by listening to the audios and I love how the narrator does the odd gasps, grunts, sounds of disgust, etc. that appear throughout the series. Michael Page is an amazing reader.
If you haven’t read the first two books or this section of Book 3, then beware the spoilers below!
1) We get to reminisce with several old friends in this section - Carlo, Galdo, Chains. How did you like this? Bitter sweet or happy dance?
2) Finally, the infamous Sabetha makes a physical appearance, albeit in Locke's reminisces. What are your impressions? How do you think the romance, if there is to be one, will play out?
3) After trying absolutely everything to save Locke, Jean still won't give up. What did you think of that little pep talk he gave Locke concerning Patience's offer of healing?
4) Locke has a few caveats to working for the Bondsmage. Wise or just Locke grasping for some control over his life? What would you ask Patience?
5) At the end of this section, we see that all is not as Patience laid it out. How much do you think Patience knows of the plot to off Locke and Jean? Do you see it interfering in the rigged election?
As always, feel free to throw in whatever else you want to discuss from this section.