Read these books...

[Troy]

These books took me by surprise. Part epic fantasy part Oceans 11. So far there are 3 books in this series with more planned. I want more people to explore the lives of The Gentleman Bastards within these pages.

[Matt]

it rules.

[E.W.]

I really enjoyed the first book, but the 2nd was just okay. Undecided if I'll check out the 3rd.

[Andrew]

Many people add the 's' to Bastard in the subtitle of the series.

[Roger]

I really really enjoyed the first book, I trudged through the second and was disappointed in the third.

[E.W.]

Thanks Roger - sounds like your experience with the first two books mirrored mine, so I'd likely have the same outcome with the 3rd book.

[sailor _stuck_at_sea]

I genuinely liked all three.

[Raymon]

I've LOVED these books since their inception. While the 2nd was an enjoyable read, the first was truly a gem.

They get better after consequential read throughs (just finished my 3rd go around to refresh my memories for the sake of embarking upon the 3rd entry into the series).

Speaking of the 3rd (Republic of Thieves)...my opinion of it is irresistibly influenced by having to wait 6 years for it's release. It was good by it's own right, but felt like there was something missing.

Still, can't wait for the 4th (Fall 2014 release....HOPEFULLY)

[Roger]

I would have been much more okay with the third book if it wasn't for the epilogue, without going into any spoiler I found it very unrealistic. Why wouldn't the person just transport themselves like they had done many other times.

[Tim The Enchanter]

Loved the first two. Was very disappointed with the third considering how long we waited for it. Too much of a love story for my liking. I will say that I did like how it ended at the possibilities that arise for future books.

[Andy]

If you think these books are a good read, you have got to listen to the audiobooks. The reader - Michael Page - is absolutely amazing, and transitions between the voices like a champion.

[Tim The Enchanter]

I did listen to all I them on audio! Michael Page is a star.

[Andy]

I haven't actually read the books simply because I wait for the audiobooks to come out every time. The reader makes them so much richer than reading them myself.
Which is your favorite of the three books?

[Tim The Enchanter]

Andy wrote: "I haven't actually read the books simply because I wait for the audiobooks to come out every time. The reader makes them so much richer than reading them myself.
Which is your favorite of the three..."

I really liked the first two and was so so on the third. I would have to give a slight the edge to the first. I loved the confrontation with the bondsmage (which if I remember was in the first. Its been a while). I really like the seafaring aspects of the second as I have a soft spot for books with nautical themes. The third was too relational for my liking but I like the ending and it sets up some great possibilities.

[Andy]

It really took a closer look at the magic system of the realm, which was very quite creative.
I'd have to say I liked the story of the first better, but the second one really moved me at the end. It was odd to feel so deeply when Ezri died, but that has a lot to do with the reader.

[Tim The Enchanter]

Yeah. Again, Michael Page is great. I believe he won an Audie award for the Lies of Locke Lamora. I guess that the narrators equivalent to the Oscar.

[Andy]

Really? If so, he totally deserves it. I've heard few narrators that have the same power in their voice as he. John Pope (reader of the Conan books) had a good voice, but nothing like this guy.
I've actually stopped listening to books because the voice talent was bad.
But yes, he definitely made the books a whole lot better. The worst part is that it takes Scott Lynch forever to write each book.

[Tim The Enchanter]

Yeah. If you were following his blogs, he was honest about his struggle with severe depression. It was the main reason that it took him so long to get the third book out. I found it inspiring that he was open about it and added to my appreciation of the series.

Michael Page has the accent and that always make audio better :) I enjoy Scott Brick who is great in action adventure type novels and while not powerful like Michael Page, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith who narrates Midnight Riot and the others in the series (my favorite Urban Fantasy Series by the way), is very entertaining.

[Andy]

It was sad to hear that he was struggling so much, and yes it definitely improved his stock in my mind. Have you checked out the Queen of the Iron Sands?

It's not just his accent, it's his ability to do different voices and personalities with such ease.

[Tim The Enchanter]

I haven't heard of that one. I will check it out. Yes, different voices are great in a narrator. Still, I just like narrators with British (and Irish) accents!

[Andy]

Yeah, they sound so much better.
The worst one I've heard has been Australian. I had to stop listening to the book because of it. I can handle the American, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and all of the others, but Aussie just hurts my ears.