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The Gentleman Bastard Series: Questions and Spoilers
Posted on 10/17/17 at 10:10 pm
Posted on 10/17/17 at 10:10 pm
Anyone read the third book, was it any good?
I thought The Lies of Locke Lamora was one of the best books I’ve read in the last several years. Loved the gangster/organized crime/mafia type story set in a very interesting fantasy world. Characters and story were great. Scott Lynch really made the city of Cammor come to life. Couldn’t wait to read the second book.
And I’m not sure I could have been more disappointed.
Red Seas Under Res Skies started off just as good as the first book. But went completely off the rails. Seemed like Lunch was trying to do way too much with too many plot twists and turns. I liked the casino heist but the whole pirate thing came out of nowhere and in the end was pointless and didn’t add much to the story other than Jean’s love story.
And in the end it was like Lymch had forgotten about the casino heist then just threw together a quick ending over the last few pages. Lots of lose ends and unresolved questions. Really thought the book could have been much much better.
So, for those who have read it, does Republic of Thieves come closer to the greatness of the first book or the uneven story with a rushed ending of the second book. And if the latter is it even worth reading.
I thought The Lies of Locke Lamora was one of the best books I’ve read in the last several years. Loved the gangster/organized crime/mafia type story set in a very interesting fantasy world. Characters and story were great. Scott Lynch really made the city of Cammor come to life. Couldn’t wait to read the second book.
And I’m not sure I could have been more disappointed.
Red Seas Under Res Skies started off just as good as the first book. But went completely off the rails. Seemed like Lunch was trying to do way too much with too many plot twists and turns. I liked the casino heist but the whole pirate thing came out of nowhere and in the end was pointless and didn’t add much to the story other than Jean’s love story.
And in the end it was like Lymch had forgotten about the casino heist then just threw together a quick ending over the last few pages. Lots of lose ends and unresolved questions. Really thought the book could have been much much better.
So, for those who have read it, does Republic of Thieves come closer to the greatness of the first book or the uneven story with a rushed ending of the second book. And if the latter is it even worth reading.
This post was edited on 10/17/17 at 10:11 pm
5
Posted on 10/18/17 at 9:29 am to memphis tiger
I am in the same exact spot as you. Finished RSORS a couple of weeks ago and am still debating whether I really liked it or not. Then I read the back cover of the 3rd book and see that the long lost love interest is coming back and just feel, meh. I really like Lynch's writing, but feel he suffers some of the same problems as Rothfuss with his rambling at times. I know Locke is supposed to enjoy the sound of his own voice, but Lynch REALLY takes that to heart at times.
I actually like the pirate story, but it did feel disjointed with the rest of the plot. Playing the Arcon off the Priori in a casino heist (with a little magi thrown in) would have been fine as the plot, IMO. And I think a little shorter would have been better. What I absolutely hated is the crutch that is the latent poison plotline. I still hate it as the book ends.
So I'm right where you are, wondering if I should pick up the 3rd one.
I actually like the pirate story, but it did feel disjointed with the rest of the plot. Playing the Arcon off the Priori in a casino heist (with a little magi thrown in) would have been fine as the plot, IMO. And I think a little shorter would have been better. What I absolutely hated is the crutch that is the latent poison plotline. I still hate it as the book ends.
So I'm right where you are, wondering if I should pick up the 3rd one.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 9:37 am to MSMHater
quote:
I actually like the pirate story, but it did feel disjointed with the rest of the plot. Playing the Arcon off the Priori in a casino heist (with a little magi thrown in) would have been fine as the plot, IMO. And I think a little shorter would have been better. What I absolutely hated is the crutch that is the latent poison plotline. I still hate it as the book ends.
Exactly. The whole pirate thing screwed up the story.
I think that story line could have worked better as maybe it’s own book in the Bastard’s saga but didn’t really fit into this book.
And the end was too rushed. What about the poison? Why did the Archin’s girl kill the alchemist and who is she really working for? I like Lynch’s writing but he tried to do too much and it didn’t work.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 10:14 am to memphis tiger
The first book is the best of the series so far. I didn't hate the second book, but it certainly didn't live up to the first. Republic of Thieves is definitely better than Red Seas. I would recommend you read it.
You're going to have strong opinions about some of the reveals at the end of Republic. Some love it, others hate it.
I'm just waiting for the 4th book to come out. Here's a short story by Lynch that I really liked.
quote:This gets handled in Republic.
What about the poison?
You're going to have strong opinions about some of the reveals at the end of Republic. Some love it, others hate it.
I'm just waiting for the 4th book to come out. Here's a short story by Lynch that I really liked.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 10:22 am to boxcarbarney
quote:
Republic of Thieves is definitely better than Red Seas. I would recommend you read it.
Thanks. I don’t expect any of the others to be as good as Lies. It was great as just a stand alone novel.
Glad to hear that Republic isn’t worse than Res Seas. Will read it.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 1:23 pm to memphis tiger
So many questions get answered in Republic. I liked it better than RSURS. If you loved the first book, keep reading. Republic shouldn’t disappoint.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 1:50 pm to memphis tiger
quote:
Glad to hear that Republic isn’t worse than Res Seas. Will read it.
It's a mild improvement over the second book, hoping the 4th book is better. To be fair though, the author wasn't in a great place mentally when he wrote books 2 and 3, so hopefully improved life will lead to better books.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 4:29 pm to auyushu
quote:
hopefully improved life will lead to better books.
If he ever gets around to finishing them.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 5:46 pm to memphis tiger
3 is a lot better than 2. A lot.
It goes in a completely different direction than what you will expect.
Also, Lynch has gone on record as saying Books 4-7 are the actual story that he envisioned, but he realized that he had to write 1-3 to set up the main story.
It goes in a completely different direction than what you will expect.
Also, Lynch has gone on record as saying Books 4-7 are the actual story that he envisioned, but he realized that he had to write 1-3 to set up the main story.
Posted on 10/18/17 at 6:28 pm to boxcarbarney
quote:
If he ever gets around to finishing them
It looks like he puts one out about every 5-7 Years. So he’s still on pace if the next one comes out in 18.
He doesn’t seem to be like GRRM.
Posted on 10/19/17 at 10:02 am to memphis tiger
I enjoyed all three thoroughly. Lies is a treasure and lightning in a bottle, but Red Seas is great and so is Republic of Thieves. I thought Republic was a little better than Red Seas, but I actually really enjoyed both. Lies is just a fricking gem of a book.
Posted on 10/19/17 at 1:34 pm to memphis tiger
Republic is certainly better than Red Skies. But I actually enjoyed Red Skies. Obviously not as much as Lies.
But let’s not pretend that Lynch is ever going to release book 4.
But let’s not pretend that Lynch is ever going to release book 4.
Posted on 10/19/17 at 3:03 pm to Meursault
quote:
But let’s not pretend that Lynch is ever going to release book 4.
Right. His excuses are so fricking lame "Oh, I bought a house and moved, and the stress of getting a mortgage caused me to be behind by a year." Mother fricker, if everyone had to shut down their entire lives every time they had to get a mortgage, shite would never get done.
Posted on 10/19/17 at 4:20 pm to boxcarbarney
Damn. I was under the impression book 4 was already done and just undergoing edits.
Oh well.
Oh well.
This post was edited on 10/19/17 at 5:51 pm
Posted on 10/19/17 at 5:38 pm to memphis tiger
About a year ago he said Book 4 was completely edited and done, but they had to completely rework the ending. Haven’t heard a peep since.
Posted on 10/19/17 at 8:56 pm to Fun Bunch
It had an original release date of September 2015. Until recently, he hasn't said much about progress on the book. But, he sure loves those comicon appearances.
He stated a month ago that he should be finished by the end of the year. Fingers crossed.
He stated a month ago that he should be finished by the end of the year. Fingers crossed.
Posted on 10/22/17 at 11:11 am to boxcarbarney
I listened to the audio book of the first one. It was fantastic. Then, I saw that he had a mental breakdown. So, I've given up on the series until it is done. I have no desire to become more invested in a series for a writer that is going to take another 35 years to complete. No story is worth that.
Posted on 10/24/17 at 1:07 pm to MSMHater
Ok, this is much better than 2. 
Funnier. Wittier. Enjoying it thoroughly.
Funnier. Wittier. Enjoying it thoroughly. This post was edited on 10/24/17 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 10/25/17 at 9:33 pm to MSMHater
Agree. I picked up over the weekend and I’m about 200 pages in and it feels much more like Lies so far.
I think what Red Seas was missing was the stories/flashbacks to the Bastards growing up with Chains and the “life lessons” he taught them. Seemed that was completely absent from Red Seas, but was a big part of what made Lies great.
I think what Red Seas was missing was the stories/flashbacks to the Bastards growing up with Chains and the “life lessons” he taught them. Seemed that was completely absent from Red Seas, but was a big part of what made Lies great.
This post was edited on 10/25/17 at 9:34 pm
Posted on 10/26/17 at 7:41 pm to memphis tiger
The flashbacks won’t be in Thorn. Only in odd numbered books.
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