The Republic of Thieves
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4.4 • 725 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A bright new voice in the fantasy genre” (George R. R. Martin), acclaimed author Scott Lynch continues to astound and entertain with his thrillingly inventive, wickedly funny, suspense-filled adventures featuring con artist extraordinaire Locke Lamora. And The Republic of Thieves is his most captivating novel yet.
NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF THE DECADE
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 him or finish him off once and for all.
Magi political elections are imminent, and the factions are in need of a pawn. If Locke agrees to play the role, sorcery will be used to purge the venom from his body—though the process will be so excruciating he may well wish for death. Locke is opposed, but two factors cause his will to crumble: Jean’s imploring—and the Bondsmage’s mention of a woman from Locke’s past: Sabetha. She is the love of his life, his equal in skill and wit, and now, his greatest rival.
Locke was smitten with Sabetha from his first glimpse of her as a young fellow orphan and thief-in-training. But after a tumultuous courtship, Sabetha broke away. Now they will reunite in yet another clash of wills. For faced with his one and only match in both love and trickery, Locke must choose whether to fight Sabetha—or to woo her. It is a decision on which both their lives may depend.
Praise for The Republic of Thieves
“Fast paced, fun, and impossible to put down . . . Locke and company remain among the most engaging protagonists in fantasy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The Republic of Thieves has all the colorful action, witty repartee, and devious scheming that fans of the series have come to expect.”—Wired
“A fantasy world unique among its peers . . . If you’re looking for a great new fantasy series this is one you won’t want to miss. . . . In a word: AWESOME!”—SF Revu
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lynch's long-awaited third Gentleman Bastards high-fantasy caper novel (after 2007's The Lies of Locke Lamora and 2008's Red Seas Under Red Skies) abundantly delivers on the promise of the earlier volumes. Quick-witted protagonist Locke is slowly succumbing to poison as his loyal companion, Jean, tries to find someone who can save him. The price of rescue gets the duo involved in running an election campaign in the city-state of Karthain, where the parties are fronts for two factions of terrifyingly powerful mages. The opposition campaign leader is none other than Locke's long-lost love, Sabetha, who knows all of his moves and has a few of her own. A set of flashbacks explores Locke, Jean, and Sabetha's shared past as a theatrical scam goes horribly wrong. Locke and company remain among the most engaging protagonists in fantasy, and Lynch sneaks in some incisive political parody while never overdoing the comedy. The result is fast paced, fun, and impossible to put down.
Customer Reviews
Doesn’t stand on its own feet
Locke is a very well written character and this book has a tall task of standing up to the first, which was an excellent read. The second book was a little convoluted, but eventually found a foothold and sort of made it all worth it despite the ending being what it was leading into this installment. This felt like eating a steak that was 90% fat. The bits that were real meat were real meat, but there’s so much to wade through. One of the things that I both like and dislike about the fantasy genre is that authors want to make a point. This book took two parallel timelines and 20 minor characters to drive a point home when all I wanted was the resolution to about five characters relationships to one another. It was all worth it because of the fantastic character work that is done with the main characters, but I don’t need all the fluff that isn’t integral to what’s taking place. I enjoyed it, but I don’t know that I would have read it knowing where it ends or without being invested in the characters.
Probably not one I’ll reread
It seems to have lost some wit of the first two books. The characters are still good, but there isn’t any new context for what makes them brilliant. The “con” that gets them to the end of the politics plot is so abrupt and unfulfilling. Most of the political stuff felt more like petty scams run by primitives, not the fantastical ideas imagined by professional confidence men. Maybe it was intentional that the schemes were fumbly to emphasize that L and J aren’t politicos. Unlike several reviews, I enjoyed the back story that speaks to all the foreshadowing in the first two books about Sabetha. That “con” felt clunky as well but it should have been expected considering the age of the gang and it was their first group foray outside of Camorr.
Average book, but the cliffhanger has me excited about the next incursion.
More amazing plots and schemes.
Great ride of a book. Glad to see Lynch can still keep me on the edge of my seat while leaving me thirsting for the next entry in the series.