I have now joined the ranks of the Gentleman Bastards fans anxiously waiting for more books!

The plot of The Republic of Thieves was somewhat more straightforward than the previous book, but it took a while for it to really get into the thick of things. I was about 2/3 through the book before the true action with the election really began! Even so, I don’t feel like it took me that long to get into the book. I do wish Stragos’s poison had had more of an impact — obviously Locke was nearly dead in the beginning, but once they dealt with the poison that was it. It was humorous how it made him starving for the rest of the book, but I kind of wish there had been more of a lasting impact than that, I guess? Regardless, Patience and Coldmarrow transferring the poison out of him was a really incredible scene to introduce us to Bondsmagi other than the Falconer. Patience in general was a great character who I wish we’d seen more of, and I’m a little sad about her ending… but boy am I excited to see more of her son.

Also, regarding the Falconer — I do love a conniving character dead set on revenge, although the epilogue seemed to imply there’s something else he’s going after. Going after the other (now former) Bondsmagi rather than dealing with Locke and Jean, perhaps?

The Interlude plotline was very fun. It reminded me of Moulin Rouge, if they’d killed the Duke and had to dispose of his body. Teenaged Gentleman Bastards, trying to put on an actual stage production without any thievery! There wasn’t much of Father Chains in this one, but it was nice to see Calo and Galdo again, as well as Sabetha. I loved getting to finally meet her after two books of her looming reputation. I wish we’d spent more time with her in the present, and I would’ve loved to have seen more of her and Jean (it was mostly just her and Locke’s relationship), but I liked what we got to see. It was very fun to see Locke and Jean meet their match with another Gentleman Bastard, and I’m intrigued to know what seemed to be hanging over her head, why she needed to take the job as their opposition. It was kind of adorable how absolutely down bad Locke is for her, and I like how he really learned to actually listen to her. There were various moments where he seemed to trample over her (like on the inn rooftop, she mentioned being scared, he replied something like “you’re never scared” — I think she knows her own emotions, kid), but he clearly seemed to grow past that and really respect her.

As for Locke’s character arc, and where it seems to be headed… I normally don’t really like when a character’s arc basically goes “oh by the way, you’re actually some really important unique person and you just forgot.” It often feels cheap, unearned, a boring attempt at making a character interesting. But at least so far, I don’t think I mind how it’s being implemented with Locke. There’s still more to see, of course, nothing has really happened yet beyond him learning who/what he is (or was), but I’m hopeful it’ll play out well. I’m also interested to see if he really is a mage’s soul in an utterly normal body, or if there will be something more there.

Fantastic Locke and Jean moments as always. The scene where Jean yells at him about how he doesn’t stand still, endliktgelaben… heartbreaking! I’m always a sucker for scenes when characters get mad at each other because of how much they love each other.

All these wishes/expectations for the future of the series hinging on The Thorn of Emberlain being released, of course! I believe in you Scott Lynch, I’m on my way to read the new short story now so I know the series isn’t dead <3