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TerminalBlue posted:Just finished the first book after picking it up completely on a whim. Loved the poo poo out of it and it's probably the first fantasy novel I've read and really enjoyed in years now. Can't wait to move onto the second and eventually third. Seems like these days most series seem to start well and then just disappoint the poo poo out of me, so I'm hoping that for once this won't be the case. A lot of people didnt like the second book, but I think its only because the author tried to do something different, whereas many readers expected it to be more like the first in terms of structure. I honestly still liked it a lot.
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 03:04 |
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# ? Apr 28, 2024 13:22 |
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Mr.48 posted:A lot of people didnt like the second book, but I think its only because the author tried to do something different, whereas many readers expected it to be more like the first in terms of structure. I honestly still liked it a lot. I liked it, just not as much. Though upon a reread, there are a few pacing problems in the first book.
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 04:36 |
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Benson Cunningham posted:I liked it, just not as much. Though upon a reread, there are a few pacing problems in the first book. A few? That book easily could've had 250-300 pages cut from it without sacrificing any forward momentum. Like the scene in which, having just heard in dialogue how two characters broke into a mansion, subdued the guard and laid in wait for the master of the house, we see how those two characters broke into the mansion, subdued the guard and laid in wait for the master of the house (surprise:it happened exactly the way they said it did fifteen pages earlier). Or the constant putting the brakes on full-stop to explain about a bit of architecture, or current fashion in the city, or political realities whose effects have already been made abundantly clear without being fully explicated. And then there's the 50+ page interlude about Locke acquiring a particular suit of clothes, which introduces several new characters and a brand new, fully-realized con, all of which culminates in Locke getting the suit he needed with no complications and never seeing any of those new characters again, except for one who appears for approximately fifteen seconds to deliver a "Hey, those clothes sure look familiar!" joke and then disappear again. The only purpose that entire extended set-piece serves is to further establish that Locke thinks quickly in tight circumstances and can wrap powerful people around his finger, which has already been well-established--it could easily be replaced with any number of simpler ways for Locke to get fancy clothes and change the rest of the book in nothing but incredibly minor ways. I do really enjoy the books, but rereading the first one five years later it's really clear that it's a first novel (albeit one by somebody who can write a really fun story).
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 06:55 |
There's a third excerpt from Republic of Thieves available on Camorr.com (a fan forum) -- actually two separate versions of what looks like the first chapter set in the present. The first is like four years old and the second is from 2010. Lynch has apparently asked they not be posted/hosted outside Camorr.com but I can't imagine that linking to the Camorr.com threads would be objectionable. http://camorr.com/content/new-republic-thieves-excerpt http://www.camorr.com/content/exclusive-trot-excerpt
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 10:43 |
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PateraOctopus posted:A few? That book easily could've had 250-300 pages cut from it without sacrificing any forward momentum. Like the scene in which, having just heard in dialogue how two characters broke into a mansion, subdued the guard and laid in wait for the master of the house, we see how those two characters broke into the mansion, subdued the guard and laid in wait for the master of the house (surprise:it happened exactly the way they said it did fifteen pages earlier). Or the constant putting the brakes on full-stop to explain about a bit of architecture, or current fashion in the city, or political realities whose effects have already been made abundantly clear without being fully explicated. And then there's the 50+ page interlude about Locke acquiring a particular suit of clothes, which introduces several new characters and a brand new, fully-realized con, all of which culminates in Locke getting the suit he needed with no complications and never seeing any of those new characters again, except for one who appears for approximately fifteen seconds to deliver a "Hey, those clothes sure look familiar!" joke and then disappear again. The only purpose that entire extended set-piece serves is to further establish that Locke thinks quickly in tight circumstances and can wrap powerful people around his finger, which has already been well-established--it could easily be replaced with any number of simpler ways for Locke to get fancy clothes and change the rest of the book in nothing but incredibly minor ways. Perhaps, then, you should avoid that prequel about how they acquired that bottle of superexpensive brandy that they used in that con to make the Salvaras believe that said brandy was even more expensive than it actually was. I forget the name, but it does exist.
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 15:24 |
uh zip zoom posted:Perhaps, then, you should avoid that prequel about how they acquired that bottle of superexpensive brandy that they used in that con to make the Salvaras believe that said brandy was even more expensive than it actually was. Nah, prequels aren't happening. quote:
http://scottlynch.us/blog/2013/03/18/the-republic-of-thieves/
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 15:32 |
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Hieronymous Alloy posted:Nah, prequels aren't happening. I'm assuming the Choir of Knives prequel is a different name for The Bastards and the Knives? What a shame, I was really looking forward to the old gang doing their thing again. Then again, I never thought we'd see Republic of Thieves, so I'll take what I can get.
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# ? Aug 30, 2013 16:17 |
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PateraOctopus posted:about Despite loving the hell out of it, now that some of the 'just finished it' glow has worn off I find myself agreeing with everything you just said here.
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# ? Aug 31, 2013 07:36 |
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I'm pirating the new book because my poor sick mother needs an operation, and I can't afford the price of both.
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# ? Sep 7, 2013 13:30 |
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uh zip zoom posted:I'm pirating the new book because my poor sick mother needs an operation, and I can't afford the price of both. LIAR!
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# ? Sep 7, 2013 13:33 |
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I'm forced to steal zip zoom's only copy because he deserves it
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# ? Sep 7, 2013 14:05 |
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The Supreme Court posted:I'm forced to steal zip zoom's only copy because he deserves it LIAR!
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# ? Sep 7, 2013 14:44 |
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I'm pirating the book because the daft of my coffer is jerry-cocked all to the futtocks you picaroons.
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# ? Sep 9, 2013 14:54 |
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Bastard.
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# ? Sep 9, 2013 15:06 |
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Heads up for kindle owners. The first book is currently .99 cents.
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# ? Sep 17, 2013 04:09 |
Ingram posted:Heads up for kindle owners. The first book is currently .99 cents. At that price, it's a steal!
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# ? Sep 17, 2013 04:24 |
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Say what you want about Red Seas, The scene with the jeremite redeemers is positively amazing. "The gods have sent your doom, motherfuckers!"
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# ? Sep 17, 2013 16:43 |
uh zip zoom posted:Say what you want about Red Seas, The scene with the jeremite redeemers is positively amazing. Lynch has the amazingly rare ability to write good profanity. Profanity in fantasy almost always comes across as the author trying too hard. In Lynch it works, which is really impressive.
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# ? Sep 17, 2013 16:50 |
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Hieronymous Alloy posted:Lynch has the amazingly rare ability to write good profanity. Profanity in fantasy almost always comes across as the author trying too hard. In Lynch it works, which is really impressive. It's like a fantasy version of deadwood Edit: anyone else take into naming their penis The Sinspire, yet? For me, it's either that or The Dowager Countess. uh zip zoom fucked around with this message at 16:16 on Sep 21, 2013 |
# ? Sep 17, 2013 17:03 |
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I finished Republic of Thieves a few days ago. It wasn't very good. Worse than Red Seas Under Red Skies by quite a bit.
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 01:49 |
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This is...disappointing. I hope it's not general consensus. I had high hopes for Lynch's career, but two lackluster books in a row can kill a fanbase.
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 02:49 |
Most of the advance reviews seem to be congregating around "four stars" -- not as amazing as Lies but still quite solid.
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 03:57 |
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Well the preview chapters I read way back when certainly give me hope that it will be ok, despite Lynch's personal problems. I'll keep my fingers crossed.Vincie posted:I finished Republic of Thieves a few days ago. It wasn't very good. Worse than Red Seas Under Red Skies by quite a bit. I have no idea how you did this, as I've not been able to find any source for it (I have found many thousands of trojans, spam sites, offers to enlarge my penis and crimes against sanity though). I'll be buying it anyway, but I'd rather read it sooner rather than later. Care to reveal your source? Carth Dookie fucked around with this message at 12:33 on Sep 26, 2013 |
# ? Sep 26, 2013 06:41 |
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I am a dumbass who doubleposted. Sorry.
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 12:33 |
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darth cookie posted:I am a dumbass who doubleposted. Probably a review copy.
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 12:55 |
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You are probably right, but I hope not. I've waited 6 years, what's another couple of weeks?
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# ? Sep 26, 2013 13:07 |
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Vincie posted:I finished Republic of Thieves a few days ago. It wasn't very good. Worse than Red Seas Under Red Skies by quite a bit. That's pretty interesting. Can you tell us more? I've heard that it's more of a romance than anything else, and I'm okay with that if that is the case.
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# ? Sep 27, 2013 18:44 |
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uh zip zoom posted:That's pretty interesting. Can you tell us more? I've heard that it's more of a romance than anything else, and I'm okay with that if that is the case. Sure. I'll save specifics (unless asked to otherwise) until after the book comes out. I'm curious as to how other people will receive it, since I'm perhaps more critical than many when I read. (I took a conservative stance and put spoiler tags on bits that are not specific but which might reveal too much regardless.) I just looked up the blurb and it only describes half of the book. The narrative is split between two stories: the bondsmagi electioneering plot in Karthain (as described in the blurb), and then flashbacks that center on Sabetha's interactions with Locke as children that then segue into another plot that features all five of the Father Chains gang as teenagers. Chapters alternate between these two storylines. I didn't care much for the flashback story. I suppose a lot of people will like it just to see the gang together again, but I grew increasingly bored and impatient with it, particularly in the latter half of the book. I can't get too much into my disappointment without resorting to spoilers, but when you have a dual narrative like this, especially with the alternating chapters, both stories need to be equally strong and play off each other in such a way that they continually increase tension and momentum. Unfortunately the flashback story is a total drag and I started skimming those parts toward the end. Also, Karthain doesn't have much going for it as a setting. It's not memorable in the way that Camorr or parts of Tal Verrar were. Huge let down for me because that's one of the best things about both preceding novels. Jean doesn't have much to do in this book. The bondsmagi as a group aren't really an active part of the story. We only really get to see and experience them through the perspective and actions of one character. And then there's Sabetha. The book focuses a lot on Locke's relationship with her, but it's all kind of a mess and at the end we're left with more questions and uncertainties, not just about them as a couple, but about Locke himself. I'm most curious as to how people will handle the revelations about Locke. I have so much more to talk about! I hope a lot of people are willing to discuss the book once they're finished.
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# ? Sep 27, 2013 20:27 |
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Okay, see you when you say bad I've got a whole different picture in my mind. I've read some pretty foul poo poo in this genre Mercedes Lackey Edit: hell, right now I'm reading Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and that's probably the third or fourth most thing I've put my eyeballs to this decade. Hopefully that will make Republic of Thieves better by comparison. uh zip zoom fucked around with this message at 21:33 on Sep 27, 2013 |
# ? Sep 27, 2013 21:28 |
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uh zip zoom posted:Okay, see you when you say bad I've got a whole different picture in my mind. I've read some pretty foul poo poo in this genre Mercedes Lackey Oh Jesus, have you read the end yet?? I don't mean to derail the thread but holy gently caress that book was the worst poo poo I've read since the Warded Man series.
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# ? Sep 28, 2013 04:30 |
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Thanks to the recommendation of this forum, I've finally got around to reading Lies and I've just finished Red Seas, and I loved them both. I agree with pretty much everyone that Lies was a stronger, tighter book. I still really liked Red Seas, but it did feel like Scott Lynch had 2 really cool ideas and mushed them together, instead of focusing 1 book on a casino heist and 1 book on pirate adventures on the high seas. I really love the setting he's created, Lynch has definite talent in world-building. One thing that has struck me is how predictable his books have seemed to me, only for him to pull a twist that blows my assumptions out of the water. For example I was certain that the Gray King was Locke's father. In the book, Locke has his first meeting with the Gray King and notices something familiar about his face, and then in the very next flashback he admits to Jean that he doesn't know where/who his father is and may not be an orphan. I rolled my eyes because it seemed obvious and was surprised by the real twist. I also thought that since the sequel was about adventures on the high seas the Gray King would escape by the end of Lies and that Red Seas would be about Locke and Jean chasing him down for revenge. One thing that was spoiled for me was the deaths of Calo, Galdo and Bug. An advertisement in the back of my copy of Lies said "Read the continuing adventures of Locke and Jean in 'Red Seas'", so pretty early on I realized that all the Gentlemen Bastards wouldn't make it to the end of the book. You would think the publishers (or whoever puts those adverts at the end) would be smarter than to spoil the plot, when they so easily could have said 'the further adventures of the Gentlemen Bastards'. I didn't see Ezri's death coming though. I was hoping that book 3 would be Locke, Jean, and adding a kickass pirate chick to round out the group. I liked Jean having his moment of romance and didn't want it to end, especially since there seems to be so much Gods-drat drama surrounding Locke's lovelife. But overall I am very happy to find another good on-going fantasy series to force on my friends and family. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on Republic of Thieves!
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# ? Sep 28, 2013 21:15 |
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spootime posted:Oh Jesus, have you read the end yet?? I don't mean to derail the thread but holy gently caress that book was the worst poo poo I've read since the Warded Man series. Are you just saying that because I made that I'll advised Warded Man thread. (If so, I deserve it.) But to get this thread somewhat back on track, has anyone noticed that many major fantasy series tend to have very weak middles? Crossroads of twilight, A feast for crows, I'm sure there are others and it's really unsurprising. The middle of any series is where the author has to juggle the most amount of plot arcs, while still advancing them at a decent pace and still keeping the readers interested. I would imagine the middle of a fantasy series is probably one of the hardest things to write. Unless, of course, your last name is Sanderson. Edit: sweet jumping gently caress emperor of Thorns is terrible… uh zip zoom fucked around with this message at 19:34 on Sep 29, 2013 |
# ? Sep 28, 2013 21:22 |
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Latest review is up on Fantasy-faction.com, and it isn't exactly stellar. Which is worrying, given that FF have historically leaned towards giving uber positive reviews even to books I dislike.
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# ? Sep 30, 2013 19:26 |
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BananaNutkins posted:Latest review is up on Fantasy-faction.com, and it isn't exactly stellar. Which is worrying, given that FF have historically leaned towards giving uber positive reviews even to books I dislike. Did you and I read the same review? 8/10 and the guy seemed to love it. http://fantasy-faction.com/2013/the-republic-of-thieves-by-scott-lynch
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# ? Oct 1, 2013 17:52 |
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LASER BEAM DREAM posted:Did you and I read the same review? 8/10 and the guy seemed to love it. Same review. Fantasy-Faction is not going to publish critical articles on any popular authors because they want to be sent ARCs and do interviews. Go and read some of their past articles. If they do have criticisms to make, they are always very muted and roundabout. I'm guessing it's going to be a decent book, but not a great one. I thought the same thing after reading their review of Red Country, which I feel was also a bit of a disappointment.
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# ? Oct 1, 2013 23:39 |
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BananaNutkins posted:Same review. See, now I am less worried, because that book was awesome.
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# ? Oct 2, 2013 04:10 |
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You can read the first fifty pages here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/171465290/THE-REPUBLIC-OF-THIEVES-by-Scott-Lynch-50-Page-Fridays
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# ? Oct 5, 2013 22:07 |
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Wow, thanks for that.
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# ? Oct 5, 2013 23:02 |
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Republic of Thieves just got brutalized by Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. The tears...they are flowing. Fingers crossed that he just has bad taste on this one. he hated it. First hundred pages are good and then it just falls apart
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# ? Oct 6, 2013 06:32 |
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# ? Apr 28, 2024 13:22 |
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Of course the preview ended on a cliffhanger, and the book wont even be shipped for another 4 days. ffffffffff
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# ? Oct 6, 2013 06:50 |