The third week, and knee deep in trouble. I love this series. 🙂
Lynn’s Book Blog is hosting this week’s questions.
The election competition. Sabetha isn’t wasting any time throwing pranks at Locke and Jean. Mostly it seemed fairly harmless, or at least not overly serious, until they were kidnapped and put onto a ship and taken out to sea. What did you make of Sabetha’s latest plan? And what did you think about the way she executed it?
Well, give her credit, she thought ahead. The liquor license is sort of funny but annoying since they have to spend money to buy everyone off but, given time, I think Locke and Jean would have done something like that too. That kidnapping though wasn’t something one throws together in a few hours time. I think she should get extra credit here; she’s very good at the little details. But, it seems too easy to just get them out of the way; she seems too competitive for that kind of thing, so I’m slightly disappointed in her. Or, she’s actually that scared of what Locke and Jean can, and will, come up with. Or, she just wanted to see if they could get out of this mess and it was just to buy her more time.
During the escape overboard and Jean’s rather subtle nose dive into the water – I was curious about the lights Locke saw deep in the water when he was performing his rescue – Locke thought they looked different once he was under the waves which I suppose they would but he also had the feeling that he was being watched? Do you think this relates back to the Eldren or some other presence?
I immediately went to the bondsmage when I read this but the Eldren make more sense. I really, really want to know how they fit in and the backstory there. The fires were both cool and creepy. I’m not convinced these are plain old fires, cuz, also, fire underwater doesn’t just happen. Maybe the ritual Patience performed has left him with some lingering side effects and he can now see things like this. Someone, tell me more!
Given that Locke hadn’t seen Sabetha for five years how did you think their first meeting together went (well, it wasn’t strictly speaking their first meeting of course – were you surprised that Jean and Locke hadn’t figured out that the woman pickpocket was Sabetha?) and also what did you make of Jean and Sabetha’s reaction to each other?
Ugh. My first thought when he bumped into the woman, “”No, no, check your pockets. Something just happened and why are you being so lazy!” No one just bumps into Locke unless he wants it to happen and while he wasn’t paying attention, he should have known something was up. Jean was late to this party too. I want to give them a break since they are playing catch up but this was too easy for Sabetha, which I’m sure is all the more reason for her to do it.
During the actual face to face meeting, I think Jean was right to be skeptical, and Locke should have been too, but he’s too caught up in the idea of her. Jean, oh Jean. He put up a good front but I think he knew Locke was too far gone for any logical arguing so he gave in. I think he’s hurting too much and doesn’t want to see them together anyway. Locke, well, he was just a dumbass; he falls for her so easily and she knew he’d do it all over again.
So, the gang have arrived in Espara and already the plans have gone wrong through no fault of their own! Jail for a year plus lose a hand for slapping a noble?? What do you think of the justice system in Espara and how does this bode for the gang?
Slightly harsh to lose a hand over a fight, but you play by their rules when in their city. I did like the thinking, and collaboration, between Locke and Sabetha on getting Moncraine out of prison. Of course, if the two of them could find a way to work like this all the time, just think of what they could accomplish. I think Chains may have to help out in the end, or maybe Locke and Sabetha can work together long enough to keep everyone in one piece and out of jail for the time they’re there.
The acting company are finally coming together and we’re watching the gang as they try to read, act and grab the best parts – are you all ‘happy face’ with the whole theatre scenes or, sad face! Also, I can’t help feeling like this whole storyline is a step out of character for the gang. Any ideas of how it will play out??
I don’t see the point of this story line. I think I’m all sad face and I don’t know why. It just doesn’t fit for me. I get the training, and Chains wanted all of them out of his hair for a bit, and the need to get themselves out of trouble on their own is going to be a needed lesson for them, but a play? It doesn’t do much for me. I do love that’s where the title comes from though! I have faith this will all make sense in the end.
We are also being introduced to a number of new characters, particularly Moncraine and Boulidazi. What are your first impressions of these two and the other new characters in the Company and any particular likes or dislikes so far?
Moncraine is interesting but he can get annoying fast and I see that being a source of tension. I’m also predicting he’s going to try and get in Sabetha’s pants and that’s when Locke is going to go all crazy. The boy got upset when someone else would be kissing her on stage!
Boulidazi, I’m not sure what to think of him yet. He’s obviously going to be trouble and I think he knows more than he’s letting on.
The rooftop scene and the apology. How did it all go so wrong? And how will Locke get out of this latest fix with Boulidazi?
Ok, give the boy a slight break — he tried. If he would only stop talking, his life would be so much easier. And, they all need to learn how to talk less because this is going to go to hell all so fast now. I’m starting to think Chains has a rather sinister reason for sending them there.
Just Book Reading 
Pingback: Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves read-along #3 | All I am - a redhead
Pingback: Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch, readalong week 3 | Lynn's Book Blog
Pingback: The Republic of Thieves: Read Along Part III | Joma's Fantasy Books
I was really surprised with Sabetha at first, and like you said I was almost disappointed in her thinking that she would want to beat them fair and square but then you have to admire her for being the first to think of it! Actually, no, maybe not. Any scheme to remove Sabetha from the scene would never occur to Locke would it! He very much wants her on the scene and in fact I think that’s why is concentration is all over the place, he’s just obsessing about her so much.
It would be great to find out more about the underwater lights – maybe an underwater city like Jason has come up with.
I know – how could Locke have not been suspicious when that woman bumped into him – she even made a bit of a scene.
Losing a hand is definitely a harsh lesson – it would certainly make you think twice before committing such a deed.
I’m enjoying the theatre scenes but that could be because I’ve already read the book! It’s difficult to know now I’m rereading it because I’m reading it with the benefit of knowing what’s going to happen already. I do love that the name of the play is the name of the book – plus the storyline. Not to mention they’re all being set to act in roles that for once they haven’t chosen. So, perhaps it will be more of a test.
I know, I just wanted to shout at Locke to shut up! FFS!! He’d already done enough but he just got carried away. Aaarrggh.
Lynn 😀
He is obsessing and it’s doing him in. I’m sort of hoping he finally gets mad at Sabetha and that gets his head on straight again. But seeing the way he’s acting, that probably won’t happen. 🙂
I like the idea of all of them acting in a play they don’t want to be in — they’re certainly in that very place right now, aren’t they! — so maybe I need to look at it that way. I liked them going from one scheme to the next and seeing how they get out of it. Maybe I need to let that go of their childish ways and let them be more adult like, ya know, like I keep saying they should!
I like the idea that maybe because of the magic Patience performed on Locke that this might mean he is more attuned to other styles of magic. Would be cool 🙂
I thought they were pretty slow with the pickpocketing too, or more specifically when they were talking with the woman and then the handkerchief with G.B on I really thought that was a big hint!
Huge hint! Little slow on the uptake there but I’m willing to cut them slack since Jean was trying to keep Locke alive and Locke was trying well, I’m not sure what he was doing besides whining! 🙂
Perhaps Sabetha was just playing for time by sending Jean & Locke on a boat trip, but I tend to think there was more to it than that. Still, buying time, even a few days, in a competition like this can’t hurt.
Oh, I am so glad I am not the only one who found the whole ‘rehearsing for a play’ scenes not all that engaging. It’s OK, some good banter (not the best banter, but OK). I hope that I will come around to it, or at least, to the actual play itself. I don’t like that Moncraine gave up so easily in teaching Jean and that the others were OK with it, like they couldn’t offer to hold Moncraine’s toes to the fire known as Chains’ wrath if Moncraine didn’t give it a decent shot at teaching ALL of the Camorri.
Yay! After reading the comments though, I’m starting to come around and see the need for this exercise by Chains. Being actors can turn out to be useful but, we’ll see how it goes.
2. I like the idea that Locke is now sensitive to something weird because of his near death experience . . . intriguing!
3. I agree with you about Jean seeing the trap as inevitable – Locke would never listen to reason at this point.
7. Yeah, I’m not entirely sure of Chains’ motivation either.
Poor Jean. He knew they were walking into something but he was never, ever going to talk Locke out of seeing her. Locke is so far in over his head with his obsession of Sabetha that even a poisoning, kidnapping, and near fatal drowning can’t keep him away!
i love that nothing happens for no reasons in these books. 🙂
It took me a while to get used to the theater scenes. as the book goes on, there is more lines out of the play, and the first time I read it I was like “really??”, but second time through was easier for me. especially since i can’t help but giggle because the Sanza boys are barfing through rehearsal. and I like that Locke suddenly has to deal with someone else wanting to woo Sabetha. he’s never had a competitor in that arena before.
Oh, the Sanzas. I do have to admit the puking at practice is funny. 🙂
It’s funny seeing Locke with a competitor for Sabetha. None of the others see her that way, or want her the way he does, so a little competition in the love department will be interesting.
I did not think of Moncraine going sleazy on Sabetha! I guess I figured he was not very keen on her, since she and the rest of the gang came in and took over his life.
I quite liked the theatre bits, but that might be because I was pretty into that sort of thing when I was their (flashback) age. I guess I can see how it might be boring, because they don’t really have a grand goal (beyond putting on the play), and it does seem mostly a set up to cover Locke and Sabetha’s young romance.
Hmm, good point. After Sabetha read him the riot act, I don’t think he’s that interested in her, but I think Moncraine might be sleazy enough to see how far he can get; especially after a few drinks!