The real strengths of the book are the plotting, the dialogue, and the atmosphere. The dialogue (banter) brings the Gentlemen Bastards to life, the plotting keeps the reader on their toes, and the city is very well imagined. Those prancing little pants-wetters come here to learn the colorful and gentlemanly art of fencing, with its many sporting limitations and its proscriptions against dishonorable engagements. You on the other hand, you are going to learn how to kill men with a sword.” Requin did this to those who burned him and his lady. He begin killing random suspects as well their whole gangs and families, letting it be known that he would continue until the culprit was put before him. Once the culprit turned up, Requin made him beg for death a long time before it came.

Fantasy Counterpart Culture: Camorr/Venice most obviously, but there is a rough counterpart to all of the cultures in the books. Kingdom of the Seven Marrows is based on the South German/Austrian lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The Vadran language is obviously based on German. Tal Verrar is also based on Venice, as a multi-island realm whose power lies in the fleet. Karthain is a third Venice analogue, a multi-island republic. Jerem has a few references to pre-industrial India. The defunct Therin Empire is hinted to be a sort of Roman Empire. Also, as of Republic of Thieves, the setting's equivilent of the Thirty Years' War has begun. Badass Army: The Bondsmagi only had to go to war once, and it was such a Curb-Stomp Battle that everyone got the message that it's basically impossible to stand against them. Unproblematic Prostitution: To an extent, anyways. After a brutal gang war, the Camorri prostitutes successfully earned their indepedence, essentially becoming two major gangs in their own right. Unsurprisingly with the ladies themselves in charge pay is better, working conditions are vastly improved, and customers are held to higher standards of behavior. It's noted that it's still not exactly a pleasant life, but being in control themselves means the situation is about as good as the ladies of Camorr could ask for. They say that the Thorn of Camorr can beat anyone in a fight. They say he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. They say he's part man, part myth, and mostly street-corner rumor. And they are wrong on every count.Card Sharp: The Sanzas, to the point that nobody who knows them will gamble with them and they can perform seemingly impossible card magic. Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know! Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing! A rewarding read, well written, and entertaining. I’d recommend any fantasy fan to give it a try‘ Mark Lawrence, Sunday Times bestselling author for these reasons, and despite a more or less rousing finish only a leeeeetle bit diminished by firstbookitis, i find i can rate this no higher than a two.

W]hen you find yourself face to face with one [Bondsmage], you bow and scrape and mind your 'sirs' and 'madams.'"Automaton Horses: Gentled animals. They still need food and water, but don't feel pain or fatigue or have any personal initiative. Of course I Properly Paranoid: The people of Karthain have a tradition where, unlike every other city-state, they will not reveal their first names to the public. Instead, they go by their last names and a description of their place in the family (e.g. 'Firstson', 'Seconddaughter'). Revealing one's first name to someone is a mark of incredible trust, because the Bondsmagi can control people by knowing their names, hence the tradition. Unfortunately for the Karthani, while their tradition would work in theory, the Bondsmagi already know all their names (unbeknownst to the Karthani), and have been controlling them as they like for centuries.

In the second book, Requin has Scary Shiny Glasses that are orange, and wears gloves because he injured his hands saving the life of a woman he loves, much like Gendo Ikari. fun dialogue. great setting—but the author's way more in love with it than i ever got to be, so his endless digressions were frustrating. some of them had a satisfying impact on the story, but some were just random, and frequently set in the past, in a series of irritating interludes right when something exciting was about to happen. Numerological Motif: Thirteen, the total number of gods in the most popular pantheon, including the Crooked Warden, who is not recognized outside of the underworld. Band of Brothels: After a group of women murdered a particularly loathsome pimp, they decided to take management into their own hands. After a short but brutal war with other gangs trying to regain control, two brothels established themselves as long term fixtures of Camorr's underworld. Even Capa Barsavi, who murdered dozens of rivals to become the sole remaining Capa, makes a point of not interfering with their business. They do still pay him tithe as part of the Right People of Camorr, but at a significantly lower percentage than any other gang in the city.

This plane might have taken quite a while until it took off, but boy, did it take off in the end! The more I think about it the more I have to admit that this story was brilliantly executed and I can only take a bow and congratulate Scott Lynch for writing such a complex, detailed and elaborate book! =) You’re a liar,” said Jean, slowly. “I’m only doing this because I’ve always wanted to see Bug get eaten by an Eldren ghost.” I’m only doing this,” he said, “because I really love hiding in haunted Eldren buildings on dark and creepy nights.” I wanted to read it for ages but never had the time and now that I did my monthly blog meme I have no other choice than to go through with it – Which, truth be told, is awesome! *lol*

Camorr, being a Wretched Hive filled with canals, has a lot of its culture built around sharks. They're used in gladiatorial games, their teeth are death warrants in the underworld, and one is used in the Gray King's coup against Capa Barsavi.You simply collapsed, sir. In layman's terms, your body revoked its permission for you to continue heaping abuse upon it.” Genius Bruiser Jean is a big fan of and likes to quote an in-universe playwright and poet named Lucarno. While the excerpts we get aren't direct quotes from Shakespeare, the general style is very Shakespearean, as are the titles of his plays, and he's obviously used in-story in part because of the author, Scott Lynch's love of Shakespeare. Two-Faced: Selendri. She was horribly alchemically burned over half her entire body in an assassination attempt on Requin. what's the point of mentioning women if the only ones you care to give any lines are either gruesomely murdered, whores, gruesomely murdered whores, or a— There's a brief chapter that consist of a folk-tale detailing the tradition in Camorr. They take revenge very seriously.