If you’ve been in Lemuria and like fantasy books, it’s likely I’ve put you on to the Gentleman Bastard republicseries by Scott Lynch. If not, it’s high time you jump into this rollicking tale of thievery and witty dialogue. Think Ocean’s 11 heist, the grit of Game of Thrones, set in a world where there are cities created by an ancient people that had some powerful magic.

Why should you read this? If not for the plot (it’s very good), if not for the characters (they are great), then for the dialogue (it’s so funny) (it’s so clever). This series would be worth the read just for the insults that are thrown between Locke and Jean. The banter is gold.

Plot (x) + Character Development (y) + Dialogue (z) = ?

given each item is rated on a ten point scale and:

x = 7, y = 9, z = 9

the greatest possible rating under this scrutiny would be assigned the numerical value of 30 (somethings)

we have with the Bastards a solid 7 + 9 + 9 = 25

Under the plot/character development/dialogue criterion, I’m loathe to give any other fantasy series I’ve read an equal to or greater than sign in comparison.

***If you didn’t pay attention to any of that complicated math above and just skipped to this line (probable), let me just say: This series is great.

Why should you read this series now? The first two books were published very close to each other. The third book was published ~7 years after the second. That was a hard period for us all. The third book was published, thank the Crooked Warden, in 2013, and I loved it. Now is a good time to get into this series because it seems Scott is trying to make up for that excruciating gap between books two and three and will be releasing the fourth book this year. He will also be putting out two novellas in 2014 to accompany the series: The Mad Baron’s Mechanical Attic and The Choir of Knives.

This is a great time to start this series, especially if you are waiting for the next Game of Thrones book. In my opinion, this series is better than ASoIaF, though that may have to do with my distaste for historical fiction. Scott Lynch, thanks for such a great series, and don’t feel that bad about the 7 year drought; God did that sort of thing all the time.

The Gentleman Bastards series by Scott Lynch:

1. Lies of Locke Lamora

2. Red Seas Under Red Skies

3. The Republic of Thieves

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