How to Read the Gentleman Bastard Series by Scott Lynch: Order, Summary, and Review

Gentleman Bastard Series: A Fantasy Saga of Con Artists and Thieves

If you are looking for a fantasy series that combines witty dialogue, clever schemes, memorable characters, and a richly detailed world, you might want to check out The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch. This series follows the adventures of Locke Lamora and his band of thieves, who use their skills in deception, disguise, and fine cuisine to rob the rich and powerful in a world inspired by late medieval Venice. Along the way, they encounter deadly enemies, dangerous allies, ancient secrets, and unexpected twists.

Gentleman Bastard Series [1-3][2006-13][Scott Lynch][mobi epub]Gentleman Bastard Series [1-3][2006-1

In this article, we will give you an overview of each book in the series, as well as some insights into their themes, features, reception, and future prospects. Whether you are already a fan of Locke Lamora or you are curious about his exploits, we hope you will find this article informative and entertaining.

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The first book in the series introduces us to Locke Lamora, an orphan who was sold to a priest of the god of thieves when he was a child. Under his mentorship, Locke learned how to become a master con artist, along with his friends Jean Tannen, Calo and Galdo Sanza, Bug, and Sabetha. Together, they form The Gentleman Bastards, a small gang that pretends to be petty thieves while secretly pulling off elaborate heists on the nobility of Camorr.

However, their lives are turned upside down when a mysterious figure known as The Gray King starts killing off other criminal leaders in Camorr. The Gray King forces Locke to impersonate him in a meeting with Capa Barsavi, the ruler of Camorr's underworld. This sets off a chain of events that puts Locke and his friends in mortal danger from both sides of the law.

The book alternates between two timelines: one that follows Locke's present predicament with The Gray King; and one that shows his past training with Father Chains and his early schemes as The Thorn of Camorr. Through these flashbacks, we learn more about Locke's personality, motivations, relationships, and secrets.

The book also introduces us to The Eldren, an ancient race that left behind mysterious ruins and artifacts throughout Camorr. One such artifact is The Bondsmage, a powerful mage who works for The Gray King. The Bondsmage can manipulate reality with his words and gestures, making him a formidable foe for Locke.

The book is praised for its vivid and immersive setting, its complex and engaging plot, its humorous and witty dialogue, and its charismatic and likable characters. It is also noted for its dark and gritty tone, its graphic and realistic violence, and its clever and unexpected twists. It has been compared to the works of George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Joe Abercrombie.

Red Seas Under Red Skies

The second book in the series picks up two years after the events of the first book. Locke and Jean have fled Camorr and are now in Tal Verrar, a city known for its gambling and its naval power. They have a new scheme in mind: to rob the Sinspire, the most exclusive and heavily guarded casino in the world.

However, their plan is complicated by the arrival of The Archon, the military leader of Tal Verrar. The Archon blackmails Locke and Jean into working for him as spies and saboteurs against The Priori, the civilian government of Tal Verrar. He also forces them to undergo a crash course in sailing and piracy, as he wants them to infiltrate and destroy a notorious pirate fleet that threatens Tal Verrar's trade.

Locke and Jean find themselves in a new world of high seas adventure, where they have to deal with ruthless pirates, treacherous allies, exotic locales, and deadly enemies. They also have to balance their loyalty to each other with their own personal agendas.

The book expands the scope and scale of the series, as it explores a different part of the world and introduces new cultures, factions, and characters. It also delves deeper into the magic system and the history of The Eldren. It maintains the same level of humor, action, intrigue, and twists as the first book, while also adding more elements of romance, friendship, and betrayal.

The book is praised for its fast-paced and thrilling plot, its colorful and diverse setting, its fun and exciting pirate scenes, and its emotional and character-driven moments. It is also noted for its darker and more tragic tone, its higher stakes and consequences, and its surprising and cliffhanger ending. It has been compared to the works of Alexandre Dumas, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Fritz Leiber.

The Republic of Thieves

The third book in the series picks up shortly after the events of the second book. Locke is dying from a slow-acting poison that he ingested during his escape from Tal Verrar. Jean is desperate to find a cure for him, but he has exhausted all his options. He is approached by Patience, a Bondsmage who claims to be able to save Locke's life.

However, Patience has a price: she wants Locke and Jean to work for her as political operatives in Karthain, a city where Bondsmages hold elections every five years to determine their ruling council. Patience belongs to one of the factions that is vying for power, and she needs Locke and Jean to sway the vote in her favor.

Locke agrees to Patience's offer, but he soon discovers that he has a formidable opponent: Sabetha, his long-lost love and former member of The Gentleman Bastards. Sabetha is working for Patience's rival faction, and she is determined to beat Locke at his own game.

The book alternates between two timelines: one that follows Locke's present campaign against Sabetha in Karthain; and one that shows his past relationship with Sabetha during their training with Father Chains and their first major heist as The Gentleman Bastards. Through these flashbacks, we learn more about Sabetha's personality, motivations, relationships, and secrets.

The book also reveals more about Locke's origins, as Patience tells him a shocking truth about his past that could change everything he knows about himself.

The book is praised for its complex and captivating plot, its romantic and witty dialogue, its intriguing and mysterious setting, and its dynamic and compelling characters. It is also noted for its lighter and more humorous tone, its deeper exploration of themes such as identity, love, loyalty, and fate; and its satisfying their own members. The garrista is also the one who communicates with The Capa and attends his meetings and ceremonies.

Locke Lamora was the garrista of The Gentleman Bastards, a small gang that pretended to be petty thieves while secretly pulling off elaborate heists on the nobility. He was also known as The Thorn of Camorr, a legendary thief and con artist who defied The Secret Peace and The Capa's authority. He had to face the wrath of both The Capa and The Gray King, a mysterious rival who sought to overthrow him.

This concludes my article on The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch. I hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something new about this fantasy saga of con artists and thieves. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for your time and attention. 71b2f0854b