tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post1644377134937841968..comments2023-06-16T09:58:50.486-06:00Comments on Elitist Book Reviews: The Republic of ThievesVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-85653441045125779172014-04-28T12:25:03.794-06:002014-04-28T12:25:03.794-06:00This novel was absolutely stunning in every way. ...This novel was absolutely stunning in every way. I think the review, glowing as it is, fails to do this story justice. It may very well be my favorite fantasy novel of all time (not the series mind you, but stand alone novel). Lynch is a master writer. He blows everyone else out of the water. If you mixed Tolkein and Hemingway with the funniest/wittiest comedian of our age, you would get Lynch. Literally, his words are as evocative and beautiful as a poem but infinitely more accessible. <br /><br />And no fantasy I have ever read made me laugh out loud as consistently as this, yet I was surprised every time I did. The dialogue is beyond good, I literally want to hang out with these Bastards and trade some barbs, upon which I would be thoroughly impaled. <br /><br />This one is my favorite of the series. I didn't think he would be able to top Lies, but he did, big time. The political games in the present time were excellent, funny, clever etc. Obviously not overly complicated stuff, but the parallels to modern dirty politics kept the antics fresh and funny (I wish RNC and DNC would have their headquarters filled up with [I won't spoil it here]!). Further, it was so nice to see how awesome Locke and Jean can be even when constantly on the defensive from Sabetha, clearly the smartest of the group. In any case, my biggest qualm with the last novel was that what could have been an incredibly cool part of the story (robbing the casino) ended up being completely derailed and unimportant to the greater novel. I felt like the political battle was much more fleshed out here than the casino heist in Red. <br /><br />As for the flashbacks, simply brilliant. How Lynch can retain the tension in the story even though you know everyone makes it out ok is beyond me. I was engrossed, it was an awesome setup and really seemed like it would be impossible to get out of, but of course Bastards always win. Also, it was amazing that much of the time something that happens in the flashback directly informs something happening in the present in the chapter immediately following that flashback. It was a great way to illuminate why characters act or think the way they do without spelling it out in a ham handed way. Nothing in this novel was remotely awkward. <br /><br />This should have been on the Best of 2013 list. I have read five of the books/series listed in the Best of and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this book is more "fun" than any of them, even if not as deep/interesting/provocative/informative as some of them (Lawrence, Tregellis and Pinborough for example). However, one book that most certainly should not have beaten this one on the list is Graveyard Child. I really don't understand EBR's fascination with the Black Sun Daughter series. It is entertaining for sure, but the writing is elementary, the story and action OK - mildly satisfying when something is actually happening - but awfully thin when compared with some of the other fiction on that list, and the supporting cast is pretty damn boring (Ex hella sux). And the dialogue, OMG! Comparing the dialogue in Graveyard to Emperor is like comparing Sean Hannity to Bill Moyers, or a mildly mentally retarded eight year old's talent show stand up routine with Bill Hicks or George Carlin at their finest. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks EBR for bringing this (and many other) series to my attention in the first place. Keep up the good work!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Facehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567241110500589304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-10897186115708379142013-12-17T12:31:40.763-07:002013-12-17T12:31:40.763-07:00I loved it.. there was too much information in the...I loved it.. there was too much information in the end of the book but I don't care I loved the book.. I seriously cannot imagine where this story will go next.. hope we get to read the next one soon and not after a five year wait..ritikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15374123215110398058noreply@blogger.com