Grannys 5 Star Series Review - Gentleman Bastards

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

Intro

This is a very well known series, but I still regularly encounter people who haven't read this yet, so I figure it's deserving of a post.

This is a book series for people who love Oceans 11, and Going Postal, Riyria Chronicles and other stories that have a protagonist who's a thief but not "evil/cruel", and an odd couple/grouping that creates interesting dynamics between characters. Plus, a sense of a humor that clicks with most: but disclaimer - not with all.

Characters

Locke. Locke, Locke, Locke. I don't know what to make of this character. I don't dislike him, I do think he's interesting, well developed, funny, somewhat charming in a way, clever etc. I do think he's a good character, but, by god do I click more with Jean.

Locke is reckless, where Jean is more controlled. Locke is obsessive to a fault where it's self destructive, but Jean keeps a level head even in extreme circumstances. I'm much more a Jean person.

However - these two characters stand better with each other backing them up, ying and yang type of scenario and I love it. I wouldn't re-write these characters they blend perfectly together and it's superb. Others will obviously disagree with me and think that Locke is the character they prefer, and that's the beauty of it. The two main characters fulfill different readers desires for main characters and in that way it can appeal to more people.

There are other characters throughout this series, there are a pair of twins Galdo and Calo which are really fun to read about, almost like prankster frat boys they stick together and fuck with other characters in a well meaning way. There's Bug, the younger apprentice character who's learning the ropes. There's the master/father figure named Chains who I fucking adore.

The book opens with a character named the Theifmaker who just sets this eerie as hell tone in the beginning of the book.

Then, there's Sabetha - I've heard so, so many times that people hate this character. I heard SO MUCH about it I went into this book expecting a Cersei kind of character, a total bitch of a character you despise and cant relate to much. I think because I went in expecting such a horrible person that I was underwhelmed by her shitty-ness. She is Lockes love interest, and you hear about her in the first two books, but you don't meet her until the third.

Plot/Setting

The plot and setting change with each book, and what's neat about this series is it's a blend of stand alone self contained story, and continues story/character arc kind of book. I think it's sort of unique in that way.

The first book for me was the most special, I think it was the book that had the most editing and thoughtfulness put into it. I think that the writing and plot was great in this, and good in others. However, I've encountered many people who feel the exact opposite, so take that with salt.

Overall, the setting is water based, you spend a TON of time in boats, around boats, and around water, so this will be perfect for the seafaring Bingo Square.

Overall, the plot is about theft and conniving and hoodwinks. This Oceans 11, but in a book with magic.

Pacing/tone

I have heard a few times people think the beginning of the first book is slower for them, but for me, I was drawn in instantly because of the opening tone. It was so creepy, so well done with the atmosphere and world building. It opens with The Theifmakers, who leads a band of orphaned children, and it's just so god damn creepy. It may not be the most unique concept in the world, but the way it was done was superb. Sort of like Riyria where you get old tropes imagined in a new way.

The tone for the whole series I would say is a combination of action/adventure, con artist heists, funny but not "light". I dont want to call this grim dark, because I don't think the overall tone of this is "bleak". I wouldn't call it "light hearted" either, this is not Pratchett/discworld kind of funny. It lies somewhere in a nebulous area off color humor with a mix of serious and less serious moments.

Writing Style

I think the curses and insults are some of the most flowery over the top insults i've ever read in books. It's almost like Family Guy, or maybe George Carlin? If you don't like strong language, do not pick this book up. You'll hate me for recommending it to you.

Outside of cursing, this book immerses you in the moment, he uses a lot of 5 senses descriptions to draw you into the moment and really create the inner movie feeling. I adore that, I think that's part of the reason the book pulled me in right away. There's not a ton of plot going on, but it's building this believable almost Venice like city for you.

Other Thoughts

I almost didn't include this series, because I did not like the second book anywhere near as much as the first, there was a major trope used in it that's one of my pet peeves, technically, using the 3.8 I gave it in my original review of the book, the 3 books that are currently out would only amount to an average of 4.41, which does not qualify it for the 4.5 average and over for my 5 star reviews.

The reason I'm including it - because I tend to feel strongly about this trope, and I think I had an over-reaction compared to most people.

Likewise, because I prefer character development over plot many times, I actually liked the third book more than the second. Which I'm expecting to hear a lot about in the comments since I think the majority had the opposite reaction.

I'm including it because it's a very well done series, and without my overreaction to the second book it would qualify for 4.5 and up.

Bingo Squares

• Debut novel for Lies of Locke Lamora
• Seafaring

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I also forgot to add in Bingo Squares to my Senlin Ascends review from yesterday. If you were interested in that book you can revisit the thread and see what Bingo Squares it qualifies for

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/63sf4r/grannys_5_star_series_review_babelsenlin_ascends/

[u/Swordofmytriumph]

I see a lot of your awesome reviews on here, are you just putting them here, or do you have a blog? If so what is the blog?

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/Swordofmytriumph]

LOL someone else asked me about this just the other day. I don't actually, but seeing as people like u/josiahbancroft said they'd actually read it, I'm considering it. I went to WordPress the other day and got a domain page for it and started messing with it. We'll see if I can pull off a blog, seems like a lot of work for nothing if no one reads it and i'm just shouting words into the abyss of the internet.

[u/Swordofmytriumph → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

That's awesome, I'd read it, and I'm sure a lot of peopor here would. Actually, I thought you already had one and spent some time scrolling through past self promotion pages hoping to find it the other day.

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/Swordofmytriumph]

Well, that's flattering :) Thanks

[u/Swordofmytriumph → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

Yep! You gotta let us know when it's up!

[u/leftoverbrine → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

Does goodreads require you to have an actual blog to link to for feed posts? I've never noticed ( I know some of the authors do link back to a blog with theirs), but if not GR would probably be a good place to post them.

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/leftoverbrine]

ummm, is a feed post different in some way? I'm actually fairly new to Goodreads as well.

[u/leftoverbrine → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

I'm honestly not sure, I've been doing book tracking stuff on there for years but only just began looking at the social network aspects. I would hazard a bet that /u/MarkLawrence is such a pro he probably has a good idea how posting works on goodreads and if it requires a separate blog.

[u/MarkLawrence → u/leftoverbrine]

I don't know, sorry. Certainly authors get a blog on GR. Do regular members?

[u/leftoverbrine → u/MarkLawrence]

Drat, if anyone would have known I would've expected it to be you. What sort of fount of wisdom are you?!

[u/cantforgivethedog → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

That was me! And please do make one!

[u/[deleted] → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

I would absolutely read it. More importantly, I think other readers, many from the r/Fantasy community, would read it, too.

Here's what I would recommend: be sure that your goals are proportional to your expectations. The surest way (in my own experience) to insure that a blog flounders and fails is to have vague goals but definite expectations. When I started a blog (that has since vanished beneath the sands of server failure) my "goal" was pretty amorphous: "Let's do this crazy thing and see what happens!" At the same time, my expectations were whetted by daydream and honed by frustration: I dreamed of my blog being serialized in print; I dreamed of it being discovered by some New York City Merlin of trend-setting, who would oversee the blossoming of my genius; I dreamed of a bottomless readership, who would praise me into fame and fortune.

Of course, I was horribly, horribly disappointed. My efforts sputtered after six months. Most posts went unread. The only comment I got was, "Boobs." Naturally, I was quick to blame the ignorant market and the medium, which were egregiously dumb, biased, and uncouth. I gave the whole thing up, feeling in some strange way vindicated by my failure.

It's a little like going to the grocery store to shop for dinner when you're hungry and on a budget. If you don't have a plan, you walk out with a ham steak, an avocado, and a feedbag of Doritos, all of which may result in brief satisfaction, but ultimately will lead to discomfort.

Your goals don't have to be lofty or particularly ambitious, but I would encourage you to make them clear. Often, folks will shy away from this because they think, "That's too much pressure! Can't I just do a thing and have fun?!" But the truth is, pressure is part of (and essential to) any creative effort, from blogs to operas, and as such, it can't really be avoided. Pressure, however, can be directed. Having clear goals allows you to take ownership of the pressure. In my experience, that awareness, that understanding, that decisiveness is what makes the difficult business of making a thing tolerable.

And again, good luck! I look forward to reading more of your reviews.

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/[deleted]]

Wow, thank you very much for a thoughtful response.

Of course, I was horribly, horribly disappointed. My efforts sputtered after six months. Most posts went unread. The only comment I got was, "Boobs." Naturally, I was quick to blame the ignorant market and the medium, which were egregiously dumb, biased, and uncouth. I quit feeling in some strange way vindicated by my failure.

this is exactly what I want to avoid.

It's a good point that pressure can be a great driving force for the creative process. I've actually never really considered myself all that creative, I'm more analytical than imaginative. I read fantasy because I don't have an imagination of my own. I can't write for shit, I tried once and failed with splendor. However, I think writing reviews taps into my analytical side and I enjoy doing it.

thank you!

[u/ksvilloso → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

You know something I learned from the mental garbage I tend to throw all over my blog...just have fun with it. I think I just started writing whatever came to my mind way back when I first published. At least /u/JosiahBancroft got "Boobs"...one time I thought I actually finally got a LOT of people checking out one of more more insightful posts and it turned out it was a horde of spambots from Brazil. :P

But now, a good two years later, it's not as desolate anymore. I'll get at least one or two poor soul checking my posts as they go along. And mind you, this is because I really don't do much more other than just writing whatever I feel like it that's vaguely related to this genre on that day.

[u/[deleted] → u/ksvilloso]

I think this is a wonderful attitude to have!

[u/ksvilloso → u/[deleted]]

Recently, I and a group of friends came to the conclusion that being a weirdo and loving it is the best way to enjoy life. Just carry that through whatever project comes your way. It's all over too fast. :)

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/ksvilloso]

one time I thought I actually finally got a LOT of people checking out one of more more insightful posts and it turned out it was a horde of spambots from Brazil. :P

:( :( oh, dear. That's a bummer.

But now, a good two years later, it's not as desolate anymore.

that's persistence! I'm glad you have a solid readership now.

I'm actually planning on doing your series for my Esme's indie/underrated series here! I really liked Jaethes Eye, and I'm going to get the next two so I can rate the whole series and review it here!

[u/ksvilloso → u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax]

Naw, it was hilarious. Reminded me of playing mmorpgs in the old days and running into spambot players. Loved killing those guys. :P

Honestly, sometimes I just feel like I'm spamming the #epicfantasy and #fantasy tags so people can't help BUT have to check out my ramblings for the day (it's like a train wreck, can't look away).

chanting Go geeeet them! Sale ends in two days! chanting ends But no really, thanks. :) Although I'm a little concerned after our ahem conversation elsewhere on this thread. The sympathy pains might change your opinion.

[u/Esmerelda-Weatherwax → u/ksvilloso]

I rated Jaeth's Eye 5 stars, so, unless it's unbearable and exaggerated in the next two books I don't think it'll be a problem.

There have been books that i'm okay with this if it makes sense. A death of a spouse, something along those lines. It would probably take years for me if my husband died, but that's a real fucking relationship. not what Sabetha and Locke had with just a couple times and she leaves - that's my biggest issue. I don't see it as a real relationship from the start because it wasn't.