This week’s questions were provided by Lynn and you can tell by the questions that the story is seriously heating up. 😉
1) The election competition. Sabetha isn’t wasting any time throwing pranks at Locke and Jean. Mostly it seemed fairly harmless, or at least not overly serious, until they were kidnapped and put onto a ship and taken out to sea. What did you make of Sabetha’s latest plan? And what did you think about the way she executed it?
She seems to be approaching the competition much more seriously than the guys. At least, as the guys were before they were kidnapped. I think they are going to approach this better now and retaliate in an ingenious (or at least I hope so) way.
2) During the escape overboard and Jean’s rather subtle nose dive into the water – I was curious about the lights Locke saw deep in the water when he was performing his rescue – Locke thought they looked different once he was under the waves which I suppose they would but he also had the feeling that he was being watched? Do you think this relates back to the Eldren or some other presence?
I certainly hope so! 🙂 There’s never enough Eldren references/information if you ask me. 😉
3) Given that Locke hadn’t seen Sabetha for five years how did you think their first meeting together went (well, it wasn’t strictly speaking their first meeting of course – were you surprised that Jean and Locke hadn’t figured out that the woman pickpocket was Sabetha?) and also what did you make of Jean and Sabetha’s reaction to each other?
Yes and no. They did figure it out in the end, didn’t they? I just can’t help but get frustrated that Locke keeps thinking that his feelings for her should be taken into account when she approaches a job that entangles Locke as well. I don’t think he understands Sabetha well – we don’t either, and I wonder if by the end of the book we might get some more information on her. I can tell we’re missing some important bits on her life.
4) So, the gang have arrived in Espara and already the plans have gone wrong through no fault of their own! Jail for a year plus lose a hand for slapping a noble?? What do you think of the justice system in Espara and how does this bode for the gang?
Should it be called “justice” system?! 🙂
I certainly didn’t expect such problems on their arrival. But it was fun seeing how they dealt with it and rather quickly at that. Talk about some intelligent ingenuity!
5) The acting company are finally coming together and we’re watching the gang as they try to read, act and grab the best parts – are you all ‘happy face’ with the whole theater scenes or, sad face! Also, I can’t help feeling like this whole story-line is a step out of character for the gang. Any ideas of how it will play out??
I’m glad they are trying to get good parts in the play and it seems not all of them are such good actors! 🙂 Didn’t see that coming!
I have no idea how will it play out, I admit I didn’t think they would be able to free the leader of the troupe. Yes, yes, I know, I shouldn’t doubt them but I did. So it’s obvious my guesses are not exactly realistic. 🙂
6) We are also being introduced to a number of new characters, particularly Moncraine and Boulidazi. What are your first impressions of these two and the other new characters in the Company and any particular likes or dislikes so far?
Actually, I’m not giving them much thought. I just see them as additional characters for the story-line Mr. Lynch needs. 🙂 And for giving flair to the “stale” theater world of Espara. 😉
7) The rooftop scene and the apology. How did it all go so wrong? And how will Locke get out of this latest fix with Boulidazi?
He, he, he, it went so wrong because Locke still hasn’t learned to listen well. 😉 At least, that’s how I saw it.
As for Boulidazi, first thing that crossed my mind is that they might play it as an incestuous thing. But since that’s what occurred to me, I’m pretty sure it will be something completely different. But get himself out of it, Locke certainly will. 😉 (I sound like Yoda now)
Until next week’s reading adventure, enjoy other people’s thoughts:
Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers
Tagged: Book review, Locke Lamora, read-along, Sabetha, Scott Lynch, The Republic of Thieves
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Sabetha has much more time to prepare than the guys did and it sure shows. The guys were just about to think of going onto offense before they got sent off to sea. Now they have a long ride back to Karthan to plot something good!
http://jomafantasy.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/the-republic-of-thieves-read-along-part-iii/
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I was very surprised when I saw how easily she manipulated them.
I practically screamed in my head in frustration at Locke’s love stupidity. 🙂
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You’re right – if nothing else Sabetha’s little trick will certainly make Locke and Jean concentrate a bit more.
And you’re right again that all of us and Locke share a massive lack of understanding when it comes to Sabetha.
If only Locke could learn when to shut up!! Although, given that Bouldazi was skulking around if things had gone more favourably beween the two of them they could have been caught out in a much more compromising situation!
Lynn 😀
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Ha, ha! I think the fact that Locke has problems shutting up is what keeps getting him into trouble since the beginning. 🙂
I can’t wait to see how they dig themselves out with Bouldazi…
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Locke is so very fixated on Sabetha, he’s so dumb around her! she sees the big picture, he just sees her. She needs to punch him, right after she kisses him. or something. I was entertained by how easy it was for her to drug him! The boys sure learned a lesson the hard way, that she plays dirty.
I like that Lynch puts local side characters into each story. After the series is finished, I’m going to feel like I know someone in every major city.
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Exactly! He just sees her and everything else falls into background.
God, I wish I could slap him around trying to get him to focus. 😉
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I share your hope that Locke and Jean are able to compete with Sabetha because she is trouncing them so far. She’s always struck me as the more intelligent and thorough of the GB’s! I hope Locke gets some focus and starts playing the game now that Sabetha has shown how determined she is, then the book will be really entertaining.
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Yes, they are left with salvaging the situations instead of doing some work on their own. Well, not they learned the hard way Sabetha is serious, hopefully they get a move on it.
You’re right, it should get really entertaining seeing them trying to one-up each other. 😉
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Yeah, shame, Sabetha really has made fools of Locke and Jean and they’re struggling to catch up. I want more info on her too. Even after all this discussion about her she’s still too mysterious!
I don’t think that much of the new characters either. Moncraine and Boulidazi stand out for obvious reasons, although when Boulidazi put a stiletto to Locke’s throat I was trying to remember who he was! The other are just bit players, although there might be some rivalry between Sabetha and Chantel.
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Yes, we hear a lot about her but basically know nothing. 🙂
Ha, ha, I sometimes have a problem following the names and personalities of characters (when there are more than 3 usually). The names just get mixed in my head and it takes a while for me to get to know and remember all of them.
What can I say, I’m really bad with names…
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1. I really do hope that Locke gets his head out of the clouds and starts to put some real effort into winning this race.
4. I liked the way that this mirrored their arrival in Karthain, although I doubt that they will end up on a complimentary cruise courtesy of the competing theatre manager.
7. I have no doubt that Locke will weasel his way out of this situation, but I have no idea how.
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1. Honestly, it’s about time!
4. Lol – true though. Although I can imagine a fiasco ending for that performance for some reason (although the GBs will probably get the better end of it)
7. Me too. I can’t wait to see how though. 🙂
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I really hope Locke and Jean up their game on the return! Also, on “they might play it as an incestuous thing”, wasn’t one of Boulidazi’s questions whether they were intended for one another? It could be that cousins marrying is a common thing for the nobility of the area, which would make that much easier to pull off.
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True, now that I read this week’s chapters it seems it was rather easy for them to diffuse the situation…
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I like your comment about Locke expecting Sabetha to take in account his feelings when approaching this job. Ah, Locke, you do have your expectations. Dork. They’ve been apart for years, and until their little chat, Locke had no idea why Sabetha had taken the job, and yet he still expects his feelings to not be used as a tool.
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Exactly. 😀
Turns out in this week’s chapters, he figured it out himself. He does seem to be growing up. 🙂
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Sabetha is more serious than Locke and Jean but now that they’re back on land, the games will really start! At least I hope so because there can be a lot of fun with this election…
I have no idea how Locke is going to talk himself out of the little spot but he will. The boy always does. 🙂
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He sure does. 😉
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