The long-awaited release date for Scott Lynch’s The Republic of Thieves was announced today, returning readers to the world of The Gentlemen Bastards in the fall of 2013.
Fans of Scott Lynch’s Gentlemen Bastards series can finally look forward to the third installment in the snarky and engrossing fantasy epic. American publisher Random House announced today that The Republic of Thieves will hit bookstores on Oct. 8th of this year, while UK publisher Orion will release the book on Oct. 10th. “So yes, it’s true,” author Scott Lynch announced via Twitter. The Republic of Thieves is coming in October. I couldn’t be more relieved or pleased.”
The exciting announcement brings to an end nearly six years of anticipation and speculation about the continuing adventures of Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, the “Gentlemen Bastards” in question. The Lies of Locke Lamora, the first of a projected seven books in the series, was released in 2006 to acclaim from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and George RR Martin – author of the bestselling series A Song of Ice and Fire. The sequel, Red Seas Under Red Skies, was published in 2007, and fans have been waiting since then (with, as is the eternal condition of fantasy fans, varying degrees of patience) for The Republic of Thieves.
The Republic of Thieves will pick up the story of Locke and Jean – professional swindlers and perpetual underdogs – at a critical point, following the emotional cliffhanger of Red Seas Under Red Skies. The book is also anticipated for its introduction of an unseen but oft-mentioned character who has played a crucial role in Locke and Jean’s history – and whose (re)appearance, reportedly, will indelibly effect their future. The official summary (which we suggest readers avoid if they have not read the series) states:
Having pulled off the greatest heist of their career, Locke and his trusted partner in thievery, Jean, have escaped with a tidy fortune. But Locke’s body is paying the price. Poisoned by an enemy from his past, he is slowly dying. And no physiker or alchemist can help him. Yet just as the end is near, a mysterious Bondsmagi offers Locke an opportunity that will either save him – or finish him off once and for all.
Magi political elections are imminent, and the factions are in need of a pawn. If Locke agrees to play the role, sorcery will be used to purge the venom from his body – though the process will be so excruciating he may well wish for death. Locke is opposed, but two factors cause his will to crumble: Jean’s imploring – and the Bondsmagi’s mention of a woman from Locke’s past . . . Sabetha. The love of his life. His equal in skill and wit. And now his greatest rival.
Locke was smitten with Sabetha from his first glimpse of her as a young fellow-orphan and thief-in-training. But after a tumultuous courtship, Sabetha broke away. Now they will reunite in yet another clash of wills. For faced with his one and only match in both love and trickery, Locke must choose whether to fight Sabetha – or to woo her. It is a decision on which both their lives may depend
We here at Hypable eagerly anticipate the arrival of The Republic of Thieves, and congratulate Scott Lynch on his hard-fought accomplishment. We are confident that our reunion with the Gentlemen Bastards will be worth every moment of the wait.
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