antonism's review
4.0
4 / 5
The Paladin Caper is the 3rd installment in Patrick Weekes' Rogues of the Republic series. It is an amazing conclusion and worthy ending of the trilogy. To be sincere, this is not a strictly sequential trilogy but for this one, it helps to have read the previous two books. The group is pretty much the same as the previous books, albeit with one character having a different role. The stakes are even much higher though and the intensity, the action scenes and the incredibility degree is at the top.
My thoughts are similar to the previous books so I will only comment on a few things that I liked and didn't like. If you like, you can quickly read my previous reviews here
LIKED:
- I liked that the expected major plot twist came at around the halfway point because even though it was definitely expected, in no way can it be guessed. Weekes is a master at plot twists, he should start writing movie plots!
- I liked the multiple plot twists as the novel progressed towards the ending as well. They didn't feel cheap or forced but planned. It didn't feel as if Weekes was cheating the reader but more like saving it for later in order to entertain.
- I like that even though the novel is humorous (more on that later) there was a part toward the ending where there were more sombre and serious overnotes as the characters dared to explored their inner feelings and desires.
- The action scenes were crazy. Think Mission Impossible and multiply by a big factor. And this was a lot of fun but also goes into the negatives...
DIDN'T LIKE:
- As I just said, the actions scenes were sometimes TOO much, too incredulous, too unbelievable. I understand that these characters are more than special, let's say close to super-hero status and magic is heavy in this world, but I don't know... sometimes I had to roll my eyes! But still, fun!!
- If you've been following my reviews, you know that I am very peculiar and strict about dialogues. The witty banter was often fun and entertaining but when it happened during quick action scenes and during fighting, it didn't feel right. There's a time and a way to do it right, and this was not always it.
And that's pretty much it. This was a really fun book to read and the whole series is perfect for someone looking a magic-heavy fantasy version of Mission Impossible and Ocean's Eleven with a humorous and light feeling. For those that are looking for something like that this series is definitely Highly Recommended - you probably won't find something better. But even for casual fantasy fans, this is a series worth reading. Personally, I'm happy and satisfied that I read it.
Highly recommended!
4 / 5
The Paladin Caper is the 3rd installment in Patrick Weekes' Rogues of the Republic series. It is an amazing conclusion and worthy ending of the trilogy. To be sincere, this is not a strictly sequential trilogy but for this one, it helps to have read the previous two books. The group is pretty much the same as the previous books, albeit with one character having a different role. The stakes are even much higher though and the intensity, the action scenes and the incredibility degree is at the top.
My thoughts are similar to the previous books so I will only comment on a few things that I liked and didn't like. If you like, you can quickly read my previous reviews here
LIKED:
- I liked that the expected major plot twist came at around the halfway point because even though it was definitely expected, in no way can it be guessed. Weekes is a master at plot twists, he should start writing movie plots!
- I liked the multiple plot twists as the novel progressed towards the ending as well. They didn't feel cheap or forced but planned. It didn't feel as if Weekes was cheating the reader but more like saving it for later in order to entertain.
- I like that even though the novel is humorous (more on that later) there was a part toward the ending where there were more sombre and serious overnotes as the characters dared to explored their inner feelings and desires.
- The action scenes were crazy. Think Mission Impossible and multiply by a big factor. And this was a lot of fun but also goes into the negatives...
DIDN'T LIKE:
- As I just said, the actions scenes were sometimes TOO much, too incredulous, too unbelievable. I understand that these characters are more than special, let's say close to super-hero status and magic is heavy in this world, but I don't know... sometimes I had to roll my eyes! But still, fun!!
- If you've been following my reviews, you know that I am very peculiar and strict about dialogues. The witty banter was often fun and entertaining but when it happened during quick action scenes and during fighting, it didn't feel right. There's a time and a way to do it right, and this was not always it.
And that's pretty much it. This was a really fun book to read and the whole series is perfect for someone looking a magic-heavy fantasy version of Mission Impossible and Ocean's Eleven with a humorous and light feeling. For those that are looking for something like that this series is definitely Highly Recommended - you probably won't find something better. But even for casual fantasy fans, this is a series worth reading. Personally, I'm happy and satisfied that I read it.
Highly recommended!
4 / 5
_surri_'s review against another edition
5.0
Clever and fun, while still managing to be thought provoking. This series has been a thoroughly good read.
valbowski83's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
quiet_chaos's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sylectra's review against another edition
5.0
These books were just so fun! Adventure, jokes, romance, scary bad guys. Think Pirates of the Caribbean in book form.
The main character is Captain Loch, a badass black woman whose resourcefulness comes in handy in fights. Her gang of thieves are all interesting in their own right.
I also appreciated the openness to different sexual orientations in the stories.
The main character is Captain Loch, a badass black woman whose resourcefulness comes in handy in fights. Her gang of thieves are all interesting in their own right.
I also appreciated the openness to different sexual orientations in the stories.
namulith's review against another edition
4.0
What a ride this series was. I can't remember a trilogy that I have enjoyed as thoroughly as this one. My unholy love for heist stories definitely helped. The writing is very casual and a lot of stuff has very blunt nods to our society. But it's not annoying, it's just fun. These books would work very well as movies or a TV show and maybe one day we'll see it happen.
iceman76's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wjlongiii's review against another edition
5.0
The ambitious conclusion to the best fantasy series I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
kimbah's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5