3.5 star, rounded up. 
 Republic of Thieves was very different than the previous two books. I loved the first book and I really liked the second one. But now the story is taking a direction I'm not sure I like. I wrote about the reasons why I love Gentleman Bastard's books in my reviews of previous books so now I'm going to complain a little. 
 We finally met Sabetha and I was disappointed. I got tired of her romance with Locke. The book focused to much on it (I was bored reading about Locke inviting her for a dinner three times. One was more than enough. I'm sure there were more interesting things than that.). And I didn't like how Locke was loosing his head almost every time she was near him. Constantly apologizing and trying so hard not to irritate her...and she's just arrogant and selfish woman. I don't like her and because of her this book was less enjoyable experience for me. 
 I also don't like the revelations about Locke's past. It may not be the truth, I know, but I was disappointed again. (view spoiler)[He's born from the spirit of some crazy mage? Really? Out of all the things I expected this is ridiculous and weak. I hope it's not true and we're not going to see Locke fighting a spirit of Bondsmagi inside him or something like that... (hide spoiler)] 
 The language wasn't pretty (as usual) but S. Lynch crossed the line this time. There was a scene with Locke trying to shock some spies and some of the things he said made me sick. I don't want to read anything like that again. Locke is no saint but there are limits and some things aren't made for jokes and I was angry at the author. I don't know why he felt that he needed to write it. 
 I loved the interludes and the fact that we could spend some time with the whole gang again but the story could have been better. I was bored a little reading about them rehearsing their roles. And the humor wasn't as good as in the previous books. 
 Still I love the world and the characters and this book left so many questions that I'm going to read the next one for sure. The ending really surprised me. I only recently discovered the series and there are some advantages...I won't have to wait years to read The Thorn of Emberlain;)