The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes
Series: Rogues of the Republic #1
Published by 47north
Published on: October 8 2013
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 439
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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The most powerful man in the republic framed her, threw her in prison, and stole a priceless elven manuscript from her family.
With the help of a crack team that includes an illusionist, a unicorn, a death priestess, a talking warhammer, and a lad with a prophetic birthmark, Loch must find a way into the floating fortress of Heaven's Spire–and get past the magic-hunting golems and infernal sorcerers standing between her and the vault that holds her family's treasure.
It'd be tricky enough without the military coup and unfolding of an ancient evil prophecy–but now the determined and honourable Justicar Pyvic has been assigned to take her in.
But hey, every plan has a few hitches.
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I’m probably going to horrify a lot of Fantasy lovers by saying this, but . . . I was not a huge fan of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. And believe me, no one was more surprised by that than I was. At the time this review was written, it had a 4.28 average rating on Goodreads, based on nearly 75k readers.
That’s nuts.
Additionally, the second highest category (after fantasy) the book was shelved on was Adventure, and 25% of readers also shelved it as Crime. And people . . . it is a truth universally acknowledged that Adventure + Crime = HEIST.
And maybe there was a heist. I honestly don’t know, b/c I was too bored to get there.
YES. It was clever. YES. It was beautifully written. NO. It did not hold my attention, and it wasn’t an issue of too many details, b/c I THRIVE on details.
It just wasn’t what I was expecting, and the difference between reality and expectation was so great that the two could not be reconciled. *shrugs*
There is a reason why I’m yammering on about The Lies of Locke Lamora when I’m supposed to be reviewing The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes, and that reason is The Palace Job was exactly what I was expecting The Lies of Locke Lamora to be: a laugh-out-loud high fantasy heist.
And it didn’t sacrifice depth to slapstick comedy either. Rather than separating the humor from the detail, which is what I felt happened in that other one, Weekes combined the two, and as is often the case, the whole was greater than the parts.
Take the political commentary that happens throughout the book via puppets (yes, puppets—you can say a lot with a puppet that you can’t say as a person b/c sedition). The two main factions are represented by fantastical creatures, and when our heroine is looking for information, the puppeteer asks her:
“Tell me, if you don’t mind . . . which do you favor? The griffin or the manticore?”
Loch looked at the griffin, an eagle’s head and wings on a lion’s body, and the manticore, a lion with bat wings and a scorpion’s tail.
“Funny thing, Yeshki. You get right down to it, they’re both mostly big cats.”
*stands* *ovates* (<------it's a word if I say it's a word) But cleverness is not enough to make a stellar heist novel. It also needs a fantastic cast of characters. Like a wizard of questionable morals:
“Mister Hessler?”
“Yes, Dairy?”
“Are you a good wizard?”
. . . “Do you mean good as in ethical or good as in capable, Dairy?”
A #2 who takes pride in his less-than-reputable work (and can tell “your mom” jokes in at least three different languages):
“I’m just saying, as someone who occasionally rigs fights, I’m offended by the lack of professionalism.”
A flexible ascetic:
“Do you radiate cold magic when you punch people?” Kail asked.
“I do not engage in physical combat,” Icy replied, taking a bite from his vegetable plate, “and I possess no elemental magic ability.”
“Then why Icy Fist?”
“It is short for ‘Indomitable Courteous Fist,’ which is my full name.”
“That’s significantly less cool, Icy.”
And a unicorn who only lets virgins ride her in a decidedly different context than most people are familiar with, a sentient, if incoherent war hammer, a love/death priestess, and a virgin:
“No alcohol for the boy,” said Desidora.
“Kun-kabynalti osu fiur’is,” mutterd Ghylspwr.
“Because he’s sixteen,” Desidora insisted. “Kail, you will not give him alcohol. Do I make myself clear?” Her hair darkened perceptibly.
“You just had to play the death priestess card.” Kail grunted. “Fine. Virgin for the kid.”
“Virgin,” said Ululenia, smiling dreamily, her horn shining brightly on her pale forehead. “Mmm.”
Dairy blushed.
Among others. *snickers*
And of course there’s also the requisite Bad Guy who comes equipped with puns and henchmen:
The airship hit another building and lost most of its aft section. Loch dropped her knife and clung to a flailing rope as the deck slid out from under her, and she felt open air yawning sickeningly beneath her dangling legs.
“Reached the end of your rope, Loch?”
I could give you more details, but you already know the basics, and the basics are all you need. The Palace Job was so thoroughly entertaining that the only reason it wasn’t a 5.0 star read is b/c it had a slow start. BUT. Once I hit the 18% mark, it was action and hilarity from that point forward. SO. If you like clever things, fantasy, heists and the criminal masterminds that plan them, I strongly recommend you discover this hidden gem for yourself. It might just be the most quotable book I’ve ever read.
ALSO, the kindle versions of both books are on sale for $2.00 right now. Fyi.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
While I did love Lies of Locke Lamora (sorry!), I think The Palace Job sounds like a read that’s much more fun. The innuendo tossing unicorn and pun favoring villain have me feverishly adding this to my TBR pile. Great review.
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Fierce: Sixteen Authors of Fantasy with Mercedes Lackey $100 Giveaway
Pfft. Don’t apologize. I’m the hater, LOL. But yeah, this one is awesome (regardless of feelings on LLL 😉 ).
Thanks!
Seriously Jessica, I’m trying to stick to a book buying ban here, you can’t just go, quote this book and tell me what it is about and not expect me to go straight to my Kindle store and grab it!! Thank goodness it was rather cheap!
I’m a sucker for fantasy with humour and big fan of Terry Pratcher and this one sounds like something I could very much love!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: ARC Review of Dark Debt by Chloe Neill!!
BUT Pili! It’s on sale for $2.00!! I helped you take advantage of an awesome book’s awesomely low price. That def counts as a good deed, LOL. Buying ban, shmuying ban 😉
You’re lucky A)I like you B) you have awesome taste in books C) you’re almost always right when you recommend something! *side eyes*
Pili recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #85!!
I loved loved LOVED Lies of Locke Lamora. But a laugh out loud fantasy heist book could make me very happy as well. I wants.
Nathan ( recently posted…Tough Travels – Vampires
Then you should def. get this one. PLUS it’s on sale for $2.00. I should probably mention that in the review, huh?
As you know I was not huge on the fantasy genre until recently and some things still scare me (like high fantasy) but crap, if you loved this, then I need to try it!
Great review Jessica! Happy Friday!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson
This sounds like a great read Jessica! I’m so adding this to my TBR, I don’t read that much fantasy but this sounds like a page-turner with great characters. 🙂
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham {Guest Post}
I’m sold Jessica! I just have to hope that the narrator can bring all this goodness you talked about to life. I very familiar with the narrator, she’s very good. I just hope she doesn’t sound too old for the story which the only complaint I’ve ever had about some of her books. I’m getting it now, it’s only $7 + change now 🙂
Lupdilup recently posted…Sugar Daddy Audiobook (The Travis Series #1) Review
These quotes really makes me want to read this book! It sounds absolutely fabulous. Adding it to the TBR. I love it when a fantasy book has humour – so many fantasy books have this really dry tone
Celine recently posted…Review: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
You are not alone, I did manage to read Locke, but was not impressed and I could not read book 2.
But yes this book sounds good 😉
blodeuedd recently posted…Neanderthal seeks Human – Penny Reid
A friend of mine gifted this book to me a few Christmases ago because Patrick Weekes is one of his favorite game writers, and I was a little hesitant about reading it because it was indie small press book at the time. OMG I was so glad I did though. One of my favorite fantasy heist novels of all time! I do love a good heist story.
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: Burned by Karen Marie Moning
I didn’t know about this book… Why I didn’t know? It sounds so great that I want it! And $2.00 is impossible to resist.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Early Review: Life or Death by Michael Robotham
LOL! Wth … Yeah, I need this book in my life.
Christy recently posted…A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson
Omigosh! This sounds hilarious! I’m snickering over your review. 🙂 You know I don’t read much fantasy but I added this one to my tbr. And maybe I might spend some of my book budget…maybe since it’s only $2. 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…My TBR List ~ March ~ What Should I Read Next?
I haven’t read Lies of Locke Lamora (I KNOW, forever the last to get on bandwagons) so I can’t comment on the quality of that book, but based on your review and the quotes you’ve posted, The Palace Job is my kind of book! This sounds like a great pick-me-up, and I love a good unicorn. And I think we can all agree that “ovates” is definitely a word. 😉
Danya recently posted…Review: Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Oh this book…. so awesome. I’m glad you liked it, and that we had such fun Twitter talks about it.
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