The short version
A political contest reunites Locke with Sabetha while earlier chapters trace their shared history in the Gentlemen Bastards.
Quick answers
What to know before you start
- Where does it fit?
- Book 3 in Gentleman Bastard Sequence.
- Can I start here?
- This is book 3. Check the series reading order first.
- Is the series complete?
- No — the indexed series is ongoing.
- When was it first published?
- 2013. Edition publication dates may differ.
- How long is it?
- 672 pages in the Del Rey US trade paperback (2025).
- Is an audiobook indexed?
- Audiobook edition details are still pending.
What it's about
A spoiler-light premise
With Locke dying from poison, a Bondsmage offers treatment in exchange for helping one faction win a city election. The opposing faction has hired Sabetha, Locke's former companion and rival, while a second timeline follows their earlier work together in a theatrical company.
You'll probably like it if
Pending.
Maybe skip it if
Pending.
Ways to read
Formats & editions
Print edition
Del Rey US trade paperback (2025)
- Publisher
- Del Rey
- Length
- 672 pages
- Edition date
- Jul 8, 2025
- ISBN-13
- 9780593984666
Edition details verified Aug 18, 2026. Page count and cover can differ between editions.
Audiobook
Edition details pending
Narrator, runtime, and regional availability have not been verified yet.
Sources & verification
Where the edition facts come from
Publisher, format, ISBN, page-count, narrator, and runtime details are kept at edition level because they can vary between versions and markets.
- Penguin Random House Del Rey US trade paperback (2025) · checked Aug 18, 2026
At a glance
Fantasy Index scorecard
Continue in order
Gentleman Bastard Sequence
This series is still ongoing.