The Lies of Locke Lamora (The Gentleman Bastard Sequence) Mass Market Paperback – June 26, 2007

Wow! What a ride this wonderful story is.First, to make things clear, you will see a lot of comparisons to this ala Robin Hood, Ocean's 11, etc. While it definitely shares some similarities, it is important to make clear that this is a unique story and you will not finish the book thinking it is something you've already experienced. The world is unique and brilliantly described, the characters are interesting, and the technical aspect of the writing is very sound. The book's strongest suit however is the wonderful dialogue. The characters have sharp tongues that are clever and witty and conversations are fluid and interesting. Some authors seem hesitant to include cursing, or try to invent new terms which rarely have the same impact. There is no shortage of swearing here, but it is not just thrown in without purpose. It fits perfectly with the characters and adds humor while most importantly maintaining believability. We're dealing with the underground world of thieves, so it is relieving to see the honest dialogue you would expect. I do not think it would be a stretch to say that this was the most entertaining read I can remember, and certainly the most I've ever laughed while reading a book.The structure of the plot is fairly standard for a fantasy novel, the first half is mostly introduction and then the action begins to pick up steadily as it progresses towards the conclusion. It is unique in that is not quite the common telling of age story and instead shows the characters as they're growing up mixed in with current plotline in the present. While I think this will strike some as odd at first, it does the job well and reminds me a bit of the Name of the Wind and the use of the frame. Both authors (Scott Lynch and Patrick Rothfuss respectively) used a unique mechanic in their debut and I find it absolutely adds to the experience. The plot itself is exciting and will have you turning the page for more. I found some character identities a bit predictable before their reveal, but most of the time I had no idea what was coming next or how a situation would get resolved. My only complaint would be that at times the MC's tolerance for a beating seemed perhaps a bit unrealistic, but this is a small issue.The plans of the MC will confuse you at first, but leave you smiling and remarking on their brilliance at the end. In one breath you'll call a character a crazy bastard, and in the next you will be laughing at his genius. The wonderful comradery will leave you wishing you were part of devious group yourself. Truly, these emotions are the draw of any thief/heist story and the Lies of Locke Lamora does not fail to deliver.

[...]You know that feeling of being stuck on the outside, looking in? Like you're there, but not quite, caught between the bounds of half-knowing and exclusion. That's how I felt when I was reading "The Lies of Locke Lamora," the first installment in Scott Lynch's "Gentleman Bastard" series, at least at first. But, like every story, I'll start from the beginning. I picked up this novel after seeing review after review of fanatic readers raving about it, and I naturally just couldn't resist. There's something undeniably magical about fantasy novels, something that weaves an encompassing world around you until you find yourself enraptured. Unfortunately for me, it took me a little while with the world of Camorr--but better late than never!An orphan's life is harsh--and often short--in the island city of Camorr. But luckily enough, Locke Lamora was blessed by the Thirteen Gods with quick wit and a gift for thieving, dodging both death and slavery. Under the tutelage of an eyeless priest named Chains, Locke flourishes into the Thorn of Camorr, notorious for pulling off the most outrageous of games. Along with his new, light-fingered brothers, the Gentleman Bastards, Locke has even the criminal underworld's most feared ruler, Capa Barvasi, into thinking that they're petty thieves. But when someone called the Grey King begins killing off the Capa's most trusted men--and using Locke in his plot to seize control of Camorr's underworld--a bloody coup is sparked. And as he finds everything and everyone that holds meaning in his mercenary life disappearing before his eyes, Locke vows to beat the Grey King at his own game--or die trying.Arguably the most crucial part of any great fantasy novel is the main character, since, after all, you'll be following him or her across the great span of 500 pages or so. Locke Lamora is undeniably an intriguing protagonist, one with unparalleled cunning and a knack for theatrical thievery. I completely fell in love with his devil-may-care attitude and his thirst for the rush of adrenaline he gets from trickery--even till the very end--but what really made him a great hero was his unwavering loyalty toward his fellow Gentleman Bastards. His adoptive family means the world to him, and this compassionate side to him really gave him his driving force when things were forced to get down and dirty with the Grey King. Chains, Jean, Bug, Calo and Galdo, who make up the gang, are all such instrumental members in creating the dynamics in the Gentleman Bastards, and hearing their banter and seeing their close-knit camaraderie undoubtedly added to the story. The other characters, like Capa Barvasi, the Grey King and the Spider, were likewise well-developed and intriguing to read about, and I think Mr. Lynch has really created an exciting cast of characters in his debut novel.Remember what I said about feeling like you're half-in, half-out? Well that's what I felt as I read the first few chapters of "The Lies of Locke Lamora." I don't know whether I'm explaining it right, but there was a sort of disconnect between myself as a reader and the book I held in my hands, like I just couldn't get into it. The more I read, however, the more I came to realize the reason behind this: the writing style. Don't get me wrong--Mr. Lynch's writing is great, which lends itself to the fantastic and intricate plot of the novel. What comes to mind are the amazing descriptions of the culinary concoctions of the aristocratic parties--imagine miniature palaces spun out of candied jellies and sweetbreads, and a fusion of cooked animals, with the head of a cow and the body of a fish. But there were times when there were just too many adjectives and adverbs lying around, cramping up the descriptions. It's no easy feat to create an entirely new world in any genre, especially fantasy, but I think if Mr. Lynch had toned down on some descriptions, things would've flown a lot more smoothly and sped things up a little. There were times when the sentences and paragraphs were too bogged down with auxiliary words, and I found myself skimming over lots of them as I tried to get to the actual meat of the story.Which, of course, brings me to the plot. The storyline of "The Lies of Locke Lamora" was pretty interesting throughout, but, more than that, extremely clever. I loved seeing the way secrets and plans were revealed as the story progressed, along with the underlying unease that comes with the ever-present tension. Another thing I really appreciated and enjoyed was the way in which Mr. Lynch interspersed the chapters of the main storyline with interludes, jumping back and forth between the past and the present and giving his readers a more solid idea of both Locke's childhood and the world we are presented with. Like I discussed earlier at length, it did take me a little while to actually dive into the story, but it definitely does pick up a few long chapters in, leading up to the climactic ending of the novel!Overall, "The Lies of Locke Lamora" is an intriguing fantasy novel, complete with a dynamic cast of characters, an undeniably clever hero, and an equally clever storyline. While it might not be my absolute favourite novel, it is definitely a solid fantasy story, one that you should definitely check out for yourselves!Rating: 3.5/5