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mikhoest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The world is cool and unique, with a strong atmosphere and tons of little cultural touches that bring it to life. Camorr is an unforgettable place. I'd hate to live there, but I feel like I could read a hundred books about this twisted, layered version of Venice. I love concepts like elderglass, the alchemical drinks, the strict social orders and the nuanced religions.
The characters are fun and lovable. Locke proves himself to be more heroic than I had expected, but even if he were as much as a 'bastard' as he claims to be, I think I'd still have fun reading about him. His charisma is magnetic. The others are great, too, and their interactions are pure gold.
The main plot takes a bit to kick in, but only because we first have to be treated to an absolutely beautiful scam by Locke's gang, in which they pretty much pull out a nobleman's wealth with one hand, while pushing it with the other. That is some Better Call Saul-grade chicanery, and I ate it up. The rest is a revenge-driven power struggle between Camorr's major players, with the surprising angle that
The regular flashback sequences took a bit for me to get used to, but the book is written that way for a reason. A lot of moments are given extra meaning in the context of Locke's childhood. It also works really well for setting up jokes.
I've never read a better 'thief fantasy' story, and I doubt I ever will. Not with this kind of imagination poured into it, at least.
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse
rangerwing75's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
And holy hell was she right.
The dialogue was the best part of this book. The characters are witty and filled with all kinds of colourful insults and threats.
The world is so so detailed. Like. It’s clear a lot of care was put into crafting this world. However, I found this could be a bit of a detriment at times. There’s a lot to remember, because everything impacts the plot in some way, and I struggle with grasping detail sometimes.
My only other big gripe is that there were times when the plot dragged. When it dragged, it dragged hard. I’m also not so sure how I feel about the interludes (which is just a fancy term for the flashbacks). Yes, they provided the necessary information for what was to come, and I don’t think there was a better way to have gone about it, but it just wasn’t something I personally enjoyed.
Overall, solid book. Locke and Jean’s friendship is top tier. Be mindful of the constant threats to cut off people’s balls.
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Cursing, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Stalking, and Sexual content
leanne_miron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Excrement
Minor: Vomit, Body shaming, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
lvl52_grant's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Gore, Violence, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Excrement, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Terminal illness and Sexual content
triforception's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing is clever enough that it can be almost annoying in places, almost as though it were being written by the protagonist, who is a wonderfully arrogant and frustrating and loveable little shit. Speaking of these characters, they’re very effective at provoking the intended reaction from the reader. Locke Lamora is competent enough that his arrogance is justified, but vulnerable and susceptible to failure enough that he never comes off as invincible (and this boring). His companions are all likeable in their own way, and the book is excellent at making you attached to this (fairly morally dubious) gang of criminals, and very very good at making you hate and fear their enemies. The lack of diversity is a bit disappointing- while the book features formidable female characters, none of them are main protagonists and there are no LGBT characters to be found. That said, The Lies of Locke Lamora is a dryly funnny, often very dark, always extremely exciting fantasy novel and I look forward to picking up the sequel.
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery
Minor: Sexism
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
feilyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
thereadingsheep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gore, Cursing, Violence, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Grief and Sexual content
czfries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, Gore, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cursing, and Child death
Minor: Sexual content