A review by nebenezar
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So, after finishing this book, I can honestly say that it was a great book. It definitely takes a while to weave the spell, which did put me off in the beginning.  If I don’t love a book from the start, I grow tired of it quickly. I very nearly gave up on this book, but I’m glad I didn’t. You’ll most likely enjoy this book if you like intrigue, heists, and swashbuckling fantasy. The overall style reminds me of Six of Crows.

The characters are all interesting in their own way. What did irritate me a little is that I often got a better sense of the side characters and antagonists than the Gentlemen Bastards. The rich couple Locke and his gang robs is almost more fleshed out than Locke‘s friends are. The story is still „character-driven“, but that is more because of the fascination with Locke‘s constant plotting than anything. It’s difficult to grasp exactly what the characters are missing, but I think it can be boiled down to a „psychological footprint“. It’s not really clear what drove Locke to become the man he is. His love for his friends certainly drives his motivations in the present, but it isn’t at all clear how this man came to be, even with all the chapters focusing on the past. 

That being said, this book is still immensely entertaining and well worth the read. 
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