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A review by the_real_al_cal
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
3.0
After many, many years of keeping this book on my shelf, I finally decided to delve into it! After seeing countless adoring reviews from readers who share my taste in books, I thought I was in for a wild, spectacular ride. How did I feel upon finishing this book? ...It was just okay.
What I liked about the book (without spoilers): Most of the main characters. I really enjoyed the Gentleman Bastards and their relationships with one another. I have a soft spot for twins in storytelling, so I instantly fell in love with the Sanza boys. The worldbuilding was also pretty good, and the world was easy to picture in my mind's eye. The dialogue was fun. Most of the action was well-written, and the antagonists didn't pull their punches, which made the danger much more real. Locke's plans are always really fun and interesting to follow, and you don't always know what he's up to until he puts his plan into action. It's a really fun way to tell the story.
What I didn't like about the book (without spoilers): THE PACING. That was the most frustrating part of the entire book for me, and the thing that stuck out to me the most. It constantly away from the action to tell little vignettes from the past. Sometimes the stories are touching or add to the plot in some way, but other times they feel totally unnecessary. They're often right after exciting cliffhangers, which completely destroys the tension that Scott Lynch builds in each chapter. They weren't bad moments; they were just told at the wrong time. If the entire story had been told in a more linear fashion, I probably would have really enjoyed those chapters--and the whole book--a lot more.
I have a feeling that this may be different in the rest of the series, but I also didn't care for the treatment of women in this story. There were a few named women, but they were often only there as plot devices before they were shuffled out of the way. The Gentleman Bastards kept referencing another woman, but she never showed up. I imagine she plays a bigger role later in the series, but judging this book based on the women who were included, it wasn't the most diverse or empowering story that ever existed.
All this to say: I won't say I'll never read the rest of the series, but I'm not chomping at the bit to buy the next book either.
What I liked about the book (without spoilers): Most of the main characters. I really enjoyed the Gentleman Bastards and their relationships with one another. I have a soft spot for twins in storytelling, so I instantly fell in love with the Sanza boys. The worldbuilding was also pretty good, and the world was easy to picture in my mind's eye. The dialogue was fun. Most of the action was well-written, and the antagonists didn't pull their punches, which made the danger much more real. Locke's plans are always really fun and interesting to follow, and you don't always know what he's up to until he puts his plan into action. It's a really fun way to tell the story.
What I didn't like about the book (without spoilers): THE PACING. That was the most frustrating part of the entire book for me, and the thing that stuck out to me the most. It constantly away from the action to tell little vignettes from the past. Sometimes the stories are touching or add to the plot in some way, but other times they feel totally unnecessary. They're often right after exciting cliffhangers, which completely destroys the tension that Scott Lynch builds in each chapter. They weren't bad moments; they were just told at the wrong time. If the entire story had been told in a more linear fashion, I probably would have really enjoyed those chapters--and the whole book--a lot more.
I have a feeling that this may be different in the rest of the series, but I also didn't care for the treatment of women in this story. There were a few named women, but they were often only there as plot devices before they were shuffled out of the way. The Gentleman Bastards kept referencing another woman, but she never showed up. I imagine she plays a bigger role later in the series, but judging this book based on the women who were included, it wasn't the most diverse or empowering story that ever existed.
All this to say: I won't say I'll never read the rest of the series, but I'm not chomping at the bit to buy the next book either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death