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

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Who doesn't love a heist novel? Ever since Six of Crows, I have been searching for the same heart-racing high. (Yes, I know this technically came first) There is simply nothing like the epic life-or-death twists and turns of thieves and their capers. And Scott Lynch delivers it all wrapped up in a complex and lively fantasy setting. Now, did I understand all of the deep lore of Camorr and the other city states? No. Did my eyes glaze over a little during all the building and bridge descriptions? I'll never tell. BUT, did the shark-fighting, death priests, and loveable characters always win me back? Definitely!

 

Lynch builds a believable relationship between each and every character, from the deep loyalty of the Gentleman Bastards to the layers of suspicion in every business deal. It is the backbone of the story, more so than the world-building, and it helps every character feel real. There is an underlying pessimism in the world of the book and it paints the whole society as greedy, power-hungry, and selfish. Camorr becomes a gritty, cut-throat city full of death and deceit. But the book betrays itself. Love and loyalty are at the heart of every character and their decisions. Even when the book is at its darkest, Lynch reminds readers that there might be a heart in everyone. Though, it might be under layers of violence and murder.

 

This book is already a fantasy classic, and I look forward to picking up the other two books in this trilogy!