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A review by nataliestorozhenko
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
5.0
“Someday, Locke Lamora,” he said, “someday, you’re going to fuck up so magnificently, so ambitiously, so overwhelmingly that the sky will light up and the moons will spin and the gods themselves will shit comets with glee. And I just hope I’m still around to see it.”
“Oh please,” said Locke. “It’ll never happen.”
Gods, what a ride this was. This one kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. When you think that it can not become worse, this damned book shows time and time again that it is not true. The writing style was unique and I appreciated the well-placed profanity, which was absolutely fitting to the characters and the world they live in. The contrast with other epic fantasy novels I've read was quite refreshing, especially compared to holier-than-thou Sanderson.
“When you don't know everything that you could know, it's a fine time to shut your fucking noisemaker and be polite.”
Despite not usually enjoying stories about crime lords and gangs, the execution of the crime hierarchy in this book was so well done that it made me reconsider my preferences. The complex web of connections between different groups was fascinating and never left me feeling lost. And in the center of it all - the most beautiful craft of true thievery that even has its own secret thirteenth deity - The Crooked Warden and The Benefactor. “We’re a different sort of thief here, Lamora. Deception and misdirection are our tools. We don’t believe in hard work when a false face and a good line of bullshit can do so much more.”
The structure of the book was well-crafted, and I particularly enjoyed the way the main plot and the flashback chapters about the characters' childhood intertwined. The switching of POVs and timelines was executed perfectly, adding depth to the story without detracting from the epic scenes.
But most of all I appreciate how Scott Lynch portrays his characters. I loved every single member of Gentlemen Bastards with all my heart, including sassy Father Chains.
“There are only three people in life you can never fool--pawnbrokers, whores, and your mother. Since your mother's dead, I've taken her place. Hence, I'm bullshit-proof.”
This is the found family I truly believe in, and amongst them, there shines the most beautiful and very real friendship of Locke and Jean. Gosh, I'm tearing up even thinking about them.
“I don't have to beat you. I don't have to beat you, motherfucker. I just have to keep you here... until Jean shows up.”
And tell me if it is not the best introduction of the main character: “I've got kids that enjoy stealing. I've got kids that don't think about stealing one way or the other, and I've got kids that just tolerate stealing because they know they've got nothing else to do. But nobody--and I mean nobody--has ever been hungry for it like this boy. If he had a bloody gash across his throat and a physiker was trying to sew it up, Lamora would steal the needle and thread and die laughing. He...steals too much.”
The world-building was also captivating, with its unique elements such as the strange glass towers, alchemy, and the intricate calendar system tied to their twelve gods. The corrupt city of Camorr and its intricate balance of power was fascinating, until the arrival of the detestable Gray King.
“I can't wait to have words with the Gray King when this shit is all finished," Locke whispered. "There's a few things I want to ask him. Philosophical questions. Like, 'How does it feel to be dangled out a window by a rope tied around your balls, motherfucker?”
Man, do I loathe this man. The antagonist was portrayed so convincingly that I felt a deep desire for revenge along with the characters. Thus I truly appreciate and consider the ending a true perfection. This was very close to Sanderlanche for me. The plotting, the fights, the most epic death offering, the tops crawling in a huge pile of shit, and the sweetest taste of revenge. Perfection.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I would rate it closer to 4.5 stars out of 5 due to the author's tendency to get carried away with detailed descriptions that didn't always contribute to the plot. And to be honest, at those times I forced myself to pay attention but I concur by saying that it might be a “me” thing. Overall, it was a dark, emotional, and brutal read, but it also made me laugh and cry a lot. It was a remarkable debut, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
“Oh please,” said Locke. “It’ll never happen.”
Gods, what a ride this was. This one kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. When you think that it can not become worse, this damned book shows time and time again that it is not true. The writing style was unique and I appreciated the well-placed profanity, which was absolutely fitting to the characters and the world they live in. The contrast with other epic fantasy novels I've read was quite refreshing, especially compared to holier-than-thou Sanderson.
“When you don't know everything that you could know, it's a fine time to shut your fucking noisemaker and be polite.”
Despite not usually enjoying stories about crime lords and gangs, the execution of the crime hierarchy in this book was so well done that it made me reconsider my preferences. The complex web of connections between different groups was fascinating and never left me feeling lost. And in the center of it all - the most beautiful craft of true thievery that even has its own secret thirteenth deity - The Crooked Warden and The Benefactor. “We’re a different sort of thief here, Lamora. Deception and misdirection are our tools. We don’t believe in hard work when a false face and a good line of bullshit can do so much more.”
The structure of the book was well-crafted, and I particularly enjoyed the way the main plot and the flashback chapters about the characters' childhood intertwined. The switching of POVs and timelines was executed perfectly, adding depth to the story without detracting from the epic scenes.
But most of all I appreciate how Scott Lynch portrays his characters. I loved every single member of Gentlemen Bastards with all my heart, including sassy Father Chains.
“There are only three people in life you can never fool--pawnbrokers, whores, and your mother. Since your mother's dead, I've taken her place. Hence, I'm bullshit-proof.”
This is the found family I truly believe in, and amongst them, there shines the most beautiful and very real friendship of Locke and Jean. Gosh, I'm tearing up even thinking about them.
“I don't have to beat you. I don't have to beat you, motherfucker. I just have to keep you here... until Jean shows up.”
And tell me if it is not the best introduction of the main character: “I've got kids that enjoy stealing. I've got kids that don't think about stealing one way or the other, and I've got kids that just tolerate stealing because they know they've got nothing else to do. But nobody--and I mean nobody--has ever been hungry for it like this boy. If he had a bloody gash across his throat and a physiker was trying to sew it up, Lamora would steal the needle and thread and die laughing. He...steals too much.”
The world-building was also captivating, with its unique elements such as the strange glass towers, alchemy, and the intricate calendar system tied to their twelve gods. The corrupt city of Camorr and its intricate balance of power was fascinating, until the arrival of the detestable Gray King.
“I can't wait to have words with the Gray King when this shit is all finished," Locke whispered. "There's a few things I want to ask him. Philosophical questions. Like, 'How does it feel to be dangled out a window by a rope tied around your balls, motherfucker?”
Man, do I loathe this man. The antagonist was portrayed so convincingly that I felt a deep desire for revenge along with the characters. Thus I truly appreciate and consider the ending a true perfection. This was very close to Sanderlanche for me. The plotting, the fights, the most epic death offering, the tops crawling in a huge pile of shit, and the sweetest taste of revenge. Perfection.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I would rate it closer to 4.5 stars out of 5 due to the author's tendency to get carried away with detailed descriptions that didn't always contribute to the plot. And to be honest, at those times I forced myself to pay attention but I concur by saying that it might be a “me” thing. Overall, it was a dark, emotional, and brutal read, but it also made me laugh and cry a lot. It was a remarkable debut, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.