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The Lies of Locke Lamora (The Gentleman Bastard Sequence #1) by Scott Lynch - Review



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It's tough growing up an orphan in the island city of Camorr, but Locke born was with a natural gift for thieving and a quick wit has escaped both death and slavery. He finds himself in the hands of Chains, the "eyeless priest" who is actually a top notch con artist, who passes on his unique skill set to his carefully selected "family" of orphans - the Gentlemen Bastards. Under Chains, Locke soon grows to lead the group pulling off one outrageous con after another and he takes on the name of the Thorn of Camorr. Soon no rich noble is safe from the Thorn. Passing themselves off as run-of-the-mill petty thieves, Locke and company have even tricked Capa Barsavi, the most feared underground criminal ruler. However, there is someone else out there, the Gray King, who is more ambitious and powerful than Locke ever expected and he's taking out Barsavi's most trusted - and using Locke as his pawn to take over the Camorri criminal underworld. With Locke's carefully constructed life begins to fall apart, he vows to beat the Gray King at his own game, or die trying.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch is easily one of my favorite reads of 2016. I have no idea why I waited so long to finally start this series, but I'm glad I've finally started in on it. This could easily become my next big obsession. Scott Lynch's world is one of the most vivid I have had the pleasure of visiting. The setting, which appears to be inspired by Venice, is very cinematic and I could practically see the world of Camorr, from Shades' Hill, Catchfire, and to the Five Towers.

Lynch has also written some top-notch characters that are so well developed that they could just about walk off the page. There are no real heroes in this story, as the morality tends to range from gray to black, but Locke is a very clever, likable, and even funny anti-hero. As much as I liked everyone in the book, Locke and Jean are definitely my two favorites. They're such a great combination and they can really play off of each other. The sense of humor, albeit dark, really helps balance out the brutality in the story. Locke has some really great lines and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times at some of the things that come out of his mouth.


Finally, I listened to The Lies of Locke Lamora on audiobook, and the production is brilliant. I've never listened to an audiobook narrated by Michael Page before, but in the span of 22 hours he has become one of my favorites. He easily captured my attention and I could have listened to him give voice to Lynch's world non-stop, if possible. He truly made Camorr and it's inhabitants come to life.

Overall, I absolutely adored Scott Lynch's impressive debut novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and I can't wait to read more of the Gentleman Bastard sequence. I need more of Locke and Jean! If you enjoy dark fantasy with a darkly clever sense of humor, Mediterranean flavored fantasy, Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, and Ocean's Eleven movies, you will love The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Red Seas Under Red Skies here I come!


I listened to this audiobook from July 6 - 17, 2016 and my review is also on Goodreads.

Comments

  1. Ooh, I might have to listen to the audiobook for this, too, but I think I have a paperback copy floating around in the house... (though that probably won't stop me, lol!).

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    1. Either way! :-)

      Happy reading and thanks for visiting!

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  2. This sounds so interesting! I love heist and thief TV shows, so why shouldn't I try books too? The characters sound good too.

    Love that Hiddleston gif. :)

    Great review!

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    1. The text in the GIF is actually a quote from book two - I'm pretty sure anyway. Otherwise, I'd say that he kind of fits the part. :)

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  3. I own this book! WHY HAVE I WAITED THIS LONG TO READ IT.
    Also why am I currently drowning in library books right now!
    This sounds like the kind of book I love. You need to keep bugging me read this one Lauren so I can be excited about this series with you!

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    1. I know that problem all too well... :)

      I bet you would love it! I hope you get to it soon! :D

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  4. I, too, am an audiobook fan, though I admit I usually tire of books if they are as long as yours (22 hours WOW). When do you find the time to listen? I usually listen when I commute to work and home again but during the summer I don't commute so that poses a problem for my listening time.

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    1. Usually, I listen while I'm driving or when I'm working out. Sometimes, if it really catches my interest, any of my free time really! :D

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  5. Okay so I finally picked it up I got the audio version I can't wait to listen to it! Fantastic review!

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    1. Thanks! I can't wait to see what you think of it! :D

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  6. fantastic blogs! Your website is aowsome . Thanks for Sharing The Lies of Locke Lamora . I recommend for reading your post. Please add me on reader list.

    ReplyDelete

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