Book Review – The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

They say that the Thorn of Camorr can beat anyone in a fight. They say he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. They say he’s part man, part myth, and mostly street-corner rumor. And they are wrong on every count.

Only averagely tall, slender, and god-awful with a sword, Locke Lamora is the fabled Thorn, and the greatest weapons at his disposal are his wit and cunning. He steals from the rich – they’re the only ones worth stealing from – but the poor can go steal for themselves. What Locke cons, wheedles and tricks into his possession is strictly for him and his band of fellow con-artists and thieves: the Gentleman Bastards.

Together their domain is the city of Camorr. Built of Elderglass by a race no-one remembers, it’s a city of shifting revels, filthy canals, baroque palaces and crowded cemeteries. Home to Dons, merchants, soldiers, beggars, cripples, and feral children. And to Capa Barsavi, the criminal mastermind who runs the city.

But there are whispers of a challenge to the Capa’s power. A challenge from a man no one has ever seen, a man no blade can touch. The Grey King is coming.

A man would be well advised not to be caught between Capa Barsavi and The Grey King. Even such a master of the sword as the Thorn of Camorr. As for Locke Lamora …

My rating:

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I mean, I always love a cheeky, cocksure thief with a heart of gold(ish!) 😉

Locke is a fun main character. You feel that you shouldn’t like him, but he’s very endearing and loyal to his friends, so I loved him. And all the other Gentlemen Bastards actually. Their little family is lovely. And therefore how their story plays out is heart wrenching!

This story is a little on the long winded side, with many asides, flashbacks, interludes and random bits of other story scattered throughout. It works, and it keeps the story fresh and relevant without needing loads of back story all at once, but it also makes it long! I think some of those could possibly have been lost without much, if any, detriment to the story. The main plot is a bit convoluted too, with many ulterior motives. And I like a good ulterior motive, but not everyone needs to have one, surely?

I listened to the audio book, and the voice actor was just stellar, I always knew which character was speaking, which is incredibly impressive. I really think it added to the book, and would highly recommend listening to this one.

Buy The Lies of Locke Lamora from Amazon UK.