The Lies of Locke Lamora
By: Scott Lynch
Series: The Gentleman Bastard Sequence
Published: 2006
# of pages: 499

Official description: In this stunning debut, author Scott Lynch delivers the wonderfully thrilling tale of an audacious criminal and his band of confidence tricksters. Set in a fantastic city pulsing with the lives of decadent nobles and daring thieves, here is a story of adventure, loyalty, and survival that is one part Robin Hood, one part Ocean’s Eleven, and entirely enthralling.…
An orphan’s life is harsh–and often short–in the island city of Camorr, built on the ruins of a mysterious alien race. But born with a quick wit and a gift for thieving, Locke Lamora has dodged both death and slavery, only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains–a man who is neither blind nor a priest. A con artist of extraordinary talent, Chains passes his skills on to his carefully selected “family” of orphans–a group known as the Gentlemen Bastards. Under his tutelage, Locke grows to lead the Bastards, delightedly pulling off one outrageous confidence game after another. Soon he is infamous as the Thorn of Camorr, and no wealthy noble is safe from his sting.
Passing themselves off as petty thieves, the brilliant Locke and his tightly knit band of light-fingered brothers have fooled even the criminal underworld’s most feared ruler, Capa Barsavi. But there is someone in the shadows more powerful–and more ambitious–than Locke has yet imagined.
Known as the Gray King, he is slowly killing Capa Barsavi’s most trusted men–and using Locke as a pawn in his plot to take control of Camorr’s underworld. With a bloody coup under way threatening to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the Gray King at his own brutal game–or die trying.…

My opinion:  This was such a unique and well-written book!  Lynch has created a very cool world as the setting.  The story is set in the city of Camorr, which is a group of islands separated by canals and joined by bridges.  Half of the city is wealthy/middle class and the other half is poor and neglected...the perfect atmosphere for the Right People, the society of thieves who all pay homage to Capa Barsavi, the king of thieves.

I loved all of the Gentleman Bastards.  Locke, Jean, the Salvara twins, and Bug.  Lynch did a great job with character development.  The small group of con artists are funny, witty, and smart.  They are also realistic.  I felt like I knew them and cared about them.  That makes the best books in my opinion.

They story line is also well-written.  The timeline switches from current events to Locke's past, as an orphan child joining the Gentleman Bastards.  It isn't hard to follow, but it all ends up coming together at just the right times.  There are plot twists, some shocking surprises, and a lot of action.

There's a lot of bad language, especially at the beginning.  But unless this is really bothersome to you, please give it a chance because it eases up and the story is well worth it!


Why I gave this book 5/5 stars:  Great setting, realistic characters, well-written storyline.

Other reviews:
things mean a lot
Have you reviewed this? Let me know and I'd be happy to post yours as well.