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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.… (more)
Carnophile: Who'd win in a fight between the Locke Lamora gang and the Kaz Brekker gang? I NEED to see this. No, it's not a contest, but boy would that be a fun read.
The audiobook was well-read. I'm not entirely into the whole medieval times motif, but I found it entertaining. I'll light 3.5 Alchemical Globes out of 5 Alchemical Globes. (there is a lot of stuff that is "alchemical" in this book) ( )
A reasonable book, but it definitely didn't blow my mind the way that many reviews seemed to suggest it might. Lynch's character development for his lesser characters could use some work, and some of the "twists" were mediocre (either were too obvious, or too absurdly random). It was a story and an adventure, nothing more. ( )
Violence aside, The Lies of Locke Lamora was a really fun novel and I enjoyed Lynch’s writing style. I’ll miss the characters who won’t be continuing into the rest of the series, but I’m looking forward to what’s next for the Gentleman Bastards. ( )
Lynch's storytelling ability is comparable to all the best. His books are intellectually complex making it a treat to read and reread his books. I caution the squeamish reader that the profanity in these books is extreme, but it leads to strong character development that would be lacking without. ( )
Een fris, origineel en fascinerend verhaal van een opwindend nieuw geluid in het fantasygenre.
Dedication
For Jenny, this little world that was blessed to have you peeking over my shoulder while it took shape-- Love Always.
First words
At the height of the long wet summer of the Seventy-Seventh Year of Sendovani, the Thiefmaker of Camorr paid a sudden and unannounced visit to the Eyeless Priest at the Temple of Perelandro, desperately hoping to sell him the Lamora boy.
Quotations
We don't believe in hard work when a false face and a good line of bullshit can do so much more.
Locke is our brother and our love for him knows no bounds. But the four most fatal words in the Therin language are 'Locke would appreciate it.' Rivaled only by 'Locke taught me a new trick'.
Catbridges were another legacy of the Eldren who’d ruled before the coming of men: narrow glass arches no wider than an ordinary man’s hips, arranged in pairs over most of Camorr’s canals and at several places along the Angevine River. Although they looked smooth, their glimmering surfaces were as rough as shark’s-hide leather; for those with a reasonable measure of agility and confidence, they provided the only convenient means of crossing water at many points. Traffic was always one-directional over each catbridge; ducal decree clearly stated that anyone going the wrong direction could be shoved off by those with the right-of-way.
Last words
The lights drew down into the darkness, and then they were gone for good, and the rain swept in like a wall above the sea.
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.
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Haiku summary
I'm Locke Lamora, Gentleman Bastard. Can I Have your money, please? (passion4reading)
Il Santo White Collar ( )