Scott Lynch (1) (1978–)

This book was such a breath of fresh air! the voice was sarcastic and snarky; Locke was a total pissant and I loved it!

It's nice to see a layered criminal for a change. Someone who clearly knows right from wrong. How it differs from what is and isn't legal. The world building was fantastic. the only spot I had any trouble with was figuring out the years and dates. Once I got the hang of it, reading this was so smooth.

Will definitely be hunting after the rest of the books in this series.

Fantasy is a particularly trope-riddled genre. A Dark Lord, a Chosen One made invincible through plot armour and has ridiculously strong powers, a lengthy journey to an evil stronghold, etc. etc. Re-watching Harry Potter and reading the first 6 books of the Wheel of Time consecutively left me, as many other fantasy die-hards often are, rather bored.

The Lies of Locke Lamora - book 1 of Gentleman Bastards - is the perfect antidote. Although it is high fantasy, none of the traditional clichés show more are present at all. In fact, although there is a magic system, this is very much a secondary detail, and none of the main characters have any ability in it.

Scott Lynch has written a wonderful Robin Hood-esque story of friendship and crime, which happens to take place in a fantastical world, with blends of heists, mafias, swashbuckling adventure, and a touch of grimdark.

While the plot is constantly gripping, it is Lynch's character work which truly held me in the story. Developing friendships, witty conversations, and clear personality flaws all make up an exceptional character-driven tale.

I could not recommend this series enough, regardless of the reader. I will be continuing on in the series with great anticipation and excitement for the future of Gentleman Bastards, andScott Lynch's writing as a whole. show less

This is a well-crafted fantasy novel that I’d recommend to many people, but that I myself could not like despite its many virtues. Set in a city-state crowded with humanity and peppered with the mysterious creations of an ancient race, the story goes back and forth between the past training of master thief Locke Lamora and his crew and the present, when they’re at the top of their game and about to pull off a huge score against the nobility. The worldbuilding is intriguing and doesn’t show more delay the story; the events (including Lamora’s relations with the master of the city’s illegal activities, who doesn’t allow ripping off the nobility; the score, which involves an elaborate scam as well as an investigation thereof; and a troublesome newcomer known as the Gray King who keeps killing other criminals) move fast and with an accelerating pace that ends with an almost unbearable tension. Lynch persuasively raises the stakes—lots of people end up dead who most fantasy authors would’ve been afraid to kill, but this isn’t GRRM grimdark territory either—and sets up obstacles that are satisfyingly all but insurmountable. I wasn’t thrilled about the lack of major female characters, but the real reason that I could not enjoy this book as much as it should be enjoyed was that Lamora is a scam artist, and I am too lawfully-oriented and anti-false advertising to like that. I can’t root for a guy whose raison d’etre is to take money from people under false pretenses, even if they only offer the money because they have some larceny in their own hearts. Though Lynch does his best to show Lamora protecting the small people he barrels over in his complicated schemes against the wealthy, that protection at best means that they’re alive and exiled rather than tortured to death for their failure to protect their employers. Lynch is honest enough to show some of the collateral damage, but I can’t help but think of all the other victims. However, as those victims are fictional, and as not everyone has my visceral reaction to con artists, this may well be a fantasy worth checking out. show less

‘The Republic of Thieves’ is essentially two books for the price of one.

The first follows on directly from the events of ‘Red Seas Under Red Skies’. Locke and Jean are on the run, attempting to avoid the fallout from their last scheme that went slightly awry. Becoming powerbrokers in the political arena seems a sensible idea, at least at first. The arrival of an old friend however adds an unexpected wrinkle to their latest "fool proof" plot.

The second narrative strand goes back in show more time and follows the teenage Gentleman Bastards as they take to the stage. Their ever-enigmatic mentor, Father Chains, demands they leave Camorr for the summer and assist an old acquaintance with his troupe of slightly deranged actors.

For a while now Mr. Lynch has lead us a delightfully merry dance. The character of Sabetha Belacoros has been mentioned in passing multiple times, but has never really been fully explored. Sabetha has been the lingering shadow that has hung over Locke's past. She's the one that got away, as it were. Finally meeting her has been a long time coming, and her introduction is handled wonderfully.

I've been trying to think of the best way to adequately describe the connection that exists between Sabetha and Locke. The closest thing I can equate it to is the relationship that Sherlock Holmes has with Irene Adler. The verbal sparring, where they continually try to outdo one another is a joy. Locke has more than met his match and, much as he would try and deny it, in his heart I think he knows it. Their interactions fill in many of those lovely little deliberate blanks that appear in previous novels. Knowing Sabetha helps the reader to better understand both Locke and also Jean.

There have also been fleeting glimpses of the Bondsmagi in the past but their murky motives have never really been revealed. In this book we finally get to learn some of the inner workings of this most secret society. Turns out that magical practitioners are a tricky bunch, and the Gentleman Bastards feature heavily in their plans. Poor old Locke and Jean, they can't catch a break.

It appears that those carrot-dangling days of teasing us aren't over quite yet. It's true that some of secrets we've longed to discover finally see something close to daylight, sort of, but there are still many more mysteries that are not yet resolved. Locke's mysterious origins and his ultimate fate are danced around but it appears that Lynch isn’t done messing with our heads.

In ‘The Republic of Thieves’, it feels like Locke, Jean and company have finally come of age. We get to see them as awkward teens and then as the more confident adult versions of themselves. Lynch's writing excels when it comes to character evolution. It's so fluid and natural you're never going to question it. show less