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...
I listed The Lies of Locke Lamora in my update post Monday, but I failed to mention it was a reread. I wish I had because I think the simple fact that a book is worth rereading says a lot about the book.
If you'd like to read my original review, that can be found here.
A few people commented that they own a copy of Locke Lamora but haven't read it yet. If you happened to grab a Kindle deal, do yourself a favor and add on the audio. Audible has one of those amazing deals where you can add on the audio for $3.99. I think I enjoyed it even more via audiobook! It's truly fantastic.
I'm hoping to make my way through this series again before The Thorn of Emberlain is released in July. This will probably not be my last reread of the series. There is something about this series that I adore.
My biggest complaint the first time around was the interludes. The plot would get going and then we would jump back in time. Maybe it was already knowing what happens, maybe it was the audio, but I didn't mind the interludes at all this time. I enjoyed revisiting the history of my old friends.
I'm not sure I had any complaints at all this time around.
As with most rereads, I now feel the need to up my rating, but my initial feelings are probably more accurate so I won't.
8/10: Great Read
