The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)
Scott Lynch
ASIN B000JMKNJ2 moved to the more recent edition An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.
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Rereading this so I can read the sequel next... such great characters and world building. love this one.
0This is like a grittier, adult Six of Crows (though I’d argue SoC doesn’t feel particularly YA). The main character, Locke, is highly intelligent, and the book features found family, clever cons, and morally gray characters you can’t help but root for. Be warned: there's a notable absence of plot armor, and Lynch doesn’t hold back on violence or death.
The story alternates between present-day cons and interludes from the past that showcase Locke’s growth from orphan to leader of the Gentleman Bastards. The banter and relationships among the core characters are highlights, and Lynch’s humor shines in descriptions like, “The Thiefmaker tried to let a vaguely sincere expression scurry onto his face, where it froze in evident discomfort.”
While there aren’t any female main characters, the female side characters play important roles and are far from token. I especially liked Doña Salvara, a brave alchemist who’s much more than just a noblewoman caught in Locke’s schemes.
The book wraps up at a satisfying point, though it’s emotionally heavy. I’ll take a break before diving into the sequel, but I definitely plan to continue this series.
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