Hardcover, 512 pages
English language
Published June 27, 2006 by Spectra.
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 …
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....From the Hardcover edition.
Forth reading. A favorite I like to read when in a book slump
A swashbuckling, rollicking page-turner. Locke Lamora is the unlikely hero, a principled rogue who routinely applies his talents in areas where they usually wouldn't apply. Then there's the setting of the city of Camorr, which is as much a character in the tale as anyone else. This is the best fantasy novel I've read in a long, long time.
A swashbuckling, rollicking page-turner. Locke Lamora is the unlikely hero, a principled rogue who routinely applies his talents in areas where they usually wouldn't apply. Then there's the setting of the city of Camorr, which is as much a character in the tale as anyone else. This is the best fantasy novel I've read in a long, long time.
Review from October 2012:
I liked this one despite the confusing structure with the interludes - there was at least one instance where the timing was very much not "in order". Locke is an interesting character and I had fun following his exploits. I downloaded the second book right after finishing this one, a good sign I'd say.
Review from 2016:
This is a fantasy book about a thief named Locke Lamora - obviously - and his gang. The story is set in a city named Camora and begins as they are in the early stages of the execution of the biggest heist they have ever planned. It's somewhat complicated and rather daring and features a few early "oops" moments that made me smile. But then the ante is upped when the Grey King makes his first off-stage appearance killing other gang leaders - colleagues of Locke's. From there on …
Review from October 2012:
I liked this one despite the confusing structure with the interludes - there was at least one instance where the timing was very much not "in order". Locke is an interesting character and I had fun following his exploits. I downloaded the second book right after finishing this one, a good sign I'd say.
Review from 2016:
This is a fantasy book about a thief named Locke Lamora - obviously - and his gang. The story is set in a city named Camora and begins as they are in the early stages of the execution of the biggest heist they have ever planned. It's somewhat complicated and rather daring and features a few early "oops" moments that made me smile. But then the ante is upped when the Grey King makes his first off-stage appearance killing other gang leaders - colleagues of Locke's. From there on the tension rises and rises and there are many moments where I was sure there was no way out for them ... well and sometimes there really isn't. The gang is well-characterized with the Sanza twins, Bug, and Jean. Even the absent Sabetha. I enjoy the world in which buildings from an ancient civilization create an unlikely city. Magic is extremely rare, and powerful. More common is the art of Alchemy which is described in a round-about but fascinating way giving only hints at what's possible. All in all a great book. But I have to deduct one star because it feels somewhat lengthy (it is long but it shouldn't feel that way, no book should) and the plot tends to meander a bit. Minor I'd have liked to have the Grey King tied into Locke's early life somehow, maybe through foreshadowing him in those parts with Chains. But he isn't and so he comes out of nowhere.
Sometimes I wonder if Sanderson was inspired by the interwoven story of Locke's early life for Way of Kings. If he was, he should have looked closer because as much as I love [b: Way of Kings|7235533|The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)|Brandon Sanderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448127430s/7235533.jpg|8134945] this book does it better. I enjoyed those little episodes from the past way more than I did Kaladin's backstory in Way of Kings.
Great characters, interesting world. I VERY MUCH like the introduction of the world through short stories, flashbacks, etc. Beats the heck out of Robert Jordan-style ponderous histories and 10-page-long expositions. It's not a real world, people! I shouldn't have to learn a full dynastic succession to appreciate your story.
Great characters, interesting world. I VERY MUCH like the introduction of the world through short stories, flashbacks, etc. Beats the heck out of Robert Jordan-style ponderous histories and 10-page-long expositions. It's not a real world, people! I shouldn't have to learn a full dynastic succession to appreciate your story.
An incredible story about a world that reminded me of Venice, Italy in atmosphere and environment, and an elaborately detailed description of the colourful people who live there. Absolutely a book to read if you like exotic places, plots and different cultures. And that's no lie.
An incredible story about a world that reminded me of Venice, Italy in atmosphere and environment, and an elaborately detailed description of the colourful people who live there. Absolutely a book to read if you like exotic places, plots and different cultures. And that's no lie.
I grabbed this book after reading Scott Lynch's story "A Year and a Day In Old Theradane" from the [b:Rogues|20168816|Rogues|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404616147s/20168816.jpg|27565413] collection. Lies is described as a bit of Ocean's Eleven and Robin Hood, or (as Nataliya put it) the love child of Ocean's Eleven and The Godfather. That's a good start, but leaves out the fantasy aspect!
The fantasy element here had a similar feel to that of Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations series. There are some interesting creatures, and some types of magic are relatively common. The camaraderie between Locke and Jean also reminded me of the Riyria books. Hadrian and Royce had a similar dynamic.
One thing I did not expect is that as the first book of a series, it manages to stand alone quite well. I want to read the next book because I love the world and the characters, not because …
I grabbed this book after reading Scott Lynch's story "A Year and a Day In Old Theradane" from the [b:Rogues|20168816|Rogues|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404616147s/20168816.jpg|27565413] collection. Lies is described as a bit of Ocean's Eleven and Robin Hood, or (as Nataliya put it) the love child of Ocean's Eleven and The Godfather. That's a good start, but leaves out the fantasy aspect!
The fantasy element here had a similar feel to that of Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations series. There are some interesting creatures, and some types of magic are relatively common. The camaraderie between Locke and Jean also reminded me of the Riyria books. Hadrian and Royce had a similar dynamic.
One thing I did not expect is that as the first book of a series, it manages to stand alone quite well. I want to read the next book because I love the world and the characters, not because I feel like I got conned into reading part of a great story. That's a difficult balance, and Lynch nails it.
Говоря о книгах, на которые я не морщась могу навесить ярлык "фэнтези", отныне я вынужден буду вспоминать "Ложь Локи Ламоры" (да, я знаю, зато "ЛЛЛ"!) в числе тех нескольких, которые приходят на ум в первую очередь. "Одинадцать друзей Оушена" + "Крестный отец" (нагло украл сравнение, но оно действительно хорошее) в блестящем сеттинге альтернативно-фантастической Венеции с легкой примесью Испании (водная коррида с акулами вместо быков). Были бы твердые 4 звезды (5 я обычно берегу для чего-то эпохального), но Скотт Линч неимоверно талантливо пишет, вплоть до того, что местами у меня было странное (и, скорее всего, несправедивое) ощущение несоответствия качества и красоты его слога и общей литературной ценности книги.
Говоря о книгах, на которые я не морщась могу навесить ярлык "фэнтези", отныне я вынужден буду вспоминать "Ложь Локи Ламоры" (да, я знаю, зато "ЛЛЛ"!) в числе тех нескольких, которые приходят на ум в первую очередь. "Одинадцать друзей Оушена" + "Крестный отец" (нагло украл сравнение, но оно действительно хорошее) в блестящем сеттинге альтернативно-фантастической Венеции с легкой примесью Испании (водная коррида с акулами вместо быков). Были бы твердые 4 звезды (5 я обычно берегу для чего-то эпохального), но Скотт Линч неимоверно талантливо пишет, вплоть до того, что местами у меня было странное (и, скорее всего, несправедивое) ощущение несоответствия качества и красоты его слога и общей литературной ценности книги.
A fine addition to the SFF genre. Perfect weekend reading. Nothing deep or philosophical about this, just a good story.
Clever, engaging, and funny, I never really fell in love with this book but it was a satisfying, well-done series of adventures with a delightfully mischievous hero.
Clearly one of the best books i've read this year. It has a very similar feel to Kingkiller Chronicles, but i liked Scott's writing style much better. Every chapter in this book was just bloody perfect for me. But mind you, this isn't a usual hero, good versus evil fantasy tale. Lock Lamora, is as unlikely a hero as you'd find. He regularly gets outwitted, beaten up, and has no special powers and isn't the most intelligent person out there, isn't a samurai. What he does have is his charm, his loyalty, his strange sort of luck, and ofcourse his lies.
Clearly one of the best books i've read this year. It has a very similar feel to Kingkiller Chronicles, but i liked Scott's writing style much better. Every chapter in this book was just bloody perfect for me. But mind you, this isn't a usual hero, good versus evil fantasy tale. Lock Lamora, is as unlikely a hero as you'd find. He regularly gets outwitted, beaten up, and has no special powers and isn't the most intelligent person out there, isn't a samurai. What he does have is his charm, his loyalty, his strange sort of luck, and ofcourse his lies.
This is a rollicking good read. I did have to skim lightly over some of the violence, but I was riveted by the suspense, loved the characters. He writes great dialogue, and his women are wonderful.
Didn't think I'd like this book when I started reading it, but it got really, really good at about the halfway point once the Grey King storyline was introduced. Took me a bit of time to get used to how all of the chapters were chronologically out of order. The book is kind of like "Oceans Eleven" set in a Renaissance Italy-esque city (except the city is built on top of the ruins of an extinct alien city, though this is mostly unimportant to the story).
Didn't think I'd like this book when I started reading it, but it got really, really good at about the halfway point once the Grey King storyline was introduced. Took me a bit of time to get used to how all of the chapters were chronologically out of order. The book is kind of like "Oceans Eleven" set in a Renaissance Italy-esque city (except the city is built on top of the ruins of an extinct alien city, though this is mostly unimportant to the story).
This is the most entertaining fantasy I've read this year and probably the best from a writer new to me that I've read in years.
Locke Lamora is a scam artist. An expert con-man. He and his band of Gentleman Bastards prey on the rich in the city of Camorr (clearly styled after Venice). The stakes however soon grow higher and their plots spin out of control when they get tangled up in the schemes of the Grey King.
Lynch has a great balance between character, plot and background. The fantasy world feels solid even though very little of it is really detailed and the background we do get springs naturally from the story and while the plot starts slowly it is put to good effect in establishing the closeness of the family that the Gentleman Bastards have formed amongst themselves.
Lynch is not sentimental with his characters. They suffer …
This is the most entertaining fantasy I've read this year and probably the best from a writer new to me that I've read in years.
Locke Lamora is a scam artist. An expert con-man. He and his band of Gentleman Bastards prey on the rich in the city of Camorr (clearly styled after Venice). The stakes however soon grow higher and their plots spin out of control when they get tangled up in the schemes of the Grey King.
Lynch has a great balance between character, plot and background. The fantasy world feels solid even though very little of it is really detailed and the background we do get springs naturally from the story and while the plot starts slowly it is put to good effect in establishing the closeness of the family that the Gentleman Bastards have formed amongst themselves.
Lynch is not sentimental with his characters. They suffer and some of them die. They're also not pure heroes in any way. The nobles, the merchants and the thieves are all guilty of something. The world he creates is dangerous. Magic is deadly as is alchemy in it's own way.
I'd call this one a must read and I'm already hunting down the sequel.
Didn't finish
Didn't finish
The best fantasy book I've read in the last couple of years, although it's not too much a "fantasy-dragon-dwarfs-elves-unicorns"-world. I love the language, the many twists of the plot and the characters...
The best fantasy book I've read in the last couple of years, although it's not too much a "fantasy-dragon-dwarfs-elves-unicorns"-world. I love the language, the many twists of the plot and the characters...
