Book Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1)

Apparently, this review will drop on July 4th, so happy Independence Day, future readers!

A librarian friend recommended The Lies of Locke Lamora to me a few weeks ago, with a ringing endorsement which should be music to any book-lover’s ears: it surprised her. Given how often this year I’ve found joy in the execution but seen the path unfolding ahead of time, I had to give this a shot, and it did not disappoint. Several times I paused my audio book and shouted at my car radio in shock. You know, like a perfectly normal person.

Let’s talk about it.

(Content warning: This is grimdark fantasy, with a healthy dose of violence and strong language.)

The Basics:

Title: The Lies of Locke Lamora
Author: Scott Lynch
Genre: Grimdark Fantasy, Action, Heist, Intrigue, Thriller.
Published: Bantam, 2006

Spoiler-Free Summary:

Locke is a precocious kleptomaniac orphan growing up hard in a hard city, analogous to fantasy medieval Italy (complete with a dog-eat-dog philosophy which would make Machiavelli himself urge a bit more sympathy). When his gang leader cannot handle his risky schemes, he is sold to a priest of the god of thieves.

Fifteen years later, he leads a gang distinct in a city of gangs. The Gentleman Bastards steal neither with brute force and intimidation, nor with stealth and legerdemain. They are consummate con-artists, taking their fortune from the wealthy of Camorr with guile and charm. Their choice of victims places them at odds with literally everyone in the city, as it breaks the “secret peace” between the nobility and the criminal underworld.

Locke and co. are running the score of their lives when everything goes to hell in a stolen handbasket. An outsider calling himself the Gray King is systematically dismantling the organized crime power-structure. The duke’s secret police are catching onto Locke’s schemes. Old enemies push, pull, and force Locke into playing four sides against one another with varying degrees of success as his small gang just wants to survive the storm.

Why You Will Love This Book:

Wow, this book. The Lies of Locke Lamora is an absolute masterclass in maintaining tension and thriller-like pacing in the midst of deep, complex worldbuilding. Lynch presents his tale in two timelines, with flashes to Locke’s upbringing interspersed between the events of one insane week. These well-orchestrated flashbacks answer questions just raised, and foreshadow the coming chapters, all while adding depth, shadow, and color to the characters.

I would be remiss to not mention the strength of the voice in this book. I never once felt like the author peered through. You can hear the lilting thieves’ cant in every syllable.

Walk about making your characters suffer. This book rivals The Rage of Dragons and John Dies At The End for the amount of punishment it heaps on the main characters. There are no lifelines or unearned victories for the Gentleman Bastards, only their wits, and pain. The dark valley they walk through makes the thrill of their eventual victory so incredibly sweet.

I’ll admit, as much as I loved this book, it took me longer than it should have to finish precisely because of that deluge of pain. This truly is grimdark fantasy, with terrible people doing terrible things to one another while shouting terrible things. If you can tolerate that (or if that’s your jam), you’ll love this intense fantasy thriller, where it’s go-go-go action, intrigue, and plot twists from first to last.

Where Can You Learn More?

As always, check out the author’s website. This is a long-running series. You can find an excellent series recap at Read This Twice.

Happy Reading, Folks.