The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch
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Book Summary Information
Author: Scott LynchEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-06-26
ISBN: 055358894X
Number of pages: 736
Publisher: Spectra
Book Reviews of The Lies of Locke Lamora
Book Review: Not your typical epic fantasy
Summary: 5 Stars
Locke Lamora is not your typical epic fantasy protagonist. He's not broad of chest. He does not wield astounding magical abilities. He's not good with a sword, or particularly heroic. In fact, he doesn't excel at most of what one might consider typical heroic activities. What he does excel at is the art of the con. He's a conman extraordinaire, and along with his gang of Gentleman Bastards, he robs from the rich, but before you go comparing him to Robin Hood, note that instead of giving the loot to the poor, he keeps it for himself. (Though if you do want to compare him to Robin Hood, it's fair to say that Locke does have his roguish charm.)
Although Locke was naturally drawn to thieving as a youth, his thieving was too much even for Camorr's thiefmaker, so Locke is sold to Father Chains, the Eyeless Priest of Perelandro; the thiefmaker says it was either that, or slit the boys throat and throw him in the bay. Thankfully for Locke (and the reader), Chains takes the boy in, and teaches him to steal in a more productive way: by conning people. If that might seem an odd thing for a priest to do, consider first that Chains is not really eyeless at all. The Temple of Perelandro is really nothing more than a front for criminal activities. The god is real enough to Camorr's citizens, though he is a sort of outsider god--the thirteenth member of a pantheon of twelve--and he is the patron of thieves and beggars.
The city of Camorr, which is said to have been built of "Elderglass" by a long forgotten race, is a vast, sprawling metropolis, riddled with canals and crime, quite reminiscent of ancient Venice, if ancient Venice were overrun by gangs and run by royalty, merchants, and criminals (actually, perhaps it's not so different). On the surface, Camorr appears to be ruled by a Duke, but in reality it is run by the crime boss, Capa Barsavi. But there's someone stalking the city--a man calling himself The Gray King--who thinks it's time for a regime change. Through a series of events, Locke finds himself matched against this man, who has been murdering Barsavi's garristas (or captains, if you're familiar with mob-parlance). And if Locke has any hope of coming out of his encounter with the Gray King alive, he's going to have make the most out of all his wits and cunning, for the Gray King is no easy mark.
Above I mentioned how Locke Lamora is not your typical epic fantasy protagonist. Well, in many ways, the novel itself is not your typical epic fantasy. The entire story takes place within the city of Camorr, and the entire world is not threatened by some evil malefactor. Also, there is very little in the novel, aside from its secondary world setting, that is actually fantastic. In fact, the first third of the novel or so is almost entirely devoid of fantasy elements, leaving aside mention of gods (which the people believe in, but don't manifest themselves in any way) and the use of various medicinal tinctures. The first third is also almost entirely character-driven, and it isn't until then that the plot truly gets moving. Once the plot begins in earnest, fantasy elements enter the story--a wicked Bondsmage in the employ of the Gray King wields some magic--but even then, the fantasy elements mostly stay in the background. Which is not to say that any of this is a flaw, quite the contrary; the minimal use of fantasy elements allows Lynch to focus on making his world seem like a very real place, and allows him to make his characters remain at the forefront of the novel, rather than relegating them as subservient to showy pyrotechnics (though of those, there are some).
The book starts with Locke as a young boy, still learning the ropes from Father Chains, and once Lynch shifts to Locke as an adult, he continues to weave in a series of interludes in which the reader gets to see more of Locke's past. And here's why the fact that the plot doesn't really get started until a third of the way through is not a flaw; I found most enjoyable the parts of the book detailing Locke's youth, and relished getting to each interlude to continue reading about him. Adult Locke is a lot of fun too, and he continues to be a compelling character, but there's something special about Locke's younger days. I can only hope that we continue to see more of these interludes in future installments in this series.
But that's not the only element of the book that can be further explored. Lynch's worldbuilding is truly outstanding, and even though he paints quite a vivid picture, there remain enough subtle hints and mentions throughout the book that leave him room to explore the world more fully as the series continues. For instance, the fact that Camorr is said to have been built of "Elderglass" by a long forgotten race is interesting, but who they are or where they've gone is never really covered. It's touches like this that lends the world an air of mystique, and fills the reader with curiosity for what will come next.
And speaking of future installments, it's worth pointing out that although The Lies of Locke Lamora is book one in a projected seven-book cycle, the novel stands alone remarkably well. There is a definite and complete story arc from first page to last. But here's where Lynch pulls off a extraordinary feat: although the book came to a satisfying conclusion, I found myself wanting to pick up book two immediately.
Many of Lynch's influences are clear--the first and obvious debt Locke Lamora owes is to Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories--but despite the fact that much of the style and tone of the novel is reminiscent of prior works, Lynch borrows (or perhaps pilfers would be a better term, considering the protagonist) with deft skill, taking inspirational bits from a variety of sources and melding them together into something that feels wholly original.
The Lies of Locke Lamora is a vibrant, engaging epic fantasy of the highest order. And to hear that coming from me is really saying something, because of all of the subgenres I read in, epic fantasy is perhaps the hardest to sell me on. Move over Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind--here's a big fat fantasy that'll actually make you glad it's epic-length.
Summary of The Lies of Locke Lamora
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.
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