Nataliya's Reviews > The Lies of Locke Lamora
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)
by
by
The Lies of Locke Lamora is a love child of Ocean's Eleven and The Godfather. With blood, deaths, betrayals, money, and drowning in horse urine. With a sh*tload of non-PG humor. All for the price of one. And it's SO. GOOD.
Warning: If you are not a fan of strong language, you should back away slowly from this book. It gleefully takes the f-bombs and casually throws them around. But, as the author has mentioned before, foul language is the least issue of this book full of violence, blood, and drowning in horse piss. Regardless, consider yourselves warned.
------------------------------------------------------------
Add the above together, and you have Camorr. A lovely place to raise children.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Locke Lamora, our lovable antihero, would like you to believe he's nothing more than a petty thief. Well, not so much. He is the Thorn of Camorr, puling one heist after another on the unsuspecting, secure in their birth nobles of his medieval Venice-like city. Until one day he gets in way over his head. There are plenty of people who would love to see him dead - if they could ever figure out who the hell he is.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I loved this book - so much I want to have grandbabies with it. It's a fun, fast-paced, skillfully written, smart and snarky but surprisingly touching read that had me laughing and shaking my fist in anger within a few pages. Easy 5 stars for the enjoyable ride.
“Some day, Locke Lamora,” he said, “some day, you’re going to fuck up so magnificently, so ambitiously, so overwhelmingly that the sky will light up and the moons will spin and the gods themselves will shit comets with glee. And I just hope that I’m still around to see it.”-----------------------------------------------------
Warning: If you are not a fan of strong language, you should back away slowly from this book. It gleefully takes the f-bombs and casually throws them around. But, as the author has mentioned before, foul language is the least issue of this book full of violence, blood, and drowning in horse piss. Regardless, consider yourselves warned.
------------------------------------------------------------
Add the above together, and you have Camorr. A lovely place to raise children.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Locke Lamora, our lovable antihero, would like you to believe he's nothing more than a petty thief. Well, not so much. He is the Thorn of Camorr, puling one heist after another on the unsuspecting, secure in their birth nobles of his medieval Venice-like city. Until one day he gets in way over his head. There are plenty of people who would love to see him dead - if they could ever figure out who the hell he is.
"There’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated."Locke Lamora is a Gentleman Bastard who doesn't care much about becoming rich. So why does he steal on a truly grandiose scale? Of course, "because it's heaps of fucking fun." And because he is not a fan of nobles feeling invincible just because they are nobles. He loves being a Thorn in their side and giving them the taste of their own medicine.
"Sometimes I think this whole city was put here simply because the gods must adore crime. Pickpockets rob the common folk, merchants rob anyone they can dupe, Capa Barsavi robs the robbers and the common folk, the lesser nobles rob nearly everyone, and Duke Nicovante occasionally runs off with his army and robs the shit out of Tal Verarr or Jerem, not to mention what he does to his own nobles and his common folk.”Locke is a proverbial smartass. He is stubborn, clever, and disrespectful. Basically, he has a knack for attracting trouble. After all, someone has already paid for his death before Locke even turned eight. He is not so great with weapons - unless you count wits, sheer tenacity, and enormous disrespect for authority. What he IS great with is friendship. He gets by with a little help from his friends, so to say.
“I don't have to beat you. I don't have to beat you, motherfucker. I just have to keep you here... until Jean shows up.”Locke Lamora has only one BERSERK BUTTON (unless you also count a certain redhead) - DO.NOT.MESS.WITH.HIS.FRIENDS. Seriously, you don't want Locke Lamora pissed at you. (view spoiler) And that's what I really adored about this book - the depiction of honest, strong friendships between Locke and his gang. Formerly a bunch of misfits, they have formed strong bonds of friendship that will only be broken by death. They always have each other's back, no matter what the situation is. Locke and Jean Tannen have the best bromance ever since Joey and Chandler or Turk and JD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I loved this book - so much I want to have grandbabies with it. It's a fun, fast-paced, skillfully written, smart and snarky but surprisingly touching read that had me laughing and shaking my fist in anger within a few pages. Easy 5 stars for the enjoyable ride.
“I can't wait to have words with the Gray King when this shit is all finished," Locke whispered. "There's a few things I want to ask him. Philosophical questions. Like, 'How does it feel to be dangled out a window by a rope tied around your balls, motherfucker?”
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Lies of Locke Lamora.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
October 27, 2011
– Shelved
January 30, 2012
–
Started Reading
February 5, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 91 (91 new)
message 1:
by
Adriana
(last edited Mar 30, 2012 04:02PM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mar 30, 2012 04:01PM
You had me at "Godfather". :D I'm definitely putting this at the top of my TBR list.
reply
|
flag
Thanks, guys!
And Catie - I can't wait to read your review when you write it. Also, I should try reading Guy Gavriel Kay - I've heard good things about the books.
And Catie - I can't wait to read your review when you write it. Also, I should try reading Guy Gavriel Kay - I've heard good things about the books.
Catie wrote: "Yes, you really should! I recently read and loved Tigana. Scott Lynch also reminds me a bit of China Mieville - but I know you've already got him in your sights."
"Tigana" is now on my TBR list (wow, that list is getting longer and longer).
And speaking of Mieville - "Perdido Street Station" has been tracked down and is expected to arrive any day now. Excited!
"Tigana" is now on my TBR list (wow, that list is getting longer and longer).
And speaking of Mieville - "Perdido Street Station" has been tracked down and is expected to arrive any day now. Excited!
China Mieville is one of my favorite authors. His prose is kind of heavy, but he comes up with remarkable ideas that other authors only wish they could think of. And I think Perdido Street Station is the best of the bunch. Enjoy the book Nataliya!
J.P. wrote: "China Mieville is one of my favorite authors. His prose is kind of heavy, but he comes up with remarkable ideas that other authors only wish they could think of. And I think Perdido Street St..."</i>
Just got [book:Perdido Street Station today! Very excited, will probably start it tomorrow. I hope it turns out to be as good as everyone says.
Just got [book:Perdido Street Station today! Very excited, will probably start it tomorrow. I hope it turns out to be as good as everyone says.
Thanks! I enjoyed this book so much. Now I'm just hoping that the third one comes out soon - I want to see more of our lovable thief!
what a cute review!
i already had this on my to-read list, but you made me want to read it that much more. curse you!
i already had this on my to-read list, but you made me want to read it that much more. curse you!
Thanks! It is such a fun book. It took me a while before I realized that absolutely adore Locke and Jean, and that I have a horrified fascination with the city of Camorr, but once I got into the story after 50 pages or so I could not put the book down.
What a great review, Nataliya! I can't wait to get into this.
Jocelyn wrote: "What a great review, Nataliya! I can't wait to get into this."
Thanks, Jocelyn! This was such a fun book - I hope you will have a blast reading it :)
Thanks, Jocelyn! This was such a fun book - I hope you will have a blast reading it :)
Fabulous review. Couldn't have said it better myself :)
Hm. Non-PG? I guess I didn't get the memo. I enjoyed it very much and remain uninfluenced. I don't intend to start swearing at my teachers or feeding people to sharks. 14 yrs old.
Your review makes me very, very happy. I had been trying to get my older brother to read this book for a while, but when I linked your review, the Scrubs reference sold him. You are good at this :)
Great review. It was one of the best books that I have read in a long time, and in its genre, probably the best.
I LOVE this book. I have to reread to write a review. Still has the best line ever, "Nice bird, asshole." Ah I really should get to the sequel asap. Great review Nataliya. Immaculate vibes 🖤
mwana wrote: "I LOVE this book. I have to reread to write a review. Still has the best line ever, "Nice bird, asshole." Ah I really should get to the sequel asap. Great review Nataliya. Immaculate vibes 🖤"
Thanks, mwana! I remember being really entertained by this book. I don’t recall much of what happened in the sequel though, and then I just never got to reading book 3 and forgot about this series. Now I want to pick up this series again.
Thanks, mwana! I remember being really entertained by this book. I don’t recall much of what happened in the sequel though, and then I just never got to reading book 3 and forgot about this series. Now I want to pick up this series again.
Nataliya wrote: "mwana wrote: "I LOVE this book. I have to reread to write a review. Still has the best line ever, "Nice bird, asshole." Ah I really should get to the sequel asap. Great review Nataliya. Immaculate ..."
I'd have devoured them back to back but the author is GRRMing the series and is yet to release book 4 of 7
I'd have devoured them back to back but the author is GRRMing the series and is yet to release book 4 of 7
Oh dear. Patrick Rothfuss did the same with The Name of the Wind series.
That’s why I enjoy reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s books now. The guy writes very well and puts out a couple of books per year (and most are standalone).
That’s why I enjoy reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s books now. The guy writes very well and puts out a couple of books per year (and most are standalone).
Lynch isn't as bad as Rothfuss, though: The former's books are linked but are loosely coupled enough to enjoy each story on its own. Even if Lynch never wrote another book, I'd think fondly of his creation.
I can't say the same about Rothfuss or his creation.
I can't say the same about Rothfuss or his creation.
Wulf wrote: "Lynch isn't as bad as Rothfuss, though: The former's books are linked but are loosely coupled enough to enjoy each story on its own. Even if Lynch never wrote another book, I'd think fondly of his ..."
Good point. Rothfuss and his unfinished series was just a tease, and not a good one. Maybe someday I’ll read book 3 of Lynch’s series then, if they remain mostly standalones.
Good point. Rothfuss and his unfinished series was just a tease, and not a good one. Maybe someday I’ll read book 3 of Lynch’s series then, if they remain mostly standalones.
Nataliya wrote: "Oh dear. Patrick Rothfuss did the same with The Name of the Wind series.
That’s why I enjoy reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s books now. The guy writes very well and puts out a couple of..."
Rothfuss just read the prologue of Doors of Stone on twitch. I think it was published on his YouTube too. He also took 13y to write the first book so... But y'all don't know pain until you've waited for Donna Tartt.
Additionally, Lynch shared he had debilitating depressive and other mental health-related episodes. I'll just patiently wait. But I won't devour the next books too fast.
That’s why I enjoy reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s books now. The guy writes very well and puts out a couple of..."
Rothfuss just read the prologue of Doors of Stone on twitch. I think it was published on his YouTube too. He also took 13y to write the first book so... But y'all don't know pain until you've waited for Donna Tartt.
Additionally, Lynch shared he had debilitating depressive and other mental health-related episodes. I'll just patiently wait. But I won't devour the next books too fast.
^ I’m hoping Lynch will focus on his health then; that’s way more important than books.
As for Rothfuss - no way, really? There’s a prologue to book 3? I never thought that would happen. Interesting….
As for Rothfuss - no way, really? There’s a prologue to book 3? I never thought that would happen. Interesting….
Dennis wrote: "Turk and JD, definitely."
True love :)
Watching “Scrubs” helped me get through med school. It’s pretty realistic despite being a comedy.
True love :)
Watching “Scrubs” helped me get through med school. It’s pretty realistic despite being a comedy.
I have scrubbed that from my memory, apparently. I hate singing in movies and tv. But maybe I've simply forgotten that one. If there's one show that can make it fun, then it would be Scrubs.