From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)

Scott Lynch

Start date: February 20, 2012

Finish date: March 26, 2012

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What Members Thought

Dec 29, 2013 Chessa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, sf_fantasy, 5star_2014

Wow, what a fun ride! You can't help but fall in love with every single one of the Gentleman Bastards, and with Locke Lamora in particular. Part SF and part Fantasy (the setting is both strangely Science Fiction, with elements of a mysterious former race of beings, the Elders, that left behind many structures and "elderglass", but also traditional fantasy as well, with it's highly stratified class society of dukes and nobles on down to peasants and beggars). But at its heart this is a mystery st ...more

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Oct 23, 2010 Adrienne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, fantasy, assassins-thieves-etc

An enjoyable book! The story jumps between two narratives: the first is a present day, large-scale con that Locke and his group of Gentleman Bastards are pulling and the second tells us how Locke got to be where he is today. The first half of the book felt like The Sting set in a fantasy world, albeit with more of Locke's and Jean's backstories. About halfway through the book we transitioned to larger overall conflict, and though I also found the first half enjoyable, I liked the second much bet An enjoyable book! The story jumps between two narratives: the first is a present day, large-scale con that Locke and his group of Gentleman Bastards are pulling and the second tells us how Locke got to be where he is today. The first half of the book felt like The Sting set in a fantasy world, albeit with more of Locke's and Jean's backstories. About halfway through the book we transitioned to larger overall conflict, and though I also found the first half enjoyable, I liked the second much better as it got quite suspenseful by the end.

Overall I liked the tone of the writing, but I'm not sure how much I got out of the two narratives. The interludes felt like a way to take a break from telling the main, present-day story and to keep us in suspense about what was going to happen - somewhat like a commercial break with more relevance. I did enjoy reading the bits where the boys were apprenticed to various groups and priesthoods. However, near the end of the book, I noticed that the interludes served more to flat out tell us about the world in the story instead of about the characters. I'm not sure if I only picked up on this at the end or if it really started at the end, but I certainly got the feeling that I was being told about this world instead of seeing it through the characters' interactions, dialogue, and reactions. That's what I would have preferred.

Except for Locke and Jean, I didn't feel like I got to know the characters as people. What makes them tick? I have no idea. Okay, I take that back - I know what makes the Capa tick, but that's just one of many. I would have liked to have seen more interactions among the Gentleman Bastards that revealed their characters to us. And - I certainly wanted to know more about Sabetha! Mmmph.

And one last complaint: I would think that the first day of Villianhood 101 will teach you that if you want to get something done (and especially if you want to get around to killing someone), don't spend a good 15 minutes talking to them about your plan. Because that's probably just bad news bears for you. I'm looking at you, (view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 25, 2012 a_tiffyfit rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-reviewed, re-readable, kindle-bruiser, 2014-favorites, audio-book

This book was so well crafted that my attention was held for all 21 hours and change. I could have read it and been done much quicker, but Michael Page's narration was fabulous and I just had to keep listening.

With each new chapter or interlude, I was biting my lip, gasping, worried, laughing, and then...in tears. Talk about an emotional ride. Locke Lamora and his crew of Gentlemen Bastards will steal your heart, make you daydream about your own plots if YOU were a garrista, cringe at their tri ...more

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Jun 04, 2014 Vicki rated it it was ok

Shelves: audible, abandoned

I couldn't finish this one. I'm not much into capers or the kind of characters this story is stuffed with, so it just wasn't my cuppa. ...more

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Dec 01, 2013 Oliver rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, read-in-2013

*re-read*

Almost a five star review ... almost, if not for some slight dei ex machine shenanigans here and there.

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Nov 02, 2013 Charlotte rated it liked it

It started off pretty slow but picked up dramatically half way through. The world building was very impressive and I enjoyed the sections where Chains was teaching Locke. All that said, I didn't particularly connect with the characters so I probably won't be continuing this series. I'd recommend it to those who like con games, though. ...more

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