Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
This topic is about
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Archives
>
BotM 2016 - [December] The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch - Part 2 (spoilers)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Marta
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Dec 19, 2016 10:49AM
I just finished the book and there was no thread so I created one. Feel free to edit my post with questions,
reply
|
flag
So I just finished it and I liked it, overall. Good ending, complications, heroism, evil villain defeated, revenge enacted, city saved, etc. Good, but not great. How many times did we have a madman villain bent on revenge with a really tough side kick, and a golden hearted rough hero who blows his own interests in order to save the day? Well done cliché but still a cliché. Kind of feel like this was a book too clever by half, so clever it was not smart. Too many details, the richness is dazzling yet we somehow miss out on the soul. Yeah, revenge, yes it is good, but something is lacking.
I think it would have been perfect if Lynch actually would have left more out. From the sentences, from the details, from the explanations. Have a few red herrings, alternate plans. So the reader can fill in the gaps and feel clever. I feel a bit spoon-fed. Good stuff but still, I like my fork.
I also felt Locke was clever but not smart. They had multiple identities but only one place to hide all their money,supplies, keys, parchments? How about burying some strongboxes with money and papers in alternate locations? Backup plans? A network of helpers? It just seemed out of character to put all eggs in one basket.
That said the ending was thrilling and I got very invested in the world, so I will be reading the other books in the series!
Question to the next person: how did you feel about the ending? Will you be reading the next book in the series?
We can't edit posts by members ;)If you have ideas for questions, feel free to add them, they'll be welcome.
Zaz wrote: "We can't edit posts by members ;)If you have ideas for questions, feel free to add them, they'll be welcome."
Oh. I thought mods could? Well I can add them if you have a list of questions.
Marta wrote: "So I just finished it and I liked it, overall. Good ending, complications, heroism, evil villain defeated, revenge enacted, city saved, etc. Good, but not great. How many times did we have a madman..."After I read this book, I felt very similar - I really liked it but couldn't help but feel there was something missing. You claimed it was soul and that very much sums it up - I didn't have a word for it, but I felt throughout the book everything is very objective; we don't get to see or hear very many of Locke's thoughts, feelings or ideas - all of that is provided through his dialogue with other characters.
I'm glad you like it enough to read the next one. Book two is my favourite of the series so far.
Question: If you're planning on reading the next book in the series, will you be reading it for the 2017 challenge? If you're not planning on reading the next book, why not? Is there something in the writing or the book that put you off?
Peter wrote: "You claimed it was soul and that very much sums it up - I didn't have a word for it, but I felt throughout the book everything is very objective; we don't get to see or hear very many of Locke's thoughts, feelings or ideas - all of that is provided through his dialogue with other character"Looks like we had the same feelings. I am looking forward to reading the next one, I was told it has badass lady pirates. Now that sounds fun!
To the question - I was actually going to read this one for the challenge, but I realized it did not fit the category - the narrator was reliable... but now that you mention it, I do need a book for the fictional location and the sequel will fit.
Yes, badass lady pirates, and there is a deeper emotional connection to the protagonists. It follows roughly the same format as the first book - the first half being slower moving and a lot of set up, but it takes off in the second half and doesn't slow down. It has a stellar climax and a cliffhanger ending.
While I can understand your points about the book not having soul, I really really liked it. It isn't often that a book grabs me and makes me say "wow" in the first chapter and this one did. I am looking forward to grabbing the next book in the series very soon. One thing you mentioned Marta about Locke not being smart because he didn't have multiple hiding spots or back up plans, I felt that was very much a reflection of his arrogance and the very reason that Chains told him that some day he was going to screw up very very badly. It was a reflection of his character and a hard lesson learned by the end of the book. I assume that in future books he won't be quite so nonchalant about those things.
Now, did someone mention Badass Lady Pirates???? I LOVE pirates.....now I really really REALLY want to read the second book!
Don't get me wrong, I loved this book too, and the subsequent novels as well. But I do remember when I was first reading it that I wanted more insight into Locke's thoughts and motives and feelings. It was just something I noticed in the writing that as a reader I lacked understanding what Locke was thinking and feeling.I think it may have been an issue of a new author, because I think the writing matures and the reader gets to know the characters better in the sequels. The writing style and basic feel of the novel is similar, but the characters feel more real. (view spoiler)
And yes, book two largely focuses on Locke and Jean's interactions and dealing with a group of Badass Lady Pirates. The second book was my favourite of the series so far. The action is intense and the stakes are higher. And the cliffhanger at the end rockets you right into book three!
Peter wrote: "Don't get me wrong, I loved this book too, and the subsequent novels as well. But I do remember when I was first reading it that I wanted more insight into Locke's thoughts and motives and feelings..."Thanks for the input Peter. Now I am more excited than ever to read the rest of the series!
