The Lies of Locke Lamora (July 2021) Group Read Discussion

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

This is the group thread for The Lies of Locke Lamora!

This thread is open for discussion beginning July 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.

The Group Read Discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/01
July 01: Chapter 1 or 16 pages
July 02: Chapter 2 or 16 pages
July 03: Chapter 3 or 16 pages
July 04: Chapter 4 or 16 pages

Week of 07/05
July 05: Chapter 5 or 16 pages
July 06: Chapter 6 or 16 pages
July 07: Chapter 7 or 16 pages
July 08: Chapter 8 or 16 pages
July 09: Chapter 9 or 16 pages
July 10: Chapter 10 or 16 pages
July 11: Chapter 11 or 16 pages

Week of 07/12
July 12: Chapter 12 or 16 pages
July 13: Chapter 13 or 16 pages
July 14: Chapter 14 or 16 pages
July 15: Chapter 15 or 16 pages
July 16: Chapter 16 or 16 pages
July 17: Epilogue 16 pages
July 18: 16 pages

Week of 07/19
July 19: 16 pages
July 20: 16 pages
July 21: 16 pages
July 22: 16 pages
July 23: 16 pages
July 24: 16 pages
July 25: 16 pages

Week of 07/26
July 26: 16 pages
July 27: 16 pages
July 28: 16 pages
July 29: 16 pages
July 30: 16 pages
July 31: 16 pages


You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

[Darcey]

anyone want to join me here?

[Brianna]

I will be! I just have a couple other books to wrap up first and then I'll be picking this one up.

[Bopeep]

Same here! I hope to start it this weekend, when I finish the two books I'm currently reading. Have you started yet, Darce?

[Darcey]

Brianna wrote: "I will be! I just have a couple other books to wrap up first and then I'll be picking this one up."

yay sounds great! i'll hopefully start on the weekend :)

[Darcey]

Bopeep wrote: "Same here! I hope to start it this weekend, when I finish the two books I'm currently reading. Have you started yet, Darce?"

same here, i aim to start on the weekend as well! i haven't started yet, and i probably won't keep up with the schedule, so i'll update randomly and mark my spoilers :). can't wait to buddy read with you guys!

[Brianna]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[Locke is so young to be so conniving! I'm super intrigued by this world. Based on the map at the beginning of my copy it looks like it is a series of islands? I am also super curious to know what he did to make the Thiefmaker want to kill him. The Thiefmaker is very self serving it seems so I think it must have been something that
would have negatively impacted him in some way. (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

I've read a few pages -I'm still reading a book I had to finish by 8th? lol - but the little I've read reminds me of The Name of the Wind, and I really like stories that follows the life of someone from when they are little <3

The writing style is a bit peculiar, right? Or it's just me? I'll probably read slower at first to adjust to it.

[Brianna]

Bopeep wrote: "I've read a few pages -I'm still reading a book I had to finish by 8th? lol - but the little I've read reminds me of The Name of the Wind, and I really like stories that follows the life of someone..."

I do think the writing style is pretty unique - I find that it flows but is also a bit disjointed and right now there is a fair amount of things being referenced but unsaid (if that makes sense).

[Bopeep]

Brianna wrote: "I do think the writing style is pretty unique - I find that it flows but is also a bit disjointed and right now there is a fair amount of things being referenced but unsaid (if that makes sense). "

Yes, yes, it makes sense! The author says something and then refers to it without saying anything. Like they hung the thieves the guardians catch... and then when Locke see them and thinks that now he knew where the boys went.

I really enjoy this~ I love the characters and I want to see more about them. Father Chains really surprised me for good. I like this man and that Thirteenth Secret God they have hahaha

[Brianna]

Chapter 1 & Interlude (Locke Explains)
(view spoiler)["So that makes us robber of robbers... who pretend to be robbers working for a robber of other robbers."
Hmm - there have been two references now to a dark shape going from rooftop to rooftop over head the Gentleman Bastards. I wonder who is watching them?
I like the back and forth between the present day and younger Locke telling Master Chains how he ended up being booted by the Thiefmaker. (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

... i still haven't started haha, life got busier than expected, but i hope to start soon! sorry! i hope you're both enjoying it :))

[Brianna]

Chapter 2 & Interlude (Locke Stays For Dinner)
(view spoiler)[This is such an intricate scheme to steal from the Don! And so many possibilities for things to go wrong. I kind of feel like the Gentleman Bastards are almost a selfish version of Robin Hood. They are stealing from the rich and instead of giving to the poor, them as the poor as enjoying their spoils instead. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 3 & Interlude (The Last Mistake)
(view spoiler)[Ooooh - Locke hasn't been as sneaky as he thinks he is!
Oh - it's still Locke. lol So he is still sneaky! I wonder if the "Thorn of Camorr" is a real rumor going around or if Locke started that as well.
So another reference so someone (something?) following Locke. A true Midnighter maybe?
So we now have a little more information about the other person Father Chains taught - the girl (I don't remember her name) and the leader dude of all the bad people.
I'm really liking this so far! It was a bit hard to get into and understand all the world building, but now that we are seeming to get into the story a bit more, I'm finding it easier to enjoy. (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

i'm going to try and catch up to you tonight, Brianna! can't wait to discuss with you :)

[Brianna]

Darce wrote: "i'm going to try and catch up to you tonight, Brianna! can't wait to discuss with you :)"

Yay! I'm excited to see what you think!

[Darcey]

Brianna C wrote: “Prologue”
Yeah I know, he’s so smart and, exactly like you said, crazy conniving for a 7 year old or whatever! I’m intrigued hehe, I love reading about heists and everything because the planning is always soooo smart, and I’m usually surprised and mind-blown! I could never be so clever haha.

[Darcey]

I agree with you both, the writing style is curious and quite unique, I’m enjoying it! I’m also reading a little slower than usual, just trying to take everything in, as the book is fairly complex. And I also love the characters, Bopeep, they’re so funny and clever and I love their interactions so far!

[Darcey]

Brianna C wrote: “Chapter 1 & Interlude (Locke Explains)”

(view spoiler)[ Oh whoops, maybe I read it wrong, but I thought the dark shape was the boys going over rooftops while on heists? That might have just been me reading the book wrong though, not sure! We’ll see, I guess :))

And yeah, I also love the swaps between past and present! I don’t usually like flashbacks, but I’m really enjoying this book so far!

Also I actually laughed out loud when the twins said that the four most dangerous words or whatever were “Locke would appreciate it” hahaha and then said they think the gods are planning a spectacular death for him, I love all these characters already hehe. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 4 & Interlude (The Boy Who Cried for a Corpse)
(view spoiler)[So there is the Spider and now the Grey King who could both completely mess things up for everyone. And now Locke might have to marry the Capa's daughter?! He's getting pushed into a tight spot, that's for sure!
He is so freaking sneaky - even as a kid! (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

Brianna C wrote: “chapter 2 & interlude”
Yeah I know right, it’s a crazy intricate plan! And you’re right, they’re definitely a selfish retelling of Robin Hood & the gang haha, I love it ;)

[Darcey]

Brianna C wrote: “Chapter 3 & Interlude (The Last Mistake)”

(view spoiler)[ omg Locke is a GENIUS, I’m actually still in shock, his whole plan is absolutely brilliant! Holy crap, this Don is done for… Locke has EVERYTHING planned. I was kinda stressing when I read about the Midnighters… but then it was Locke, my mind is blown!
And yeah, I noticed that black shadow following them this time, I’m intrigued. It could definitely be a Midnighter… but it almost sounded magical, I’m intrigued.
I’m also enjoying this much more now that I understand the world a little more, I’m still kinda confused about the different countries and all the stuff Locke was telling the Don about houses turning against one another, but hopefully I’ll understand it soon.
Also, I really love the gang! They’re such a cute little found family, I love their interactions so much. I’m curious about this girl that broke Locke’s heart! Can’t wait to read more.
Also rip Chains :((.
Oh, and that interlude with the boss dude (I’m bad at names haha, sorry!) was interesting, it’s pretty funny that Locke knelt down for the girl haha. I wonder if we’ll get any more interactions with her? I hope so hehe. (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

Brianna C wrote: “Chapter 4 & Interlude (The Boy Who Cried for a Corpse)”

(view spoiler)[ Yeah I’m really curious about this Grey King, do you think he’s the one that’s been following them? He seems to be fairly magical, making people lose their memory of an entire night and killing very dangerous people left and right. I’m curious, can’t wait to learn more about him!
And yes, even 7 year old Locke was such a trickster haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I'm finally getting started with my audiobook! At twice speed I think I should be able to get caught up eventually! I have heard nothing but good things about this book so I'm pretty excited :D

[Brianna]

@Darce: (view spoiler)[I agree about the different countries - it's hard to keep track of them and if they are different places versus different locations in the seemingly massive city they live in (Camorr). I find myself referencing the map pretty often to keep track of where they are in relation to other things. lol
The Grey King or the Spider are my two guesses on who is following them. (hide spoiler)]

@Katie: I'm excited to see what you think!

[Brianna]

Chapter 5 & Interlude (Jean Tannen)
(view spoiler)[Oh snap - the Grey King knows about Locke! I wonder why he looks so familiar to him. Do they have history that Locke doesn't remember?
Jean's origins in the crew were not quite what I expected, but it kind of added a bit of a wholesome vibe to Locke. lol (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

@Katie: yay, welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as we are! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts :))

@Brianna: I wish I had a map haha, my copy doesn’t have one. Ah well!
And yes I agree

[Darcey]

Brianna wrote: "Chapter 5 & Interlude (Jean Tannen)"

(view spoiler)[ yeah i was really surprised by that! and i'm definitely curious to find out where Locke has met him before... i'm sure it'll be a big dramatic reveal, or maybe it's Locke's father or something? that's definitely a possible theory given Locke said his father left when he was young...
haha yeah it was cute to see baby Locke and Jean haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

I'll try to finish one book today so I can put all my attention to this one!

And Darce, here's a map for you! ;3 Forme it's a city with a lot of water canals, like Venice.

http://www.scottlynch.us/images/camor...

[Darcey]

@Bopeep
Can’t wait to hear what you think! And thank you so much for the map, that’s super useful :))

[Bopeep]

It's really hard for me to catch a good pace with this book. I hope I can fluently (?) read it soon.

So Chapter 1+Interlude
(view spoiler)["So that makes us robber of robbers... who pretend to be robbers working for a robber of other robbers."
That was a phrase I liteally read out loud to my girlfriend hahaha Loved it the way they said whay they were.

I really love the characters here, their "picaresque" style and so. Now I know why they're called Gentleman Bastards. Unfortunately I usually lose track when they go on and on with their pompous words haha ^^'

@Darce I think there is someone or something spying on them, yep! Not just Bug going to one rooftop to another.

And I thought there was a girl with Chains before? Or it was Jean and I'm mixing it all up?
(hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 6 & Interlude (Brat Masterpieces)
(view spoiler)[Oh snap! She got killed! I guess that solves one of Locke's problems but definitely opens up a whole new world of them. How is he going to pull of being himself and the Grey King at the same time at the same meeting?!
Jean's sword teacher is a character but I kind of like him. He has been the most upfront so far - he says what he means (I think) and the truth it seems so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Bopeep wrote: "It's really hard for me to catch a good pace with this book. I hope I can fluently (?) read it soon.

So Chapter 1+Interlude
"So that makes us robber of robbers... who pretend to be robbers working..."

(view spoiler)[I loved that quote as well! And I think the pacing will get a bit better after a few chapters. I struggled I think through the first 3 or so, but now it's pretty smooth going. (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

@Bopeep
yeah i agree with Brianna, the beginning was hard to get into but it definitely picks up. hopefully you get into the flow soon :))
and yep, there was a girl with Chains! not just Jean ;)

[Darcey]

Brianna wrote: "Chapter 6 & Interlude (Brat Masterpieces)"

(view spoiler)[ i know, i can't believe they killed her! i'm a little sad, i quite liked Nazca, she was badass and funny and smart. hopefully Locke and the gang can avenge her... i hate the Grey king even more for killing her and torturing Locke! it'll definitely be interesting to see how this meeting goes where Locke has to be two people...
and yeah, Jean's swordmaster definitely seems interesting, i can't wait to see how Jean goes as he learns to fight. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 7 & Interlude (Up the River)
(view spoiler)[That seems like it was far too easy to get out of going to this rendezvous with the Capa. I think that will come back and bite them in the butt.
Things are all coming together in Locke's past. It seems like Father Chains, the swordmaster, and now this farmer guy are the beginnings of the original Gentleman Bastards maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

Chapter 7 & Interlude:
@Brianna (view spoiler)[ Hmm I’m not sure, I feel like they pulled it off pretty well given Locke was actually sick, but yeah the Capa might get a little suspicious. I guess we’ll see! (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ That last section, where they tried to climb down the wall and everything, was freaking HILARIOUS. I was laughing my head off, listening to all their arguments while people were coming in and out of the room and all that, and I almost DIED when Locke said “can you choose one man and stick to him, please!” or whatever he said. So much fun! I love this book haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

I'm in the middle of chapter 5 and I'm starting to adapt to the pace of the book. My favorite parts are when Locke is still a kid
(view spoiler)[
I loved this two last chapters, where there are some, ah, difficulties on his path: the wedding with Nazca and the Grey King.
I don't know what to think, but I do like that the Grey King captures Locke. It's like... he's not the only smart person in town hahaha I do want to know who this person is, if we know them or not. Ah, I'm so curious right now!!
(hide spoiler)]

I hope to catch you on the weekend so I can finally comment with you withouth delay haha <3 I usually read your spoilers after reading that particular chapter :)

[Brianna]

Chapter 8 & Interlude (The Half-Crown War)
(view spoiler)[Well that did NOT go how I thought it would! Or how Locke thought it would. lol
I wonder how kids go from Shades Hill and the Thiefmaker to the different gangs under the Capa - does he sell them or do they just inevitably bounce? (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Bopeep wrote: "I'm in the middle of chapter 5 and I'm starting to adapt to the pace of the book. My favorite parts are when Locke is still a kid

I loved this two last chapters, where there are some, ah, difficul..."

(view spoiler)[It was nice to see Locke be surprised and outwitted. He's not completely infalible! (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

@Bopeep:
Glad you’re starting to enjoy it more!
@Brianna re ch 8 & interlude:
Yeah that really didn’t go according to plan!

[Bopeep]

I've read chapter 8 + Interlude~

Chapter 6:
(view spoiler)[I did like Nazca a lot, and I hate her premature dead :( I hoped he could be a good ally. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7:
(view spoiler)[Oooh I like the idea of the three first Gentleman Bastards! I didn't think of that, but they sure are some nice characters haha
And the part of the climbing wall was amazing haha (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8:
(view spoiler)[Wow that freaking Gray King bastard!! I thought that he really tricked Locke, and he -wow- did it. I think that the man who went to Barsavi was the Gray King in person. Also the Falconer let Locke down. I would like to think the horse's piss isn't that, just an illusion or so. Hm... :/

Well... We know that the Gray King really hates Locke.
And I have a theory that maybe all this act was to ease BArsavi thinking he killed the Gray King but he probably reappear later that he doesn't suspect anything.
So, now that we have the Gray King... any theories of who can he be? I have a LOT of possible characters, but I can't cut my possibilities for now.

About the Shadow Hills kids, I think they said earlier that the better ones search for a gang, or the Thiefmaker sells them.
(hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Because I'm listening to the audiobook, it's hard to keep track of the chapters lol. But I think I'm on part 2 or 3, so I'm trucking along! My first thought when I started reading was, "Oh, this is FUN," and that has remained true so far! Is anyone else reading the audiobook? I really like the narration! The narrator sounds familiar but I can't quite place him...

[Darcey]

Bopeep wrote: "Chapter 6"

(view spoiler)[ same here, i really liked Nazca! i was sad to see her go :((. also, glad you've caught up :)) (hide spoiler)]

chapter 7

(view spoiler)[ yeah the wall climbing was freaking hilarious haha, i almost died laughing! (hide spoiler)]

chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ ahh i know, i don't know what the grey king has against Locke, but he clearly holds some grudge!! i really want to know who he truly is, i just can't work it out, and i want to know where Locke has met him before. and yeah, clearly Locke will survive the horse piss and everything but yuckkkk omg.
that's definitely a possible theory! (hide spoiler)]

[Darcey]

Katie wrote: "Because I'm listening to the audiobook, it's hard to keep track of the chapters lol. But I think I'm on part 2 or 3, so I'm trucking along! My first thought when I started reading was, "Oh, this is..."

nope not listening to the audiobook, but yeah it's definitely a fun book!

[Brianna]

Chapter 9 & Interlude (The Schoolmaster of Roses)
(view spoiler)[Hmm... so this older Dona is the Spider? I did not expect that! But I think it's pretty cool. lol Locke is in so much trouble! He has the *real* midnighters after him, he's in a piss barrel, the Capa & Grey King - things are going to get crazy I think.
And that is how Jean was introduced to his weapon of choice! He certainly is a natural. (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

Brianna wrote: "Chapter 9 & Interlude (The Schoolmaster of Roses)

(view spoiler)[Yes! I didn't expect it neither, but I like that!
And yeah, at the moment he's not in his best time. Let's see how this goes~ (hide spoiler)]

I'm reading this fast so I can read an extra book this week

Chapter 10 + Interlude (The Tale of the old handball players)
(view spoiler)[I did expect Jean and Bug saving Locke, but I really did NOT expect Bug death (unfortunately, my crazy theories thought that the twins would die as we knew so little about them :( ) But... all this events? Really? O_o The Gray King really did EXPECT TO KILL LOCKE. I kind of understand that he now wants revenge for all Gray King's man. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 10 & Interlude (The Tale of the Old Handball Players)
(view spoiler)[My jaw was literally dropped by the end of this chapter. lol That did not go quite how I expected but the Grey King just pissed off the WRONG person! Locke is out for blood and we all know that when he wants revenge he can be very creative in how he gets it. I wonder why the Grey King wanted the Capa to think he was dead or if that was also not according to plan.
This was a random little tale and I'm not quite sure why it's relevant but I'm sure it will pop up again. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 11 & Interlude (The Lady of the Long Silence)
(view spoiler)[Ohhh snap! The twin girls are part of the Grey King's gang and are related!!! I most definitely did NOT see that coming.
I wonder what sort of... vendetta? the Grey King (now Capa Raza) had against the old Capa.
This plague ship is important in some way, but I'm not sure how because why else mention it?
I like getting more of an insight to Jean instead of just Locke when he was younger. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapter 12 & Interlude (The White Iron Conjurers)
(view spoiler)[I'm glad Locke and Jean have survived so far. I worry about this doctor guy - they haven't had a lot of luck trusting people so we'll see what happens there. Also - since the Spider/Midnighters seem to know about the plot with the don - kind of risky to try to restart that one. I am also curious about the ship and why the Capa is sending them coins. (hide spoiler)]