By Scott Lynch
Narrated by Michael Page
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Book 1: The Gentleman Bastard Series)
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The Lies of Locke Lamora for Audiobook Overview:
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.
The Lies of Locke Lamora Audiobook Review:
STORY
The Good:
This is the first book in a number released by Scott Lynch following the story of orphan Locke Lamora and his adventures in his less moral dealings as a con man. The story is fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Think Ocean’s Eleven, but in ancient venice, an ancient venice that was once home to ancient aliens who left much of their structures behind. This isn’t traditional high fantasy though. It will appeal to high fantasy lovers, but also to people who have never read fantasy in their lives. It is, in short, stupendous.
The first book is broken into two main story lines, the past and present which are in the form of alternating interludes which seem to explain the past, but also give clues to the future. Pay attention, as nothing is said in these interludes with out meaning.
Once the bricks and mortar of the story are set, this becomes a high paced intriguing story which has you on the each of your seat as you are constantly thrown wrenching plot twists. I believe Lynch was thinking. “Hmmm, now that everything appears like it’s going well, let’s do the worst possible thing to screw it up, then do it again, and see what happens”.
A word of warning however, the story is very crude. I have learn’t many insults which is intend to make use of, including ‘you look like hammered shit’, which was a favorite of mine.
The biggest warning however is that this story is addictive. You will learn to care about these characters and want to know what happens next. I am testament to this having listened to three books of this series in three weeks.
The Bad:
The storyline can become loosely predictable, but that’s largely expected in ‘recipe’ based book series. I didn’t mind this so much, I had a bit of a habit with this series of pausing the story and discussing it with my partner, trying to guess the twists and turns to come, not always right, but often enough.
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CHARACTERS
The Good:
As i said before, you will begin to love these characters. Scott Lynch has really nailed this and created a balanced scorecard of loveable characters. He also isn’t afraid to kill them, so watch out!
The main protagonist of the story is Locke Lamora, and orphan child with a lust for thievery like Camorr has never seen. Locke isn’t perfect, which is great – he is not handsome, nor morally certain, and his aptitude for thievery doesn’t translate to all aspects of his character.
Locke is accompanied in the current story by a band, aptly named the Gentleman Bastards. This includes, Jean Tannen, Galdo and Carlo Sanza, and Bug. Jean Tannen enters the story a few chapters in, he is recently orphaned from wealthy Merchant parents, a stocky boy who is good with numbers, Jean becomes Locke’s best friend – I liken them to an old married couple. Galdo and Carlo Sanza, are twins, who were in the Gentleman bastard prior to Locke, but whom quickly became subordinate to Locke’s skill. Bug enters the story as Locke’s apprentice and is not part of the past sory line, i like to think Bug adds a little comical relief.
There are many other fantastically colorful characters including;
Father Chains, Locke’s teacher and inductor into the Gentleman Bastards, leader of the group in the interludes, who purchased Locke from the Thief Maker.
The Thief Maker, the leader of a troop of orphan child thieves, who are moulded by the maker.
The Gray King, a mysterious antagonist complicating the situation of Camorr with unknown motives.
Cappa Barsavi, the leader of the underground gangs of Camorr, who with a secret peace brokered in his early years with the Duke and Spider of Camorr are allowed to conduct their immoral business (as long as the nobles are not their targets).
Don Lorenzo Salvara, a noble, and Locke’s target for his largest con to date.
The Bad:
I learned to love these characters and Scott Lynch killed some of them. Damn him!! But it’s okay, i get it.. It’s for the good of the story.
NARRATOR
The Good:
One of the greatest things about this series for audiobook is the narration. Michael Page gives us a performance to die for, one that i consider the best I have heard – bar maybe Steven Pacey’s rendition of the first law series.
Michael Page’s character diversification, accents, and dramatization is mind blowing. For example, Locke is a con man, he is constantly in disguise changing accents and names. Michael Page’s consistency was insane and with out it, this book could have been very confusing for listeners.
The Bad:
None of note.
I hope you enjoyed our ‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ Audiobook Review, come back soon!