The Lies of Locke Lamora: book review

 

Title: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Release date: June 26th, 2006

Publisher: Spectra

Pages: 530

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As the leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

There has been a time when I was almost certain that this book wasn’t for me, that it could be too slow for me, and I was wrong. The Lies of Locke Lamora is a journey through a world that feels more tangible than the one we’re living in.

I can't really write a summary of this book, for me is mostly impossible to explain just how gorgeous this reading had been. What I can say is that it features a suggestive setting, interesting characters, and found family, probably my favorite trope. The world of Locke Lamora is real, it's an immense maze of reality with a touch of fantasy, and you're going to get lost in Camorr, never wanting to come back.

Camorr, and every tradition surrounding the city, is the result of a vast and well-characterized world-building; it’s so immense with countless facets that the author doesn’t waste time trying to explain the world. Descriptions of the setting, customs, and ways of living are depicted page after page, building a world out of nowhere, without giving too much information all at once, but disseminating them till the end of the book. Camorr is a city inspired by Venice, its beauty and characteristics echo through every page. Every description is well-thought, portraying a world that doesn’t seem like a fantasy, but an existing city.

The author has done a masterful job, it’s the world-building that made me really enjoy reading the book. Probably not many people like too many descriptions, but I’m fond of this way of writing since it creates something more real and concrete than many other books I’ve read.

Locke Lamora is one of a kind. A character that we don’t easily find in books, and it’s his intelligence that made me like him so much. He’s a thief and a murderer, but first of all, he’s an actor, a deceiver and he’s born for this.

“There’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated.”

We follow Locke and his friends— or it’s better to say his family— through dirty business and much more. We know how they met and grew up while reading about them since they were mere children. We’re part of the Gentleman Bastards, we see their plot, experiencing them personally. We’re part of the family and we cry, laugh, and exult with them because their victories are ours, their glory is ours, and their vengeance is ours too.

Jean, Calo, Galdo, Loke, and Bug have not been very examined in depth one by one, but as a whole body, as a group, as a family. They work for each other, they trust each and they’d do anything for one another to assure their safety.

“To us — richer and cleverer than everyone else!”

Stealing is almost a pastime, they have a great amount of money, clothes, and objects stolen from the wealthy part of Camorr. They’ve been educated by Father Chains and they’re first of all skilled and cunning people, nothing like the other gangs of Camorr.

Even the side characters are well-written. I appreciated the Salvaras and Dona Vorchenza a lot, especially the last one. I hope to meet them all over again and maybe discover something more about Locke and Jean.

“You can't help being young, but it's past time that you stopped being stupid.”

The magic system isn’t explained at first, but that’s the real strength of this book. As the story goes forward, we understand that the entire system is based on alchemy, and magic isn’t banned as in many other books, it is feared. We meet the Bondsmagi, and even though the author doesn’t explain what they can do, we understand it page after page. The author shows the real strength of the Falconer without telling it, but by making the character experience everything, and so giving much reality even to the magical part of this book. There's no need for too much information all at once and that’s what really made the writing enjoyable and interesting.

This is a story of friendship, family, and of vengeance. If you’re searching for a fast-paced book, you won’t probably like it, but if you want a tale that can bring you into a whole new world with an incomparable plot, you’ve found the right book to read.

Locke Lamora taught me a lot, and I couldn’t give less than five stars. I’m looking forward to reading the other two books and discovering more about Locke’s world.