Reviews & Overviews by Rod Cameron

The Lies of Locke Lamora – Book One of the Gentlemen Bastards sequence -
Scott Lynch

Publisher:	Gollancz
Date:	2006
Size:	531 Pages
Format:	Trade Paperback
Price:	£7.99
ISBN:	978-0-575-07975-5
Reviewed by:	Rod Cameron
Review Date:	May 2007

Scott Lynch has written a stunning fantasy novel. Set in the city of Camorr, which is peopled by both rich and poor, and littered with alien ruins, Locke Lamora grows up as a thief who is too clever for his own good. He becomes a legend in his own lifetime, as a Robin Hood type character - the Thorn of Camorr.

Unfortunately for Locke, reality is a little less than the Thorn’s supposed super-human abilities, and whilst he is a very successful thief and confidence trickster, any money he earns is purely for himself and his friends who call themselves The Gentlemen Bastards. The Lies of Locke Lamora is a Coming of Age Fantasy novel where the hero and his band get caught in a battle between the criminal mastermind Capa Barsavi who runs the city, and a mysterious figure who is out to challenge him - the Grey King.

This is a very well written book, with excellent characterisation, and a gripping plot. Although quite humerous in places, Scott has no compunction about taking the story in some very sad directions. I found it difficult to put down, and will definitely be purchasing the sequel Red Seas Under Red Skies.