pausbookshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
katdid's review against another edition
4.0
Probably even a 4.5
This was straight-up really refreshing, largely because the characters talked like real people and said "fucking" a lot, instead of invoking some ye olde English curse words that haven't been heard in centuries or exclusively using the names of divinities from whatever world they inhabit (although they did that too). And the world-building was pretty spectacular; I can't remember the last time I read a book where an invented city was rendered so thoroughly and evocatively. The rapport between the central characters is very endearing, and not a scene goes to waste: you might read a chapter and dismiss it as (charming) flavour, only to realise much later that it was grim foreshadowing. It's a ripping yarn very deftly executed; I was pretty invested in the story and found myself yelling, "No!" and, "Yes!" at various memorable moments. I don't consider myself a feminist particularly, but it was great to read a fantasy in which the women were just as casually hardcore as the dudes and not have it be a big deal. (Obviously Camorr is an equal opportunity city-state.) I've seen Locke referred to as "whiny" plenty of times, but I read pretty much everything he said as irony. What an awesome debut! I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.
ETA 17/12/13: I just remembered that while reading this I was struck by a similarity to [b:Titus Groan|258415|Titus Groan (Gormenghast, #1)|Mervyn Peake|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1363433035s/258415.jpg|3250394] in terms of the thoroughness of the world-building. I didn't enjoy Titus Groan exactly (and wasn't moved to pick up the rest of the books in the series, although that could happen), but I did admire the completeness of the castle and its environs, and found echoes of this in The Lies of Locke Lamora - albeit rendered in a far more lively way.
This was straight-up really refreshing, largely because the characters talked like real people and said "fucking" a lot, instead of invoking some ye olde English curse words that haven't been heard in centuries or exclusively using the names of divinities from whatever world they inhabit (although they did that too). And the world-building was pretty spectacular; I can't remember the last time I read a book where an invented city was rendered so thoroughly and evocatively. The rapport between the central characters is very endearing, and not a scene goes to waste: you might read a chapter and dismiss it as (charming) flavour, only to realise much later that it was grim foreshadowing. It's a ripping yarn very deftly executed; I was pretty invested in the story and found myself yelling, "No!" and, "Yes!" at various memorable moments. I don't consider myself a feminist particularly, but it was great to read a fantasy in which the women were just as casually hardcore as the dudes and not have it be a big deal. (Obviously Camorr is an equal opportunity city-state.) I've seen Locke referred to as "whiny" plenty of times, but I read pretty much everything he said as irony. What an awesome debut! I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.
ETA 17/12/13: I just remembered that while reading this I was struck by a similarity to [b:Titus Groan|258415|Titus Groan (Gormenghast, #1)|Mervyn Peake|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1363433035s/258415.jpg|3250394] in terms of the thoroughness of the world-building. I didn't enjoy Titus Groan exactly (and wasn't moved to pick up the rest of the books in the series, although that could happen), but I did admire the completeness of the castle and its environs, and found echoes of this in The Lies of Locke Lamora - albeit rendered in a far more lively way.
hvnly's review against another edition
4.0
It starts out a little slow, but I encourage everyone to stick with it! A lovable and devious band of thefts steal the show (literally) win razor sharp wit and plague black humor.
wom4n's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
neenor's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars because this is a fantastic novel, but a little something was just missing for me. Maybe there were too many subplots? Reading it felt a bit chaotic at times - the reader is always five steps behind the author, making it hard to follow at certain points. But everything was tied up and resolved in the end, and I’m excited to read the second instalment!
bookgoonie's review against another edition
Yikes. Slow start. Lots fun shenanigans & banter. Crazy ass twists & turns.
hobbit_2022's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
sarckle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A tale of thieves in a fantasy world. A beautiful world, and a loving found family. Exciting the whole way through.
elizanoca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75