Paperback, 544 pages
English language
Published Jan. 30, 2007 by Gollancz.
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 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.
It started a little slow, but about a third way through the story really took off and it became hard to put down.
I'd tell you 1, 2, 3 or 5 stars. I'd tell you I wasn't entertained. I'd tell you I wasn't captivated by the prose. ...But I'd be lying.
These days, very few books keep me up until 2 at night. This one did it for me.
In a fantasy city inspired by Venice in the Renaissance, Locke Lamora is a thief. Not any common thief though, he's been brought up to be the BEST thief, along with his crew. He made me think of Arsène Lupin or Fantômas (minus the sadistic approach—which is taken by Lamora's enemies).
The action is fast-paced, the world is well made, but I regret that almost all major characters are men.
