The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, readalong
24 March 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Readalong, Scott Lynch, The Lies of Locke Lamora
Okay, we’re on to the third week’s readalong of Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora. This week we stopped at a particularly tense part of the book – and can I just ask who the hell came up with that stopping point!!! You raging maniac you! I have managed to not read on, but I have read this before and I want to take my time with this readalong. This readalong is being hosted by some lovely and impressive bloggers as follows:
If you haven’t read this book – then really, I would recommend it m0st heartily. Plus, come and join us all, we’re having a great time. If you have read it and want to readalong then get in touch with one of the lovely people above and they’ll add you to the info. And, be aware, ‘there be spoilers ahead’.
1. This section is where we finally get to sneak a peek at the magic in The Gentleman Bastards books. From what we read, what are your initial impressions of the magic Lynch is using? Is there any way that Locke and Company would be able to get around the Bondsmage’s powers?I guess I would say I’m more puzzled, or intrigued, by the magic we’ve seen used. There isn’t much of an explanation this far into the story about ‘why’ the Bondsmage can use magic or where they draw their power from – although I could be missing something here! I enjoyed Chains story about the Bondsmage and how they became such a force to be reckoned with. It’s all part of the world building that I enjoy so much about this book.
2. Not a question, but an area for rampant speculation: If you want to take a stab at who you think the Grey King might be, feel free to do it here. Even though I seem to have forgotten such a good deal about my original reading I’m not going to take a guess because if it turns out to be in any way remotely connected it will look like a big fat spoiler (or as though I’m trying to be a tremendous smartypants)! I am intrigued though (and I have really not a clue – how is that even possible?)
2.5 (since 2 wasn’t really a question) Anyone see the Nazca thing coming? Anyone? Do you think there are more crazy turns like this in store for the book? Would you like to speculate about them here? (yes, yes you would) Again, I would love to speculate about the crazy turns in store – but spoilery! Dang!! And, believe it or not I’d forgotten about Nazca – I knew in my tiny brain that her and Locke were not going to get it on, but I had forgotten about her being murdered. Strangely enough I remembered the whole scene with the barrel full of horse urine – what is up with me, really? The other thing about this is – I was really quite enjoying the character of Nazca and here she is getting bumped off – I think that’s a really difficult thing for an author to do and I really respect it. I’m not saying I enjoy losing the characters that I like but sometimes it is necessary and it’s a hard decision. Big respect for not being too precious to lose a character if the plot needs it.
3. When Locke says “Nice bird, arsehole,” I lose it. EVERY TIME. And not just because I have the UK version of the book and the word arsehole is funnier than asshole. Have there been any other places in the books so far where you found yourself laughing out loud, or giggling like a crazy person on the subway? I have been laughing out loud a lot – but I think you probably hit on what was, for me, the funniest scene – when Locke met the Grey King and his bondmage for the first time. ‘Nice bird, arsehole’ is pretty hilarious! I always feel really odd about using ‘asshole’ – just the whole ass/donkey thing! I did think of a couple of lines I really enjoyed: “When you don’t know everything that you could know, it’s a fine time to shut your fucking noisemaker and be polite.” and the story about the half crowns where Tesso says “because I can’t imagine that you shit-wits would really be sitting there right where we beat the trouser gravy out of you just yesterday”. Trouser gravy? LOL! There are others, but I’ll leave it now (it could become an essay!)
4. By the end of this reading section, have your opinions changed about how clever the Bastards are? Do you still feel like they’re “cleverer than all the rest?” Or have they been decidedly outplayed by the Grey King and his Bondsmage? Well, as much as I hate to say it, I feel that they’ve been ‘bested’ at this point. The Grey King knows exactly what they’re up to and how to turn the screw. They are between a rock and a hard place and don’t even have the option to run because they’ll never get away with it now. I suppose if they’d got out of there years ago – and it seems like they probably had enough money to do so, but they kept just wanting to put in one more job – then they wouldn’t be in this mess – but hindsight is a thing of beauty! (I wonder if you can buy hindsight glasses – I want a pair of those)
5. I imagine that you’ve probably read ahead, since this was a huge cliffhanger of an ending for the “present” storyline, but I’ll ask this anyway: Where do you see the story going from here, now that the Grey King is thought to be dead? Won’t elaborate on this as I have already read. Also, can’t remember and haven’t actually read ahead! And, I don’t have the first bloody clue.
6. What do you think of the characters Scott Lynch has given us so far? Are they believable? Real? Fleshed out? If not, what are they lacking? I really enjoy the characters so far, we get little glimpses into the history behind the relationships and I think that slowly but surely we have a world being developed with really easy to picture characters. To be honest, I think Jean may be my favourite character – I’m not sure why. I like his nature, he’s very real. But I also like that he can just totally look after himself!
7. Now that you’ve seen how clever Chains is about his “apprenticeships,” why do you think he’s doing all of this? Does he have an endgame in sight? Is there a goal he wants them to achieve, or is it something more emotional like revenge? Ha, I can’t actually remember whether Chains had any other goal such as revenge. I like Chains and I like the way he sometimes doles out his lessons – like the way he taught Locke a bit of humility when Jean first came to stay! I feel as though he thinks he’s like a master tutor and he’s giving his apprentices the best, the fullest, the most comprehensive education in how to be a trickster – he’s like the Ivy League of conman tutors!
Comments from other bloggers:
Nashville Book Worm
Rose’s thingamajig
Rememorandum / Logan K Stewart
The Hugo Endurance Project
Booky Pony
John Ayliff
Numbers Words and Ramblings
Hounded read along week 4, Kevin Hearne
March 09th: Chapters 6-10 hosted by On a Book Bender
March 16th: Chapters 11-15 hosted by Smash Attack Reads!
March 23rd: Chapters 16-20 hosted by In the Closet With a Bibliophile
March 30th: Chapters 21-25 + epilogue hosted by The Unread Reader
April 06th: Special interview with Kevin Hearne
5. Laksha is a witch, a truly evil one at that for many of the things she’s done in the past. However, she’s supposedly seen the error of her ways. Do you think she really has? Would you be willing to trust her? Do you think Atticus is smart to have decided to trust her to help him with the “other” witches?
I think Laksha can be trusted to an extent! But with a large “Caution” stamp!! She is old – she’s been around and seen a few things, and basically although she’s trying to atone for some of her past misdeeds I wouldn’t say she’s a totally ‘soft and fluffy’ character. I like the fact that she seems to make a pact and stick to it and she’s certainly powerful and useful to have when in a tight spot! I would not want her to become an enemy that’s for sure.
Thanks for the questions
Lynn 😀
Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick
20 March 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Among Thieves, dark fantasy, Douglas Hulick
Just finished reading Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick which I found very entertaining. I couldn’t help wondering whether I should delay reading this as I am also currently re-reading the Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (and as the LoLL is a masterpiece, in my eyes, this meant that Among Thieves had a lot to live up to – plus I couldn’t help holding parts of the story up for examination to see how it faired against the world of Camorr.
Actually, as it turned out I think that reading the two at the same time and holding them up to comparison turned out to be a really enjoyable experience – they’re not the same in a lot of respects although they obviously have similarities and it would be foolish to deny this.
Among Thieves brings to us the character of Drothe who comes from the city of Ildrecca. By all accounts Ildrecca has a serious problem with crime – we have Upright Men in control of various gangs who split the available area, begrudgingly, between them. On top of that we have the Grey Princes – who for me seemed to have the sort of status of a Godfather of types (some of them with the ability to use magic or ‘glimmer’). The ruler of the land is The Emperor. He seems to have a fearsome reputation, made more so by the threat of his ‘white sash’ troops and his hoarding and use of more powerful forms of ‘glimmer’.
Drothe is a member of a gang run by a very ruthless Upright Man called Nicco. He works as a ‘Nose’ gathering information. (But sometimes dealing in relics – which is forbidden). Basically Drothe is going to become very quickly embroiled in a scheme which he really should avoid – this could be the start of gang wars, imperial wars or the end of all that the undeworld currently know or understand.
What did I love. Firstly, some of the characters. Drothe is a rogue, but he’s sort of lovable and flawed. He’s no badass, which is a relief to some extent, and in spite of the fact that it’s his job to suss out what’s going on he’s not making a good job of it at the start of this book. He seems to run from one catastrophe to the next, usually appearing at the most inconvenient and inappropriate time possible and he doesn’t really have the ability to fight his way out of these situations – without resorting to dirty tricks that is (which he certainly isn’t averse to doing). Which is why he has Degan – covering his back. I really liked Degan (Bronze). He’s tough, sarcastic, he’s a whizz with the sword and seems to have no fear. What a combo. Secondly, the dialogue, which is sprinkled with the way the thieves (or kin) speak – with no explanation to what the words mean. You’re thrown in and expected to learn (a bit like the situation Drothe finds himself in!) The world is also really great. It’s seedy. There are bad sorts – Ten Ways is particularly grim, and on top of that it seems to be pseudo mediaeval with plenty of swashbuckling and fighting taking place. And, on top of that we have plots and counterplots – although nothing too distracting that you can’t race along through the story. Basically, there isn’t a lot of world building and this is without doubt a very fast paced story. If you like your stories to be a bit crazy, if you like to be left a bit to your own devices, and if you’re not a big fan of detail (or lots of detail) then you could be in the right place with this book. The whole story, in fact, takes place probably within a two/three week time frame and the story jumps about with such speed it practically makes your head spin.
If I was to level any criticisms I would probably say – yes, it’s similar to other stories set in this type of setting. I could say the ending is a bit rushed and a bit too neatly tied up and, no, its not a rich tapestry of detail. However, I could also say that none of those criticisms gave me a second’s doubt. I really enjoyed this. I think there is plenty of scope for future stories and I look forward to reading them. No, it’s certainly not Scott Lynch – but I think it has something new to bring and I think there’s plenty of room in this market and in a strange way, reading the two novels alongside each other has demonstrated that to me very well. From My Big Fat Greek Wedding – they’re different, like apples and oranges – but they’re both fruit!
Recommend.
(Plus – and here’s where I sink to my low level of ficklness – the UK cover is hot!) (Although that is not why I picked the book up, obviously
Among thieves
!!)
Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch readalong, week 2
This is week two of the LoLL readalong. This week the questions were supplied by Dark Cargo. If you’re on twitter? use #lynchmob.
If you haven’t read the LoLL then please be aware that this post will contain spoilers. The last week’s reading took us through Chapter 3 to the end of the Interlude: The Boy Who Cried for a Corpse.
1) Do you think Locke can pull off his scheme of playing a Midnighter who is working with Don Salvara to capture the Thorn of Camorr? I mean, he is now playing two roles in this game – and thank goodness for that costume room the Gentlemen Bastards have!
I think he’s being very ambitious, particularly when you weigh is scheme against the fact that the Grey King is running around the place knocking people off willy nilly and nobody seems to know why! And, also, when you consider that for years the Gentlemen Bastards have not just been pulling elaborate cons but they are also conning Capa Barsavi who thinks they are fairly low key thiefs. There’s a lot going on with the potential for huge disaster. I love the costume room – who wouldn’t?
2) Are you digging the detail the author has put into the alcoholic drinks in this story?
I must say that I like the idea of the Brandy that doesn’t give you a hangover! Although it may be a false blessing as you would have nothing to deter you from over doing it! Pickled liver anyone?? I’m not sure about the Ginger Scald – I like things to be spicy – but do I really want to drink something that sounds like it’d take the skin off the roof of your mouth?
3) Who is this mysterious lady Gentlemen Bastard Sabetha and what does she mean to Locke?
Don’t think I should really answer this as I’ve already read the book.
4) Are you as creeped out over the use of Wraithstone to create Gentled animals as I am?
It is really creepy – I don’t like the idea of stripping every bit of personality from the animals – they seem to be little more than shells.
5) I got a kick out of child Locke’s first meeting with Capa Barsavi and his daughter Nazca, which was shortly followed up in the story by Barsavi granting adult Locke permission to court his daughter! Where do you think that will lead? Can you see these two together?
Similar to the answer to question 3 – as I’ve already read it’s difficult to answer this question without giving away spoilers. Although I will say I did enjoy Locke’s first meeting with Nazca – she’s a bit of a handful! Personally, I don’t think a relationship between the two would ever be able to get around the fact that Locke is Nazca’s Pezon and I think both of them would always be very conscious of that and couple that with the fact that neither of them seem to have any interest in the other on a romantic level then it does seem a bit of a none-starter.
6) Capa Barsavi is freaked out over rumors of The Gray King and, in fact, us readers are privy to a gruesome torture scene. The Gray King is knocking garristas off left and right. What do you think that means?
I think he’s very afraid. He’s holed himself and his children up in an attempt to stay protected but he’s fumbling around in the dark really. He’s torturing people to death who genuinley don’t seem to know anything and yet he can’t seem to see this – it’s almost as though he’s become a bit panic stricken or hysterical.
7) In the Interlude: The Boy Who Cried for a Corpse, we learn that Father Chains owes an alchemist a favor, and that favor is a fresh corpse. He sets the boys to figuring out how to provide one, and they can’t ‘create’ the corpse themselves. How did you like Locke’s solution to this conundrum?
This was Locke’s first con! It was great. He accomplished the task he was set and actually made money as well. I suppose I did feel a bit badly for the people in the district of Videnza though – they didn’t seem like a bad lot really.
Hounded by Kevin Hearne readalong week 3
And, so, moving on to week 3 of the readalong for Hounded by Kevin Hearne. Schedule and questions/answers below – but if you havent already read this beware of spoilers.
April 06th: Special interview with Kevin Hearne & announcement of winners!
1. I love Leif Helgarson, Viking Vampire, Esq. I have to say that combo makes a pretty cool attorney. If you could have a paranormal/mythical beastie (or combo) covering your tuckus in court, what would you choose and why?
I like the vampire attorney – I suppose the drawback is that he isn’t available 24/7 and I don’t think I would be totally happy to pay him in blood. But he has been a pretty good attorney so far. I think on the whole I would probably choose a member of the fey (provided I know their real name of course) they’re very twist and turny after all!
2. The police show up to question Atticus about his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon. If you could own any dog breed, what would it be and why? (P.S. Oberon is going on my list of favorite sidekicks!)
I love dogs and I love most breeds even lovely Heinz 57 (which in my country means a mongrel). Currently I own a Fox Hound and a Lakeland Terrier and they are both total maniacs but prior to this I have owned Irish Terriers (Winny and Molly) and two Elk Hounds (which are beautiful spitz dogs, high in stature with a tail curled over their backs, silve coat and black muzzle called Sabre and Ragan). If I was going to choose what to own next I don’t know how I would pick! Maybe a husky.
3. Malina Sokolowski and the other Sisters of the Three Auroras coven have my antennae up. What is your opinion of them?
Being ahead with the books it’s difficult to answer this one without looking like a smartie pants. I’d like to say that I don’t trust the witches but did I really feel like that before I knew what I now know? I dunno!
4. Brighid, goddess of poetry, fire and the forge, gave Atticus the power of Cold Iron, which can be used to fight off that nasty lilttle hellspawn. If you could wield one magical power, what would it be and why?
I can’t decide between being able to fly in order to beat all the traffic on the way to work or having the ability to set things up to clean my house – like the vac automatically working or the dishes being washed – a bit like in Harry Potter. I would love to say I’d like to get all my cleaning done but to hell with that – on the whole, I’d like to be able to fly and the cleaning can wait!
5. The cops show up at Atticus’ shop to search for poor Oberon, who remains magically hidden throughout the ordeal. What is the one thing you would do if you could remain hidden from sight? I want to hear some good answers for this one!
I suppose if you were hidden from sight you could hear and see such a lot of things. It’s difficult to choose. Maybe you could listen in to some examination questions beforehand and be clued up to pass your test. Or you could follow people around and get to hear if they discuss you. Or, you could watch somebody put in the code for their safe or [password for their computer!!! Oh, it’s all a bit horrible. I’m trying to think of something good about being hidden from sight but it all seems a bit sneaky so I’m not sure I can come up with anything good – although I suppose you could travel for free, you could probably get in to watch the movies for free, you could probably eat for free just walking in and out of restaurants picking things up and you could probably sleep for free – so, fairly carefree existence. (although still all a bit sneaky!)
