They say that the Thorn of Camorr can beat anyone in a fight. They say he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. They say he's part man, part myth, and mostly street-corner rumor. And they are wrong on every count.
Only averagely tall, slender, and god-awful with a sword, Locke Lamora is the fabled Thorn, and the greatest weapons at his disposal are his wit and cunning. He steals from the rich - they're the only ones worth stealing from - but the poor can go steal for themselves. What Locke cons, wheedles and tricks into his possession is strictly for him and his band of fellow con-artists and thieves: the Gentleman Bastards.
Together their domain is the city of Camorr. Built of Elderglass by a race no-one remembers, it's a city of shifting revels, filthy canals, baroque palaces and crowded cemeteries. Home to Dons, merchants, soldiers, beggars, cripples, and feral children. And to Capa Barsavi, the criminal mastermind who runs the city.
But there are whispers of a challenge to the Capa's power. A challenge from a man no one has ever seen, a man no blade can touch. The Grey King is coming.
A man would be well advised not to be caught between Capa Barsavi and The Grey King. Even such a master of the sword as the Thorn of Camorr. As for Locke Lamora . . .
Rating: 5 Stars
Okay I loved this book right from the off. Having never heard anything about the Gentlemen Bastard series I had no idea what I was going to be letting myself in for, but I'm so glad I picked this up; especially as I almost deleted it off my to be read list.
We first meet Locke as a young child who has done something to undermine the Thiefmaker's authority causing him to be sold to Father Chains. The prologue ends with Locke about to tell Chains exactly what it was that he did, before our story cuts to the present day.
The intricacy of the plot is absolutely amazing, everything happens for a reason and it all ties together so perfectly: Locke's current con against the Salvaras, Capa Barsavi's troubles with the Grey King and of course the nobles of Camorr. And even better is that we get left on so many cliffhangers throughout the book, because after every chapter we get an interlude where we learn something of Locke's past.
The characters are extremely well written as well. Within the Gentlemen Bastards everyone has a role to play; Locke is a mastermind, Jean is the muscle, Calo and Galdo can do anything (I think of them as being a bit like the Weasley twins) and Bug ... Well Bug is the new boy.
The only problem is that because everything is so crucial to the book, I can't really say much more in a review without giving away spoilers. So I'm going to be good and take a vow of silence.
Would I recommend this book? Oh yes, even if fantasy stuff has never been your thing I guarantee that you will enjoy this book.
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