The Lies of Locke Lamora

I finally got around to reading this book after seeing it floating around the blog-sphere and hearing the comparisons with Six of Crows. I had a bumpy start with the book and it isn't one I wanted to read in one sitting, but I did very much enjoy it.

This book is quite amazingly told. There is foreshadowing and little events that happen throughout the book which affect the rest of the novel. I am sure I missed some of the details, making me want to read through the book once again, even though I finished it just hours ago. This writing is so very well done.

The book is a bit slow paced, with the big conflict and problem of the story not revealing itself until halfway in. This may be a problem for some readers. I almost thought about putting the book down, but knowing how highly rated and recommended as well as the joy I got from reading about Locke's past, kept me going. Every chapter felt so packed full of information, it felt dense. After reading a chapter or two, I would be ready for a break. I will say that the chapters being broke up further into parts, did help the novel flow and not feel as dense to me. The parts make the chapters feel shorter, which may help those readers preferring short chapters.

The characters are easily distinguished from one another, unless they aren't supposed to, such as the twins. The story was beautifully done and I loved how every other chapter focused on Locke or the other thieves' past which then would provide the lesson or feel for what is to come. Saying this, I am disappointed that none of the main characters was female, even though one of the Gentlemen Bastards is female. She is only mentioned, never actually in the book which is frustrating because there are so many strong and amazing women characters in the book and even the section pointing out that women should not be underestimated.

The audiobook is fantastic. The narrator has different voices for the cast of characters which helps keep them separate. He also does inflections and raises or lowers his voice according to the book, making the reader feel engaged with the book. I absolutely loved listening to the parts I did, but the long length kept me from listening to the book exclusively.

I'm not dying to get my hands on the second novel, but I will get around to reading it eventually.