This book was a good self contained novel. It follows the life of Locke Lamora; a leader of a small gang of thieves known as The Gentlemen Bastards, who steal from the searioulsy rich using confidence tricks. I agree with one critic's take on this book as a "swashbuckling yarn."
Set on a fictional, yet rather violent renaissance-like archipelago, Scott Lynch does a surprisingly good job of building a believable fantasy world. Locke is a legend amongst the upper class for his ability to dupe the most guarded citizens out of their money, earning him the title the Thorn of Camorr. In reality however, he is a flawed, and largely likable anti-hero.
The story itself is told as a flash between the present and the titular character's youth, where he is accepted to into his gang and is mentored in the art of thievery by their father-figure master, 'Chains'. The story telling is done via a limited omniscient narrator who focuses largely on Locke to keep the main story arc going, which makes for an easy read. There are enough detours into other minor characters' points of view however, to build dramatic tension right up toward the final chapters.
Essentially, Locke's gang get caught up in a secret war between the current leader of the Undergound, and a mysterious usurper known as the Grey King. Locke becomes caught between trying to appease both sides whilst at the same time attempting to protect his men. This eventually leads to some hasty alliances between Locke and the other side of the law, and culminates in an extremely satisfying revenge ending. (It was satisfying for me, anyway).
There is a fair amount of swearing, and a healthy smattering of violence, which isn't all gratuitous in that it helps establish some seriously evil antagonists. Overall it was a definite page turner. It is extremely well written, and although it is one of seven planned books, it is easily read in isolation, as the ending resolves the conflict nicely.
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