Dal Pages

Lynch, S. (2006). The lies of Locke Lamora. Orion Publishing Group.

Annotation:

Locke Lamora and his Gentlemen Bastards take great delight in scheming, thievery, and general mischief as they terrorize the rich of the Venetian-inspired city of Camorr. The Gentlemen are expert actors, stuntmen, and strategists, but that doesn’t stop them from getting in over their heads after an ambitious heist. Locke is a highly skilled conman, but there may be too many players on the board for even him to keep in line. Flipping between Locke’s past and present, get immersed in the charades and world of the Gentlemen as Locke juggles identities, friends, and foes as he navigates the twists and turns of the city’s criminal underbelly and noble circles alike. If you loved the heists and wit of Six of Crows, you will enjoy this.

Discussion:

If the adrenaline genre is marked by an exciting roller coaster of a journey, I think adventure most aligns with that description. I think adventure as a sub-genre best represents the traditional storytelling format of the hero’s journey, which has been an integral part of fictional narratives throughout history. The adrenaline genre, and specifically the adventure sub-genre, feels like the most classic version of storytelling. Following a character/group on a journey gives a reader something to root for, making it an extremely easy genre to immerse oneself in. More specific types of fiction (such as horror, sci-fi, or romance) may not appeal to everyone. Following a character on a journey is such a universal method of storytelling that I think almost everyone would enjoy a story with action and twists, especially when those elements can be made age-appropriate for any demographic and incorporated into other genres.