Locke Lamora and the Bottled Serpent

Gentleman Bastard #0.5

by Scott Lynch

In this tale from Locke's teenage years, our nervous, hormonal, romantically-confused hero spends a few months working as a bar-back in one of Camorr's most brutal Right People taverns. This is one of Father Chains' endless series of training and personal enrichment schemes; as per usual, it's full of fuckery, and as per usual, Locke is expected to work it all out himself. His only real ally of the moment is the aging mercenary Mazoc Szaba, a man addicted to risking his own life in a gambling spectacle involving poisoned wine.

As Locke's troubles boil over, so do Mazoc Szaba's debts, and when you publicly flaunt your obligations to the one and only Capa Barsavi, Barsavi reaches out to publicly remind you of them...

This short story is available in two parts in the October 2024 and January 2025 editions of Grimdark Magazine.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, High Fantasy, Fiction

30 pages, Unknown Binding

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 2, 1978, the first of three brothers. I've lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area my entire life; currently, just across the border in Wisconsin, about half an hour east of the Twin Cities.

The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this sort of author bio-- dishwasher, busboy, waiter, web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer. I trained in basic firefighting at Anoka Technical College in 2005, and became a volunteer firefighter in June of that year.

In 2007 The Lies of Locke Lamora was a World Fantasy Award finalist.

In 2008 I received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.

In 2010, I lost a marriage but gained a cat, a charming ball of ego and fuzz known as Muse (Musicus Maximus Butthead Rex I).

My partner, the lovely and critically acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[aria ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a place in the alley where the odorous slops and shards ef daily proceedings were to be set, which was Locke Lamora's job, until the mess could be hauled up the crooked stairs and around the block to the public dross-yard, which was also Locke Lamora's job.This was never done before the sun was long-buried and the Fal-selight glass bled of illumination, so every awkward step chanced a painful adventure. Here in the Dregs, light was not so cheap that folk would gladly waste it on the eyeballs of passing strangers. One might catch a break from boat-lanterns on the canal, or from cloudless moonlight, but more often one tripped on stone or trash or bodies. Muttering curses at his own feet in the middle of the night was also Locke Lamora's job.

Told in two parts, Grimdark Magazine #40 and Grimdark Magazine #41, Locke Lamora and the Bottled Serpent tells the story of Locke being tasked with being normal. No crazy heists, no convoluted plans to steal the Duke’s spoon, just good, slightly-honest work. And of course nothing goes as planned for our beloved thief.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any trip to Camorr, this was delicious in its vividness, but it lacked the spark of fun that makes the Bastards books so special. I do hope the recentness of this publication means Lynch is writing again; I'll never completely give up hope on the series' completion, because it is my favorite.

[Nora Alenezi · Rating 5 out of 5]

لطيفة خفيفة تورينا جانب من حوانب مورا ماشفناه من قبل

[Joe Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delight it is to reenter the world of Camorr, that medieval Venice-inspired city-state with its elaborate criminal underworld staking out rival gang territories along the canals. Author Scott Lynch has published a variety of shorter fiction in the years since his last Gentleman Bastard novel came out in 2013, but this title -- released in two parts over the October 2024 and January 2025 issues of Grimdark Magazine -- is the first to return to that fantasy series and its antiheroic lead, the too-clever-by-half Locke Lamora.

It's a prequel, taking us back to when the protagonist was only thirteen and still learning his illegal trade under the watchful eyes of Father Chains, who has loaned the boy out to a different crew for the summer as a sort of temporary work placement. There he does menial tasks behind the bar at his new bosses' gambling den and tries hard to stay out of trouble, which of course is never easy for either his temperament or the setting.

The descriptive details are immersive as always, and the story gradually focuses around one of the regulars at the establishment, an old sellsword who's clearly circling an unhappy end. But he's friendly with the teen hero in the meantime, and his ultimate fate proves an object lesson for the man that Locke is growing into.

An automatic three stars for the typical excellence of the familiar atmosphere alone, punched up further for the cruel sting of the ending. Ideally I would've liked to spend longer on the plot here, and especially to see more of certain other beloved characters, but this is overall a strong offering that makes me eager for the additional novellas that Lynch has announced are coming out soon.

[Content warning for alcohol abuse, torture, and gore.]

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[Uroš Novaković · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only got into this series after the events of the first book. Once the main cast, the ones that survived, matured and became adults.

So when I saw that this bite sized story takes place before the events of the first book I signed and dived into it thinking I won't like it at all.

But this was a lot of fun and really enjoyable. It's glad to be back in the universe of Gentlemen Bastards after all these years. Now bring me "The Thorn of Emberlain" or I will riot.

[John Sturges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story. Please Scott finish your next novel!

[Luke Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great little story about a young boy who works in a bar.

[Alexa Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story feels like stepping back into Camorr with all its grit, wit, and danger. Getting a glimpse of Locke in his younger years awkward, reckless, and clever as ever, was both hilarious and heartwarming. The banter is sharp, the tension is real, and Mazoc Szaba is such a fun addition to the mix. Even though it’s short, it has all the charm and chaos I love from the Gentleman Bastard series. A must-read for anyone who can’t get enough of Locke’s misadventures!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
I’ve been threatening to reread Locke Lamora for months now and this short story came to me at the perfect time. It’s just that every funny and mischievous book I’ve been reading lately feels like chasing the glee I felt reading Locke for the first time. Delightful, vulgar, hilarious writing style and the most diabolical characters I hold an unreasonable amount of affection for.

[Poiboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Lynch’s Locke Lamora storyline is warm hot choco on a cozy winter night. Always brings happiness and contentment in its clever and lovely writing style. This short story, written in two parts, definitely did not disappoint. But worst still, it makes me crave more strongly the hotly anticipated 4th book in the series. Scott! Please! Release more Camor magic into our lives!

[Jaume Ayala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story with a young Locke Lamora being traind as requested by his menthor.
Lock is not at his full potential as in the released "Gentleman Bastards" other books but he is still clever than the rest of the people surronding him

[Penny Geard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little story of Locke's past. Not much to it, but it was very satisfying spending time with Locke again. I liked how the ending wasn't what I was expecting.
It made me want to re-read the other Gentlemen Bastards books again

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent read! How I missed Lamora!

[Kit MacAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice return to Camorr; classic Locke Lamora, as good as ever. I read this in Grimdark magazines #40 and #41.

[Tala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really miss Locke, Jean, and the Bastards. Truly, at this point, I don’t care if the Sequence doesn’t get finished. Just write stand alone Locke-Jean-Bastards stories pre-Lies.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott lynch come back please

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of everything I loved abt this series and character

[Paul Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best fantasy short story I have ever read

[Oghma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story!!! Please Scott, let us have the fourth book in the series!

[Iri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venice-like place fantasy ✨️ has some thieves with purpose.

[Aishwarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

That first line...(chef's kiss)!! This was such a fun book, we got to see Locke's vulnerable, caring side and that shoutout to the start of the games in the waters of Camorr🫶🏻🫶🏻

[tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks for this scott lynch now i got another 4 years of waiting for "the thorn of emberlain" in me

[Hung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to give a short story 5 stars, but this little tale had so much heart and spunk. The novellas and Book 4 cannot come out fast enough.

[Chas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish he’d write the next book already.

[Marko · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a pair of complete stonewits, [...] whose skulls were cathedrals of simplicity.

[Milla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well it was good, but then what happened?? Where's the second half of the story?