Scott Lynch
This book is quite possibly even better then the first. Starting from an introduction where Jean is about to kill Locke, to some of the most kick ass ship fights since Pirates of the Caribbean or Master and Commander. Locke and Jean are at it again in a different city, but yet again, they find themselves being the ones that are conned. To the high seas they flee to start thinking how they are going to get out of this one, and come out ahead. In the process, Lynch explores the character Jean further. We knew from Lies of Locke Lamora, Jean is a romantic, a skull-cracking, ax-wielding romantic. One of the sweetest and saddest romances is played out in the book with Jean. I had people asking me if I was alright after reading that chapter because I was crying so hard, and I rarely get emotional over books. Lynch is currently writing the third book in the series, and he had better finish it soon because the bastard leaves you on such a cliffhanger. Locke is also a bit more flushed out, and finally embracing what it means to be the Thorn of Camora. This is a rare series for me, as I hope that it never ends. I gave up on any series of books that was more than five books, thank you Mr. Pierce Anthony and your never ending Xanth series.