Red Seas Under Red Skies

The second of seven novels in The Gentleman Bastard Sequence, by Scott Lynch. First published in 2007. http://www.scottlynch.us/books.html#redseas

In the aftermath of the Falconer's demise, Locke and Jean head to Tal Verrar for another, even bigger, con. They lie and cheat their way through a gambling house no thief has ever survived an attempt to rob, and in which cheating has a death sentence. They are deterred, however, by someone looking for their expertise - they are coerced into masquerade as pirates in the Sea of Brass. Meanwhile, they are being pursued by the last people any sane person would ever offend... the ruthless Bondsmagi of Karthain.

This book contains examples of:

 * Alliterative Name - Locke Lamora
 * An Axe to Grind - The Wicked Sisters.
 * Big Bad Friend - Jean  becomes this in the prologue.
 * Bittersweet Ending -
 * Brains and Brawn - Locke and Jean respectively. Though Jean actually has the better formal education, Locke is clearly the planner.
 * Carrying the Antidote -
 * Gender Is No Object - The tradition of the Twelve Gods requires at least one woman per ship, preferably an officer.
 * How We Got Here - Every other chapter is a flashback to the events immediately after the first book.
 * I Call It Vera - The Wicked Sisters
 * In Medias Res - Red Seas starts with Locke and Jean already deep into their plan to cheat their way up into Requin's office.
 * Out Gambitted - The Priori suffer this when they attempt to
 * Serial Escalation: Locke's steals . In four hours. While he was half-drunk.
 * Tempting Fate - While pretending to be pirate captain, Locke and Jean sailing into a storm. Jean confidently asserts that Caldris, and experienced sailor and the only one on the ship who knows that they're faking, will be able to handle it.
 * They Look Just Like Everyone Else - Locke
 * Two Faced - Selendri.
 * Unholy Matrimony - Requin and Selendri.
 * You Don't Want to Catch This - Locke and Jean pretend to contract Slipskin, which appears akin to leprosy.