After reading the first book in the Gentleman Bastard Sequence, I suppose very few books could live up to its standards. This one didn't, or not quite, anyway. Instead, I was pleased to read a different kind of tale. I get the Ocean's Eleven references, but was flabbergasted to have the entire novel thrown into one hell of a talespin. It was hard to believe that they would be thrown into the sea like that and hope to have any real success. So, I had an issue with it, but believe it or not, this complication was pulled off with great entertainment and finesse. The success of the end, plus the complication, was bittersweet and satisfying, and made me want to pick up the third novel in haste. 
 Final estimate: A very fine novel that had us guessing what the hell was going to happen next. I did grow into liking life on the sea, but the best part was how everyone got their just deserts. (Somewhat)