First in a series, though each book appears to have a satisfying ending rather than a cliffhanger. If you like trickster thieves and political intrigue, this series is definitely a must-read and will be hard to put down. Think The Lies of Locke Lamora meets the Daughter of the Empire series, with the real, personal intervention of the gods as seen in The Belgariad, and you have a pretty good idea what to expect.

Gen, the titular thief, is a delightful character from his inauspicious start through all his tricks and surprises to the satisfying ending, and the best news is there are multiple books after this one to read more. Set against the political backdrop of the three kingdoms of Sounis, Eddis, and Attolia, as they struggle to find some resolution that will unify the region they share enough to stand against the external threat of the Emperor of Mede. Thieves, spymasters, kings, queens, political machinations, and gods playing with the lives of their worshippers, you'll find it all here. I finished this book 2 days ago and I'm already almost done the third in the series with no inclination to slow down!