Ami's Hoard

4.25 stars

Well, hell, it's quite possible that I loved this book better than the first one -- even if the humor which I enjoyed the most from The Two Gentlemen of Altona was toned down immensely. The story picked off immediately after the ending of book #1; Henry receives a call from his twin sister, Viola, who has been a resident of St. Albinus care center for the past seven years. According to Viola, a bad angel, an "Angel of Death" has taken the life of her friend, Mr. Crowley. To put Viola's mind at ease and to check the truth behind her fear, Henry checks in into St. Albinus, dresses himself as Viola.

Meanwhile, Mac finds himself in hot water as well, when Office of Professional Responsibility seems to be on his tail, after accusations of police brutality are addressed to Mac. Despite this situation, Mac still takes time to help Henry as well, no matter how often Mac tells himself that it's a stupid thing to do.

I always appreciate stories that give me the feels, and The Merchant of Death gave me just that. Because The Merchant of Death explores the character more -- not just the sheer entertainment storyline. Henry was stripped down of few layers -- we finally knew more of his background story, of what have happened to Viola and his mother.

There was definitely a more moody tone here. Henry was no longer just a charming con-man who managed to fool Mac as well as having other agents under his spell. Instead, we also saw the glimpse of Sebastian, the man in the past that Henry tried to leave behind. For Henry, Sebastian was responsible for Viola's condition and everybody who Sebastian loved seemed to suffer from misfortune. Henry didn't like to see Sebastian in the mirror -- and he didn't want to be reminded of that. THIS deeper assessment was very compelling for me to read. It is just MY kind of story.

Henry and Mac's relationship has a raw quality to it as well. Despite Henry's continuous lies (or at least skirting the truths) and that his first instinct is to run away, I still felt that when it comes to Mac, it is the most honest connection that Henry has been with (aside from Viola), including when compared with his con-artist friends from Court of Miracles. Because these people know Henry as "Henry", while Mac, he also somehow sees Henry as Sebastian.

It's very interesting that in book #1 we had Mac saying "I’m always surprised by what people will do for love. Or—not even love ..." and in here, Mac finds himself risking his own freedom, his own job, in order to help Henry. Because he sees Henry beyond his charismatic act. This rawness and honesty of their relationship makes a sucker out of me. I just love complex relationship like this.

I do wish that Mac as more complicated as character though. At this point, Henry wins that point from me, because there's more to him than what we see in the surface. Mac, for better or worse, is the 'straighter' one between the two (no-pun intended). Although at the same time, it is quite understandable ... considering that Henry is the one who always runs away, he needs someone solid. Someone who doesn't really hide anything and willing to accept Henry with all his façades.

The Merchant of Death also offered more scenes from the secondary characters which were as important and as beloved as Mac and Henry. I loved reading about Viola, and those brief moments where we could see her fierceness to protect Henry. I also would love for Remy to get his own happy ending (he needs his own story darn it!).

All in all, this is the kind of story that just connects to me in so many level. I cannot wait to read the conclusion. Since I already have book #3 with me, I didn't even feel annoyed with the cliff-hanger ending. I guess reading all three books back-to-back is the best way to appreciate and enjoy this series.

Book #3, here I come...