Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published:
May 4, 2010/April 15, 2011
Pages: 310/325
Source:
Bought (paperback) / Borrowed (ebook)
Rating:
4.5 Stars
White Cat:
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Red Glove:
When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Red Glove:
When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?
In short: Holly Black masterfully creates clever mysteries and an effortless and fascinating alternate universe in the first two books of the Curse Workers Trilogy, White Cat and Red Glove.
Speaking of Holly Black, can you believe these are the first books of hers that I have ever read? I have to say, my first impression is extremely positive. Her writing and world building was simply effortless. She was able to weave an entire alternate universe, in which magic exists and everyone wears gloves to avoid getting "worked" by people who wield this magic, with skillful proficiency. The story was never bogged down by too many details involving the backstory of curse working, and yet I still feel like I got a good background of the history anyway.
I adored Cassel, just like everyone else seems to love him. A bit surprising really, because as a con man, he is not the most moral character ever - his first instinct upon entering an expensive home is to think about the various ways he could steal the silver candlesticks, for instance - but he really is a good guy at heart. Even growing up in a mob family full of con artists and crooks, he feels compassion for victims and remorse for people he has played.
My only quibbles are related to a few plot holes and questionable character motivations, but they seem too minor to mention in detail. All I know is that the first two books in the Curse Workers Trilogy were brilliant, fast-paced, and enjoyable, and I have no doubt that the final book, Black Heart (to be published April 3, 2012), will be as well!
Other Reviews:
365 Days of Reading #1 and #2
Icey Books #1 and #2
Author Links:
Website
Blog
Goodreads
I freaking LOVE this series! I'm so glad you read these books, Aylee. They seem right up your alley. I just read Black Heart a few weeks ago, and you won't be disappointed: it's a perfect end to the series. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Yeah, you're right: they really are right up my alley! Male protag, low on the romance, fantastic and original premise!
DeleteOoh I listened to White Cat on audio (one of 2 I've ever listened to) and it was fabulous. It was my first Holly Black book too and I have to read Red Glove soon. I keep putting it off but I really want to before book 3 is out. And yes Cassel is so great! Glad you liked him too! Great review Aylee.
ReplyDeleteI have White Cat on audio too so I'm looking forward to listening to it sometime! I hope you find time for Red Glove soon!
DeleteI loved White Cat and Red Glove too. I also adore Cassel. I think he's a really good guy, even if he commits minor crimes. I also like how he is contrastingly arrogant and insecure.
ReplyDeleteYes! Such a great way of putting it. He has got to be one of my all time favourite male characters.
DeleteThese were my first Holly Black novels too ! I'm listening to Red Glove, the audiobooks are good (yay ! Jesse Esineburg). I agree with the plot holes but I still find the books enjoyable though
ReplyDeleteI adore Jesse Eisenberg so I really look forward to checking the books out in audio too! The plot holes were pretty minor thankfully!
DeleteI keep seeing these and being drawn to them. I read Holly Black's Tithe, and thought it was just okay. Tithe had some confusing bits where I was like "Seriously, what the !@#$ is going on???" But I did like the characters in Tithe. And it sounds like you weren't confused at all in either of these. Plus I love a good mystery! I'm going to the library this week, and I'll have to these check out. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's too bad. The Curse Workers series has some confusing moments, sure, but it's all cleared up in the end once the mystery is solved and the con is played off. The characters were GREAT!
DeleteI really have to purchase book 1 because I really want to read this series .. Great reviews Aylee :) !!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, I recommend it!
DeleteI've never read either of these! But if Book #3 comes out in April... this is probably the perfect time to start. I honestly had no idea what either book was about, so thanks for a thoughtful, to-the-point review of the first two!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Heh, I hope I did a good job explaining the plot then! I highly recommend them!
DeleteSo glad you're enjoying this series! Cassel is just so likeable! Even if he's not the most moral protagonist to exist :P. Can't wait for Black Heart! Great review :).
ReplyDeleteI am so surprised and a bit baffled that I ended up liking Cassel so much. But he really is super likeable for some reason!
DeleteI haven't read any Holly Black either Aylee! So many amazing authors out there I still need to get to:) I have White Cat on my shelf, I'm hoping to pick it up soon, though I say that about a lot of books and it doesn't always happen. Cassel sounds amazing though, I like a good boy wrapped up in a bad boy package!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know. There are a bajillion authors that I still need to get to. And yeah, I always say that too... and then other books and life-in-general get in the way! Still, if you can find the time, I would highly recommend it because Cassel is the awesomest!
DeleteI had to read this carefully because while I recently listened to White Cat, I still need to check out Red Glove.
ReplyDeleteBTW I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED the White Cat audio.
Great review.
Cassel is such a cool character isn't he?
I know, I've heard amazing things about the audio so I'll have to give that a go sometime! I just adore Cassel. One of my most favourite male protags of all time.
DeleteI haven't read a single Holly Black either! Yay! I'm not alone! I think that this might be on my TBR though, so now I really want to try it! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I'm surprised because I kind of thought I really was the only one! I look forward to reading more from her in the future!
DeleteAnd, can you believe I have yet to read anything by HB? I do own both of these books, and my sister has read them and absolutely loved them. She has also read Black's fae series and has been on me to read anything by Black asap. I'll have to keep these in mind when I'm in need of some soothing balm for my for hurt psyche. he. I loved the way you described that btw. Go Aylee! :)
ReplyDeleteI honestly thought I was one of the few left who hadn't read anything by HB, so I'm surprised that there seems to be quite a few people! I would love to give her fae series a go - and you should definitely try her writing sometime too! Not just when you need a balm for your hurt psyche ;)
DeleteI adore Cassel too, and love that you can't trust anything he says.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be awesome to engage in some curse working but at the same time it sucks that there are drawbacks. Black's world is such a cool idea; I can't wait for Black Heart to come out! (I'm not a fan of the new covers though.)
Haha, yeah I love that about Cassel too! Tricky Cassel. He is the most expert of con mans.
DeleteI kind of like that there are drawbacks. I think it would give the workers way too much power to take control if they didn't experience blow back. Makes the stakes higher!
I am okay with the new covers. I just wish they kept them consistent and didn't switch halfway through!
These two books keep tempting me!
ReplyDeleteI love the original covers and the vibe I got off them, and they had been on and off my wish list ever since the first book was published, even though I've never read anything by this author.
They do sound really good though and your review got me all excited to read them, I think I would like them, I just need to be in the mood for them. :D
I would recommend giving the first one a go anyway! I think White Cat will give you a good idea on whether or not you want to continue on with the series. I loved the mobster vibe of the old covers too!
DeleteI have White Cat on my tbr shelf. Can you believe I haven't read it yet? I have way too many books! lol Great review :)
ReplyDeleteYup, actually I could believe that, haha! My tbr shelf is huge, too :)
DeleteHaha, Jesse Eisenberg narrated the audio books and he was perfect. I found that I enjoyed Red Glove more than White Cat, so I anticipate I'll enjoy Black Heart even more. Here's to hoping. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI have the White Cat audiobook so I can't wait to listen to it because I love Jesse Eisenberg! I look forward to reading your review for Black Heart!
Delete