Waiting On Wednesday - November 9, 2011

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 3, 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

White Cat ended so strong and Red Glove blew me away. Oh Cassel, will Lila break you? Who knew I could feel sorry for a con man!

Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

Hardcover, 320 pages

Release date: April 5, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

ISBN13: 9781442403390

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

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?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

My Rating: 5 / 5

My Thoughts:

This book is full of win! If you read my White Cat review, you will understand how excited I was to read this. White Cat's world building took to long and my attention waned until the last third of the book, but wowzers what an ending!

Cassel is a con man...one you'll love. In Red Glove, he is dealing with issues that stem from family and love. His mom, an emotion worker, is out of jail and itching to work. His oldest brother Phillip, is found murdered. His other brother Barron, the memory worker, acts like the past didn't happen and is eager to move on. But more importantly, two Feds and a mob boss are trying to recruit Cassel. Meanwhile Lila, the love of his life, can't stay away from him and his self-control is being put to the test. Armed with notes from the Fed, and only a picture of a female wearing red gloves, Cassel is on the hunt for Phillip's killer. He was brought up in a con family, family loyalty no mater what, blood is thicker than water...but is it? As Cassel searched for answers, he questions where his family's loyalty lies and the future of his.

In Cassel, Holly Black has created the ultimate con man and has worked her magic to balance his character. Let's face it, he's a killer con man (although not 100% aware of it at the time), a self described jerk, the school bookie and the con is only life he's ever known. But Holly has also given him a soul and in Red Glove we witness his internal struggle. Add in a little snarkiness, the appearance of confidence and you can't get enough of this bad boy. Red Glove is one of those books that break out of the gate and just keep going strong. Like a game of Clue, Holly keeps you guessing.

Black Heart, the next book, is set for release next April. Lila is next the character I can't wait to break out.

Review: White Cat by Holly Black

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Released: May 4 2010

Hardcover: 310 pages



Synopsis (from publisher):

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.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

My Rating: 3 / 5

My Thoughts:

I loved the premise of cursers and White Cat is written by the amazing Holly Black so I expected to love this one. Sadly, this book and I did not get along. I'm not sure if Cassel's character was written this way on purpose but I just couldn't feel any empathy for him. Was it because I never knew who he really as since he's a con and well doesn't even know himself? If that's not the case, I think the execution failed. It wasn't until about two-thirds into the book that it really grabbed my attention, the real action began and the pace picked up. This is also, (suprise, surprise) when a big plot twist takes place that puts a whole new spin on Cassel!

I finished the book and thought "wow, a great ending, BUT..." then I said to my BFF "well this is book one of a series, the boring stuff should be covered now, I think I'm going to love book two!" **crosses fingers**

The one thing I must mention is that as much as I couldn't get into the story, I must give Holly credit for writing outstanding lines throughout the book. Seriously so many were just brilliant!