Title: Black Heart Author: Holly Black Series: Curse Workers Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, an imprint of Simon Schuster Publication Date: April 3, 2012 Source:Southern Book Bloggers ARC tour
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.
I read the first two books in the Curse Workers series on my Nook, but when Random House offered up the audiobook for White Cat for free last year, I couldn’t pass it up. And I loved it. But while I was reading Black Heart, the final (*sniff*) book in the series, I couldn’t help but hear Jesse Eisenberg as Cassel Sharpe in my head. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Honestly, it’s probably more of a reason for you to listen to the audio yourself. ;0) Eisenberg really added a layer of nerdy hotness to the character of Cassel, and after hearing the audio, I saw this character in a whole new light.
Black Heart got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but once those two brothers were back to their conning, manipulative ways, I was back on board. Even though there’s still some animosity between Cassel and Barron because of the events that transpired in Red Glove, they’re still up to their old tricks, and I loved it. I loved seeing them working together again, even if they are both overly suspicious of each other.
I also adore Cassel. He is so self-deprecating and hard on himself, and you just can’t help but hope that he gets his happy ending after all. He may not be taking bets from his classmates at prep school anymore, but he’s definitely still playing the game. He’s just out to catch much bigger fish in this book.
The world of the curse workers is still dark and criminal and, well, creepy, and there is still so much Cassel has to learn, especially with Lila’s mob boss father courting him and his alliance with the Licensed Minority Division. But Cassel’s not stupid. He knows that both sides of the law want him for one thing: the unique nature of the curses he can work. Now he just has to decide which side is the right one for him.
The open-endedness of the novel was perfect and left me wondering if Black might consider writing more to the series one day, but I won’t hold my breath. Even with the hints she dropped, and some of the twists she threw into the story, and even considering the things she left unresolved, I still feel like this book was the best possible way to end this series.
Here’s a quote from p. 179 of the ARC – subject to change, as is the nature with ARCs – that I think just about sums up Cassel. It’s a conversation between Cassel and Daneca, one of his school chums:
“Maybe it’d help if I put my cards on the table. Tell me what Barron said, and I’ll tell you the honest truth. This is a one time offer.”
“Because tomorrow you’ll go back to lying?” she asks.
“I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow. That’s the problem.” Which is one of the truest things I have ever said.
Rating:
And now a short trailer for your viewing pleasure:
And now here's the part where I get to gripe about the cover makeover the series underwent between books two and three. I liked the old covers better. The End. :0)
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a weekly meme where we all get to brag about the books and swag we got in the mail, for review, won in contests, etc.
This was probably the best week I've had since I've been blogging. No joke. The proof:
Finally, a cover with Clary AND Jace!!! And now I wait with baited breath until the release on May 8th. *sigh*
Also, there's been another cover redesign in the middle of a series. This one is for Black Heart, the third book in Holly Black's Curse Workers series:
I'm partial to the old covers myself. I think they just showcase the series better:
Title: Red Glove Author: Holly Black Series: Curse Workers Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Publication Date: April 5, 2011 Links:Amazon | Goodreads Rating:
From Goodreads:
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.
Review:
I think I liked the second book even more than the first. That's usually not the case for me. Usually, I love book one, tolerate book two for the middle child it is, and either love or hate the final book of the trilogy. That really says something about Holly Black's writing. And it makes me lust for Black Heart harder than ever.
Cassel is the epitome of a great male protagonist. He's broken. He's calculating. And he's handsome to boot. Oh, and I can't forget dangerous. My kind of leading man. He's finally realizing who he is. But so are others. And not only is he dangerous, but he's also in a little danger of his own. He's got some decisions to make, and though he may not always make the right choices, he handles the repercussions pretty well.
I'm going to say it again...this series is just like no other. The author has created a world all her own, where individuals with special powers run around acting like mafiosos. And her ability to keep the material completely unpredictable? I am amazed. I consider myself pretty good at reading between the lines and figuring out where the author is going with the storyline, but I found myself flabbergasted a few times in Red Glove. And upon further reflection, I can see the setup laid out for me, but I was just so engrossed in the here and now of the novel that I didn't even pick up on it as I was reading it. I am impressed.
Once again, if you haven't started this series yet, do so now.
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Review: Black Heart by Holly Black
Author: Holly Black
Series: Curse Workers
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, an imprint of Simon Schuster
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Source: Southern Book Bloggers ARC tour
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.
I also adore Cassel. He is so self-deprecating and hard on himself, and you just can’t help but hope that he gets his happy ending after all. He may not be taking bets from his classmates at prep school anymore, but he’s definitely still playing the game. He’s just out to catch much bigger fish in this book.
The world of the curse workers is still dark and criminal and, well, creepy, and there is still so much Cassel has to learn, especially with Lila’s mob boss father courting him and his alliance with the Licensed Minority Division. But Cassel’s not stupid. He knows that both sides of the law want him for one thing: the unique nature of the curses he can work. Now he just has to decide which side is the right one for him.
The open-endedness of the novel was perfect and left me wondering if Black might consider writing more to the series one day, but I won’t hold my breath. Even with the hints she dropped, and some of the twists she threw into the story, and even considering the things she left unresolved, I still feel like this book was the best possible way to end this series.
Here’s a quote from p. 179 of the ARC – subject to change, as is the nature with ARCs – that I think just about sums up Cassel. It’s a conversation between Cassel and Daneca, one of his school chums:
“Maybe it’d help if I put my cards on the table. Tell me what Barron said, and I’ll tell you the honest truth. This is a one time offer.”
“Because tomorrow you’ll go back to lying?” she asks.
“I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow. That’s the problem.” Which is one of the truest things I have ever said.
Rating:
And now a short trailer for your viewing pleasure:
And now here's the part where I get to gripe about the cover makeover the series underwent between books two and three. I liked the old covers better. The End. :0)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
In My Mailbox #19
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a weekly meme where we all get to brag about the books and swag we got in the mail, for review, won in contests, etc.
This was probably the best week I've had since I've been blogging. No joke. The proof:
For Review:
Black Heart by Holly Black, via a Southern Book Bloggers ARC tour
Clockwork Prince audio, written by Cassandra Clare & narrated by Ed Westwick (swoon) & Heather Lind, thanks to Simon & Schuster
The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman, from Candlewick Press via Netgalley
Won:
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Uncovered - 1/4/12
Finally, a cover with Clary AND Jace!!! And now I wait with baited breath until the release on May 8th. *sigh*
Also, there's been another cover redesign in the middle of a series. This one is for Black Heart, the third book in Holly Black's Curse Workers series:
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Review: Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black
Author: Holly Black
Series: Curse Workers
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: April 5, 2011
Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Rating:
From Goodreads:
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.
I think I liked the second book even more than the first. That's usually not the case for me. Usually, I love book one, tolerate book two for the middle child it is, and either love or hate the final book of the trilogy. That really says something about Holly Black's writing. And it makes me lust for Black Heart harder than ever.
Cassel is the epitome of a great male protagonist. He's broken. He's calculating. And he's handsome to boot. Oh, and I can't forget dangerous. My kind of leading man. He's finally realizing who he is. But so are others. And not only is he dangerous, but he's also in a little danger of his own. He's got some decisions to make, and though he may not always make the right choices, he handles the repercussions pretty well.
I'm going to say it again...this series is just like no other. The author has created a world all her own, where individuals with special powers run around acting like mafiosos. And her ability to keep the material completely unpredictable? I am amazed. I consider myself pretty good at reading between the lines and figuring out where the author is going with the storyline, but I found myself flabbergasted a few times in Red Glove. And upon further reflection, I can see the setup laid out for me, but I was just so engrossed in the here and now of the novel that I didn't even pick up on it as I was reading it. I am impressed.
Once again, if you haven't started this series yet, do so now.
Next up for review:
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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