Review: Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black

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.
 
Next up for review: