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| (edited by myself) |
The Curse Workers Series by Holly Black
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| (edited by myself) |
Synopsis via Goodreads:
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 criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn't got magic, 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.
Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself 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. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.
My Thoughts:
First I
want to point out that Holly Black, you dear woman, scared me so many times in
this book. She sort of created a huge mess in my mind .The world is absolutely
unique and amazing. From the very first page I knew that this whole book series
will take a special part in my heart. Holly describes very successfully the
world she created, the world of the Curse Workers. During this book, and
generally during this whole series we learn more and more about the world and
the characters too. Every page will be a big surprise for you. Most of the time
I couldn't predict what would or what could happen next, I was completely lost
like the characters. This book was my first "Holly Black book», my expectations
were neither high nor low, I supposed this was just a quick, good read but it
was definitely so much more than I thought it was addicted from chapter one
Let's see
what I thought of the characters, what was my first look in them. Cassel, a
character that although he was male I could easily relate with him. Funny, shy
but at the same time confident, very gifted , simple-but-not-so-simple type of
teenage boy. His secrets were hunting me in the entire book, so many questions
so little time to answer all of them. Fortunately those questions are answered
in the 2# book ( Red Glove ).Barron and Philip, well, I am going more in depth
in the Red Glove thoughts. What I thought of the white cat?!?Well think I am
going to stick with Daneca's description:
"Good kitty.Who's an amazing killing machine?That's right!You are!You are a brutal,brutal tiny lion!Yes,you are."
Synopsis via Goodreads:
The cons get craftier and the stakes rise ever higher in the riveting sequel to White Cat—now in paperback!
After rescuing his brothers from Zacharov’s retribution, Cassel is trying to reestablish some kind of normalcy in his life.
That was never going to be easy for someone from a worker family that’s tied to one of the big crime families—and whose mother’s cons get more reckless by the day. But Cassel is coming to terms with what it means to be a worker, and he’s figuring out how to have friends.
Except normal doesn’t last very long. Soon Cassel is being courted by both sides of the law and is forced to confront his past—a past he remembers only in scattered fragments, and one that could destroy his family and his future. Cassel will have to decide whose side he wants to be on, because neutrality is not an option. And then he will have to pull off his biggest con ever to survive….
My Thoughts:
The danger,
the death and the action in this book are in a whole another level. Holly Black
can seriously make you have heart attacks in every damn chapter. Plot twists
and a cliffhanger. Two things that could easily describe this book and this
book series .Our protagonist, Cassel faced so many problems ,and danger. The
thought that he could possibly die in the end or in the middle of the series
never left my mind, till I read the last page of the last book. Suspense is
killing you! The secrets are finally revealed, so and the answers.
Character
Talk! Sam and Daneca's relationship started slowly growing into me. Those
characters had made for me personally a very good impression. They are my ideal
best friends, especially Sam. Then one that I kept worrying about was Daneca, I
had a very bad feeling about her and I proved I was right.-Don' worry I'm not
going to spoil you :D-
Lila Zacharov
was exactly how I expected her to be. To be honest sometimes she can be soooo
annoying and boring .I closed the book rarely only because of her. At the same
time I think she is a kick-ass character too. I am really fond of her. I
totally support her and Cassel as a couple, as a ship.
Red Glove
is a very quick, promising and engaging read.
“The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies.”
“Changing is what people do when they have no options left.”
Synopsis via Goodreads:
In a world where Magic is illegal.
Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?
For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.
The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?
Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.
My Thoughts:
I can say
that Holly Black gave an extraordinary touch to the ending and the story. I
seriously have no words for this book. Maybe, MAYBE this one is my favorite of
the series but I'm not entirely sure yet. Like the previous books, the suspense
will KILL you. Much more questions and secrets. .Yup! A lot of drama actually
but you know. .it's a "good" not "boring" drama. Well, I
enjoyed it but I think most of you will too. As always the writing is amazing
and captivating. Holly Black does a very good job with the characters and the
story in general. I literately couldn't put it down, it is one of those "I-read-it-in-one-sit"
reads.
It was
difficult to say goodbye to Cassel, to Sam, to Daneca, to Lila, to everyone. I
miss the world, the curses, the darkness, and all those silly, fuzzy feelings
that Holly made me feel. As I said in the beginning the ending is extraordinary
and very surprising won't spoil you so don't worry won't get to more details, I
will wait for those of you that have not read this book or this series in
general. I pinky promise you that this book series will BLOW your mind (with a
good way ).
-Savvina
