Thursday, October 14, 2010

White Cat (The Curse Workers #1) (e-book) by Holly Black

Cassel comes from a family of criminal curse workers, people who have the power to change people, change their memories, their luck, their emotion, with just one touch.  He is the one person in his family who is not a worker, but he is a great con man.  Haunted by the memory of the murder he committed, Cassel tries to become the most normal kid, but his hard work of normalcy starts to unravel the night he finds himself of the school roof lead by a dream of a white cat.
In the Sharpe family the worst thing you can do is be vulnerable in front of a mark.  And everyone who isn't us is a mark.  p.26 e-book
I'm a sucker for a good con game story.  I loved Heist Society and Ocean's 11.  Something about these especially when the main character is sympathetic makes me happy.  Cassel is an extremely sympathetic character even as he explains how to swindle or outright steal from someone.  There are some seriously horrific things going on this book though, but Cassel carries the whole book really well.  The whole idea of curse workers is an intriguing one and there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn to their situation. I liked the whole world that Black built.  It was very thorough and there were lots details that support the idea of the curse workers and their abilities and oppression as well as the fear that having people with the innate ability to change someone would bring.  The mystery was sound and I enjoyed the resolution.  Now I can't wait for Red Glove to come out and I will definitively read that one as soon as it is published.

**SPOILER section (highlight)!
Question for people who have read the book.  Do you think Cassel changed his dad into the chair that he hates but that no one in the family wants to get rid of?  I know that is a weird detail to walk away with, but I was wondering if that one of the memories that got changed.  Like if he did it on accident or if his brothers made him do it, but didn't have the heart to get rid of the dad like they should have.  Maybe that's crazy though.**

Hogwarts: Transfiguration
Colorful Reading
R.I.P.
Twentyten

9 comments:

  1. Sounds really good. And those titles, white cat, red glove, so much fun! A book I need to look out for. :)

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  2. Oooo did you say con? You've perked my interest :)

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  3. I also really enjoyed this one! About the highlighted question .. I didn't even consider that! You must have a fine eye for the details. It's something to think about, that's for sure!

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  4. @Nina - And the third one is apparently Black Heart. Good series.

    @Juju - Hehe

    @Katie - Sometimes I walk away from books with weird ideas.

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  5. I LOVED this one - it was really good on audio, and I can't wait for book two. And as far as your spoiler-y question - that's a good thought - I hadn't considered it. Hmmmm.... Will be interesting to see if you're correct. :)

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  6. I just recently read this book, too, and really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. The series is a bit original, which is getting harder and harder to do.

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  7. @Carrie - I kind of hope I am wrong though. It was just a thought.

    @Kailana - I know, right? And it was so well done.

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  8. I don't think I've read a bad review of this one. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  9. Ah, I thought it was yet another supernatural romance, didn't know there was a con game. I like Holly Black, so I guess I should have expected better. So, on to the to-read list this one goes - thanks!!

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