 | Title: Red Glove
 References to sex.
Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. |
Description
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
My only complaint at the end of RED GLOVE was just that, it had ended. In just two books this series has developed such an intricate world and consistent voice that for both WHITE CAT and RED GLOVE I had no more put down one book when I was ready for the next. I’m in love with the mix of magic and mafia and noir that is the Curse Workers universe, and the characters Holly Black has created within it.
After an emotionally wrenching events of WHITE CAT, one might hope Cassel Sharpe could expect a break in RED GLOVE. Though his wry, worldly voice can make even the most heart wrenching situations seem smooth and effortless, Cassel again faces a shell game of bad, bad, and worse choices. Amidst his dysfunctional family and pressures from both criminals and law enforcement, it is plain that Cassel is in over his head and determined not to give up without a fight.
I would definitely recommend that a new reader start with WHITE CAT to fully appreciate all that Cassel and his friends have experienced and overcome. The entire Curse Workers series is darker and more nuanced than the usual paranormal YA fare, and much of that drama hinges upon the magical world Black establishes in WHITE CAT. RED GLOVE is a more straight forward who-done-it mystery than the previous book in the series, and the story was all the more powerful for that fact. Watching Cassel navigate the fallout of his damaged family and precarious future with full knowledge of the betrayals and dangers around him was riveting.
RED GLOVE ended with my heart in my throat, dying to find out what will happen next. While April 2012 cannot come soon enough, most of me hopes that book 3 of the Curse Workers series, BLACK HEART, won’t be my visit this fascinating world.
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I have been wanting to read something from Holly Black for over a year now. I really should push it up on my to-read list, White Cat maybe, and actually purchase the book. I liked your review of the book. While I've not read much in the mystery but I love magic so will give most magic stories a try. Love your blog by the way.
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Dawn, I'm glad you liked the review (and the blog), I hope you get a chance to try Holly Black some time soon. I think my two favorites of hers about would be VALIANT and RED GLOVE, but they're all great.
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