September 16, 2012

Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: April 5, 2011
Pages: 325
Source: Paperback/Library

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 and finding out that Lila, the girl he has loved his whole life, will never, ever be his, 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 transformation 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….

Review: I thought this was a great sequel to White Cat! I felt kinda bad for Cassel with the whole Lila being cursed to love him thing. That would suck. Actually loving someone and not knowing if they actually love you back because they were cursed to love you. That's unfair. I also felt for him losing his brother. I mean granted, it wasn't like they were the closest but still, losing a family member is hard. I loved this whole investigation into who actually murdered Cassel's brother, though I did not like the way the Feds felt the need to do it. They blackmailed him! It was like are you kidding me! I loved how he fought back though!

I was so lost as to who killed Cassel's brother. I mean, its been a while since I read White Cat so I might have missed the subtle hint but ya. I do have to say I wasn't surprised when I found out who did it. It made sense. I also loved how Cassel pulled off a huge con just to protect that person. I was definitely impressed with his con skills in that one! I was so shocked though when we found out who else was a Worker though! I so did not see that coming! Though one thing definitely made sense when it was revealed. And last but not least. Lila. The end.. Just wow. That's all I have to say about that. 

4 Stars!

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April 16, 2012

Review: White Cat by Holly Black

White Cat (Curse Workers #1)
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: McElderry
Publication Date: February 18, 2011
Pages: 310
Source: Paperback/Library

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 mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, 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.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts 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, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

Holly Black has created a gripping tale of mobsters and dark magic where a single touch can bring love — or death — and your dreams might be more real than your memories.

Review: I really enjoyed this book! So it's taken me forever to finally get around to reading it but I'm so glad I did! I can definitely see why so many people love this series! The whole idea of Curse Workers is unique! The story was written very well, it made me want to keep reading! I loved learning the types of Workers and what each could do! I love the whole story in general! I knew right from the beginning that someone was probably messing with Cassel. I mean, I just found it odd that his entire family is made up of Workers but yet he wasn't one? I just found that odd and I couldn't believe it! After seeing how the pieces were slowly falling into place I knew his family was up to something. I just didn't know the extent of it. I was pretty shocked at how far they went though.

Lila... I really didn't think she was dead. I mean, Cassel did not seem like the type that would kill someone, so I found it odd that he was made to believe that. I knew deep down Lila was alive, I just didn't know how or where. I didn't put all the pieces together with the cat and Lila until I learned where the cat was and that Lila was a Dream Worker. Though once I figured that out things started making sense. I must say, things got way more interesting though once Cassel learned he is a Worker and that Lila got turned back into a person! I loved the planning to expose Anton and his betrayal to the Zacharov family and the entire scene that went down due to it. That was pretty cool. I was kinda annoyed though about what Cassel's mom did at the end to Lila though!

4 Stars!

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April 08, 2012

TBR Intervention Challenge [#26]

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by Dani@RefractedLight, Anayami@Whatever You Can Still Betray & April@Books4Juliet.

The goal of this challenge is to help each other (fellow readers and bloggers) manage our enormous and constantly growing TBR (To-Be-Read) List. The rules are simple and everyone is encouraged to participate. It does not force you to commit to more than what you can manage to read in a week or so, but participants are encouraged to read at least one book within a week. You are free to choose the book you want to read and commit to this challenge. You may post your entry every Saturday, at the frequency of your choice--EVERY WEEK or EVERY TWO WEEKS. However, we will sponsor this event regularly every Saturday.

Here are the rules:  

1. Post the book(s) you committed to read in your last TBR Intervention post and tell us something about it. Did you finish it? Did you enjoy it or not? Post the link to your review (if you have one).

2. Post a book that you want to read and already own. Pick something that has been sitting on your shelf for too long now (6 months or longer). Commit to read the book in the next couple of days or week.

3. Grab the TBR Intervention Button and post it on your blog sidebar so you will be constantly reminded of the challenge, making it easier for you to commit. This will also encourage other readers/bloggers/visitors to join the challenge.

4. Add the link to your post in the Linky below and make sure to visit the other blogs. Comment, encourage, and spread the love to our fellow readers.

Last weeks TBR book:

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

Author: Cynthia Hand

I really enjoyed Hallowed!!! It was definitely not what I was expecting but that made it even better for me! Especially with the shocking revelations that came out!!

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand











This week I'm committing to read:

White Cat (Curse Workers #1)

Author: Holly Black

Summary from Goodreads: 

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers—people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, all by the slightest touch of their hands. Since curse work is illegal, they’re all criminals. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got the magic touch, so he’s an outsider—the straight kid in a crooked family—as long as you ignore one small detail: He killed his best friend, Lila. Now he is sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat. He also notices that his brothers are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of one huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

Ok, so I dont even know how long I've had this on my TBR shelf anymore. But its been a while. Lol. I keep starting it, but then getting distracted by something else. Then I think in my head I wanna pick it up again cuz I was really enjoying it but I never do. Lol. So this week I'm gonna restart it and hopefully finish it finally! 

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