Review : White Cat by Holly Black

Title : White Cat Author : Holly Black Reading Dates : 31 Aug - 02 Sep 2012 Total Pages : 310
The Curse Workers White Cat Red Glove Black Heart
From Amazon : 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.

Book Review of White Cat.

There are a few reasons I enjoyed White Cat.

The first being Cassel and his unorthodox family and friends. None of them fit my idea of the typical heroic figure. Yet, every time I decide they’re thorough villains, they do something so unexpectedly nice and loving, that I’m not sure what’s going in those twisted minds of theirs. I mean here’s a family who are obvious criminals and have no compunction whatsoever in manipulating each other, but still stick up for each other at the strangest times. I can’t decide whether I love them or hate them, but I am fascinated by them.

Next is the story. There are so many unexpected twists and red herrings, that I’m having fun trying to figure out things along with Cassel.

The third and last reason is the world of curse workers created by Holly Black. The predicament the curse workers find themselves in sounds like the chicken and egg story. What came first ? The law that forced those with the magical touch to become criminals in order to survive or the workers that abused those powers, thus requiring the creation of laws to protect the populace ?

At the end of the first book, I’m already sure I’m adding the third and final installment of the curse workers, Black Heart to my wish list. Its too bad I won’t be able to read it immediately after the next book, Red Glove.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Yes
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Definitely
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes
• Who would I recommend this too? Young adult fiction fans.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. Definitely a keeper series.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge