WHITE CAT (CURSE WORKERS #1) by Holly Black

WHITE CAT (CURSE WORKERS #1)

Author: Holly Black

Source: Simon & Schuster

* I received this ARC free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416963960
• ISBN-13: 978-1416963967

SYNOPSIS:

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 facade 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.

MY THOUGHTS:

Boy, oh boy. After reading this new book by author Holly Black, I think I have been worked on by a curse worker.  The first couple chapters are great. I loved the sleepwalking scenes and the fall out from it.  After those first few chapters though, you better sit down for a wild ride. It starts to get confusing as Cassel tries to figure out what has happened to him, which in turn makes the book slow down. Why? Let's just say that if you set this book down for even a few minutes, you will find yourself completely confused.  This book had more twists and turns than any ADULT mystery/suspense I have read.  Just when you think you have the book figured out, BAM!, the author sends you in another direction. 

Now was this a bad thing?  In my opinion, no.  Although the book did seem confusing to me at first, the author did a wonderful job with the mystery and suspense that she created in this book.  The Curse Workers are kind of like the Mob with a paranormal trick slid in there.  I loved the character of Cassel.  The book was like Chess.  Once you figure out how to use all the characters and their abilities, the game begins. By the end of the book, there is such a showdown that it leaves you with Check instead of a Stalemate.  The ending chapter, leaves you to believe that there will be more to Cassel and his families story.  I am glad to know that the story doesn't end with Checkmate and will have future books to come!

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book!