Review: Red Glove

Author: Holly Black
Pages: 325
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Other book in the series: White Cat 
Source: Library
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge book 4
Synopsis: 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.


Buy the Book (Amazon)

**Spoilers for White Cat**

Cassel is exactly the kind of character I love. He's sarcastic with a sense of humor, witty, loyal to family, and he tries to be good even though he has done very bad things, even though it's so tempting to do bad. That dilemma he faces makes me love him even more. Evidently, with Cassel as a character I loved Red Glove.

Cassel isn't the only interesting character. Lila, the girl-turned-cat-turned-girl-who's-cursed is back. She's also a very complex character. Lila is put in a place where she will become a killer. She's the daughter and future ruler of a mobster. How about the part where Cassel's mom cursed her to love him? Cassel has to stay away from her because while his feelings are true, he never knows whether hers are.

I loved that romantic tension. Something Red Glove (THANKFULLY) doesn't have is a love triangle. No, relationships in the Curseworker series are very real and raw. The character in Red Glove are among the best I've seen. There are so many of them and each acts differently in a distinctive way. They all have faults and values and all pressure poor Cassel.

The curse-magic is back and even more natural than ever. Holly Black makes curses feel like a part of every day society. Never did I stop reading and wonder or muse about the curses, I expected it as it was.

The best thing about Red Glove was how readable it was. I was easily immersed in the story. I was kept guessing who the murderer was in the end and how Cassel was going to get out of the mess. The cons were amazing. I would love lessons from Cassel on how to read people or make a con. They were elaborate schemes and so well thought out that the failures and successes made sense. I loved that I read every word of Red Glove eagerly. I felt like I was having the most delicious chocolaty treat!

All in all, I love Holly Black's series. Read it. It gets better and better. It's dark but that's just a part of its charm. My only complaint is that I don't want this series to ever end! 5 stars,

*****