Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black
Reviewed by Baby Sister Brittany
ARC received from Publisher at ALA Midwinter
Release Date: April 3rd—ON SALE NOW!
The Sisters say: Unpredictable, Unique, and Unbelievably good!
Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.
But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.
*WARNING*
*WARNING*
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 3RD BOOK IN A SERIES.
THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 &2 IN THIS REVIEW
*WARNING*
*WARNING*
God, I love Holly Black. Her world building skills are… well, out of this world. She’s created an alternate reality wherein a few individuals have the ability to do magic through the touch of their hands. There are body workers who can heal or harm the body. Memory workers. Emotion workers. and then there’s Cassel… the rarest of them all… a Transformation worker. With a quick touch of his fingertips he can transform one thing into another (that includes people, too). He can also transform himself. Being such a commodity, he is wanted by both sides—the mob and the FBI. And then there’s trouble with his family that has him being pulled in three directions.
Obviously, Holly Black has an amazing, imaginative concept for this series. But her world building is so complete down to the smallest details.
One of the things I love most about this series is the unpredictable plots. I’m accustomed to guessing what will happen in a book long before it actually comes to pass. I’m used to it. All of us sisters are the same way. I’ve learned to read and enjoy books, even if I find them unpredictable. But with Holly Black—I don’t have to do that! She gives us just enough information to keep us going, and then keeps the rest in the dark. Often her characters don’t know what they’re going to do until right whe they do it, so there is no telegraphing of their plans.
This entire series is full of twists and turns that will have your head spinning. In this final installment—it’s impossible to know who the good guys are. Or if there even are good and bad guys. Perhaps everyone is a bit of both. As a reader, I wasn’t sure whether to trust the FBI, Leila, Cassel’s family, or even Cassel himself. It reminded me a bit of SURVIVOR—constantly shifting alliances in an attempt to stay afloat. Right up until the final pages—Black will keep you on your toes.
This book also has something for everyone— one of those ever-elusive male narratives, action, intrigue, romance, and the paranormal. I don’t want to say much more, because I’d hate to spoil this one for anyone.
I’ll end with this—those of you have enjoyed this series won’t be disappointed in the final installment. It carries the same intensity and interest as the first two, but wraps things up perfectly! This finale won’t disappoint you! It will only remind you of how amazing this series and Holly Black truly are!
