Black Heart by Holly Black

Black Heart
(Curse Workers, #3)
by Holly Black 
Released |April 3rd 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry Books|
Edition |Audio|
Source |Library|
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In a world where Magic is illegal.
Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?
For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.
The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?
Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all

This was a fun and interesting trilogy that I enjoyed very much. I started the trilogy on a whim when I saw it at my library and I'm glad I did. The characters were very fun with their conning capabilities and throughout all the conning, there was some romance. I like the witchy element that goes along with the story. If you like that kind of a story I believe you should give the books a try. I believe this final book was probably my favorite and the most interesting of them all because it wrapped up nicely.

Red Glove by Holly Black

Red Glove 
(Curse Workers, #2)
by Holly Black
Released |April 5th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books|
Edition |Audio|
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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

I decided to give the audio book for book 2 a try even though I had a few problems with the audio for book one. But I'm glad that I didn't have any problems with this one. I became use to the male narrator and started to really enjoy his reading style. I wasn't put off by it in this book. But anyways, I really enjoyed the sequel to White Cat. It was a fun mysterious adventure and really left you wanting to find out what happens next. In this book, Cassel is searching for his brother's killer and is also dealing with Lila being worked to love him! The DRAMA! This was very fast paced :)

White Cat by Holly Black

White Cat
(Curse Workers, #1)
by Holly Black
Released |May 4th 2010 by Margaret K. McElderry Books|
Edition |Audio|
Source |Library|
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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 criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn't got magic, 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.
Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself 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. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

I don't really know how to describe my thoughts on White Cat. This is the first book that I've read by the author and I listened to the audio. The audio was interesting since I haven't listened to too many that was read by a male. The book itself was okay. I enjoyed it, but it took me awhile to get into the actual story of the book. I really liked the idea of the curse workers. It was like a new take on witches, but all the magic was done with the touch of a finger. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will definitely pick up the second from the library soon :)