White Cat (The Curse Workers #1) by HollyBlack

Book Summery:
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 facade 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 con-men. -goodreads.com
Book Trailer:

Book Review:
I had my first taste of Holly Black when I read her series of Modern Faerie Tales: Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside. They were fun, enjoyable books. However, I must say that Ms. Black has really evolved with her release of White Cat. I was completely hooked from the first page, and read the first 250 pages in one sitting.

Cassel is a multidimensional character. Even though he is not considered a "worker," he still is a conman at heart. He is the local bookie at school, an expert pickpocket, and he has been known to pick a few locks or two. Despite his shady tendencies, you want to love Cassel, to root him on. He seems to be the product of his surroundings. His mother is in jail, father dead, and both brothers work for a major mobster. Despite being handed a lousy hand in life, Cassel makes the best of what he can and does his best to treat people kind and as fair as he can. ;) This is what makes you want to give him the benefit of the doubt. There is definitely some good there, and a lot of untapped potential.

I feel like I can't really talk much more about this book without giving too much away. Believe me, this book is well worth your time. The plot is beautifully woven and full of action and suspense. The characters are flawed and believable. I absolutely adored the interactions between them. I honestly can't wait until the next book in the series is released. After some thought, I gave this book a 5 rating. I really did love it! Make sure to check out Holly Black's website!

Favorite Quote:
"'I have no idea what you think you know,' Philip says. 'But you have to understand that all I've been trying to do-all I've ever tried to do is protect you. I want you to be safe.'

What a line. I shake my head, but don't contradict him. 'Okay, then. What are you protecting me from?'

'Yourself,' he says and now he looks me in the eye." (p. 174) 

Cover Art Commentary:
I really like the cover of this one. The colors juxtapose nicely! :) I will admit that it does slightly bother me that we can't see the main character's eyes, but I think that's just me being picky. :P

Overall Rating: