Black Heart

June 25, 2012
In this third installment of Black’s popular series, 17-year-old Cassel Sharpe is a Curse Worker who can transform anyone and anything into another object—and in a world where magic is outlawed that makes him a wanted man. No matter how hard he tries to be normal, circumstances get in the way—even the object of his affection, Lila, is the daughter of the mob boss holding Cassel’s mother hostage. And with the government out to harness his powers for evil, Cassel’s life is about to get even more complicated. This audio edition benefits from the talents of narrator Jesse Eisenberg, whose youthful sounding voice and fast-paced delivery perfectly reflect the young protagonist whose self-confidence is developing in his very unstable world. Eisenberg—who narrated the two previous volumes in the series—delivers a strong performance that will captivate listeners and satisfy Curse Workers fans. Ages 12–up. A Gollancz paperback.

Starred review from February 1, 2012
The conclusion to Black's brilliant and unusual Curse Workers trilogy lives up to its predecessors. After everything he's been through, it's hard to believe Cassel has any more tricks up his sleeve: He's figured out the truth about himself and signed on as a Fed-in-training, as has his charming and utterly unreliable older brother. But of course things don't go as planned; there are a lot of long cons Cassel has set in play or disrupted whose ripples are still being felt. And there's Lila, Cassel's best friend and the love of his life, who is also the rising head of a crime family--and who hates Cassel's guts. Black's gotten the world of her novel down perfectly, a fascinating alternate Now in which the debate over curse workers (magic wielders) feels uncomfortably familiar (corrupt government, dispossessed citizens), and Cassel's voice never falters. If this volume has a bit less punch than the previous two it's only because readers know to expect the unexpected, not because the plotting is any less tight and twisty. And the conclusion, which is happier than might have been expected but not ideal and certainly not pat, is the perfect end to this gem of a trilogy. If you haven't discovered this series yet, get going; if you're already a fan, why are you even reading this review? (Urban fantasy/thriller. 14 & up)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 10 Up-Cassel Sharpe is back at work...curse work, that is. The high school senior is barely hanging on at Wallingford Prep, in part because he spends too much time hanging out with his memory-worker brother and his "handler" at the Licensed Minority Division, a federal agency hoping to put Cassel's worker powers to use on their behalf. In his world, certain people are born with special gifts. Perhaps it is an ability to influence luck, or alter memory, or cause death. Cassel's power is the rarest: he can transform anything into something else. His society is an imaginative mix of underworld crime families and governmental restrictions that have made curse work illegal and therefore highly paid, if you know the right people. The concept of blowback is one of the most fascinating-that working magic has a physical price for the worker, be it rotted teeth or lost memories. Magic flows from the hands, and Black's description of gloves, and gloveless interactions, has a tinge of the erotic, rather like the glimpse of a bare ankle in Victorian times. Cassel's mother is missing, the feds want the teen for a dangerous political job, and a friend needs his help with a blackmail situation. His roommate needs help with a romance, and Cassel still carries a torch for Lila, who spent part of White Cat (2010) as a feline, and then was worked to artificially fall in love with Cassel in Red Glove (2011, both S & S). This book doesn't stand alone, but is a welcome addition to the series, with an ending that points a gloved finger toward book four as Lila and Cassel share a passionate kiss and drive off together in Lila's Jaguar.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
Grades 8-11 The Curse Workers series (White Cat, 2010; Red Glove, 2011) continues with this third installment. In a world in which magic is illegal, Cassel's powerful ability to transform anythingor anyonewith a single touch is of interest to both the Feds and the Mob. Determining who the good and bad guys are is no easier this time around. His mother is being held captive and a valuable diamond is missing. In addition, Governor Patton is getting out of control, and Cassel is being called on to help. Is being an assassin for the Feds any better than serving the Mob? Lila and Cassel have not learned to trust each other, but the passion is irrefutable, and their relationship heats up to a sexual one (offstage and with mention of protection). Several other subplots add to the theme of power and corruption. While the story wraps up nicely, several threads are left hanging, and the series' many fans will be excited to learn that the fun isn't over with this volume. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: With an aggressive marketing plan that ranges from in-theater video trailers to extensive online outreach and a dedicated website, this latest installment from best-selling author Black is sure to be on readers' radars long before publication.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)