Red Glove by Holly Black

*IF YOU HAVEN'T READ WHITE CAT, DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW! EVEN THE SYNOPSIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE!

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (April 5, 2011)
• Author's Website:  http://www.blackholly.com/
• Series:  Curse Workers, Book 2
• Buy the Book:  Amazon

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.

 Ok, so I really like this series a lot!  It's just SO different than anything else out there!!  If you read my review of White Cat, you may remember that I had a hard time getting into it at first.  This is not the case with Red Glove.  I loved every minute of it.  I've always been a big fan of mobster movies, and I'm also a huge fan of paranormals, so this series is perfect because it combines the two.

This book starts out where White Cat left off.  It jumps right into the swing of things, immediately bringing to light a new mystery that Cassel feels the need to solve.  I really love how Holly threads all the different elements together in this series; mystery, paranormal elements, mobsters, politics, family, and this heartbreaking love story.  It was like watching The Godfather, but add curse-workers!  You never know who to trust, who to look out for, who to love, who to believe.  I just feel so sorry for Cassel!  What a horrible family!  Ugh, can you imagine having to watch your back because your own brothers might "work" you at any moment?  Or kill you?  And his mother!!  I kept picturing her as Sharon Stone in the movie Casino.  She's beautiful, intelligent, dangerous, and completely insane!

Add to that the tortured relationship between he and Lila.  He is just so in love with her, and I feel like she's probably in love with him to, but since she's been "worked" into loving him, Cassel can't let himself take advantage of her.  I just found myself wanting him to just let go and be with her, but then I loved him all the more because he loved her too much for that.  I certainly don't know how he can stand it, because their relationship just might be the death of me!  haha!  (I guess it helps to be fictional)

Another thing I love about these books is that, even though it is a series, each book has its own story arc.  I'm excited to read the next book in the series, but I don't feel that I'm being forced into reading it to know what will happen.  The only hard thing is being left with the heartache that Cassel and Lila's relationship leaves us with.

This book comes out on Tuesday (4/5), and if you liked White Cat, you won't be disappointed in this one.  In fact, you may even like it better! 

Loved it!

• Sexual Content:  Moderate/Heavy
• Profanity:  Mild/Moderate
• Violence: Heavy
• Other Notables:  Underage Drinking

For more details, check out Red Glove on Parental Book Reviews.

 So, I thought this was really awesome.  For those who like the series, Holly has put together this fun way to get to know Lila.  Check it out!

To read, head over to Holly's site:  http://thecurseworkers.com/13pieces/