White Cat
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Review
"A noir thriller." - "New York Times Book Review"
Book Description
The extraordinary new adult fantasy of magic in our world and the price we pay for it by the author of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Holly Black is fast becoming one of my favourite female authors. I now rank her with Terry Tempest Williams, Madeleine L'Engle and Kathy Shaidle. Her works are dark, witty and sublime. Her world creation is believable and compelling, and something about every one of her books I have read has touched something deep and sometimes dark inside myself. Black has a way of drawing the reader into her world that makes you become a part of it. While reading this book I dreamed about it, and found myself reflecting upon it and the alternate reality it presents again and again. I cannot get the story out of my head, and to be honest I do not want to. Not since reading Madeleine L'Engle's books about a decade ago has an author's words and worlds impacted me so completely from a fictional novel.
The story is set in an alternate reality to our own timeline. Except instead of just booze being banned during prohibition, so is magic, or working as it becomes known. Though the ban on booze was lifted, the ban on magic was not. So in a time very close to our own, most people wear gloves for fear of being touched and worked by one with the gift. And people either fear that they have the ability or that they don't and are just 'normal'. Our hero Cassel comes from a family of workers. Not one of the controlling crime families, much like a magic mafia, but a family with certain skills and powers. He is the only one without them, and as such he always feels on the outside. Outside his own family because he does not have the gift and is not fully part of their plan, and on the outside at school because he comes from a family of workers. Cassel, just wants to be a normal boy in high school. The problem is, he killed his best friend four years ago, and even though he doesn't remember doing it, he remembers her body and his family cleaning up the mess for him.
Cassel's problems start when he sleep walks and nearly falls off the roof of his school dorm. Then he realizes all the pieces of his life, his memories, do not fit together right. He begins to wonder if he has been worked. He has a lot to figure out and not a lot of time to do it, and even fewer people he can trust.
Cassel is a strong character, troubled, and in a tight spot, but someone who is working to resolve his issues and trying to do the right thing. He is someone you grow to respect and appreciate, someone you would want as your friend.
The story is well written and the world Black has created is enthralling. Black leads us down a path where magic, the fey and the country witch developed into mainstays in our culture, not just something trifling at the sides. Though their practice and arts are against the law, many still use them, for both good and bad. Where charms and protection are needed, but cannot always to be trusted. As Black writes about the curse workers, you will fall under her charm and be captivated by her writings, and maybe be a little worked to love her and her books.
The story is set in an alternate reality to our own timeline. Except instead of just booze being banned during prohibition, so is magic, or working as it becomes known. Though the ban on booze was lifted, the ban on magic was not. So in a time very close to our own, most people wear gloves for fear of being touched and worked by one with the gift. And people either fear that they have the ability or that they don't and are just 'normal'. Our hero Cassel comes from a family of workers. Not one of the controlling crime families, much like a magic mafia, but a family with certain skills and powers. He is the only one without them, and as such he always feels on the outside. Outside his own family because he does not have the gift and is not fully part of their plan, and on the outside at school because he comes from a family of workers. Cassel, just wants to be a normal boy in high school. The problem is, he killed his best friend four years ago, and even though he doesn't remember doing it, he remembers her body and his family cleaning up the mess for him.
Cassel's problems start when he sleep walks and nearly falls off the roof of his school dorm. Then he realizes all the pieces of his life, his memories, do not fit together right. He begins to wonder if he has been worked. He has a lot to figure out and not a lot of time to do it, and even fewer people he can trust.
Cassel is a strong character, troubled, and in a tight spot, but someone who is working to resolve his issues and trying to do the right thing. He is someone you grow to respect and appreciate, someone you would want as your friend.
The story is well written and the world Black has created is enthralling. Black leads us down a path where magic, the fey and the country witch developed into mainstays in our culture, not just something trifling at the sides. Though their practice and arts are against the law, many still use them, for both good and bad. Where charms and protection are needed, but cannot always to be trusted. As Black writes about the curse workers, you will fall under her charm and be captivated by her writings, and maybe be a little worked to love her and her books.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's been a while since I had the pleasure of a brand new Holly Black in my hands. So when this offering from Gollancz landed I really had to jump at the chance. That said, knowing how much pleasure I get from a Holly Black, I really wanted to make it last and so forced myself to read a few titles prior to starting this, almost using it as a reward for all the hard work.
With Holly, what you get is some cracking Urban Fantasy, and whilst she's more well known for Spiderwick and her Fae titles, this first adult offering, is a book that will be enjoyed just as much by fans of her previous offerings (I'd say to allow this title as a bridging gap from about 12+) as well as the adult market to which this one is aimed.
Beautifully written with some interesting turns, her new world of exploration is definitely one that will endear her to a whole new set of readers with her spartanesque descriptiveness, her realistic dialogue (given the situation that the characters find themselves in) and her touch of whimsy. A great read and one that I'm pleased I eked out for my own pleasure.
With Holly, what you get is some cracking Urban Fantasy, and whilst she's more well known for Spiderwick and her Fae titles, this first adult offering, is a book that will be enjoyed just as much by fans of her previous offerings (I'd say to allow this title as a bridging gap from about 12+) as well as the adult market to which this one is aimed.
Beautifully written with some interesting turns, her new world of exploration is definitely one that will endear her to a whole new set of readers with her spartanesque descriptiveness, her realistic dialogue (given the situation that the characters find themselves in) and her touch of whimsy. A great read and one that I'm pleased I eked out for my own pleasure.
Format:Paperback
The Curse Worker trilogy has just recently finished with the April release of the final instalment, Black Heart. I had seen many people say great things about the series but it was just one of those that I never got round to reading.
White Cat was definitely not what I expected, reading the blurb or hearing summaries using the word `magic' does not really capture what this story is about, it's more to do with curses, ones that can potentially back fire. What was really interesting was how it changed society - to perform curse work you have to touch someone with your bare hands and therefore everyone goes around wearing gloves and it's seen as taboo to have bare hands - that was a really interesting concept. I found it to be an incredibly new take on magic in general, I liked that they couldn't just get away with doing these evil things without having something happen to them in return - Karmic retribution if you will.
I also really loved that it's set in our world but with an alternative history - everything is the same as our world but with curse workers, all the historical events happened such as the Wall Street Crash in 1929 but also the ban on curse working; which as a history nerd I found to be a really cool idea. I also loved that it's kind of has a mafia/ old school gangster feel going on with families and initiations and big parties and also organized crime and killings - it was fascinating and not something I've ever read before.
However it took quite some time to get into White Cat, I can't explain why but it wasn't one of those books that I had to devour all in one sitting. I think the story took quite some time to develop and to pick up speed. I loved the ending, the twist was great and I did not expect it! 100 points to Holly Black for being completely sneaky. I loved the double - crossing kind of aspect of the plot and how you don't really know whose on which side.
As for the characters I loved all the `evil' ones! It's so very rare in YA that you get believable `villains' that have done legitimately bad things, instead of nasty blonde popular girls saying horrible things it was murder, so I really loved all the characters that were involved in the darker side of the family and all of it's dodgy dealings. Cassel seemed very believable I liked how he was struggling to be an outsider, how he learnt about himself throughout the story and realised that he wasn't actually who he thought he was in more ways than one. My favourite discovery was that he thought he was an amazing con - artist and liar and I found it really intriguing to see him trying to discover if he truly was and whether he wanted to be. Also he kind of wrestled with the idea of what was right and wrong about that, especially since from a young age - lying and stealing and all things that are traditionally seen as morally corrupt were the norm to him.
I liked White Cat and would definitely recommend it to anyone who, like me, hasn't gotten around to reading it - it is a truly unique read. I'm definitely going to give Red Glove, the second in the trilogy, a shot as soon as I can get my hands on it.
White Cat was definitely not what I expected, reading the blurb or hearing summaries using the word `magic' does not really capture what this story is about, it's more to do with curses, ones that can potentially back fire. What was really interesting was how it changed society - to perform curse work you have to touch someone with your bare hands and therefore everyone goes around wearing gloves and it's seen as taboo to have bare hands - that was a really interesting concept. I found it to be an incredibly new take on magic in general, I liked that they couldn't just get away with doing these evil things without having something happen to them in return - Karmic retribution if you will.
I also really loved that it's set in our world but with an alternative history - everything is the same as our world but with curse workers, all the historical events happened such as the Wall Street Crash in 1929 but also the ban on curse working; which as a history nerd I found to be a really cool idea. I also loved that it's kind of has a mafia/ old school gangster feel going on with families and initiations and big parties and also organized crime and killings - it was fascinating and not something I've ever read before.
However it took quite some time to get into White Cat, I can't explain why but it wasn't one of those books that I had to devour all in one sitting. I think the story took quite some time to develop and to pick up speed. I loved the ending, the twist was great and I did not expect it! 100 points to Holly Black for being completely sneaky. I loved the double - crossing kind of aspect of the plot and how you don't really know whose on which side.
As for the characters I loved all the `evil' ones! It's so very rare in YA that you get believable `villains' that have done legitimately bad things, instead of nasty blonde popular girls saying horrible things it was murder, so I really loved all the characters that were involved in the darker side of the family and all of it's dodgy dealings. Cassel seemed very believable I liked how he was struggling to be an outsider, how he learnt about himself throughout the story and realised that he wasn't actually who he thought he was in more ways than one. My favourite discovery was that he thought he was an amazing con - artist and liar and I found it really intriguing to see him trying to discover if he truly was and whether he wanted to be. Also he kind of wrestled with the idea of what was right and wrong about that, especially since from a young age - lying and stealing and all things that are traditionally seen as morally corrupt were the norm to him.
I liked White Cat and would definitely recommend it to anyone who, like me, hasn't gotten around to reading it - it is a truly unique read. I'm definitely going to give Red Glove, the second in the trilogy, a shot as soon as I can get my hands on it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
white cat - minor spoilers
*I repeat, minor spoilers for the book in this review*
My main frustration with this book was a technical and personal one: it was written entirely in first person... Read more
My main frustration with this book was a technical and personal one: it was written entirely in first person... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ali
The con is on in White Cat
Holly Black's White Cat was another London buy recommended by Liz, who really tried to fix some glaring gaps in my YA reading! Read more
Published 3 months ago by W.M.M. van der Salm-Pallada
Praise for the White Cat
thoroughly enjoyed this book, can't wait for the next book. Original and well thought out plot line. Read more
Published 7 months ago by LorraineP
Great Characters, Magic, World, Writing... Everything! Book Two...
4½ Out of 5
Cassel Sharpe has a big secret. He killed a girl when he was fourteen years old. He was found standing over the body, covered in blood. Read more
Cassel Sharpe has a big secret. He killed a girl when he was fourteen years old. He was found standing over the body, covered in blood. Read more
Published 8 months ago by TheBookAddictedGirl
Drivel!
My main problem with the book was that I found the two main characters utterly dislikeable, and it was hard for me to care what happened to either of them. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ally
One of my favourite reads of 2011 so far...
"White Cat" is what you get if you mix Harry Potter with The Sopranos (and a tiny sprinkling of rich, bratty teen dramas such as Gossip Girl), and tell it from the perspective of... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J.Bates
Review from The Word Fiend
Welcome to a world where a person's touch can make your dreams come true; or shatter every bone in your body. Welcome to Holly Black's White Cat. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Shelagh
Original, compelling urban fantasy
White Cat is a dark and twisted fantasy set in a contemporary world where some people are born with the power to curse. Read more
Published 9 months ago by R. LILES
Fab!
Amazing book, with a fantastic concept (though a little predictable at times, guessing this is aimed at a young adult audience). Read more
Published 11 months ago by P. Hollingdrake
I swear I'm not conning you! This book's the real deal!
What I love the most about Holly Black's books are that they digress from mainstream YA novels. They're not your typical stories about loved up, angst-ridden teenagers who fall in... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Amber
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