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Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)

by Holly Black (Goodreads Author)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 7,833 ratings · 1,059 reviews

The cons get craftier and the stakes rise ever higher in the riveting sequel to White Cat"--now in paperback!After rescuing his brothers from Zacharov's retribution and finding out that Lila, the girl he has loved his whole life, will never, ever be his, Cassel is trying to reestablish some kind of normalcy in his life. That was never going to be easy for someone from a wo...more

Paperback, 272 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by Orion (first published April 5th 2011)

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Jan 06, 2012 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, ala-ya-2012, urban-fantasy, b, series-finished-good

As seen on The Readventurer

Glad to report that my my new, unexpected and surprising love affair with Holly Black continues. YES!

I approached Red Glove with trepidation, because a few of my book soulmate type friends, whose opinions I rely on, were not very positive about this sequel. But I, thankfully, saw nothing wrong with it. Red Glove is completely on par with its predecessor.

So, Cassel is back in school after spending a few months with his conartist mom who curses and charms every rich and...more

23 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Emily May rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-na, paranormal-uf, 2011

Hmm. I'm not sure if it was the high of book one - White Cat - that made this sequel so disappointing but, whatever the reason, I really struggled to get into this one. The story became too involved with many subplots that failed to affect me in any way, stuff like: Sam and Daneca's relationship, Cassel's mother's annoying behaviour, campaigns for worker rights, and Cassel's run-in with two federal agents who are determined to make him work for them.

It wasn't bad enough that I won't read Black ...more

19 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2012 Lisa O. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, fantasy, favorites, paranormal-ya, ya-lit

4.5 stars.

Holly Black has taken a steady place among my favorite authors ever and she is perhaps THE favorite in paranormal YA.
You think she writes about vampires? Nah.
Shapeshifters? Hardly.
Angels? Nope.
Nephilims? Nuh-uh.
Are there mean girls? Jocks? Cheerleaders? Love triangles? Instalove? No, no, no, no and no.
Then she CANNOT possibly write paranormal YA.

Yet, she does.
She writes about curse workers. People, living in an alternate version of our society, very much like ours, where people...more

25 likes · like · see review

May 30, 2011 Jillian -always aspiring- rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who enjoys books that twist and turn unpredictably

Shelves: heroes-i-love-and-respect, 2011-reads, paranormal-supernatural-books, best-characters, best-endings, writing-to-which-i-aspire, amazing-storytelling, out-of-the-box-ideas, reviewed

I've been sitting here for an hour trying to figure out what to say about this book in a review. Last summer, I read White Cat (the book prior to this one) and found myself enthralled by a world of curses, crime, and cons -- and at the center of the book was Cassel, a boy who couldn't decide between truth and lie, fact and fiction, good and evil, white and black.

It turned out that Cassel was as dichotomous as they come, gray to his core, doing bad things even if he has good reasons for them. He...more I've been sitting here for an hour trying to figure out what to say about this book in a review. Last summer, I read White Cat (the book prior to this one) and found myself enthralled by a world of curses, crime, and cons -- and at the center of the book was Cassel, a boy who couldn't decide between truth and lie, fact and fiction, good and evil, white and black.

It turned out that Cassel was as dichotomous as they come, gray to his core, doing bad things even if he has good reasons for them. He's a very real character because of that mess of indecision and the desire to do the right things, and he's part of what made White Cat so refreshing and fascinating compared to other paranormal young adult books that focus on true love and/or angst. Cassel's problems are very real and very serious, yet he somehow manages not to be crushed by all the burdens he has, whether they're from his own making or that of others.

Enter Red Glove. Though I've been picking this book up and reading pages at a time for the past month, I really did like it (however much my overlong reading time may try to prove differently). Cassel's world is as dangerous and untrustworthy as ever. His mother, still fresh out of prison, is up to no good as she continues to scam her way through as many "hits" and their wallets as she can. His one brother is now a friend while the other is an enemy who won't even speak to him. And added on top of all the personal drama is the fact that the girl Cassel loves has been worked (i.e. charmed, enchanted) to love him. What's a boy to do?

I honestly thought that Red Glove wouldn't live up to White Cat. Sequels don't usually live up to their predecessors. Yes, there are the rare occasions like Empire Strikes Back -- but, honestly, most people complain about sequels being filler that merely stalls for time until the finale (if the story is a trilogy). After reading as many sequels as I have (and seeing them on the big screen), I'm often mixed on "the sequel slump." Honestly, if I love a fictional world and its characters enough, I won't care much about how the story pales (or, in rare cases, shines) in comparison to the first; I'll just be happen to be immersed again in the world and find out what happens to the characters I am still willing to follow.

Red Glove held all that allure for me -- I want to follow these characters, I want to learn more about their world, I want to see how the story unfolds -- but it's not just one of those sequels that I read just so I could say I had. Yes, there were some slow-going moments, but the characters are great, the writing is really good, and the plot is the kind that anyone who loves a good mystery would like. But what really gets me are the twists and turns that Holly Black throws at her readers. There were a few instances in this novel where I just had to utter, "Oh my God!" simply because I was so amazed that the story managed to surprise me. Isn't it wonderful when you can't predict every little thing that may happen in a plot? Personally, I love when that happens. Keep on surprising me, Ms. Black, because I adore your storytelling for it.

Needless to say, the wait for Black Heart will not be fun. My advice to interested readers: go slow with the first two books if you decide to read them. You will likely be clamoring for the third as soon as you can get your hands on it.(less)

19 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2011 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

First things first : Let's get the Jace from Mortal Instruments cameo in this book out of the way. Here it is -

"That stoner dude, Jace, says he hooked up with someone over the summer," Kevin whispers. "But I hear all the pictures he's showing around are really pictures of his half sister. Fifty bucks says there's no girlfriend."

Why am I always recommending the lesser known series? Why is it that some of the crappiest books become the most popular? How is this changed? The only way I know of to f...more First things first : Let's get the Jace from Mortal Instruments cameo in this book out of the way. Here it is -

"That stoner dude, Jace, says he hooked up with someone over the summer," Kevin whispers. "But I hear all the pictures he's showing around are really pictures of his half sister. Fifty bucks says there's no girlfriend."

Why am I always recommending the lesser known series? Why is it that some of the crappiest books become the most popular? How is this changed? The only way I know of to fix this is to get on my little soapbox and preach out to the masses on the street (a.k.a. Goodreads).

Words can not convey how much I wish people knew about this book series. These books offer up a fun, fresh concept focused around a world of ordinary people gifted with the ability to curse others with nothing more than a simple touch of an ungloved hand.

I'm enamored of Cassel, the male protag in this series. He is a basketcase of emotions without being angsty. Tortured would probably best describe him. How could he not be? He's been forced to kill under coersion and manipulation, then had many of those memories stolen. His mom is a total nutbag. His brother ruined his life then forgot about it, which means that Cassel has to act friendly with one of the people who plotted his own demise. The girl that he loves was curseworked to love him, so he can't in good conscience accept her advances without feeling guilty that he's taking advantage. What's a guy to do?

One great thing about these books is that there are elements that would appeal to both males and females. All too often, most YA PNR and Urban Fantasy is very much geared to females, focusing solely on the love story. It's not that there isn't a love story in Curseworkers, but moreso that it's not the sole focus. I'm very much rooting for Cassel to get his girl in the end, but still very much engaged in this mafia world of confusion and consequence.

Having read this as an ARC galley, it means I'll be waiting a very long time for book 3. This makes me a little bit sad. I can't wait to find out the next chapter for Cassel, Barron and Lila.(less)

35 likes · like · see review

Jun 19, 2011 Catie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, read-in-2011, ya, series

I feel like I have very little to say about this book. I liked reading it, but it didn’t inspire me to great heights of joy or disappointment. I like this one a bit less than the first, but that may just be because everything was brand new and exciting in White Cat, and I have to admit that my expectations were low. I will definitely get Black Heart from the library next year, but I don’t feel any desperate yearning for it.

I think that my favorite part of this book is that Cassel’s mother is out...more

12 likes · like · see review

May 08, 2011 Vi Vi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review:

First off, I need to reiterate that it saddens me to no end, to every end that Holly Black is not only a fangirl of Cassandra Claire, but, due to her fangirlism, unleashed Cassandra Clare and her shitty, melodramatic, poorly written, derivative hackish tripe upon the reading community. But what saddens me even more is that after giving Clare her big break, Clare, now practically an egomaniac of Meyer or Rice proportions, has gone on to be a much bigger name and far more successful despite...more

25 likes · like · see review

May 25, 2012 Caitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: eagerly-waiting-release

4.5-maybe a 5. I'm too scared to "5" it.

Holy mother of fuckin' God. Is it 2012 yet?

I enjoyed White Cat. A messed up mob family set in a magic realism America, with a male lead who's narrative isn't just incredibly witty and humorous, but moving--I couldn't not have liked it. So, I waited for the sequel patiently. I hadn't even looked at the summary blurb till I bought it.

Well, Red Glove blew White Cat out of the water. No--ocean. Earth. The universe. Dimension. Maybe it just annihilated it. Poof...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Kristalia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: annoying-characters, series-which-i-abbandoned, reviewed, young-adult

Final rating: ★/★★★★★

I am officially dropping the series, it has been to painful to read this one. I expected so much more, but all i got were annoying (especially main) characters and not so good story. I dropped it around 5th chapter. I really tried to like this series, i really did, and i was so hyped to read the books, but i just couldn't finish it, even if it is short book. Mostly it was dropped due to lack of interest.

I also don't like not finishing books, so this makes my first.

♦ so f...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Brandi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Oh Cassel, Cassel, Cassel. "The only things I am really good at are the kinds of things colleges don't let you major in. Con artistry. Forgery. Assassination. A little bit of lock-picking."

The second book in this trilogy was more personal than the first since the main focus is on Cassel and the relationships in his life, but I found this one no less enjoyable than the first. In fact, I loved it! I think that I was missing this personal aspect from White Cat and I didn't even know it. Even when...more
Oh Cassel, Cassel, Cassel. "The only things I am really good at are the kinds of things colleges don't let you major in. Con artistry. Forgery. Assassination. A little bit of lock-picking."

The second book in this trilogy was more personal than the first since the main focus is on Cassel and the relationships in his life, but I found this one no less enjoyable than the first. In fact, I loved it! I think that I was missing this personal aspect from White Cat and I didn't even know it. Even when Cassel fully admits to himself that he isn't sure how to be completely honest with his friends, ("I always feel awkward in Daneca's house. I can't help casing the joint.") he is still able to be there for them when they need it, AND manages to not steal from them, lol.

The issue with Lila though may be my one thorn in an otherwise fabulous book, and in total honesty, it's clear that this thorn is part of why the book is so awesome. Lila is a little difficult for me to really like, or maybe I should say she's a little difficult for me to really support. I want to really rally behind her since she has been so victimized, but every time I start to soften towards her, she does something, or says something, that reminds me not to get too comfortable around her. I like that Cassel recognized that her being worked compromised their tenuous relationship, and although he did make some poor choices in how to handle it sometimes, I was getting incredibly annoyed at her attitude towards him. She was just...mean, and she should have been grateful.

Cassel's family is incredibly messed up! That mother of his makes me want to choke her every single time I have to see her face. What the hell is she thinking with the last job she was working?! Are people really that stupid? I also want to see how his Grandad will react to he and Barron working where they are. I think that he will be more supportive of it than Cassel thinks he will, and I hope he tells him soon since I'm pretty sure he's the only one who actually cares about Cassel at all.

Another element to this book that I enjoyed was seeing more of Cassel's school. I actually had been thinking he was in college not a senior in high school. I couldn't help giggling when he was meeting with the guidance counselor about colleges. "Seriously, this guy--one of the counselors, I guess--makes it sound like in college they make you write all your essays in blood, your lab partners might shank you if you bring down their grade point averages, and evening classes last night all night long. He clearly misses it." I can't wait to see what he's doing with his life for the last book, and random question, but what do you all think he actually looks like? If I'm not given clues to what people look like they inevitably end up looking like I do, lol. I picture him white with short brown hair, brown eyes, and an athletic build.

So if you are on the fence about whether or not to give this trilogy a try, and clearly this review wouldn't really be helpful since I didn't even tell you the basis of the story (sorry, lol), then let me offer up my reasons why it's a bad idea to pass it up. The stories are original! Yes, really!! I know...it's hard to believe, but it's true. Try it just see if I'm wrong. The characters are wicked, mysterious, funny, loving, and full of tension. The world building is hands down wonderful, and the situations wonderfully written. If you want to read something with those elements then these stories are for you!

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4 likes · like · see review

May 25, 2012 Katya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, holy-hell, library-first, oh-come-on, teen-lit, thriller, world-went-topsy-turvy, kudos-for-the-worldbuilding, the-ya-project

Cross-posted with my tumblr.

I never thought I would give a Curse Workers book a rating lower than four stars. Guess you just live and learn.

But the really funny thing is, there isn't anything wrong with the book itself. Cassel is starting his senior year and dealing with the fallout from the previous books' events: (view spoiler)...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2011 Christy (TheReaderBee) added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, ya-series, read-in-2011

Full review on my Blog!

Cassel and company are back once again in Red Glove, the much awaited sequel to White Cat. I have to say I enjoyed this just as much, if not more, than White Cat! This was a really dark, addictive read! Once I started reading, I definitely couldn’t put it down. I absolutely can’t get enough of this world that Holly Black has created.

I have to say, Cassel is still a really interesting main character to me. Still flawed, but is coming to terms with who he is and what he can...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 10, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, 2011-release, 2011-100-book-challenge, books-i-own, signed-books-arcs

What a great sequel!! I absolutely love Holly's writing. She creates such a vivid world and makes me not only fall for Cassel but I end up loving the characters she's created no matter how broken or messed up they are. If they were written in another fashion or were in a different story they would have bothered me, but Holly has a way of just "going for it" with her characters that I like.

Oh Cassel. Can this boy be any more broken? If you thought Jace was broken in City of Ashes, wait till you...more What a great sequel!! I absolutely love Holly's writing. She creates such a vivid world and makes me not only fall for Cassel but I end up loving the characters she's created no matter how broken or messed up they are. If they were written in another fashion or were in a different story they would have bothered me, but Holly has a way of just "going for it" with her characters that I like.

Oh Cassel. Can this boy be any more broken? If you thought Jace was broken in City of Ashes, wait till you meet Cassel in Red Glove. It's not hard for me to love this character. Yes I know, he's not a shadowhunter or a wolf, but he's a fighter, he makes mistakes (a lot of them) and he's relatable. He's far from the traditional main hero, but he's still a hero as no matter how many times he gets kicked around he won't give up. Being the youngest in a family of Cons he's constantly fighting to make a name for himself and tries to be better than that of his surroundings. No matter how much he tries to be better than those in his family, he's constantly brought down by their wrong doings. So how can I not want to give him a motherly hug and tell him to keep at it, though I'm sure he wouldn't find that enjoyable.

Then there's Cassel's mother... Ugh I wanted to con that women myself, as she evokes so many emotions from me when I'm reading about her. I felt so bad for Cassel for the crap she pulls over on him (I'm not giving away spoilers) and it really set up for some heart breaking scenes between Cassel and Lila. Having said that, let me just say that Holly has written a fascinating character w/ Cassel's mom. It's hard to explain as like Cassel, she's just doing what she thinks is best. I'd love to elaborate further, but I can't do so without giving away spoilers.

Red Glove is a very quick, engaging read and I love all the twist and turns that Holly continues to throw in this series. The Curse Workers series is fascinating, and edgy. I love Holly's talent to mix paranormal abilities with realistic characters who live in a little bit of a darker, grittier world. Like Cassie, Holly knows how to grab a hold of my emotions and leaves me wanting more. I can not wait for Blackheart's release and I recommend picking up Red Glove today!(less)

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Mar 30, 2011 Morgan F rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series, fantasy, young-adult, 2011, not-yet-released, its-a-boy, i-haz-powers, read-2011, galleygrab, e-book, medium-sized, boarding-school, pretty-covers, goodreads-author

Up until a few months ago, Cassel Sharpe has spent his whole life feeling ordinary and inferior in a family full of powerful workers. Now he knows the truth: he is the most powerful of them all. He is able to transform anything- including people- into anything else with a single touch of his hand. Cassel is still struggling to extract the truth from a life-time of lies when the Feds come to Cassel with the news that his eldest brother, a notorious hitman, has been murdered, and they need Cassel...more Up until a few months ago, Cassel Sharpe has spent his whole life feeling ordinary and inferior in a family full of powerful workers. Now he knows the truth: he is the most powerful of them all. He is able to transform anything- including people- into anything else with a single touch of his hand. Cassel is still struggling to extract the truth from a life-time of lies when the Feds come to Cassel with the news that his eldest brother, a notorious hitman, has been murdered, and they need Cassel to help find the killer. Cassel isn't so sure he wants to help the police, however, because doing so would put him in a direct collision course with the area's most dangerous crime lord, who also happens to be the father of the girl he is in love with. Soon Cassel will discover the web of lies is thicker than he ever could have imagined, and he will have to use his Curse and his skills to determine the truth in a world where no one can be trusted.

This second installment in the Curse Workers series is just as good as-perhaps better-than the first. The twists just kept coming! Every chapter did that shoulder-tap thing, where they would tap me on one shoulder, and have me look like an idiot when I would glare at empty air. "Haha, gotcha!"

And the plot is intelligent too. Its not just a romance with some conflict thrown around it. Cassel is actually smarter and more informed than his reader, which as how it should be. There is nothing worst than waiting for a narrator to figure something out that you figured out 5 chapters ago.

The characters were complex, and multi-layered. I didn't exactly feel for them, but they sure were interesting. I really am starting to warm up to Cassel, though. Holly Black has succeeded in making a believable male narrator, which is often difficult for female authors to do.

I also love how original and refreshing this book is. There is no other fantasy book out there like it, I'm sure. I love how the magic has consequences, and isn't just limitless power. You wanna erase someone's memories? Say goodbye to a few of your own. You wanna kill someone? No more thumb for you. You wanna transform things? You spend a minute or two in shape-shifting hell.

I like that.

However, I still feel like something is missing. I cannot think of anything wrong with the book exactly, but, yet, it remains off my favorite shelf. Who know? Maybe the third one will break that wall.

I can't wait until the next one!!

Oh, and I love the Jace cameo, Holly. Really subtle. *winks*(less)

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Mar 16, 2011 Aleeeeeza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley-galleygrab, 2011-read

*4.5 stars*

The ending of White Cat was freaking amaaaazing. So there was no way I couldn’t read Red Glove right away. Lucky for me, I got it off GalleyGrab and dove right into it. And duddddde, if White Cat was good, this one was mindblowing. Now that the whole curse-worker foundation has been laid, and Cassel knows he’s a transformation worker (howcoolisthathowcoolisthatHOWCOOLISTHAT?!)—it’s up to Cassel to find out what the heck is up his brothers who have been making him do all sorts of unsav...more

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Jan 31, 2012 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-laugh, angsty-goodness, young-adult, made-me-shiver, not-a-stand-alone

I don't want to go into plot details and spoil surprises; if you've read White Cat, you already want to read this book and if you haven't read White Cat, you really don't want to read Red Glove until you have, trust me. I'll just say that I continued to be totally drawn in by a fascinating anti-hero, whose efforts to overcome his dark past and be a good person are constantly being defeated by the greed and malice of others. And I was once again captivated by the world-building.

You know how the...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Reut (reutreads) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-2011

Before I begin my review, can I just say that even though Cassandra Clare and Holly Black are obviously best writing buds, as made obvious by the oh-so-subtle blurbs and character placements, it was not smart for Margaret K. McElderry to release City of Fallen Angels and Red Glove on the same day.

Even though Curse Workers is a great series and I love Holly Black's writing, there is no doubt in my mind that The Mortal Instruments has become a bigger, more blockbusting franchise. But as this is pr...more Before I begin my review, can I just say that even though Cassandra Clare and Holly Black are obviously best writing buds, as made obvious by the oh-so-subtle blurbs and character placements, it was not smart for Margaret K. McElderry to release City of Fallen Angels and Red Glove on the same day.

Even though Curse Workers is a great series and I love Holly Black's writing, there is no doubt in my mind that The Mortal Instruments has become a bigger, more blockbusting franchise. But as this is probably no one's actual fault, I will move on.

After the cliff-hanger ending that was the last page of White Cat, I really was excited to get Red Glove into my grubby little ungloved hands. And I loved it. Red Glove skips to the end of summer, which I was like "eh" about because it didn't pick up right where White Cat left off like I'd have liked, but anyway.

Cassel, the protagonist and narrator, is awesome. He just is awesome. This is one of the absolute best male-narration YA books I have ever read. Honestly, Holly has put Cassel through so, so, so much crap in these books, you know, like having the girl he's totally in love with be cursed to love him, but Cassel's like, I don't care, and he just goes about pulling cons and taking bets. It is so cool.

In fact, all these characters are awesome. Especially Daneca, who is judgemental, distrusting, and a liar, but we ~~hate her with a fiery passion~~ love her anyway. And Lila, the mob princess with attitude, who is dealing with not having any free will about her feelings for Cassel.

What I like about this series, which was just pointed out to me, is that it is a fantasy series that is not geared towards females. Thank you, Holly Black. At last I can read a fantasy YA series without love triangle, fallen angels, or reincarnation. YAY! No overly done romance angle here? Awesome. There is something to be said for absolutely, totally, completely original ideas, and an example of world-building at it's best is this series.

If you can't wait until Black Heart, the conclusion, comes out exactly a year past the release date of Red Glove, then head on over to Lila Zacharov in 13 Pieces, a web site containing 13 short stories about Lila (and a little bit of Cassel, squee!) that are randomly generated, giving you a new insight into Lila's character.(less)

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Apr 07, 2011 Hafsah Faizal rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally Posted on IceyBooks

Cassel Sharpe can't help it that his mind is full of schemes. He can't help it that his life is full of them either. When his brother, Phillip, gets murdered, he finds himself on the other side of the law. The right side... almost.

Once again, Holly Black writes a blood-pounding thriller, with an incredible, swoon-worthy main character. You have to love Cassel, no matter how many crimes he may have committed. You have to love a criminal who wishes he didn't have to...more

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Apr 01, 2011 Kristina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-egalley-for-review

I was so excited when I got Red Glove from GalleyGrab that I did a little dance with my hands in front of my computer. I loved White Cat so much and I heard that Red Glove was even better! This book totally exceeded my expectations! Holly Black is a fantastic writer and she has created a world full of suspense, excitement, and originality!

The story picked up a few months after the events of White Cat. Cassel has found out he is a transformation worker, and is trying to figure out how to use thi...more I was so excited when I got Red Glove from GalleyGrab that I did a little dance with my hands in front of my computer. I loved White Cat so much and I heard that Red Glove was even better! This book totally exceeded my expectations! Holly Black is a fantastic writer and she has created a world full of suspense, excitement, and originality!

The story picked up a few months after the events of White Cat. Cassel has found out he is a transformation worker, and is trying to figure out how to use this new found “gift” and come to terms with the things he did, even if he doesn’t remember what those things are. He’s also figuring out how to deal with Lila, the girl he has been in love with forever, who now loves him back thanks to his mother, an emotion worker, working Lila into loving him. Not only that, but Cassel soon finds out that the FBI wants him to work for them on one side of the law, while mob boss, Zacharov, also wants Cassel under his payroll.

I love Cassel. Love, love, love him! His one-liners completely crack me up. Cassel was born into a crime family, forced to work cons (and had his memories erased by his lovely brothers after doing so), and wants nothing more than to just be a normal boy with normal teenage problems. Cassel is in such a bad predicament and I felt for him through the entire story. I had no idea where Black was going to take him, but I loved where he ended up! I really felt that we learned a lot more about who Cassel is, maybe that is because Cassel is also learning who he is. He’s trying to be a better person and protect his family, but everyone is making this so hard for him. I really am surprised Cassel was able to stay calm and rational through the whole thing. I think I was freaking out more then he was! Out of the other characters, we see a lot more of Lila, Sam, and Daneca, with each one bringing more to the story!

There were so many different plot twists that whenever I thought I finally figured something out, it ended up going in a completely different direction! I loved that! My only issue with Red Glove was that it ended, which kept me wanting so much more!

I just want to share my favorite quote from the entire book. It’s from Chapter 1, so it isn’t spoiling anything.
Cassel to his mom: “You want me to look homeless, desperate, but also kind of fabulous?”

Red Glove officially releases on April 5th. I think everyone should go out and buy it! This is a book that is not to be missed!

You can find more of my reviews here: http://ladybugstorytime.blogspot.com/
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Apr 19, 2011 Reading Teen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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, immediatel...more 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!

Andye
http://ReadingTeen.net/(less)

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Aug 14, 2011 Cara (Chasing Words) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-have, favorites

Favorite Line(s):
"Changing is what people do when they have no options left."
"The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies."
"'No troubles ever got fixed late at night,' he said. 'Midnight is for regrets.'"

Red Glove reminded me why I love Holly Black's writing so much. It's fun and exciting and fast-paced and everything I remember loving in White Cat. The magic is back in full force for the next installment in the Curse Workers series.

I abso-freaking-...more Favorite Line(s):
"Changing is what people do when they have no options left."
"The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies."
"'No troubles ever got fixed late at night,' he said. 'Midnight is for regrets.'"

Red Glove reminded me why I love Holly Black's writing so much. It's fun and exciting and fast-paced and everything I remember loving in White Cat. The magic is back in full force for the next installment in the Curse Workers series.

I abso-freaking-lutely loved White Cat. I loved everything about it. So to say that I had high hopes for this book is a bit of an understatement. That being said, I wasn't disappointed at all. All of the things I loved most about White Cat were continued into Red Glove. Cassel, Lila, Sam and Daneca came back in full force with new problems and of course, some crazy plans to solve them.

I adore Cassel, okay? I believe he hung the moon, stars and everything else celestial. He is one of my favorite male protags. and I can never get enough of him. No one can get enough Cassel once they've had a taste. Holly Black really took off with his character in this addition to the series and I believe made Cassel more interesting. We get to see a lot more of Lila, but she never really grew on me since, ya know, she's all love cursed and whatnot. I did feel as though I learned more about the characters in the first book than I did with the new characters introduced in Red Glove.

I enjoyed where the story went. Zacharov is an interesting one and seeing more of him and his band of curse worker thugs was much appreciated. The plot was one expected of a second book in a series: slower, more detailed oriented and focused on continuation into more books. Cassel really retreated into himself but also began to really engage in the people around him. He started to make his own decisions and began to loosen his ties with his family and those trying to get a piece of him. Holly really set up the plot up to launch into Black Heart and I'm really curious to see where the story goes and how it's wrapped up in the end.

Summing it up:
I really enjoyed stepping back into the world of curse working. It was slow at times, but overall was a nice addition to the series.(less)

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May 25, 2011 Krys rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, con-artists-thieves, medium-length-book, witches-wizards-magic-themed, urban-dark-fantasy-paranormal, arcs-manuscripts, own, first-person-narrative, series-i-love, read-in-2011, series

Last year I read Holly Black's White Cat. I really enjoyed it; illegal magic, forbidden love, male protagonist...what's not to love? Over the last couple of days I picked up the sequel, Red Glove, and it was exactly what I expected it to be.

In Red Glove Cassel is being pursued by both the law and the Curse Workers. The workers want to bring him (and his rare transformation powers) into the fold and the law wants him to rat everybody out. Meanwhile, Lila has enrolled at Wallingford and Cassel is...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Get ready for another adventure with the curse workers. You never know what you're in for, but it's sure to be twisted, dark and more than a little terrifying. I absolutely love the mob connections in this novels. The mob is fascinating enough, but then add in the element of the curse workers who can control emotion, kill another, and transform others just by the touch of their hand. What a crazy adventure!

I'm a pretty down to earth person, but I was walking to my car after work and listening t...more

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May 07, 2013 Stacie ~ paid the price for badassery rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: loss, romance, paranormal, series-finished, ya, thieves

Cassel does not get a chance to relax. This time it's his brother Phillip who has been murdered. Not only that but it turns out he was working for the Feds. Now the Feds want Cassel's help. And they can be very persuasive using a heavy handed fist. Cassel has to balance keeping the Feds at a distance, figure out who killed his brother, try to keep his other brother Barron out of trouble, try to himself from taking advantage of Lila, and keep the fact that he is a transformation worker underwraps...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Maythavee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I cannot fully describe how much I love Holly Black’s Curse Workers series. The whole ‘Curse and cons, magic and con’ concept is freaking amazing! Black did a fantastic job with White Cat and everything I loved about it is back in Red Glove.

Red Glove is a success on every level. I could not put the book down for one second. The characters are amazing as always. The plot is awesome with more twists and turns that you keep you on your toes. Red Glove is a fabulous sequel, there is no struggle to k...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Kasey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: february-challenge-2013

This book definitely did not live up to the expectations of White Cat. However it was very good and I am looking forward to the next book. I think part of what soured me on the book was the ending. I was really enjoying the book up until Lila was so cruel to Cassel. I enjoyed the whole Daneca and Sam relationship and I think they're adorable together. The secondary mystery was just that secondary to everything else going on in Cassel's life. I can't blame Maura though, what Phillip did to her wa...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Spinster rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, young-adult

I really liked White Cat and although Red Glove wasn't as great as the first book, it was almost there.

I was left yearning for more of Cassel's mom and more importantly, more cons. I loved the deceitful parts in the first book and while there were some juicy moments in Red Glove as well, they weren't as surprising as the ones in White Cat. Possibly because I didn't know what to expect when I read the first book and this time I knew what I wanted.

The political analogies give more depth to a YA bo...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Coreena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this second book in the Curse Workers series, though not quite as much as the first one. It was still fast paced and exciting and full of cons and imagination.

I like Cassel. I feel for him. He so wants to fit in, but he's not sure where - at his private school where he is clearly an outsider? with other Curse Workers and the mob who want to make him into a killer? with his family who have all manipulated him? with the FBI who have their own agenda? I like how he tries to do the right t...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Asya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews

Можете ли да познаете на кого принадлежи червената ръкавица?
Може би. Вероятно. Ако оставите книгата и се замислите. Но за какво му е на някого да прави такова нещо?

В едно отношение тази книга отстъпва на първата - начина на разплитане на мистерията. Има много странични истории и макар никоя от тях да не изглежда скучна или излишна, понякога отклоняват напълно вниманието от основната мистерия и се губи онова постоянно напрежение, което присъстваше в 'White Cat'.

Иначе историята отново е интересна,...more Можете ли да познаете на кого принадлежи червената ръкавица?
Може би. Вероятно. Ако оставите книгата и се замислите. Но за какво му е на някого да прави такова нещо?

В едно отношение тази книга отстъпва на първата - начина на разплитане на мистерията. Има много странични истории и макар никоя от тях да не изглежда скучна или излишна, понякога отклоняват напълно вниманието от основната мистерия и се губи онова постоянно напрежение, което присъстваше в 'White Cat'.

Иначе историята отново е интересна, забавна и изненадваща.
Касъл продължава да е същият реален и симпатичен герой, само че този път се разправя с различни проблеми, още по-лични и емоционални и ми разбива сърцето. Честно казано, не разбирам защо е толкова влюбен в Лайла. Смятам, че вече я надрасна. Може да си намери някое много по-добро момиче, което няма само да го тормози и не се очертава да се превърне в негов враг №1. Добре де, може би №2-3-4, но все пак. Надявам се да има щастлив край за Касъл.

Вече нямам търпение да отворя 'Black Heart' и да видя каква вълнуваща, заплетена история е създала Холи Блек, както и да разбера как завършва трилогията. В същото време изобщо не искам и да виждам тази книга, защото след това няма да има какво повече да чета... Ужасна дилема.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cassel Sharpe and his friends return in the second installment of the Curse Workers series. This time, the mysteries afoot are ones Cassel has already solved. (Or mostly solved.) The Feds want Cassel to find out who Zacharov's wetworks man is. They're interested in one murder in particular, one that Cassel has a personal interest in. He needs to give them an answer, not just to protect himself, but also to protect their number one suspect and his love interest: Lila.

I loved RED GLOVE as much as...more

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About Holly Black

Holly Black is a best-selling author of contemporary fantasy novels for kids, teens, and adults. She is the author of the Modern Faerie Tale series (Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside), The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), and The Good Neighbors graphic novels (with Ted Naifeh) The Poison Eaters and Other Stories, a collection of short fiction, and The Curse Worker series (White Cat, Red Gl...more

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Books by Holly Black

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1)

The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #5)

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Quotes from Red Glove

“The truth is messy. It's raw and uncomfortable. You can't blame people for preferring lies.” — 209 people liked it

“Changing is what people do when they have no options left.” — 196 people liked it

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Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)

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