Series Review: Curse Workers by Holly Black

Curse Workers #1

Publish By: Margaret K. McElderry
Rating: 3/5



Curse Workers #2

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 façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade 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 conmen.  



Curse Workers #3

Let me start off by saying that I really wanted to like this series more than I did. Now don't get me wrong it was well written, had a decent plot, the world building was some of the best I've seen in a YA novel, the characters were likable, and it had romance. All this normally adds up to a big fat win for me, in fact it they are the exact type of books I normally go for and love. So where did it go wrong?

I think the biggest problem for me was that I just didn't connect with the writing. As I said it was fairly well written and much better than some of the others out on the market at present. But, I just couldn't get into it, I was quite happy to put the books down and wait a few days before I continued on and I know there should have been times that I shouldn't have been able to put it down. It didn't help that I found the plot a little bit lack luster. There just wasn't that much excitment in it for me. Sure it was interesting and I really did want to finish the books and find out how it all fit but it was all a bit meh, especially in the last book where there were story lines that just fell flat.

I did appreciate the world building aspect, though. A lot of authors have trouble with this aspect, especially in YA lit, leaving their books feeling broken and incomplete. Ms Black did a great job of creating a world where a minorty where given the power to make things happen with just a touch of a hand. I especially liked that there were also consequences to using that power. It was fascinating to read about how the world, in particular laws, had developed with 'workers'. One thing that was interesting was their view on scandel and what constitutes as porn (ungloved hands).

The characters on the other hand I found likable but I didn't really connect with any of them, a fact that would be connected to my lack of connection with the writing. I mean I should have been shipping the whole way through but in the end I really couldn't have cared less if the guys got the girls. Another issue I had was placing the ages of people, specifically Barron and Philip. They always came across as way way way older than what they are in the books. Philip is meant to be 21 but acted like he was in his late 30's, the same went for Barron. I got that their working for a mob probably had some sort of impact but it just messed with my mind a bit too much. Cassel was interesting and it was good to read a YA from the persepctive of a boy rather than a girl but again I didn't really connect with him. Out of all of them I probably liked Daneca, Sam and Grandpa Desi the best, and they're not even main characters.

Overall, it was a decent read and I would recommend it for lovers of YA paranormal novels who want something different to read. I have read rave reviews about this series and it probably rightly deserves them, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Book Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Graceling Realm #3

Published by: Gollancz
Rating: 3.5/5

Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue, and her country, were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign; and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year long spell of a madman, and now their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past. Whatever that past holds. Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possesses an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart ...

Anyone who is a fan of Fire and Graceling have been waiting for this book for a while. Waiting to find out what has happened to all of our favourite characters. And as much as I liked the book and enjoyed reading it, I can't help but to feel a little let down. The plot was slow moving, and the use of ciphers and keys worked better in theory than on paper. The mystery had no suspence and it was obvious from very early on what was happening and why. There was no big climax and I finished the book feeling like it was incomplete.

That's not to say it didn't have any saving graces, considering I gave it 3.5 there had to be something that made it worth reading and that was the characters. I liked Bitterblue, although at times she came across as younger than her 18 years. This was understandable though as she has been very sheltered since she became queen 8 years previous and it was a joy to see her develop and become a real queen rather than a pawn. She showed that she was strong and just, and wasn't afraid to fix the damage her father had made, but she also showed a very vulnerable side that connects with her past.

I loved Saf and Teddy. They made reading the first part of the book very enjoyable. Unfortunately for being so crucial in the beginning of the book and for Saf being a love interest they disappeared into the background very quickly after their parts were completed, only to show up quickly to forward some plot point. Saf in particular felt like he should have played a more prominant role. I do still love him though.

Seeing Po, Katsa, Raffin and the rest of the crew again was great as well but they didn't really serve much of a purpose. They had their own little storyline that didn't have anything to do with the main one, and it tell the reader what was happening in the rest of the kingdom, which I guess was its main purpose. The one thing I found odd was how Po and Katsa behaved. Now I know I haven't read Graceling since it first came out and that 8 years have passed but they came across as alot more animated then what I remember them being, especially Katsa. It wasn't exactly a bad thing as I still loved them and was glad to see Po so much, but it just didn't sit right. I think I'm going to have to go back and re-read Graceling again to check.

Among other characters I loved Death, Lovejoy, Madlen and Helda. They were great characters to read about. Thiel and Rood I really felt for, they have been through so much and were left so broken. It was heartbreaking sometimes.

Then at the end we get to see Fire again. Again not really a bad thing to see how she was going and it did serve a purpose but it felt kind of chucked in like a last minute decision. I'm not entirely sure if it was meant to go somewhere or if it was just a plot device to help Bitterblue.

Overall, I had mixed feeling about the book but I still did really enjoy it and would recommend anyone who has read the first two books to read it. I'm hoping there will be another book as the ending did feel incomplete and open ended.

Book Reviews: Rachel Caine and Cassandra Clare

Black Dawn by Rschel Caine

Morganville Vampires #12

Published by: New American Library
Rating: 4.5/5

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House: Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever.

This book takes off from the events at the end of Last Breath and it was a rollercoaster ride. From the beginning it was action packed and it didn't slow down. It was a lot of fun and a bit of heartache.

I've been with this series for a long time now and have become invested in the characters, and to see how the have evolved over the course of 12 books has been a joyous ride. With this book we saw Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve deal with a lot of stuff and develop in ways you wouldn't expect. The best thing about them though is that they are real and you can see how their past has forced them to become the people they are today. It is something that is missing in a lot new YA PNRL books at the moment. Shane is one of the best male characters with a tortured past around. I loved seeing him so vulnerable in this book, it really gave his charcter a greater depth, I just wanted to give him a hug!

Now Claire and Eve, thank god for truley kiss-ass female characters. Unlike some books these girls really are tough, and we're both told and shown this. Eve has such great strength in this book, I really admired her. After what happened in Last Breath it was bound to be rocky for her and Michael, and it was, which was great to see. She didn't go running back to him and excusing his behaviour just because she loved him, she made sure she made the right decision by her and let him know that it couldn't happen again, or she is liable to kick his ass. Saying that I really do hope them the best in coming books becuase they are such a cute couple. Claire has always displayed an inner strength and that continues to come out in this book, it's great to see her stand up to the vampires but still know when to back off.

As usual Ms Caine does a wonderful job fleshing out her secondary characters, making them a part of the story rather than having them their as plot points. Some short points Myrnin needs a good slap for what he did, still love Oliver, can't believe I'm feeling sorry for Monica, and Amelie...well, I don't know where I stand with her at the moment.

With the end of this book it will be interesting to see where Ms Caine takes us in the next two. Black Dawn was a game changer for Morganville and I don't know if we'll get to the end of book 15 with everyone we love alive or undead. There will definitley be some hard times ahead for the gang and I can't wait to be taken along for the ride.


City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #5

Published by: Walker Books
Rating: 5/5

Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

WTF just happened...Bad Alec. Bad, bad, bad Alec. No biscuit for you :(

Now that's out of my system. This book was amazing. I loved every minute of it.  And I can't believe where Ms Clare took us with it. There is so much to say about the plot but I can't say too much so I don't ruin it for those who have yet to read it. It was full of surprises and twists that I didn't see coming, it truely was a joy to read. One thing that will bug me until I find out is who is Brother Zachariah? And damn Ms Clare, she's refused to say which book we find out his identity in :(. There was a lot to keep track of and follow in this book, especially because it continued to change perspectives between characters. But this wasn't a bad thing, it kept me on the edge and it provided some wonderful insight and character development.

I could go on about how I admire Clary's strength, how my heart went out to Jace and how all I just love them as characters. But what really got to me in this book was Sebastian. We were given some great insight to him as a character and as much as I hate him and think he's an evil little creep, I had moments when I felt for him but the annoying thing is it's hard to know how much of it is real and how much of it is manipulation. Ms Clare did a great job humanising him just a little bit even and I do believe not all of it was show. It will be really interesting to see how things turn out with him in the next book.

Simon, well I have loved him from the start and continue to do so. Some of his actions made me frustrated and face palm it but I understood his reasons behind it, I just hope it his decisions don't come back to bite him. He has grown so much since the first book and its a joy to continue to see him grow, and deal with the hardships thrown his way especially those related to his mother which was heartbreaking.

I refuse to say anything about Alec because as the start of my review suggests I am not a happy camper when it comes to him at the moment. He's an idiot and in some ways I understand his actions but nothing justifies it. I just hope it can all be resolved in the final book because I like my ships afloat, and I hate it when they sink.

Ms Clare does a wonderful job keeping her world alive and interesting, and her characters evolving. She also makes a point to award fans with little snippets that connect this series with her prequel series The Infernal Devices. I particularly loved the mention of the duck, for fans who don't understand this there is a deleted scence from Clockwork Prince where Will explains his disliking of ducks :). Unfortunatley we have to wait until 2014 to read the final book City of Heavenly Fire but we do get the last Infernal Devices book Clockwork Princess next year to help tide us over.

CiaoXX

PS I am officially on the countdown for Europe, 35 days, so when that hits I'll be posting about my various travels on here :)