White Cat by Holly Black - Review

I loved the Tithe series and so am happy to post my colleague Megan's review of her newest book. White Cat. Can't wait to read it myself. Do note that it is the first in a series called The Curse Workers.

Cassel is the only person in his family who doesn't have magic. And in a world where magic is illegal, he would be the only one who is not a criminal, not a con man, not a mobster, except that three years ago, he killed his best friend. He does his best to survive the guilt and nightmares, to live behind the mask of an ordinary and unexceptional life. He lies so well that he almost succeeds. And then everything falls apart.

This book is fun. It's the kind of fun that makes you shiver and has a slicing edge. The magic here is not nice. It's dangerous, it stains memories, it piles on secrets in complicated and irresistible layers -- but the characters sweep you up and carry you through. They step out of the book and into your head, and then, when your defenses are down, they drag you into an adventure.