Rating: 3 stars
Cassel Sharpe is17-years-old, attends Wallingford Prep School and is currently in the midst of a nightmare involving a white cat who stole his tongue. Cassel awakes to find himself standing on the slick, slate roof of his dormitory and is precariously close to falling off the edge.
Fearing that Cassel is suicidal in addition to being a serious insurance hazard, the school administrator told him to pack his things and wait for the arrival of his brother, Philip. Cassel wonders if being on the roof wasn’t a better alternative to dealing with Philip and going back home.
Cassel’s childhood wasn’t the happiest. Coming from a family of curse workers, Cassel was the only one who didn’t have a special power. To make up for his lack of magical ability, Cassel became a con artist; taught the grift by his mother (an emotion worker)—who is currently in prison for trying to fleece millionaires out of their money.
Having spent the past three years trying to work through the foggy memories and guilt of murdering a girl he loved, Cassel returns home to face not only his internal demons, but those of his family.
During his family reunion, Cassel learns that his entire life has been one big lie, perpetuated by his own flesh and blood; but there is an upside to their deception—despite the fact that he may in-fact be a murderer, he also might be more powerful than all of his family put together.
Not only is Holly Black a great writer, but she’s also an incredible story teller who creates such three-dimensional characters that are so full of strength and sense-of-self, you can almost hear them breathing. Though a departure from her usual faery lore Holly Black fans can rest assured that they’re in for a treat.
With The White Cat, Holly continues to work her own special magic, weaving a fascinating fantasy tale that’s sure to leave readers entertained and anxiously anticipating the next installment of the Curse Workers series.
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Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-1416963967