White Cat | Holly Black

White Cat

by Holly Black

Pub: GollanczFinn Campbell-Notman

Cassell is the only non worker in his family, which is difficult enough but working curses is illegal so, like most workers, his family are involved with an organised crime family. His dad is dead and his mother in jail and he is trying to pass for normal and keep his secrets in a private school. When a white cat begins haunting his dreams it's no longer possible to maintain the greatest con of his life, that he is just like everybody else.

One of the best things about Holly Black as a writer is her refusal to deal in black and white, good and evil. Cassell and his family are not nice people, he's likeable definitely but he's not a moral hero. The reader is rooting for a con artist whose family do far worse than just cons and although Cassell tries to be a reasonably decent person, he never takes issue with his grandfather working death curses.

There are some wonderful personal dilemmas and strong fascinating characters. Cassell's flatmate and ex girlfriend are probably the only really pleasant people in the whole book but they are all interesting and keep you hooked.

Cassell's world is typically vivid and well imagined for Black, our world with a twist that holds easily, feels real and her plotting is as tight as ever. I love this author and I love this book.