By Holly Black
Genre YA Urban Fantasy
Pages 296
Recommended by Me
First sentence My brother Barron sits next to me, sucking the last dregs of milk tea slush noisily through a wide yellow straw.
Synopsis
Cassel must choose once and for all what side he's going to be on and where his loyalties really lie.
What it has going for it
I don't even know where to begin, and, as I often find myself doing, I'll pretty much be gushing about the series as a whole rather than just this book. First and foremost, I LOVE Cassel. He's such a great character. He's smart and cautious and thoughtful and is struggling to figure out how to do the right thing knowing full well that he's never going to be perfect. He, and the whole mafia/conning thing, is why I love these books so much. (I've always secretly longed to be a mafia loan shark) Now I'm going to be specific about this book. (yay for me) This one had some twists and turns I didn't see coming and had me on the edge of my seat hoping Cassel would make it out OK. Even though, let's face it, I knew he would. He IS the MC, after all. But I was guessing right along with him about whom I could trust and what was going to happen, all the same. This one had me laughing, "awwwing", crying, worrying, and just plain enjoying myself.
What's lacking
Sadly, I have some complaints. First, why the heck did they change the covers?! I'm guessing it had something to do with the model being white but, come on, did they have to make it so I can't have a matching set?! Anywho, I was also left somewhat bothered and somewhat suspicious with all the loose endings. Sure it could end there and be fine, but the series could go on and, quite frankly, I wish it would!
And one thing that sort of broke my heart and, yet, made me love Cassel more was a decision he made at the end, but I won't spoil it for you.
Yea or Nay?
Yes! I know we book bloggers don't always take recommendations seriously but, please, this time, take me seriously.
I second! Read this series!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the ending! The lose endings didn't bother me, because Cassel came to a place where I am okay leaving him. But I would love to see more in this series! Definitely one of my favorite series and one of hte strongest endings I've ever read!
I liked the way it ended too. I just want more.;) Can you blame me?
Delete*sigh* This is yet another series I've been wanting to read for a long time! I really must make some time for it. But I do always really hate it when book covers are changed at some point in the series - like you I like to have a matching set!
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)
I hate that they changed the covers! I hope you get to this series. I really do!
DeleteOk, you've convinced me :) Still waiting on this one from the library!
ReplyDeleteI know you already like this series. I hope you like how it all ends.
DeleteGah! I finally got the first book on my Nook when it was on sale, and every time you talk about this series, I want to pick it up. I think I'll make this my next e-book to read. :)
ReplyDeleteYou really need to! But I understand that overwhelming feeling of so many books so little time.
DeleteCall me lame, but I have yet to read this series. My friend finished this book today and was raving about how amazing it was. Now you've got me convinced to read these books! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I just may call you lame. ;) I tease. I hope you get to them just so I can see if you like them as much as me.
DeleteI LOVE this series so much!! I really liked Holly Black's Faerie books but for some reason was a bit meh about this series, but then I read the first one and was like "this is the best thing everrrrrrr" seriously cannot wait for it to come out over here. Curious about this decision Cassel makes, plus I kinda like the sorta endings you describe it having. I AM pissed over the cover change tho, cause I actually have the american covers for this, GRR
ReplyDeleteThe Cait Files
I'm glad you like it as much as me. I look forward to your thoughts on this one and the way the series ends.
DeleteWow, it doesn't take much sunshine for you to recover, eh? LOL I haven't read anything by Holly Black, yet, but somewhere around here I do have one of her books -- and a print-out about plotting by Ms. Black that I got in my writer days. Sorry about the cover change. I hate it when that they do that!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, I finished this one while sitting in the sun so I figured I should say something about it. ;)
DeleteI haven't gotten my pre-order copy yet :(:( so sad! Glad to hear you loved it! This is one of my favourite series so I'm really excited to find out how it all ends! I totally agree with you about the whole cover changing thing....they could have at least waited until the paperback of Black Heart came out to do that! Now my books don't match!
ReplyDeleteI'm so irritated with the cover change. :( That's why I hate pre-ordering things. I thought that meant they'd get there on the day the come out but it never happens that way. Sigh!
DeleteAh, I need to get on this series! I have the audio of the first book, I just haven't sat still long enough to listen to it. Maybe I'll have to find the time, so I can get to this book. I'm glad you liked it so much!
ReplyDeleteTsk, tsk, Penelope. You REALLY need to read this series! ;)
DeleteI still need to read this series. I've wanted to read it for a while, lol, but I just haven't picked them up yet. One of these days! *shakes fist in the air*
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know exactly how you feel. Just so you know, though, I KNOW you specifically will love these. Go ahead and prove me wrong. Bet you can't. ;)
DeleteYay! I can't wait to get me some more Cassel!! :)
ReplyDeleteMmmHmmm! You want to borrow this one?!
DeleteI'm thinking yes! :)
DeleteI hate when they change covers on a series mid-way through the series. I like having all the same so when they do that I just get confused and upset.
ReplyDelete