YA Review: Black Heart (Curse Workers) [Hardcover]

I've finished "Black Heart" the 3rd book in her Curse Workers series by Holly Black.

Product Description

Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet — this time on love.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (April 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442403462
ISBN-13: 978-1442403468

My Review:

This is the final book in the series and you find out what happens to Cassel, Lila and everyone in his family.

Cassel Sharpe is trying to be a good man even though he was brought up in a world of con artists and the mob.  He has grown up in a Curse Worker world where a person who can manipulate emotions, change luck, change memories, etc.  He is a Transformation Worker who can change shape into another form.

Cassel is reluctantly working for the FBI where his older brother Barron is a new agent and dragging him along for training.  The FBI have agreed to let him finish high school before allowing him to work with them but they don't let him out of their sights.

Cassel is in love with Lila the daughter of the Zacharov mob family and can't stop thinking of her.  They have a long and complicated history and she is really mad at him.  He finds himself pulled back into that life when he finds out his mom has stole a legendary Resurrection Diamond from Zacharov in the past and he has to retrieve it to save her life.

He also has to solve a case at school when a classmate claims she is being blackmailed but he finds out it is not what it seems.

Agent Yulikova assigns Cassel to transform bigoted Governor Patton before his regulation of transformation workers really gets out of hand.

This book wasn't as fast paced as the first two in the books but it was an enjoyable read.  A lot of things were tied up in this book though some people didn't get their HEA but Cassel and Lily finally realized what they want and go for it.  The ending was really interesting!

4/5

Other books in series:

1.  White Cat
2.  Red Glove

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!