This is one of the best fantasy books I've read in a long, long time. The plot sounded really interesting and Holly Black is highly acclaimed, but for some reason I didn't have high expectations. I will for the sequel.Something about this world was very interesting. The idea of powers or abilities isn't very original, but the way Black spins it, it is. Curse Workers have the ability to impede luck, alter your emotions, erase your memories, and other more unsavory things, just by giving you a light tappytap. Everyone in this society wears gloves as a kind of trust issue, no one knowing the capabilities of strangers.
Just...words can't describe how awesome I think this is. The entire society has this underlying desperation to it. There's a whole underground mobster scene attached to these curse workers, which is freaking amazing. Because, honestly, if society started gaining power, it would crave more. Not just because of the taste of it, but because of the fear of it. Power is afraid of power, and so anyone with any kind of power instantly wants to be more powerful. It's just a really realistic, edgy thing to add to a supernatural book. And the plotting is pretty phenomenal. I didn't want to set the book down on any single page.
Oh, and the writing? Simple, but it flowed. There's a dark, scary genius behind these words.
I completely agreed with you on pretty much every point you made in this review. There was just something so amazing about this book that couldn't really be pinpointed. I didn't have high hopes either but I definitely will for the sequel as well! :)
ReplyDeleteChapter Chicks
I absolutely adored this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm already jonesing for Red Glove, the next in the series.
Glad you liked it too!
-geekgirl
I loved this book. I especially love the world/society she created. It's so similar to our own yet there are these subtle differences like wearing gloves that make things very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI liked Holly Black's other series, and when I saw this book in store I got excited.
ReplyDeleteIt looked good then, and it looks better now! I think I'll go and buy it.
I just reviewed this book too and also had a hard time putting some things into words. I enjoyed it and it was different. I look forward to the next book in the series. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to pick this one up. Your positive review makes it more likely that I will.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Miranda
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