WHITE CAT by Holly Black

From Goodreads:

"Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen."

What a fun read! I did not expect this book to be what it is.... basically a paranormal gangster novel! Totally interesting and unexpected concept, and it works really well. The con-artist aspect of the novel is very original.

Cassel is an intriguing character, likeable and yet sarcastic and just a bit dark. He feels like an outsider, and yet has a few very good, and very trustworthy friends. Although he doesn't really fit in with the rest of his family, he still does what he can to help them out, and to be close with them - even when they do things that are less-than-desirable. You can feel him reaching out to his family, especially his older brothers, for acceptance. It's easy to see how confused he is by his failing memories and how the way his family keeps things from him causes that confusion. He's surprisingly self-aware.

While the novel isn't overly dark, I can see how it might be headed that way for the follow-up, Red Glove. I'm excited to see where the story goes, and will definitely pick up the next one!

My rating is 4/5 stars.

NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

From Goodreads:

"Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?"

*** SPOILERS ***

While I really enjoyed this book - the writing is good, and the premise is great; I loved the characters and the interaction - I had some issues with the plot.

I realize that you're supposed to be hoping for Calla and Shay to be together, but I just kept thinking... she should be with Ren! I did not like the predictable changing-of-Shay; I thought that whole scene was just too easy and quick. Well, there's no other choice, so wolf he is! I did not enjoy the way her pack seems to be turning on her, and I didn't like the way Calla kept almost everything a secret from them. For such a strong character (she's the Alpha!), she seemed to make a lot of weak choices. And I thought the angst of Shay-or-Ren-or-Shay-or-Ren was overdone.

I also didn't find Shay to be particularly likable. I thought he was rather dull and somewhat child-like (especially after he became a wolf). It annoyed me how he kept brushing off Calla's beliefs and really her whole lifestyle; how he kept trying to change her from who she believed that she really was. I get that it was all to be a part of the love triangle, but I did not enjoy that aspect of the plot.

I did like the progression of the book, and I will definitely pick up the 2nd in the series because I want to know what happens... But I'm selfishly hoping that there will be a turn towards Ren in it!

My rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab

From Goodreads:

"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy."


The Near Witch was a very vivid and lyrical read. Many passages come across more as a song than narrative. I found it to be descriptive without being flowery.

The characters are interesting and complex, including the secondary characters (most especially the sister witches, Dreska and Magda). Lexi is a great strong and independent lead character, willing to go against the over-bearing adults in her life to help her sister, the village children and the stranger “Cole”. She is intelligent, courageous and not afraid to stand up for what she believes. She is also not afraid to get help from the sisters, even though the village as a whole mistrusts them. Lexi loves her sister very much, and keeps the memory of her father close. She acts with integrity, and is likable. She makes you root for her, and believe that she is in the right.

The novel gets right into the main plot, and carries through at a good pace. It kept my interest throughout. It’s spooky in just the right way, without being all-out scary or grotesque. Very fairy-tale, folklore, and mystery – a really excellent read.

My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.