Black Heart by Holly Black:
A fantastic conclusion to a compelling trilogy that still manages to stand alone. This is a great caper that weaves together multiple threads: Cassel’s new involvement with the Fed’s Licensed Minority Division (and his confusion about whether he can truly go ‘good’ when he’s been ‘bad’ for so long), solving the mystery of Zacharov’s missing Resurrection Diamond, figuring out the reasons behind the blackmailing of a classmate, and getting back at Governor Patton, who is still aiming to take away the rights of curse workers. All while trying to win back Lila Zacharov’s heart, of course. As usual, Jesse Eisenberg’s narration of the audio is brilliant, and he is the perfect combination of humble, earnest, scheming, and anxious.
Now available. Audiobook received from my local library.
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian:
Burn for Burn, Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian’s first collaborative
effort, has an intriguing premise–what happens when three wronged girls
team up to get back at those who hurt them? This was a fast read, and
the short chapters and quick plot will entice reluctant readers.
However, I never quite connected with the three characters of Mary,
Lillia, and Kat, perhaps because of these short, alternating chapters.
And the extra element added in took this out of the contemporary genre
entirely and seemed a bit unnecessary to me. Regardless, I was still
compelled and will most likely pick up the sequel.
Review copy received from NetGalley. Burn for Burn will be be published on September 18, 2012.
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
Time Travel is my weak spot, that quality that will make me pick up a book right away. Stone uses it to great effect in this love story, where Anna (from 1985) and Bennett (from 2012) meet because of Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space. His talent does have rules and stipulations, however, and these are both unique and well-thought out by the author. The story was compelling, but the romance didn’t sell me 100%, as it seemed a bit of a case of “meet quick, fall in love fast,” without much connection between the two. While Anna’s character was well-developed and three-dimensional, Bennett’s left a bit to be desired. It was lovely to read a stand-alone book, however.
Review copy received from NetGalley. Time Between Us will be be published on October 9, 2012.
I felt pretty similarly to you on Burn for Burn. I found myself much more compelled when the story was reaching the end, but ended up bummed how much of a cliffhanger the final chapter was. That said, I think it's successful if I AM that invested in wanting to know what happens in book two.
I didn't know time travel was one of your things, either! If you haven't requested it, you should request YESTERDAY by CK Kelly Martin. Time travel!
Time Between Us sounds like The Time Traveler's Wife to me!
Thanks for the reviews, J! The first book is new to me even though it's the last in the series. Off to check it out, I suppose!
Starts with White Cat. I really think you'd like them.
I feel like the ending of Black Heart is open enough to allow Holly Black to write a fourth book in the Curse Workers series. I can see how readers could interpret the ending as Happy For Now or Happily Ever After. For some readers, HFN isn't good enough, so they want a HEA. I'm happy with HFN, but it was clever of Holly Black to leave the ending open to interpretation.
In using the the romance terms HFN and HEA in this comment, I'm referring not only to Cassel and Lila, but also to the other plot threads (crime, family, friends, etc.) Although all of the plot threads are wrapped up, I still feel like there could be so much more to Cassel's story.
I agree! I could definitely see more coming. And I trust Holly Black enough to do it!
I need to request Black Heart at my library. I really want to read it.