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    Black Heart
    Black Heart
    Black Heart
    Ebook289 pages4 hours

    Black Heart

    By Holly Black

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    In book three of the Curse Workers series, “the perfect end to this gem of a trilogy” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), trust is a priceless commodity and the lines between right and wrong become dangerously blurred.

    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. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the government is the right choice, even though he’s been raised to believe they are the enemy of all curse workers.

    But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and all new secrets coming to light, what’s right and what’s wrong become increasingly hard to tell apart. When the Feds ask him to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he starts to wonder if they really are the good guys, or if it’s all a con. And if it is, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—on love.

    Love is dangerous and trust is priceless in Holly Black’s “powerful, edgy, dark” fantasy series (Publishers Weekly).
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMargaret K. McElderry Books
    Release dateApr 3, 2012
    ISBN9781442403482
    Black Heart
    Author

    Holly Black

    Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of speculative and fantasy novels, short stories, and comics. She has been a finalist for an Eisner and a Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic and Nebula Awards and a Newbery Honor. She has sold over twenty-six million books worldwide, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library. Visit her at BlackHolly.com.

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    Reviews for Black Heart

    4/5

    301 ratings32 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Find this review and more at On The Shelf!I thought this was an excellent conclusion to the Curse Worker series! It was the most suspenseful of the three and really showed Cassel’s powers off. Cassel is quite witty and sly and takes a lot of risks. If I was in position, I know it would be very hard to trust anybody and make a huge decision like the one he faces. In the end, I like the way he handles things and takes care of a few issues.I felt so bad for Cassel at several points because of how much he cares about Lila, but he thinks she can’t love him back because of his mother working her. I like Lila, even if she is the daughter of a crime boss. Cassel’s mother on the other hand, I never cared for through any of the books, but I guess you’re not really supposed to. She is so selfish and manipulative and shallow. Sam I also still like and he is still very loyal to Cassel, even though there is some danger for him being Cassel’s friend.I really like the way this one ended, and thought it was a good wrap up for the trilogy. I kind of wish there would be another book for the series, but even if there never is, I would still be satisfied with the way it ended. I own the first book, and I will be buying the 2nd and 3rd books as well since I enjoyed them so much. I love the dotted cover art and hopefully I will be able to get the author to sign them like my first one if she comes to YallFest again this coming November.Good characters, exciting, good descriptions, good ending.
    • 4/5
      Sharp, fast-paced magical thriller full of rich characters with complicated relationships. The conclusion to Cassel's story straddles two worlds as he discovers just how blurry the lines between right and wrong are, and how deep he would go for what matters most. ★★★★☆.
    • 4/5
      The third book in the Curse Workers series and another engrossing story of crime, romance, and the supernatural.
    • 3/5
      As the end of a series it was a bit of a let down. Sure the world of Cassel and curse workers is still interesting and well formed but too many loose ends were tied up and little too easily. Yes, not everything was resolved but enough things were that I felt there was little to no actual cost to the characters. I mean some serious stuff went down, murders, attempted murders, theft, blackmail, all sorts of other dark and mob-y things.
    • 5/5
      I listened to the audio book, as I've done with the previous two titles because I adore Jessie Eisenberg as Cassel Sharpe. To me, he IS Cassel. I've loved the previous two books, flawed characters, bad decisions and all. And, much to my delight, Black Heart follows up quite strongly. In Black Heart , we get to spend more time with Cassel as he uses his curse (for good and for evil). But we also learn more about his family, his mother and all the drama that's only been hinted at in the two other books. There are also a couple of interesting confrontations (of a sort) with people from the previous books (I really, really don't want to give anything away). And, of course, there's some fantastic Lila and Cassel interaction. I love this series so much and I was really happy with this third (and sadly final) book. But what made me happy was that Black managed to wrap everything up and give me the most satisfying ending possible.
    • 4/5
      I wasn't sure I really liked the characters in this series after the previous books, but I really liked the way this all wrapped, and I was much happier with Cassel Sharpe, the main character, after this wrap-up of the trilogy.

      The curse worker concept is really interesting. I would guess that there are many stories that could be told in this universe.
    • 4/5
      Cassel Sharpe is back in this third book of the "Curse Workers" series. Now Cassel knows he is a transformation worker, and finds his loyalties divided between Lila & his family on the one hand and the federal agents who promise him a life on the right side of the law on the other. Meanwhile, a schoolmate asks for his help when someone blackmails her. As a con artist from a family of workers, Cassel knows she's not telling him the whole truth, and he's not sure who to trust.I've enjoyed this series because Cassel is such an interesting character, someone who is genuinely conflicted between the life he's always known, loyalty to family, and a desire to do the right thing. The pace is fast, keeping me up late turning pages and, even though Cassel is the narrator, surprising me with what he holds back. The end was such that I wasn't sure whether to expect more or not, but either way it's a satisfying read.
    • 4/5
      This is more of a review of this series. So this series is a unique, but a growing subset, in the young adult paranormal genre. The uniqueness being female authored with a male protagonist as the hero and a dark dark world. The lead in each of these books is the same teenaged boy - -Cass. I would compare it to Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride, or Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. There seems to be a desire on the part of the paranormal reading crowd to read about male protagonists, so these books are definitely finding their niche readers. Cass was born into a crime family, not a powerful one but the world in this series is divided into two parts: those with magical abilities and those without. People fear those with magical powers and due to unfair legislation, fear of people without magic, internments and round ups those with magical abilities are segregated in lifestyle from those without powers. Everyone wears gloves. All the time. Why? The abilities people have (just one – the magic workers have just one power each) are not fun and nor are the powers nice but instead, the powers are such that kill, powers to alter memories, powers to make people feel things that they would not feel on their own and the power to transform someone from one object into another. But in order to work their curse, the magic workers need to use their bare fingers and touch bare skin on their target - - thus the gloves that everyone (even non magical workers) wear at all times. I have trouble with stories and series where people with powers can just do whatever they want with no cost. Holly Black created a world where magic exists but it isn’t easy. Everytime a magic worker puts a curse on someone there is a “blow back”. Memory workers lose parts of their own memories. Emotion workers suffer through emotional ups and downs. Death workers have parts of their bodies die off … and on and on …There is an undercurrent of politics driven by fear throughout the series. It is not overwhelming and the politics do not dominate the plot. A question that I kept thinking is – shouldn’t the non magical people be afraid? What is a fair solution to protect the non magical people but not overly limit the ability of the magical people to live their lives? I am not sure there is a solution and Holly Black shows that tension of what it would be like to live with real threats like death workers and memory workers. So Curse Workers has some recycled cliché young adult themes: hero doesn’t know the extent of his powers, family is really out there, boarding school, boy kills off his girlfriend there is lots of blood, painful memories …. screeeeeeech …okay maybe that is not an overused cliché. What I think Holly Black did really well is set up this story in a very familiar setting but then took it somewhere most young adult books do not go. There is sex, there is drinking, there is death and sociopathic behavior and the ending of the series is not storybook at all. So the ending is anti-everything we want for our kids or our parents dream about for us but you know what? It is perfect for this series and I loved that Holly Black ended it the way she did. Now I listened to this series in audio, despite also owning it in ebook. I think I should have read it. The narration was done well, I guess ... but it didn’t grab me. I need to say thought, that the narration does not detract or take away from the story at all. Despite that, I would suggest reading this series. I recommend this book to people who enjoy darker urban fantasy stories and who are okay with a slow build in the beginning of a story.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: The perfect ending to a wonderful series with a very surprising twist. Opening Sentence: My brother Barron sits next to me, sucking the last dregs of milk tea slush noisily through a wide yellow straw. The Review: Holly Black is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write stories really, really well. Take for example the Curse Workers series. It’s a series of stories that has action, parnormal elements, and a romantic love story that has me clutching my heart. Black Heart was filled with heart-warming moments, unexpected twists, endless teenage angst, and just plain awesome. This was really the perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. Cassel Sharpe has discovered many things about himself, his family, and his past in the last few books, but nothing as much as he has in Black Heart. Cassel is now involved with the Feds, helping them to get out of his own troubles, and he has dragged his brother along with him. Well, blackmailed is a better word. Aside from that, Cassel has his heart to deal with, working through the ups and downs with Lila. Cassel’s life is a collection of momentous events, all of which do not play in his favor. Many different people in the Curse Workers storyline view Cassel’s ability as a transformation worker in different ways. Everyone wants to use him for their own gain, and unfortunately Cassel is stuck in the middle. Cassel has grown throughout the three books. He struggles to between what are the right things to do; not only for him, for his family, but also for his friends. He has to think of others before he even thinks about himself. With all of the powerful enemies that Cassel has collected, it is fun to watch him outsmart them all. What I love about Black Heart is that the supporting characters play important roles. Sam has always been and always be Sam’s best friend, wingman, co-conspirator. Daneca is newer to the group, but has done her fair share to earn a trustworthy friendship. She is a little mysterious, and there are things that Cassel doesn’t approve of, but in the end, she is a great friend. Barron and Cassel have a lot of history together. Yes, they are brothers, but there’s this dark cloud that glooms over their relationship. He manipulated Cassel, Cassel blackmailed Barron. You know, that type of stuff. And then there’s Lila. Lila, to me, has represented the natural progression of life. Her life began as something innocent, and has turned into something corrupt. But Lila keeps moving and has made the best of every situation. Black Heart’s plot picks up quickly, and doesn’t slow down. Black created this unique world with a fantastic culture that I can’t get enough of. I know that the Curse Workers series is a trilogy, but I only wish there was more. I loved how Black resolved all of the threads, and I really enjoyed the surprise at the end. I felt that Black Heart was a great conclusion to the series. A must read for everyone. Notable Scene: She’s gone. The door swings shut behind me as I cross the empty room. Everything feels like it has slowed down, the edges a little dim. The awfulness of it, the loss of her, hits me in the gut. Gone. Gone and there’s nothing I can do about it. My eyes are drawn to the window, where light’s streaming in, casting an odd shadow. There on the sill, resting against one of the panes of glass, is a single envelope. My name is written on it in her handwriting. I wonder how long it’s been sitting there. I imagine her loading all her stuff into boxes and carrying it down the stairs, Zacharov himself helping her, like all the other dads did. With two goons, guns tucked into their waistbands, helping him. The thought should make me smile, but it doesn’t. I sink to the floor, the paper clutched to my chest. I rest my head on the bare wood. Somewhere in the distance I hear a bell ring. I’ve got no reason to get up, so I don’t.FTC Advisory: Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Black Heart. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      Cassel Sharpe is trying to turn over a new leaf. He comes from a family of curse workers involved in organized crime; he was previously used as an assassin unbeknownst to him; and he's in love with a girl who has decided to involve herself further in the illicit dealings of the mob. Determined to stay on the straight and narrow, he forces himself to work with the Feds, even though it has been hammered into his brain that they are the enemy. When they ask him to do the only thing he promised himself he would ever repeat, he doesn't know what is right or wrong anymore. Pulled between the mob (who hold his mother hostage) and the feds, Cassel walks a tightrope between them, trying to appease both while not truly joining either. Now he has to sift out the truth amongst all the lies and hope that he can live with the choice he makes.Cassel is back! He is one of my favorite protagonists in YA fiction. Using his cunning and intelligence, he deftly navigates working for the feds, helping the mob, and protecting his family and himself. He doesn't always make the right decisions and definitely isn't perfect, but he works with everything he has and tries to make the best of it with some humor and sarcasm to top it off. I sincerely wish that all YA heroes and heroines were imbued with a little bit of Cassel. Many of them would be a lot more interesting and less frustrating to read. Anyway, he is caught up in a number of plot lines that cause him to have run-ins with everyone from the feds to the school faculty. He has grown so much in the course of the series and truly seeks to do good in the world. His romance with Lila is as heartbreaking as ever as they are both torn apart by opposing factions and circumstances on top of all the other emotional baggage from their past.Black Heart is a formidable book with skilled writing from Holly Black. However, I felt something was missing. Red Glove was so awesome and this book just came up a little short for me. The story line at his school felt like it didn't quite mesh with the rest of the novel. There was ample action and intrigue and I was satisfied with the ending. However, the world surrounding Cassel has gotten so big and interesting that I was left wondering what went on outside of his story and the ramifications of his actions on the world. I really hope Holly Black revisits the world either to continue Cassel's story (which I would love!) or simply create new characters.I love the Curse Worker series, but the ending left me with mixed feelings and a little lost. I still enjoyed this book and would definitely highly recommend the entire series to fans of urban fantasy.
    • 5/5
      Holly Black is a Curse Worker!There is absolutely nothing that I dislike about Black Heart or the rest of the Curse Workers series! Holly Black is one of my favorite authors. She hooked me with the Tithe series and gave me no room to wiggle off the line with her current film-noir-mixed-with-some-paranormal crime drama.****Alert: Since this a review for book three of a series, it contains spoilers for anyone who hasn't read White Cat and Red Glove. If you find yourself in that unenviable position, you need to immediately step away from your computer, use the fastest means of transportation available to you, and get yourself to a bookstore so you can begin reading what is sure to become one of your favorite series. (If you're new to Holly Black, then you've got even more catching up to do. Don't miss out on Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside!) Now back to the review. Cassel Sharpe is an eminently sympathetic character. He's a loyal friend/brother/son. He has a surprisingly strong sense of right and wrong, considering he was raised in a family of supernatural thieves and con artists. A family which lied to him and made him believe he was the black sheep without the power to alter people's memories, make them fall in love, or kill them with a single touch. He was the outcast since he wasn't a "Curse Worker". Just one problem: He is a curse worker. And not just any curse worker, but a transformation worker. He has the ability to turn you into anyone or anything he wants. So they used him to commit murders and to transform his best friend and only girl he ever loved into a cat, then erased his memory of it (White Cat). In attempt to set things straight his mom, the emotion worker, curses the girl to fall in love with him. So now he can't be with her because he knows it's not real and refuses to take advantage of the situation (Red Glove). It's amazing that he doesn't go on a psychopathic rampage transforming everyone into beanbag chairs! In Black Heart he's got the Feds hounding him to join their Licensed Minority Division so they can have the rarest and most feared type of curse worker as their own weapon. Then there's the crime boss (and father of the girl of his dreams) who's holding his mother hostage until he can retrieve a diamond she once stole from him. And just for fun, let's throw in a terrified girl from school who begs him to help her deal with a blackmailer, while clearly holding back some vital information. There's just so much being thrown at this kid from every angle. But he just takes it all in stride and stays one step ahead while everyone thinks they're playing him.Black Heart is a fast paced, fun, and extremely well written novel. The characters and situations are completely believable. The setting is beautifully constructed. The plot is well thought out and perfectly executed. Exactly what I've come to expect from Holly Black, who clearly works her magic by touching her fingers to a keyboard. For writing this solid, the blowback must be crazy!
    • 4/5
      Third book in Black’s curse workers series (possibly a trilogy; there is an ending to this book). Cassel Sharpe, now secretly working with the feds, has to deal with ongoing problems at school and with the love of his young life, formerly cursed to love him and now virulently angry at him. If that’s not enough, she’s part of a powerful crime family and her father will kill him if the truth comes out. Also, the feds want him to assassinate a governor who’s looking to intern curse workers in detention camps. So, you know, he has a busy schedule. It’s a quick, fun read with a dash of con artistry, and maybe his personal problems are solved with relative ease, but these are teenagers and I’m willing to believe they can turn on a dime in this way, curses or not.
    • 4/5
      I’m so happy and excited that I read this book. Really happy. I have to say though, I’m sad to see the series end. I can see it opening door to other stories that I wish I can read. With that said, I really loved this series as a whole.Plot. Through out this series as well as each book, the plot has been consistent in growing and leading the reader to a whole other world. A world full of magic and chaos. I’m really loved how easy it was for me to open the book read the first page and I’m in. Back in Cassal’s shoe ready to play the game he’s been playing he’s whole life. In this story, every chapter is just as exciting as the last. Every moment of Cassal life leads up to final magic trick that can save him or break him,.Characters. The minor characters in the book go father with Cassal. Most have supported him and befriended him. Others just continuously stabbed him in the back. Through out the series and in this story particularly, you can see Cassal’s strength. He is much more sure of himself, finding strength in places he didn’t realize he had. I admired him to make things work out for him. He needs it.Love. Through Cassal’s messed up life he has faced many demons. Cassal has finally taken something for himself. It has been difficult and hard, but the reader see’s Cassal over come all of that. He has lost so much and fights for what he has left. Hope and love.I could name more points but I think if I keep going, I’ll just spill the ending. Which for me, is the best part. Vague and complete, Cassal takes what he wants and runs for it. Good for you kid!No amount of words can describe how much I love this series. Black Heart is exciting yet moves forward with such enticement and thrills you can’t help but be hooked. A compelling piece of work that completes the series, Black Heart is memorable.
    • 4/5
      A good ending for a well-done YA series about crime families in a world where people can curse and charm each other with a touch.
    • 4/5
      Cassel Sharpe was raised in the Curse Workers's world, where everyone is a con artist and every choice is a potential trap. His mother can emotionally control him, his brother can manipulate his memories, his ex-girlfriend is now part of the mob and he himself has a power so rare that its nearly mythical. He wants to get a high class education and win himself free of all the plots, but instead he keeps getting pulled deeper.

      The world building remains awesome. There are workers and non-workers. Workers can enact magic with a touch, but experience blowback if they do. For example, emotion workers can manipulate other people's feelings, but in return their own emotions become unstable. Or there are death workers, who can kill someone with a touch, but in return a part of their body dies--a tooth if they're lucky, their heart if they're not. Even healing has blowback of its own: by healing others, one becomes sick oneself. Working magic is dangerous and not to be done lightly. But for all that, it's so powerful that it's still used. And because all the magic is touch-based, everyone wears gloves constantly, and seeing someone's ungloved hand is both incredibly intimate and a little scary.

      Cassel, and all the supporting characters, are equally well-thought out, well-rounded creations. And the plot is as twisty as ever, though not quite so mind-blowing as the first two books. I really loved this series, but I think Black was smart to end (or at least pause) it here. Cassel quitting school, the FBI, and all pretences of normality in order to have a little time with Lila was an incredibly gutsy plot twist, the equivalent of having Harry Potter quit Hogwarts in, say, the fifth book. It was smart, it was unexpected, and it completely shook up the books' loose formula. In all three books, Cassel has to juggle school, curse working, and the law--after the last chapter, the juggling act is over.
    • 4/5
      Black Heart by Holly Black is the conclusion of the Curse Workers trilogy, and I'm finding it hard to explain the series. First of all, if you're at all interested -- if, for instance, you like urban fantasy, or reading about original, well-developed magic systems, you should start with White Cat, where you can meet teenage con man Cassel Sharpe and his mob family and preppy boarding school friends. You can immerse yourself in a world where some individuals have the ability to work curses by touch, so everyone in society wears gloves to prevent being worked. And you can avoid the spoilers that will be included in the rest of this review.In Black Heart, Cassel is working for the Feds -- or is he? After all, Cassel will always look out for Cassel first, and he hasn't made a definite commitment to the Feds yet. Still, they need his unique talents for a big job. If he plays his cards right, he may be able to make everyone happy: the Feds, his family, the crime boss, his friends, the mob, and Lila -- the girl he loves, who was cursed to love him back and . . . well, it's complicated. Then again, if Cassel messes up, the consequences could be deadly. Will Cassel be able to pull off "the Big One?"I liked this book just as much as the first two in the series. Cassel has a strong, smart (and smart-alecky) voice, and he was a lot of fun to read about, as always. The plot came together nicely, though it seemed just a little bit more straightforward than the other two books. That may be because this book has a definite ending, wrapping up loose ends nicely. A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
    • 5/5
      Through events in Red Glove, Cassel is now 'sort of' working for the federal government, helping his older brother, Barron, practice his skills, all while worrying about Lila, the girl he loves who is working do her mob boss father. Cassel, Barron and Lila are all curse workers, people who can affect changes in anyone they touch fingertips to skin. As curseworking is outlawed, working for crime families or clandestinely for the government are the few jobs open to those who aren't hiding their abilities,along the world a hostile place. Cassel is a rare transformation worker, with a criminal miter on the run, so when the Feds request his aid in targeting a senator hell-bent on sibling out workers, he must finally decide where his loyalty lies.Cassel is funny, smart and a clever con artist, which hes been raised to be by his family of con artists. His plots are sneaky and twisty, and Black does a wonderful job in keeping the reader guessing to the end. Her world of curse workers is detailed yet seemingly effortlessly done, and I've simply adored the time spent in this world.Do not miss out on this series!!! Start with White Cat and be prepared to enjoy!Highly recommended for older teens (there is a sexy scene that fades to black as the characters undress, and there is some violence).
    • 4/5
      This is the third, and final, book in the Curse Workers series by Black. I think readers who really love this series will enjoy how the series is tied up. Things are tied up in a hopeful, yet realistic way, which I really enjoyed. I personally haven’t been a huge fan of this series, I am not bit on organized crime fantasy, but that being said I think this was the best book in the series.I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator sounds exactly like I imagined Cassel would.Cassel is trying to turn his life around and do the right thing. Sure his ex-girlfriend is forever tied to a life of crime, but Cassel is trying hard to not follow where she is going. Cassel is thinking about working for the Feds because at least they are on the good side right? But when the Feds ask him to do something with his Transformation that he swore never to do, Cassel is forced to question everything. Who is being conned and who is doing the conning? The future of his mother, his brother, and the love of his life, Lila, all depend on him sorting out what’s true and what’s a con.Cassel just breaks your heart in this book. He is just trying so hard to do what’s right but at points what is right is incredibly hard to figure out. That’s not to say he ever gets stupid; he knows a con when he sees one and is all about conning the person pulling a con.Lila isn’t in the beginning of the book a ton, but she does feature later on. A lot happens between her and Cassel in this book, and that is all I am going to say about that. Lila is an interesting character; her path to a life of crime doesn’t seem to bother her a ton...it’s just her life and she makes the best of it.Cassel’s brother Barron and his mother are also in the story quite a bit. Barron is, well, he’s Barron. He’s working for the Feds but still loosing memories. Cassel’s mother is the same; she loves her sons but never seems to struggle with her morals over the decisions she makes.This whole book is really about the struggle between being good and being bad and how there are no clear answers...everything is just too complicated.The books ends absolutely perfectly. There are some things left unresolved, just like real life. I love how things are left between Cassel and Lila; the ending just fits the tone of the story perfectly.Overall a great conclusion to this series. This was my favorite book of the trilogy. It ties things up nicely, has a great tangle of mysteries to engage the reader, and is just absolutely realistic in the way it ends. Fans of the series should be pleased.
    • 5/5
      Holly Black has done it again! I swear, this woman is incapable of writing a bad book. Black Heart is just as darkly humorous and exciting as the last two books in the Curse Worker trilogy! I would argue that the stakes are even higher this time around—there are three major issues that Cassel needs to deal with, all involving different groups of people: his family, his friends, and the Feds. Holly Black does a great job of balancing all three storylines and ending the book with all problems resolved. The manner of resolution, however, isn’t easy—each of the conflicts Cassel is facing have their own twists, and you’ll find yourself surprised at every single one. But Holly Black proved that she’s stellar at plot twists in the first two Curse Worker books; I shouldn’t be surprised by her skill, but I always am.Aside from the complexity of the story and cons, Black Heart continues to excel in terms of characters. Cassel has slowly grown over the course of the series, and in Black Heart he evolves the most. His signature snark is still intact, but he’s not so much of a self-loathing moper anymore. I can’t get enough of Cassel’s narration—he’s just a funny, quirky guy. The side characters are just as wonderful as always—I love Sam, Cassel’s roommate, Lila, and even Zacharov has his moments.As a finale, Black Heart is perfect. We get answers to some questions that have followed Cassel through all three books, we’re given time with each of the characters (we’ll remember them fondly!), and we get to read through a really good con. What more could a reader ask for?If you’ve read the previous two Curse Worker books, you absolutely must pick up Black Heart. It doesn’t disappoint! But whatever your expectations are, prepare to be completely surprised—the ending to this fabulous series is unpredictable!
    • 5/5
      I was so happy to dive into this series again to see what the Sharpe brothers were up to. As we learned at the end of Red Glove, the Feds made an offer to Barron and Cassel, and they accepted, although Barron likes to think he's playing both sides (no surprise there). As Cassel navigates the very treacherous path of political intrigue, tortures himself over his love for Lila and tries to find his mom, he continues to deal with school. I loved some of the story lines that blended school life and personal life. His school friends and mobster family are the crazy and dysfunctional pieces that make up his life. In fact, I was drawn into the story so much that I actually felt sorry for Barron in one situation. Can you believe it? Cassel is as heartbreakingly vulnerable as always, dredging up all kinds of confusing feelings. The beauty of Cassel is that you don't know whether you want to make out with him or make him a hot meal because his mom is such a disaster. Maybe both. (I'm sure a therapist would have a heyday with that little statement.) However you categorize your feelings, he is the ultimate anti-hero with a desire to perhaps do some good, but mostly avoid trouble.There is a lot of fast paced action in this book, but it's the characters that make it amazing. With Cassel, there is a deep sense, although he tried so hard to live a "normal" life, that he doesn't feel he deserves to be treated as anything more than a worthless criminal. These feelings are confronted in a wonderful scene with Lila, but even before that, his actions tell you that somewhere in there is a kid who really wants things to work, who still has hope that maybe things really will work out for him. That contrast between what Cassel wants and the reality of his world is what makes this series so appealing. He can literally transform himself into anything, but he can't ever really change who he is and where he comes from. Fans of these books will love this final installment. The character development is seamless from one book to the next and up until the last scene there are surprises waiting to be discovered.I am so sad that this series is over, but I loved the ending. These books were perfect from beginning to end and this series will forever be on my all time favorites list. Thank you, Holly Black.
    • 5/5
      The Good Stuff Fabulous ending to the trilogy (at least I think its a trilogy) as it leaves things open if she wants to write more, but will satisfy you if she doesn't Cassel is a very intriguing and likeable character and actually very life like Fantastic secondary characters - though would have liked more of Cassel's grandfather and Sam Very fast paced and plenty of twists and turns that keep you wondering who is conning who Actually my favorite of the series Wonderful humour and snappy dialogue Black is a excellent storyteller who has created an unusual world with a bit of an X men vibe thrown in Interesting observations on human nature, prejudice, forgiveness, nature of evil, right and wrong, etc Male protagonist that is written by a women but not so over the top emo like most YA males, -- really liked Cassel and would be proud to have him as a son. sex is handled tastefully One thing that really impressed me is that she has worked some character development into Cassel's family. In the first book they were pretty much a caricature - now they have been fleshed out and you can understand them a lot better Can we please have a book about the grandpa -- I love him -- oooh how about a prequel The Not So Good Stuff the cover on my arc is blah -- hopefully the cover on the final product is nicer A wee bit confusing at times as she jumps around a little Favorite Quotes/Passages " Barron's a sociopath. They're very convincing. Especially if you're one of those girls who thinks she can fix a boy." "Over the last few months I got every last thing I ever wanted - and then I threw it all away. Everything I thought I could never have was offered up on a silver platter- the girl, the power, a job at the right hand of, Zacharov, the most formidable man I know. It wouldn't have been that hard to work for him. It probably would have been fun. And if I didn't care who I hurt, it would still be all mine." "That's family for you. Can't live with them; can't murder them. Unless Barron rats me out to Yulikova. Then I really might."Who Should/Shouldn't Read If you haven't read the rest of the series I wouldn't recommend you read this without reading them Adults and YA will both enjoy (although most of the adults are douche bags)4.25 Dewey'sI received from Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review
    • 4/5
      The FINAL book in The Curse Worker’s Series! What will happen to Cassel? What will happen to Lila? I NEEDED TO KNOW. And I found out.Black Heart was a great ending to the story of Cassel, Lila, and the crew. Loose ends were tied up and people, essentially, got what was coming to them. Did I like it as much as the first two? No, but that’s because it felt like not enough stuff was going on. It wasn’t as thrilling as the first two and I guess that usually happens in the final book of a series. I wanted more from Black Heart but let me be clear that I still loved this book.Cassel really comes into his own in this book. I don’t know quite how to describe it but he goes from being “baby bird brother” to a REAL MAN. And I’ve enjoyed watching him learn and grown over this series.I recommend this series to all readers, especially if you’re looking for something VERY unique and yet, can be paralleled with our world today.
    • 5/5
      In short: Holly Black raises the stakes in Black Heart, the thrilling conclusion to the brilliant and ingenious Curse Workers Trilogy.I was so excited to return to the dark world of curse workers and con men in Black Heart, the third and final book in the Curse Workers Trilogy. White Cat and Red Glove, the previous two books in the trilogy by Holly Black, were fast-paced and terribly clever, with brilliant characters and effortless writing. I was anxious to find out what would happen to our favourite characters in Black Heart and if Holly Black could best herself to come up with the perfect conclusion to an awesome series. I am happy to say I believe she does!I am beyond impressed by the skill and proficiency with which Holly Black writes. Black Heart has three main, separate story lines and problems that Cassel finds himself having to deal with all at once. I am amazed that at such a small number of pages - less than 300! - Black Heart never feels cluttered or rushed. Instead, the multiple plot lines makes Black Heart not only the most intense of the three books in the series, but also makes it near impossible to put down.Cassel is officially one of my most favourite male protagonists of all time. He is the suave and arrogant bad boy on the surface, hiding his true demeanor as a compassionate and often insecure teenager. He faces more pressure and trouble than ever in Black Heart as he is seemingly pulled in multiple different directions with no ideal outcome. And just when you're wondering how is he ever going to get himself out of all these predicaments, Cassel finds a way to cleverly avoid trouble and selflessly give support to those in need.Black Heart is the prefect conclusion to an ingenious and original fantasy trilogy. The ending is left a bit open, but all major story lines are wrapped up nicely. I am a new and vocal fan of Holly Black's after reading this series and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!
    • 4/5
      Again, I liked it, same as book 1 and 2. I don't have much new to say. Nice fantasy, nice characters. The con aspect well worked out.
    • 4/5
      I started this one ages ago (last year, actually!) and got distracted, mainly because the plot of these series is so intricate I was a little lost on the details. This time I persevered and finished in a day. I still feel like i missed a few things regarding the plot that started on previous books (particularly regarding the romance) but "Black heart" has its own brilliantly executed plot, full of coincidences and blanks that make it REAL. Like Cassel puts it, only lies make perfect sense. Fantastic ending!
    • 5/5
      Ohhhhhh I totally wish Holly Black would write another book!!!!
    • 5/5
      The finale to the White Cat series – phenomenal. What do you do when it’s your nature to be on the grift, but you aspire to a straight and legal life? Cassel struggles to find his way as his transformational talent makes him ever more valuable to the players around him.
    • 4/5
      I struggled between 3 and 4 stars for this book because while I think its pretty great I also found it pretty upsetting. Like, on an emotional level. Also while I thought the interpersonal stuff happening was great the plot was weaker, and I wasn't a fan of how the story was ultimately resolved. It does flesh out curse work a bit more though, and has some truly great lines about perception and how people think.

      This is the third book on the series, so by the time I read it I had formed some fairly strong ideas about all the characters. But this book made me think differently about almost everyone in it. Im not saying they all changed completely or were suddenly written badly. More that things that I had not anticipated happened and made me think differently about the characters.

      The biggest one of these shifts, this next part is vaguely spoilery btw, is with Baron. I kind of hated him before this, and I still think hes a pretty nasty piece of work, but this book just brought it home for me what a nebulous existence he leads and how that might affect a person. The concept of memory of the past shaping who we are now isnt new, but the way Baron experiences it just really gets to me. Also, that part with the picture in the wallet messed me up. It messed me up and I dont think Im gonna get over it any time soon. Good grief.
    • 5/5
      loved it
    • 5/5
      Two/three things -- I really should have read this book long before now. I've had it forever, but I really do have to a) be in the right mood for reading Holly's books, and b) sort of hold on to the works of certain authors like a dragon hoarding jewels against the day when I won't still have a book of theirs in my hands available to read still.

      Sadly, I think I waited a little too long to read this one because I went into with the foggiest "I remember this is about the Mob/FBI with dark magic, and I remember that REALLY HORRIBLE THINGS happened at the ends of last two books......but I know don't remember what exactly those really horrible things were...oops."

      Even with that this book was exquisite though. Razor sharp, dark void, interestingly new magic wise and Mob-y. Like I remembered. I, also, forgot how fast these books read. I was just starting it and then a few hours later, it was already half gone, and before I went to bed it was all gone. This was gorgeous, and I loved the world, how complex and unfair it was, all the choices and sides were, and I loved the ending, the very end of this-but beginning of this-we drive off into the future ending Holly is so good at.

    Book preview

    Black Heart - Holly Black

    Black Heart, by Holly Black.

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    Black Heart, by Holly Black. Margaret K. McElderry Books.

    CONTENTS

    CHAPTER ONE

    CHAPTER TWO

    CHAPTER THREE

    CHAPTER FOUR

    CHAPTER FIVE

    CHAPTER SIX

    CHAPTER SEVEN

    CHAPTER EIGHT

    CHAPTER NINE

    CHAPTER TEN

    CHAPTER ELEVEN

    CHAPTER TWELVE

    CHAPTER THIRTEEN

    CHAPTER FOURTEEN

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    CHAPTER SIXTEEN

    CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    ABOUT HOLLY BLACK

    To Fizzgig, my long-haired gray moppet of a cat, who was patient and friendly despite always appearing enraged.

    CHAPTER ONE

    MY BROTHER BARRON sits next to me, sucking the last dregs of milk tea slush noisily through a wide yellow straw. He’s got the seat of my Benz pushed all the way back and his feet up on the dash, the heels of his pointy black shoes scratching the plastic. With his hair slicked back and his mirrored sunglasses covering his eyes, he looks like a study in villainy.

    He’s actually a junior federal agent, still in training, sure, but with a key card and an ID badge and everything.

    To be fair, he’s also a villain.

    I tap my gloved fingers impatiently against the curve of the wheel and bring a pair of binoculars to my eyes for about the millionth time. All I see is a boarded-up building on the wrong side of Queens. "What is she doing in there? It’s been forty minutes."

    What do you think? he asks me. Bad things. That’s her after-school job now. Taking care of shady business so Zacharov’s gloves stay clean.

    Her dad won’t put her in any real danger, I say, but the tone of my voice makes it pretty obvious I’m trying to convince myself more than I’m trying to convince my brother.

    Barron snorts. She’s a new soldier. Got to prove herself. Zacharov couldn’t keep her out of danger if he tried—and he’s not going to be trying real hard. The other laborers are watching, waiting for her to be weak. Waiting for her to screw up. He knows that. So should you.

    I think of her at twelve, a skinny girl with eyes too large for her face and a nimbus of tangled blond hair. In my memory she’s sitting on the branch of a tree, eating a rope of red licorice. Her lips are sticky with it. Her flip-flops are hanging off her toes. She’s cutting her initials into the bark, high up, so her cousin can’t claim she’s lying when she tells him she got higher than he ever will.

    Boys never believe I can beat them, she told me back then. But I always win in the end.

    Maybe she spotted the car and went out the back, I say finally.

    No way she made us. He sucks on the straw again. It makes that rattling empty-cup sound, echoing through the car. We’re like ninjas.

    Somebody’s cocky, I say. After all, tailing someone isn’t easy, and Barron and I aren’t that good at it yet, no matter what he says. My handler at the agency, Yulikova, has been encouraging me to shadow Barron, so I can learn secondhand and can keep myself safe until she figures out how to tell her bosses that she’s got hold of a teenage transformation worker with a bad attitude and a criminal record. And since Yulikova’s in charge, Barron’s stuck teaching me. It’s supposed to be just for a few months, until I graduate from Wallingford. Let’s see if we can stand each other that long.

    Of course, I’m pretty sure this isn’t the kind of lesson Yulikova’s been imagining.

    Barron grins, white teeth flashing like dropped dice. What do you think Lila Zacharov would do if she knew you were tailing her?

    I grin back. Probably she’d kill me.

    He nods. Probably she would. Probably she’d kill me twice for helping you.

    Probably you deserve it, I say. He snorts.

    Over the last few months I got every last thing I ever wanted—and then I threw it all away. Everything I thought I could never have was offered up on a silver platter—the girl, the power, a job at the right hand of Zacharov, the most formidable man I know. It wouldn’t even have been that hard to work for him. It probably would have been fun. And if I didn’t care who I hurt, it would still all be mine.

    I lift the binoculars and study the door again—the worn paint striping the boards and crumbling like bread crumbs, the chewed-up bottom edge as ragged as if it had been gnawed on by rats.

    Lila would still be mine.

    Mine. The language of love is like that, possessive. That should be the first warning that it’s not going to encourage anyone’s betterment.

    Barron groans and throws his cup into the backseat. I can’t believe that you blackmailed me into becoming Johnny Law and now I have to sweat it out five days a week with the other recruits while you use my experience to stalk your girlfriend. How is that fair?

    "One, I think you mean the extremely dubious benefit of your experience. Two, Lila’s not my girlfriend. Three, I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I count off these points on my leather-covered fingers. And four, the last thing you should want is fairness."

    Stalk her at school, Barron says, ignoring everything I’ve just said. Come on. I have to make a phone call. Let’s pack in this lesson and get a couple of slices. I’ll even buy.

    I sigh. The car is stuffy and smells like old coffee. I’d like to stretch my legs. And Barron is probably right—we should give this up. Not for the reason he’s saying but for the one that’s implied. The one about it not being okay to lurk around outside buildings, spying on girls you like.

    My fingers are reaching reluctantly for my keys when she walks out of the worn door, as though my giving up summoned her. She’s got on tall black riding boots and a steel gray trench. I study the quicksilver gestures of her gloved hands, the sway of her earrings, the slap of her heels on the steps, and the lash of her hair. She’s so beautiful, I can barely breathe. Behind her follows a boy with his hair braided into the shape of two antelope horns. His skin is darker than mine. He’s got on baggy jeans and a hoodie. He’s shoving a folded-up wad of something that looks like cash into an inside pocket.

    Outside of school Lila doesn’t bother wearing a scarf. I can see the grim necklace of marks on her throat, scars black where ash was rubbed into them. That’s part of the ceremony when you join her father’s crime family, slicing your skin and swearing that you’re dead to your old life and reborn into wickedness. Not even Zacharov’s daughter was spared it.

    She’s one of them now. No turning back.

    Well, now, says Barron, gleeful. I bet you’re thinking we just observed the end of a very naughty transaction. But let’s consider the possibility that actually we caught her doing something totally innocent yet embarrassing.

    I look at him absently. Embarrassing?

    Like meeting up to play one of those card games where you have to collect everything. Pokémon. Magic the Gathering. Maybe they’re training for a tournament. With all that money she just handed him, I’m guessing he won.

    Funny.

    Maybe he’s tutoring her in Latin. Or they were painting miniatures together. Or he’s teaching her shadow puppetry. He makes a duck-like gesture with one gloved hand.

    I punch Barron’s shoulder, but not really hard. Just hard enough to make him shut up. He laughs and adjusts his sunglasses, pushing them higher on his nose.

    The boy with the braids crosses the street, head down, hood pulled up to shadow his face. Lila walks to the corner and raises her hand to hail a cab. The wind whips at her hair, making it a nimbus of blown gold.

    I wonder if she’s done her homework for Monday.

    I wonder if she could ever love me again.

    I wonder just how mad she’d be if she knew I was here, watching her. Probably really, really mad.

    Cold October air floods into the car suddenly, tossing around the empty cup in the backseat.

    Come on, Barron says, leaning on the door, grinning down at me. I didn’t even notice him getting out. Grab some quarters for the meter, and your stuff. He jerks his head in the direction of the boy with the braids. We’re going to follow him.

    What about that phone call? I shiver in my thin green T-shirt. My leather jacket is wadded up in the backseat of my car. I reach for it and shrug it on.

    I was bored, Barron says. Now I’m not.

    This morning when he told me we were going to practice tailing people, I picked Lila as my target half as a joke, half out of sick desire. I didn’t think that Barron would agree. I didn’t think that we’d actually see her leaving her apartment building and getting into a town car. I for sure didn’t think that I would wind up here, close to actually finding out what she’s been doing when she’s not in school.

    I get out of the car and slam the door behind me.

    That’s the problem with temptation. It’s so damn tempting.

    Feels almost like real agent work, doesn’t it? Barron says as we walk down the street, heads bowed against the wind. You know, if we caught your girlfriend committing a crime, I bet Yulikova would give us a bonus or something for being prize pupils.

    Except that we’re not going to do that, I say.

    I thought you wanted us to be good guys. He grins a too-wide grin. He’s enjoying needling me, and my reacting only makes it worse, but I can’t stop.

    Not if it means hurting her, I say, my voice as deadly as I can make it. Never her.

    Got it. Hurting, bad. But how do you excuse stalking her and her friends, little brother?

    I’m not excusing it, I say. I’m just doing it.

    Following—stalking—someone isn’t easy. You try not to stare too hard at the back of his head, keep your distance, and act like you’re just another person freezing your ass off in late October on the streets of Queens. Above all you try not to seem like a badly trained federal agent wannabe.

    Stop worrying, Barron says, strolling along beside me. Even if we get made, this guy will probably be flattered. He’d think he was moving up in the world if he had a government tail.

    Barron is better at acting casual than I am. I guess he should be. He’s got nothing to lose if we’re spotted. Lila couldn’t possibly hate him more than she does. Plus, he probably trains for this all day, while I’m at Wallingford studying to get into the kind of college there is no way I am ever going to attend.

    It still annoys me. Since I was a kid, we’ve competed over lots of things. Mostly, all those competitions were ones I lost.

    We were the two youngest, and when Philip would be off with his friends on the weekends, Barron and I would be stuck doing whatever errands Dad needed doing, or practicing whatever skill he thought we needed to learn.

    He particularly wanted us to be better at pickpocketing and lock-picking than we were.

    Two kids are the perfect pickpocket team, he’d say. One to do the lift, the other one to distract or to take the handoff.

    We both practiced dips. First identifying where Dad kept his wallet by looking for a bulge in a back pocket or the way one side of his coat swung heavily because something was inside. Then the lift. I was pretty good; Barron was better.

    Then we practiced distraction. Crying. Asking for directions. Giving the mark a quarter that you claim they dropped.

    It’s like stage magic, Dad said. You’ve got to make me look over there so I won’t notice what’s happening right in front of my face.

    When Dad didn’t feel like fending off our clumsy attempts at lifts, he’d bring us to the barn and show us his collection: He had an old metal tackle box with locks on all the sides, so you had to run the gauntlet of seven different locks to get into it. Neither Barron nor I ever managed.

    Once we learned how to open a lock with a tool, we’d have to learn to pick it with a bobby pin, with a hanger, then with a stick or some other found object. I kept hoping that I’d be naturally great at locks, since I was pretty sure I wasn’t a worker back then, and since I already felt like an outsider in my family. I thought that if there was one thing I was better at than all of them, that would make up for everything else.

    It sucks to be the youngest.

    If you get into the supersecure box, we’ll sneak into the movie of your choice, Dad would say. Or, I put candy in there. Or, If you really want that video game, just open the box and I’ll get it for you. But it didn’t matter what he promised. What did matter was that I only ever managed to pick three locks; Barron managed five.

    And here we are again, learning a bunch of new skills. I can’t help feeling a little bit competitive and a little bit disappointed in myself that I’m already so far behind. After all, Yulikova thinks Barron has a real future with the Bureau. She told me so. I told her that sociopaths are relentlessly charming.

    I think she figured I was joking.

    What other stuff do they teach you at federal agent school? I ask. It shouldn’t bother me that he’s fitting in so well. So what if he’s faking it? Good for him.

    I guess what bothers me is him faking it better than I am.

    He rolls his eyes. Nothing much. Obvious stuff—getting people to trust you with mirroring behavior. You know, doing whatever the other person’s doing. He laughs. Honestly, undercover’s just like being a con man. Same techniques. Identify the target. Befriend. Then betray.

    Mirroring behavior. When a mark takes a drink from his water glass, so should you. When he smiles, so should you. Keep it subtle, rather than creepy, and it’s a good technique.

    Mom taught it to me when I was ten. Cassel, she said, you want to know how to be the most charming guy anyone’s ever met? Remind them of their favorite person. Everyone’s favorite person is their own damn self.

    Except now you’re the good guy, I say, and laugh.

    He laughs too, like I just told the best joke in the world.

    But now that I’m thinking about Mom, I can’t help worrying about her. She’s been missing since she got caught using her worker talent—emotion—to manipulate Governor Patton, a guy who hated curse workers to begin with and now is on national news every night with a vein popping out of his forehead, calling for her blood. I hope she stays hidden. I just wish I knew where she was.

    Barron, I say, about to start up a conversation we’ve already had about a million times, the one where we tell each other that she’s fine and she’ll contact us soon. Do you think—

    Up ahead the boy with the braids steps into a pool hall.

    In here, Barron says, with a jerk of his head. We duck into a deli across the street. I’m grateful for the warmth. Barron orders us two coffees, and we stand near the window, waiting.

    You ever going to get over this thing with Lila? he asks me, breaking the silence, making me wish I’d been the one to do it, so that I could have picked another subject. Any other subject. It’s like some kind of illness with you. How long have you been into her? Since you were what, eleven?

    I don’t say anything.

    That’s why you really wanted to follow her and her new hire, right? Because you don’t think that you’re worthy of her, but you’re hoping that if she does something awful enough, maybe you’ll deserve each other after all.

    That’s not how it works, I say, under my breath. That’s not how love works.

    He snorts. You sure?

    I bite my tongue, swallowing every obnoxious taunt that comes into my mind. If he doesn’t get a rise out of me, maybe he’ll stop, and then maybe I can distract him. We stand like that for several minutes, until he sighs.

    Bored again. I’m going to make that phone call.

    What if he comes out? I ask, annoyed. How am I going to—

    He widens his eyes in mock distress. Improvise.

    The bell rings as he steps out the door, and the guy at the counter shouts his customary Thanksforcomingcomeagain.

    On the sidewalk in front of the deli, Barron is flirting like crazy as he paces back and forth, dropping the names of French restaurants like he eats off a tablecloth every night. He’s got his phone cradled against his cheek, smiling like he’s buying the line of romantic nonsense he’s selling. I feel sorry for the girl, whoever she is, but I am gleeful.

    When he gets off the phone I will never stop making fun of him. Biting my tongue won’t be enough to keep me from it. I would have to bite off my whole face.

    He notices me grinning out the window at him, turns his back and stalks to the entranceway of a closed pawnshop half a block away. I made sure to waggle my eyebrows while he was looking in my direction.

    With nothing else to do, I stay put. I drink more coffee. I play a game on my phone that involves shooting pixelated zombies.

    Even though I’ve been waiting, I’m not really prepared when the boy with the braids walks out of the pool hall. He’s got a man with him, a tall guy with hollow cheekbones and greasy hair. The boy lights a cigarette inside his cupped palm, leaning against the wall. This is one of those moments when a little more training would help. Obviously running out of the deli and waving my arms at Barron is the wrong move, but I don’t know the right one if the boy starts moving again. I have no idea how to signal my brother.

    Improvise, he said.

    I walk out of the deli as nonchalantly as I can manage. Maybe the kid’s just hit the street for a smoke. Maybe Barron will notice me and come back over on his own.

    I spot a bus stop bench and lean against it, trying to get a better look at the boy.

    This isn’t a real assignment, I remind myself. It doesn’t matter if he gets away. There’s probably nothing to see. Whatever he’s doing for Lila, there’s no reason to think that he’s doing it now.

    That’s when I notice the way that the boy is gesturing grandly, his cigarette trailing smoke. Misdirection, a classic of magic tricks and cons. Look over here, one hand says. He must be telling a joke too, because the man is laughing. But I can see his other hand, worming out of his glove.

    I jump up, but I’m too late. I see a flash of bare wrist and thumb.

    I start toward him, not thinking—crossing the street, barely noticing the screech of a car’s brakes until I’m past it. People turn toward me, but no one is watching the boy. Even the idiot guy from the pool hall is looking in my direction.

    Run, I yell.

    The hollow-cheeked man is still staring at me when the boy’s hand clamps around the front of his throat.

    I grab for the boy’s shoulder, too late. The man, whoever he was, collapses like a sack of flour. The boy spins toward me, bare fingers reaching for skin. I catch his wrist and twist his arm as hard as I can.

    He groans and punches me in the face with his gloved hand.

    I stumble back. For a moment we just regard each other. I see his face up close for the first time and am surprised to notice that his eyebrows are carefully tweezed into perfect arches. His eyes are wide and brown beneath them. He narrows those eyes at me. Then he turns and runs.

    I chase after him. It’s automatic—instinct—and I’m wondering what I think I’m doing as I race down the sidewalk. I risk a look back at Barron, but he’s turned away, bent over the phone, so that all I see is his back.

    Figures.

    The boy is fast, but I’ve been running track for the last three years. I know how to pace myself, allowing him to get ahead of me at first when he starts sprinting, but catching up once he’s winded. We go down block after block, me getting closer and closer.

    This is what I’m supposed to do once I’m a federal agent, right? Chase bad guys.

    But that’s not why I’m after him. I feel like I am hunting my own shadow. I feel like I can’t stop.

    He glances back at me, and I guess he sees that I’m gaining on him, because he tries a new strategy. He veers abruptly into an alley.

    I take the corner in time to see him reaching for something under his hoodie. I go for the nearest weapon I can find. A plank of wood, lying near a stack of garbage.

    Swinging it, I catch him just as he gets out the gun. I feel the burn of my muscles and hear the crack as wood hits metal. I knock the pistol against the brick wall like it’s a baseball and I’m in the World Series.

    I think I’m as surprised as he is.

    Taking slow steps, I hold up the plank, which is split

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