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Black Heart
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Curse Workers: Book 3

Black Heart (2012) (edit title/settings)

by Holly Black (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

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... read more

Summary edit see section history

In a world where magic is illegal, Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all: With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

In a world where magic is illegal, Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all: With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con-artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?

For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and, though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.

The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Characters edit see section history

  • Cassel Sharpe: Main character. A transformation worker. Caught in the middle of everyone loyalties given his unique power.
  • Lila Zacharov: Daughter of a powerful mob boss. She recently took her marks that officially induct her into the family business. She's a dream worker, former white cat and Cassel's eternal crush.
  • Barron Sharpe: Cassel's older brother, a memory worker. Cassel conned into being recruited into the Licensed Minority Division.
  • Sam Yu: Cassel's roommate and best friend. The fat Sancho Panza to Cassel's delusional Quixote. Sort of.
  • Daneca Wasserman: Cassel's friend and schoolmate, who happens to be an emotional worker. Smart and righteous, with a good heart.
  • Agent Yulikova: Cassel's handler at the Licensed Minority Division (LMD), the federal agency of workers that's hoping to recruit him.
  • Agent Jones: Agent at LMD who hates Cassel's guts.
  • Desi Singer: Cassel's grandfather. A Death worker, one of the originals. He lives in the Carney settlement. He probably is the only person Cassel trusts within his family.
  • Shandra Sharpe: Cassel's mom, an emotion worker. Went into hiding after working Governor Patton.
  • Governor Patton: Governor of New Jersey and a strong supporter of proposition-two, a bill that would require everyone in the state of New Jersey to take a test to determine if they are a worker or not.
  • Mina Lange: Fellow student at Wallingford. Asks Cassel for help after she gets into some blackmailing trouble.
  • Dean Wharton: Dean at Wallingford.
  • Zacharov: Head of one of the biggest mob worker families. Lila's father.
Show all 13 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “That's family for you. Can't live with them; can't murder them.”
    Cassel
  • “When we fall that first time, we’re not really in love with the girl. We’re in love with being in love. We’ve got no idea what she’s really about—or what she’s capable of. We’re in love with our idea of her and of who we become around her. We’re idiots.”
    Grandad Sharpe
  • “As a liar myself, I know that the hallmark of lies is that they are simple and straightforward. They are reality the way we wish it was.”
    Cassel

First Sentence edit see section history

My brother Barron sits next to me, sucking the last dregs of milk tea slush noisily through a wide yellow straw.

Glossary edit see section history

  • Curse Workers: People that can display a particular power with the slightest touch of their hands. There's 7 types of curse workers: memory workers, physical workers, emotional workers, luck workers, dream workers, death workers and, the rarest form of all, transformation workers.
  • Licensed Minority Division: A federal agency that recruits workers
  • Blowback: Side effect of curse working. Different types of working results in different reactions, all negative.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 3 of 3 in Curse Workers. (standard series)

Preceded by Red Glove.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Holly Black (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Country: USA
Publication Date: April 5, 2012
ISBN: 9781442403468
Page Count: 304

Awards edit see section history

  • Nebula (Finalist, 2012: Andre Norton Award)

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • White Cat
  • Red Glove
  • Tithe

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • White Cat
  • Red Glove

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