Black Heart by Holly Black

Black Heart by Holly Black
Release Date –  April 3, 2012
Publisher Website –  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 296 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**obtained from book blogger swap**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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 getting ready to join the family business herself. 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 in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave 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? Or is everyone just out to con him? 

Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Reading the ending to a series is always bitter sweet. You’re saying goodbye to beloved characters, but at the same time getting answers to questions that have plagued you from book one. Black Heart is a solid ending to a fantastic series.

Holly Black has managed to create a world that you not only want to explore but is filled with characters that you become invested in. The premise is unique and the books have an overall fun feel to them. The crosses, double crosses and cons only make the experience that much more of a thrill ride.

Cassel thinks working for the Feds will help him stay on the path he’s chosen. He wants to do the right thing and wants to be “good”. Most of all he wants to forget his past. The irony behind working for the Feds is that they ask Cassel to do the one thing he doesn’t want to do - use his ability. This makes for an interesting dynamic as Cassel has to determine which side has his best interest at heart, and does being used by the good guys necessarily make what he’s doing any less horrible? I love that he is torn. Neither side is especially appealing to Cassel and he is much more weary than he used to be.

The romance between Lila and Cassel is intense. She’s either his salvation or the person who costs him everything. His unwavering devotion left me swooning. Holly uses Cassel to make us care about other characters. I love Lila because Cassel does, seeing her through Cassel’s eyes makes me care about her. Their fates are so intertwined  that you have to want them to have some version of a happily ever after. This world of lies and cons, however, offers no guarantees however, and sometimes love requires sacrifice.

Saying goodbye to Cassel happens the only way it could - the con is still the thing, and our reluctant hero’s morality is still as muddled as ever. I, for one, wouldn’t want it any other way. If you have yet to pick up this series, I highly recommend you do so immediately.