Young adult author Holly Black first broke into the scene with “Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale”, a work that received starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and has been translated into 12 languages.

Her follow up novel, “Valiant”, was a critic’s darling, named by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults.

To younger readers, she is best known as the author of the bestselling “Spiderwick Chronicles,” which was also turned into a blockbuster film.

Black, however, travels into far darker and grittier worlds with her latest book, “White Cat”. Set in a world where powerful criminal families employ “curse workers” to do their bidding, “White Cat” promises to deliver intrigue, deception, and betrayal.

Curse worker

In Cassel Sharpe’s world, America’s most powerful crime families accomplish their goals through “curse workers”, a group of gifted individuals that are able to do various things with just a touch of their hand – from inflicting bodily harm, erasing one’s memories, and even manipulating one’s emotions.

Cassel stands out because in a family filled with almost every type of curse worker, he is the only one without any ability whatsoever. As such, he has always felt out of place within his family, constantly at the mercy of his elder brothers Philip and Barron.

Complicating matters even further is the fact that when he was 13, Cassel murdered his best friend, Lila. Cassel finds himself doubly tied to his brothers who help dispose of the body and protect him from Zacharov, one of the country’s most powerful crime lords and Lila’s father.

Things change, however, when he reaches 17 and a mysterious white cat begins visiting him in his dreams. It soon becomes obvious to him that his brothers know more about Lila’s death than they are letting on, and that they plan to use him for something nefarious. With Cassel quickly finding no one to trust – not even his memories – will he still be able to unravel his brothers’ plan and save himself?

A few good people

Anyone familiar with Black’s earlier work will be quick to note how “White Cat” distinguishes itself from her other works.

Moody and atmospheric, “White Cat” is sure to catch the eye of readers who like a little grit with their fantasy. There are few good people in Cassel’s world, with almost everyone operating with their own agendas in mind. It is a pretty bleak landscape, with little room for tender moments or lighthearted fun.

Even Cassel is not beyond reproach. While conflicted about his own past and the criminal history of his family, it still does not stop him from running a small gambling operation in the exclusive school where he studies. Once he discovers the true nature of his brothers’ plans for him, he is as vindictive and unforgiving as any villain.

However, “White Cat” and its interesting parts do not make for a captivating whole. The plot feels fragmented, as if entire chunks of world building exposition never found its way into print. The tension never really ratchets up, and you never really feel immersed in the world that Cassel moves in.

While anti-heroes can draw admirers, Cassel is not charismatic enough to completely get the readers on his side. The same can be said for the book’s supporting players, who never seem to emerge as fully-formed characters at any point in the book.

While Black can certainly be commended for taking her work into an entirely different direction, one can’t in good conscience say that her first attempt was a complete success. “White Cat” may show a lot of promise, but in the end, it doesn’t quite deliver the goods. (Ronald S. Lim)

(“White Cat” is available at all National Bookstores.)