This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com. 
 I don't read many books either by male authors or with male protagonists. I don't particularly have to go out of my way to avoid this--I don't think I've ever come across a romance with a male narrator, the Urban Fantasy that I generally enjoy is written by women, and most Teen fiction has the female perspective. That said, I've never gone out of my way to look for a male lead. I tend to find myself highly suspicious of authors who write from the opposite perspective. Not that I think they have some kind of hidden agenda...it's more that I doubt they can create an authentic voice. Having read the Curse Worker books, I'm still unable to come to a conclusion. Cassel seems authentic to me, but I'm a female reading a female's interpretation of the male perspective. How much is my opinion worth? Totally not sure on that point. 
 Regardless of the perspective, Holly Black has created a main character I love. Cassel is a good guy in a bad situation. Considering his family roots--and the things he's apparently done--it makes sense that he is unable to believe it about himself. During the course of Red Glove, he is forced to make the best of the few bad choices that are before him. Cassel's one of my favorite types of characters. Cassel is a con man, believing that he can pretend to be something he's not...a normal teenager. I think he's most afraid that he will be rejected by his peers the way that his brothers rejected him. He sees himself as the unwanted little brother who will do anything to be accepted. In Red Glove, we begin to learn that none of his peers view him that way. Girls like him because he's dangerous, and Cassel's own roommate was afraid of him when they first met. But it's clear that Cassel is that guy everyone wants to know. I think the reason that Holly Black is able to surprise us with this external view of Cassel is because of her use of first person narration. It's also really, really effective as a form of characterization. Cassel is so consumed with the image that he projects and the desire to keep everyone from knowing the real him that his view of others is skewed. And at the same time, Cassel is incredibly observant of others in the way only a con man can be. 
 I'm all amazement at Holly Black's skill at characterization. Because not only is Cassel complex, I have no idea what's going on with his love interest, Lila, or his best friend Sam, or Danica and at the same time, I do. It's just like in real life. We think we know people--and to a certain extent, we do--but we'll never be privy to their inner thoughts. It's something that--no matter how good a con man Cassel is--he'll never be able to do. If there's any character that doesn't feel complex to me, it's Barron. Is he simply ambitious? Is he jealous of Cassel? That last one is my suspicion, and I'm hoping that Black gives us more grist for the mill in Black Heart. 
 The other thing I greatly enjoy in the Curse Workers series is the world-building. The way that Holly Black created this world where it's completely normal for people to wear gloves all the time, where crime families are in charge and worker rights are being threatened. Have I mentioned how much I love the glove bit? I especially enjoy the scenes where Cassel is embarrassed at seeing someone's bare hands. 
 Most of all, I'm pleased at how well this second book in the trilogy came out. Second installments in trilogies are infamous for being place-fillers, but it's clear that book three cannot happen without book two. So much occurs that both needed to, and that helps to move the story along. My only concern is that, well, I really, really want Cassel to have a happy ending. Because this is my first Holly Black, I don't know if she does them. So, I'm worried. Reassurance would be good. Cassel deserves it.