Monday, April 2, 2012

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood


Book: Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)
By: Jessica Spotswood
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Description: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.


My Thoughts: I liked Born Wicked. It was quite interesting and different than any other book I have read.

Not much really happened in Born Wicked. That's not to say it's boring though, just different. There was no running away to escape those that were chasing you, nothing that really jumped out at you, nor was there much humor. Like the time period in which it takes place, this book is secretive, proper, deceptive, and serious. We followed the main character through her life as she awaits her ceremony where whe much choose between joining the Sisterhood and marrying. As a Character, Cate is pretty great. She's Strong and Independent and Responsible. The love she feels toward her sisters she cares for is amazing and honest. I loved it. It was easy to connect with her. There is a hint of a love story here, but it doesnt overpower the book. The focus is more on Cate's witchery and family.

Unlike many other books, there seems to be no "bad guy vs. good guy" here. Everyone seems to be some varying shade of gray, even Cate herself. I liked that. What I didnt like was some of Cate's inner monologue. She thinks she's wicked and I understand that, but there's no reason for me to be reminded of it over and over and over again. That was my biggest annoyance.

This was a great simple read. I enjoyed it but it just didn't put me over the edge so I probably wouldnt read it again. For that reason, I give it 3 Stars.

5 comments:

Lan said...

You'd think with a title like Born Wicked that there would be an element of good vs evil. Though I can understand that it's very interesting if everyone has a shade of grey in them.

Jess said...

Yes, I think this book is more character motivated than plot which was a real surprised to me. I'm hoping the next one goes more into the struggle taking place between the characters.

Anonymous said...

I loved books don't have a clear good or bad guy, or doesn't have that much of a huge love story. But I'm not looking for a simple read right now and I'm a sucker for humor. Maybe I might try it sometime in the future.

Rebecca said...

This is on my shelf waiting to be read. Thanks for the great review. I love it when you can easily connect to characters.

Reader Unfolded said...

I've been wanting to read this book since I saw it on the shelves a while back, just because of that pretty cover. I like that you thought it was different than anything else. That might get me to pick it up now. Thanks for the review!

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