Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked (Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1)

by Jessica Spotswood

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.

Reviewed by bookishzelda on

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I had heard a lot of rumblings about this book being fantastic and I can honestly say I loved it! Jessica Spotswood created a wonderful and mysterious world in Born Wicked. The plot was terrific and not just because I like stories with witches but it was well done. There were so many twist and turns that I didn't see coming. I'm almost afraid to talk about the book because I don't want to give anything way. It was well written and everything flowed together, the plot twist did not seem random at all. They actually made other things make sense.

The characters all had their own dynamic. I felt like the three sisters...Cate, Maura and Tess were the perfect combination of up and down. Cate is more the over bearing protector, Maura is the dreamer who wants more out of her life and Tess is the level headed and mature one even though she is the youngest. Their interactions with eachother can be loving and deadly.

Cate was definitely a strong main character. She was determined to protect her family but the end of the day she is still a young girl. Just trying to claw her way the weight of responsibility that her mother had left her.

The supporting characters never ceased to amaze me. You never knew who you should trust, hate or like. Maybe this one is okay, wait no they aren't okay. Wait I really hate her oh wait no I don't. The characters were always changing their intentions not always clear which is what made the book so good. I wasn't always sure what I should be expecting.

The love triangle between Cate, Paul and Finn was there and it was interesting but I felt like it wasn't the point of the book. Cate wasn't so swept up in it that she lost sight of her main goal. She still could do what needed to be done even if her heart was breaking or not. The love story added to the book but didn't take it over. I really liked that about it.

I can't wait for the second book.



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  • Started reading
  • 2 March, 2012: Finished reading
  • 2 March, 2012: Reviewed