It's time for a book review! This is my first review for BlogHer and I am thrilled beyond words that I was selected for what turned out to be a pretty entertaining book. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood revolves around the three Cahill sisters, who happen to be witches. At first they are determined to keep their magical abilities concealed from everyone, including their father.
The terror of witch trials, damnation, hard labor, and being sent to the insane asylum terrifies the eldest sister, Cate, who promised to keep her sisters safe following their mother's death. As their magical powers get stronger and uncontrollable, The Sisterhood swoops into protect them from the priests of The Brotherhood, who are the controllers of women's virtue, fortune, and futures.
Complicating matters for Cate is a prophecy her mother failed to mention and society's expectation she pick a husband or a become a Sister by the time she turns 17. While she has two suitors, one of which is a true love, she must make her decision based on what will protect her sisters the most. Just when she (and the reader) thinks she has things figured, Cate finds out she's had it all wrong from the beginning forcing her to decide the unexpected.
I should have known the book was going to end cliffhanger style because the cover says The Cahill Witch Chronicles, implying there will be more than one. I was surprised by the ending and initially felt it had been rushed because the rest of the book seemed to build the story slowly. I hate the feeling of being rushed in the last twenty pages of a book. Things happened so quickly that the walls of the story (figurative and literal) came tumbling down in an abrupt end. But (and there's always a but) after thinking about the many twists and turns and the larger battle brewing, the ending is what it should be, a primer for the next book.
The second book will not be released until next year. This must be one downside to reviewing recently released books. I have to wait for the next one. I have to sit and ruminate about what Spotswood left unanswered. The ideas of The Sisterhood and The Brotherhood were so vague. I wanted more details and depth for what are presented as powerful aspects of society.
The historian in me wanted to be able to place the story properly in the timeline of history. The Cahill sisters are witches. Their predecessors were terrorized previously a la The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s and the sisters are now secretly practicing witchery in the Victorian Era. The connection isn't made specifically, the reader is just left to assume. It's an alternative history or "Historical Fantasy" of sorts. I'm not always good with "what ifs" when it comes to history, especially when the connection to real history is blurred.
It's close to seeming realistic for that time period (strict and oppressive religion, strict gender roles, and an emerging feminism) but it needs more meat, a more specific connection to real history in order for the fantasy part to be more believable. I think it would make the story that much more engrossing.
Considering Born Wicked is billed as a Young Adult novel, I guess it serves it's purpose of fantasy and intrigue. I would recommend the book to anyone who is in the mood for a good, quick read. But don't say I didn't warn you about wanting more once the last page is turned! Not only did it leave me wanting more of the Cahill Sisters, it got me in a "good book" mood and left me searching for my next one!
Want a second opinion? Check out the Blog Her Book Discussion on Born Wicked!
Disclosure Statement: I received a free copy of Born Wicked from Penguin Group (USA) and was paid by Blog Her Book Club to review the book on my blog. Was I paid to read a book? Yes. Was I paid to write a one-sided review? Absolutely not. I love books too much to lie about them or mislead a fellow bookworm. Happy reading!
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