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Monday, May 7, 2012

My Thoughts (In Short): Born Wicked 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 six months 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 stars 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.





There have been a number of negative reviews for Jessica Spotswood's Born Wicked. Some have said that the protagonist, Cate was self absorbed and they found her to be a little bit of a snob. There are others who thought that the tyrant government was a little unbelievable- that a small group of people with no magical capabilities would have so much authority did not ring true. Others found the novel refreshing, a great reprieve from the usual YA dystopians. I would have to agree with this later group. I really enjoyed Born Wicked and I wasn't sure that I was going to.

It had been a while since I had read historical fiction- and while I know I just said historical fiction and earlier I said it was a dysopian novel. Born Wicked is actually maybe a little of both. I'm not sure exactly how to explain it, but know this: its different, but in a good way.

Born Wicked is (gasp) the first in a trilogy. It involves three sisters who just happen to be witches. I loved this bit of the book. The girls aren't vampires, or angels, or werewolves. They're witches. They have magical powers- this in itself could have been a little corny. But it wasn't, it was done well. Perhaps it was because their magic had to be kept hidden from The Brotherhood-the tyrant government I mentioned earlier. They are some seriously evil people. sentencing girls to prison, insane asylums even death over the smallest infraction. It was incredibly disturbing. They were really the best villains.

I really enjoyed Spotswood's writing. I thought she told a really good story and she did it really well. I was never bored or annoyed while I was reading. What really killed me though was the end. Ugh!! That ending. Be aware of that. I want the next book like now! It was that kind of ending.

Overall, I really liked Born Wicked. I thought it was clever and unique. With great writing. If you haven't already you should totally look into this one!

~Happy Reading Everyone!


16 comments:

  1. I had heard many of the least favorable reviews, but this is the first positive one I see.
    I'm glad you enjoyed the book :)

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  2. You've talked me into trying this one. I haven't read a book about witches in a long time!

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  3. It's unusual to have a book as divisive as this one. So many people hated it but others loved it. I don't know if I'd like it but I want to read it just to find out.

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  4. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! This was one of my favorite witchy books ever!I loved the slow-paced, gentle, almost syrupy writing style, I loved the characters - thought they were believable, loved how the story unfolded and was really shocked by the ending. Overall, I just adored this book. It's a beautiful, enticing read and I really don't understand why people were bitching about it so much! Glad you loved it as much as I did!

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  5. Oh man, I adored this book. I really didn't think I would since I don't do hist fic, but I LOVED it! And Finn. *swoon* He's just so dreamy <3

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  6. Great review! I haven't read this book yet, but it sounds great!

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  7. This book sounds seriously good. I'm going to give it a try. :)

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  8. I loved Born Wicked, it was an amazing read! Great review :)

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  9. I absolutely LOVED this book! :)

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  10. I too have heard vastly different reviews of this book. I'm till not sure whether I'll pick it up, but I'll definitely consider your review :)

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  11. I've heard about this book but nothing extremely good. Your review makes me want to read it, lol. But~ reviews are so mixed that I'm not sure.

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  12. I was supper excited when this one came out, but I unfortunately haven't got an ebook so I have to see and buy it. I hope that I'll like it as much as you! :)

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  13. I was really looking forward to reading this but I didn't enjoy it as much I hoped too. It was disappointing but I did love the writing style as well. I loved the ending, it's heartbreaking but the ending was a bit unexpected. The ending is what keeps me interested in the second book.

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  14. This sounds like a great read. I love witches and I love historicals and I can truly understand how fear of special 'gifts' can turn into persecution. This sounds like something I definitely want to read.

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  15. Born Wicked is really awesome... it has a different take on Witches. I love how the triangle evolves. I totally agree with you! It was really clever and unique!

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  16. I love dystopians and I love witches, so I definitely want to read this one.

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