Book Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

 

**Received book from Around the World ARC Tours for review**

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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.

My Thoughts:  Okay, I am ready to read book #2 now!  Bring it on...hurry it up...I don't think I can wait!  Um, if you can't tell, I really enjoyed this book!  I loved witches and magic and this book had both plus some historical fiction, romance and great characters.

 Cate is the eldest of three sisters.  She is in charge of protecting her sisters since her mother passed away and her father is practically useless in his grief.  He is always traveling and when he is home, he pays little attention to his girls.  It is important for Cate to protect her sisters because, like their mother, all three sisters are witches.

This story takes place in 1890 in New England.  New England is run by the Brotherhood.  The Brotherhood is a group of men that think they are better than women.  I cannot tell you how many times I was angry and disgusted with the Brotherhood.  They feel that women should not vote, have a voice in any decisions at all or learn.  If a man has an affair with a woman, it is the woman's fault because she is so weak yet she uses her "ways" to get the man to submit.  Yeah...whatever!  Maura, Cate's sister, really wants to live in Dubai, where women can wear pants, vote, go to school and be independent.  Sadly though, the girls are stuck in New England where the Brotherhood is arresting girls and women for witchcraft.

I really enjoyed Cate for the most part.  In the beginning I thought she was a little to "good" and almost boring.  She has so much responsibility on her that she doesn't have much time to be a fun person.  After getting a governess, she does meet friends.  Cate also has 2 months to declare her intention to either marry or dedicate her life to the Sisterhood.  She has a "proper" suitor in her neighbor and childhood friend, Paul, but she is also having feelings for the gardener, Finn.

Maura is a spoiled brat.  Seriously, I didn't like her at all!  She was very childish and vain.  She used her magic carelessly and almost gets the girls arrested for witchcraft. She does not have a very good relationship with Cate at all but becomes quick friends with Elena, the governess.

Tess is a sweetheart!  She is the youngest and has just recently come into her magic.  While she is more free with her magic than Cate is, she is more careful with it that Maura.  She is weary of Elena but looks up to Cate.  I enjoyed how Tess made Finn's sister feel welcome at tea even though she wasn't in the right "class".

Elena surprised me with her secrets of the Sisterhood.  However, I really didn't like her.  She was very threatening and manipulative.  She uses people and doesn't care about their feelings at all.  She is only after what benefits the Sisterhood.

The ending of this book was so amazing!  I was taken completely by surprise by the crazy twist at the end.  It was so sad and my heart went out to some of the characters.  The romance was sweet and not too over the top.  The secrets Cate discovers and will continue to discover are surprising and suspenseful. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this series!