Friday, February 17, 2012

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood


A Great and Terrible Beauty meets Cassandra Clare in this spellbinding fantasy

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.

I really enjoyed this alternative historical PNR. Yes, I invented a new genre just for this book. ;) The world in which this book resides is very different. One, I have to admit, I didn't quite buy. Racism is not a part of the world and the village is full of ethnic diversity. However, being sexist and homophobia is rampant. I just don't buy that one hate is eradicated while others exist. It just doesn't work that way. However, despite that, I have to admit this world built on contradiction also fascinated me. Oh yea.. I can see plenty of contradictions exist in a world where few have power over many. True, that does happen, and that is why this world still fascinated me. 

The main character, Cate, was a strong child. I have to admit that I didn't always like Cate. I loved her spirit and the fact that she doesn't want to live in any sort of cage. I also admired the way she took responsibility for her sister's safety. However, there were times when she would act childish and throw tantrums. Granted they were inner tantrums but childish nonetheless. I would also have to stop and think that she is only 16. She isn't an adult but had to take on adult responsibilities. So, quite honestly even though I didn't always like her attitude, I also thought it appropriate as well. 

The one character I did love was the youngest sister, Tess. We don't get a whole lot of her, but I really loved how she could read people and how big her heart was. She would be a little sis I would protect fiercely as well. She was also precocious. I can't wait to read more about her in the coming books. 

As for the romance. Well, there is a bit of a love triangle and honestly both boys were perfect for her in different ways. There was a clear winner from the beginning but I have to say, I wanted to know more about Paul and who he really was. It just seemed that possible depths to his character was missing. Perhaps those will come out more as the series goes on.

Now I do have a warning. The ending. I was NOT happy with this ending (and no I'm not even going to hint about what happens). I read it late at night and NOW I have to sleep? I wanted to kick some character arse. I wanted to throw the book out the window. I wanted my HEA. I also was left with so many questions I wanted to cry. However, after saying that... I want that next book! I want to know what will happen! Will someone please ask Jessica to put me out of my misery and tell me? ;)

I give this book 3 stars. All I have left to say is gimmie the next book and make it an HEA.. PWEESE! ;)
I received this book though the Library Thing Early Reviewer program and no compensation for my review was given.
LibraryThing Early Reviewers

25 comments:

  1. it sounds like an interesting book, it was on my wishlist, and I confess I just love the cover. The characters sound interesting. I'm sorry for the end I hope it will change in the second novel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the cover too! I just want answers AND an HEA. I'm greedy like that. :D

      Delete
    2. I cna't comment today for some reason on blogs with comments like this so I am just replying. Might be the uni comp

      Anyway look at you inventing genres :)

      Delete
  2. I've been curious about this book but after your review I think I'm going to pass on it. With the underdeveloped characters, a love triangle ( I hate those) and an unhappy ending, this does not sound like a book for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm hoping for more answers in the next book. But yea... love triangle. :(

      Delete
  3. I've heard Cate is a bit difficult to like at times, but it seems like most people have felt the way that you do in thinking her attitude was fitting and/or at least understandable:) Not super excited about the ending which I can only assume is a whopper of a cliffhanger, but overall I still want to pick this one up:) Fantastic review Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had to constantly remind myself that Cate was just a teen too. She was almost forced into her responsibility, and the story was about her struggling with that responsibility as much as it was about her protecting her sisters and their secret.

    And LOL because I wasn't curious about Paul at all. He wasn't a very well developed character, he just seemed to be filling a role, and so I didn't think about him much. But yes, I hated that ending too. I have so many questions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I was curious because he wasn't a bad guy and in some ways was perfect for her situation. I just wanted to know what was behind his motivations and how he saw the world. He didn't want a shrinking violet and yet fully lived in the world. Just curious how that dichotomy felt for him.

      Delete
  5. So many mediocre loves of this book. Me thinks I'm not going to like it as much as I want to. *big sigh* I guess I'm going to check it out from the library and see how I feel. Bummer! I'm still going to read it, because I'm cool like that. :D And at least I've been warned about the ending. I may wait until the next book is closer to release. Those kind of endings kill me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the coolest! I would suggest that you wait until the next is closer to publication unless you can handle cliffies. :) I'm not a patient person when it comes to cliffies. :D

      Delete
  6. Not sure this is for me - I hate it when the main character acts childish, But I like the sound of your new genre - alternative historical paranormal romance or AH-PNR. Winder what else could fit under this genre! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, she WAS a child. :) I also like AH-PNR. LOL Sounds satisfying! :D

      Delete
  7. OHH! I just reading this book right now! Loved the review :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've read so many lukewarm reviews about this one and I can't seem to make up my head on whether or not to read it. Hmm..I think I'll wait and see if my library is going to get a copy. And yes, I hate whopper cliffhangers. They are cruel and unusual punishment!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The contradictory world and the ENDING you have teased me with are unacceptable! Lol

    I REALLY need to read this ASAP! It's sitting on my desk... Yelling at me to pick it up!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh I felt the same way about the ending! Can we talk!!!?? I needed someone to scream with about that! I was so well, pissed! I hate it when I don't get my HEA.

    I didn't like Paul, but maybe because he seemed a bit smug and too perfect to me.

    And you are so right about Tess. I just worry about what will happen to the two girls without Cate. We definitely know the weak link in that group!

    Heather
    I got my copy from LTER too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul did seem smug, but he was also not put off by her strong character. Therefore I am curious!

      Shall we scream together? :)

      Delete
  11. This sounds like a really interesting book. I'll have to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh I love the sounds of this one. And the little bit of romance that goes with it. :) Thank yoU!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hmmm perhaps it's best if I wait for the sequel to come out before I read this one - thanks for the warning!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I know - the ending crushed me but at the same time, I knew whatever she chose it would not be easy and knowing Cate's personality, she made the choice that was ultimately true to her self and purpose. But dang, it's a series so don't lose hope!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, but I hate cliffies that much. Even in a series, they are just so unnecessary! If I love the story, I'll love the next book. Just a personal annoyance of mine. :)

      Delete
  15. UGH! What is the point of writing a love triangle when there is a clear winner from the get go?!? We need legit competition people- LEGIT COMPETITION IN WHICH YOU STRUGGLE TO CHOOSE WHICH CHARACTER THE MAIN SHOULD END UP WITH SINCE BOTH CHOICES HAVE AMAZEBALLS QUALITIES! So yeah, rant over... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seems interesting but with the sound of that ending, I'm waiting for the next book to come out before I tackle it. Thanks for the warning!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!