Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1) in What's the Name of That Book???

Nov 12, 2011 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: mt-bookpile-2011-2015, old-reads

In 1860, New England is its own nation (not Red Sox Nation, but still, a nation), with the western part of North America part of Indo-China and the south part of Spain. The borders to NE are closed, and for the past century the country has been run by the Brothers, a Puritan/Taliban mash-up. There is a Sisterhood, which is one of the two options for young women when they reach 17, the other is marriage.

NE was founded by the Sisters of Persephone as a safe-haven for witches, and the society is ve In 1860, New England is its own nation (not Red Sox Nation, but still, a nation), with the western part of North America part of Indo-China and the south part of Spain. The borders to NE are closed, and for the past century the country has been run by the Brothers, a Puritan/Taliban mash-up. There is a Sisterhood, which is one of the two options for young women when they reach 17, the other is marriage.

NE was founded by the Sisters of Persephone as a safe-haven for witches, and the society is very integrated racially. However, the Brothers have banned witchcraft and actively seek out witches, banishing some to an asylum, others to the shipyards. Women are expected to be meek, deferential and, well, bubbleheaded. Cate and her sisters are witches, which means they have to be careful around everyone, including their father (who spends most of the book off stage, attending to business in New London; Mom's dead).

Cate is stuck at the intersection of three crossroads: marriage or the Sisterhood? marriage to whom? and what about her promise to take care of her sisters? Her decision to choose one path will, obviously, affect the others. There's a love triangle here, and while it doesn't seem as forced as many of the recent crop have been, it just added to the "a lot going on and nothing happening" problem. Because this is a trilogy, there's a lot of scene setting going on that occasionally gets in the way of real plot.

The witchcraft part is very similar to Harry Potter, sans wands. Of course this plays into the craze for paranormal; the idea that women can be powerful (and thus a threat to men and their leadership) is an interesting twist in a book for this age group. It reminded me a little of Mists of Avalon in that way.

It was interesting that the forward-thinking country is Dubai, with women rumored to wear trousers and what sound like crop tops. NE itself is vaguely Victorian-era in terms of clothes, accessories, furnishings, etc., but in terms of the way the people talk and act it's very modern. There were moments when something was going on and then a carriage pulled up and I had to remind myself that this was a pre-modern technology society.

I think the trilogy will be popular among those who still haven't gotten enough of the paranormal books, and it might also appeal to those who like romance.

ARC provided by publisher. ...more

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Aug 18, 2014 Jennie rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, alternative-history

3.5. Love the alternate history aspect.

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Apr 17, 2012 Hannah added it

Shelves: ya, historical-fiction, magic-realism-spec-fic

Review here: http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/born... ...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Emma rated it it was amazing

Cate Cahill and her sisters are witches. Unfortunately they don't hide it as well as their mother did. Too educated and far too clever, the Cahill sisters are already known throughout town for being eccentric and reclusive. Cate doesn't mind their poor reputations, though, not if it can keep her younger sisters Maura and Tess safe.

And all three of the Cahill sisters do need to be kept safe. If the Brotherhood finds out about their magic, the girls could be sent to a prison ship. Or an asylum. Or Cate Cahill and her sisters are witches. Unfortunately they don't hide it as well as their mother did. Too educated and far too clever, the Cahill sisters are already known throughout town for being eccentric and reclusive. Cate doesn't mind their poor reputations, though, not if it can keep her younger sisters Maura and Tess safe.

And all three of the Cahill sisters do need to be kept safe. If the Brotherhood finds out about their magic, the girls could be sent to a prison ship. Or an asylum. Or they could disappear altogether never to be heard from again.

Cate's efforts to keep the family beneath the Brotherhood's notice begin to unravel as her Intention Ceremony approaches. With six months to choose between marriage or a life of service to the Brotherhood, Cate finds herself thrust into the heart of town society where she has to contend with tea parties, securing a suitable proposal, and the completely unsuitable but fascinating Finn Belastra.

Cate promised her mother she would keep her sisters safe. But as Cate learns more about the nature of her family's magic and the risks they all face, Cate wonders if she is up to the task. Being a woman in New England during the late 19th century is bad enough. Being a witch could prove deadly in Born Wicked (2012) by Jessica Spotswood.

Born Wicked is Spotswood's first novel. It is also the first book in the Cahill Witch Chronicles trilogy.

Set at the end of the 19th century, Spotswood creates an alternate history where witches are very real and women are seen as a threat. With historical details, some familiar and some not, Spotswood brings Cate's New England to life with lushly described settings and brilliant characters that all but jump off the page.

Cate is a witty, realistic heroine torn between her own wants and her desire to protect her sisters at all costs. Cate's siblings Maura and Tess have less page time but are equally individual and add another layer to the story. Finn Belastra, in addition to having a very cool surname, is an excellent foil for Cate throughout the story.

Born Wicked is a fast-paced, exciting read that will keep you guessing. The novel is well-plotted and keeps up the tension until the shocking conclusion. With so many delightful characters and so many unexpected turns, Born Wicked is a splendid start to a series that gives readers a lot to look forward to in book two.

Possible Pairings: White Cat by Holly Black, The Selection by Kiera Cass, Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel, Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink ...more

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Oct 06, 2013 Marianne rated it really liked it

This book set in an alternate historical setting about 3 girls who are born witches trying to hide their identity in a society governed by "The Brotherhood." This is the first in a series; I'm a little tired of every book having to be a series. ...more

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