Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1) in YA and Beyond

Jan 22, 2012 Mandy Sickle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, read2review, first-in-series, young-adult, paranormal, rd-reviews, kick-ass-heroine, read-2012, added-to-shelf-review

I received this book in a goodreads giveaway, it's been sitting on the shelf for the last month since I had a few books to read before it. I feel like it's been teasing me, because it's been on my TBR list since before it came out and I've been dying to read it. The Cover is beautiful to look at, and something I love about real books vs. my kindle. I think it's because I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and it leads to a lot of my book purchases and choices to read.

The focus's around the lives of I received this book in a goodreads giveaway, it's been sitting on the shelf for the last month since I had a few books to read before it. I feel like it's been teasing me, because it's been on my TBR list since before it came out and I've been dying to read it. The Cover is beautiful to look at, and something I love about real books vs. my kindle. I think it's because I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and it leads to a lot of my book purchases and choices to read.

The focus's around the lives of three sisters, in particular Cate the oldest who promised there mother before she died that she would protect her sisters. After the death of the mother the girls turn into recluses not the social butterflies like other girls there age.The girls father is a scholar and not home much after the loss of his wife. So at the insistence of the nosy neighbor he hires a governess to help the girls in preparation for there intention ceremony.

The girls live in a city that is run by the Brotherhood who thinks that witches are wicked, so Cate does her best to keep the girls from doing magic except in the rose garden at home but sometimes it's hard to keep it all in. Cate's mother started teaching the girls magic but they didn't learn everything because of her untimely death. All the responsibilities fall to Cate who only after her mothers death learns that the girls are part of a prophecy that change the world, either bringing the witches back into power or send them into a terror that could destroy them all.

Cate has only a few months to figure out if she wants to get married or if she wants to join the Sisterhood. It's not so easy in addition to figure out the prophecy she must also avoid the Brotherhood who will jump at the chance to send a suspected witch away. Along the way she makes finds unexpected friends, find's love where she least expects it and learns that everything isn't as it seems. That sometimes you have to do what you know is right even if it's not what you want to do.

I loved the book so much it's one of my top favorite books of the year, granted I've only read like 40 something but I loved it. I stayed up super late to finish it, and it took all my will power to not write my review right there. I love the way the characters are written they are very likable, and I spent the whole story so wrapped up in it that I felt like I was there with Cate. This book sucks you in right from the start and you want to know whats going to happen, there isn't a dull moment, I found myself having a hard time putting it down, and when I wasn't able to read it was constantly in my thoughts. It's does have a lot of info which can be overloading for some but it's the first in a brand new series so there is a little series building but I didn't find it overloading at all. I can't wait for the next one oh if only February 2013 would get here faster.

Mandy @ thereadingdiaries.blogspot.com/ ...more

Like · see review

Mar 01, 2012 Jenia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, witches, magic, suspense, library, series, ya-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Also posted at: Story For Dessert.

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 ...more

Like · see review

Jun 23, 2014 Clark rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

This book was such a splendid read, I totally fell in love with most of the characters. I adored the way the dresses and environment was described and it made me wish that this could be made into a movie.

However, I do have a few misgivings about the story. First, I hate that Cate was such a stiff. I understand that her mother tasked her into taking care of her younger siblings but still, I was exasperated with how reluctant she was in using her powers. The book was half her struggling not to use This book was such a splendid read, I totally fell in love with most of the characters. I adored the way the dresses and environment was described and it made me wish that this could be made into a movie.

However, I do have a few misgivings about the story. First, I hate that Cate was such a stiff. I understand that her mother tasked her into taking care of her younger siblings but still, I was exasperated with how reluctant she was in using her powers. The book was half her struggling not to use magic and it was kind of boring.

Of Cate's suitors, I agree than Finn is the better choice of the two. Although Paul has better prospects than Finn, it didn't escape my notice than Paul admitted that they were having financial struggles (which was why he wasn't able to visit Anna's funeral) so it wasn't as if Cate was giving up a glittering fortune in exchange for dirt.

Also Finn sounds hunkier and definitely more head over heels in love with Cate so points goes to him. It would have been perfect since Finn finally gave up on their bookshop and accepted the position offered to him. If only the Sisterhod didn't choose that moment to meddle in their affairs.

Which now brings us to Elena. I liked her when she was first introduced in the story. I really thought she would be the girls confidante and she would bring out their full magical potential. I was really happy when the makeover happened, it sounded that they were lookibg really dowdy before Elena came. But all of that changed when Cate found out that Maura and Elena was doing something illicit together (read: lesbian!). I thought it was really unsavory, tasteless, and superfluous to the story.

It's not for me to judge same sex relationships. I am gay myself. But I must admit that I cringe whenever I see or read about girls kissing other girls. I guess I am biased with boys kissing boys. So no Katy Perry for me, sorry.

Overall, I still loved the story. I just hope Cate's character would develop more in the second book. I hope she would develop more interest in fashion and in using her powers. I don't see anything wrong in using mind magic on people if it is to protect yourself and the greater good. I also agree that the witches resurgence in power must happen and those who prosecuted them must suffer. ...more

Like · see review