Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Jul 30, 2011 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, read-in-2012, for-review, 2012-debut-author-challenge, 2012-ya-audiobook-challenge

I received this audiobook for review from the publisher. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

This story takes place in the late 1800s, and it features the wealthy Cahill family. Mr. Cahill is a scholar but, since the death of his wife, he has spent less and less time at the family estate and often travels to New London. This leaves his three daughters – Cate (16 years), Maura (15 years), and Tess (12 years) – in the care of family servants ...more

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Jun 22, 2011 CrystalBookSnob rated it it was amazing

Shelves: can-t-wait-to-read-2012, favorites, arc-i-own, reviewd

I read Born Wicked way back in December and I have literally been mulling over writing this review for two weeks now. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I really loved it. When I first started reading YA, I would say without a doubt, hands down, no hesitation that books about vampires were my absolute favorite (I’m sure Twilight contributed to my vampire adoration). But of course the lack luster has worn off and I realized that many vampire stories are very cookie cutter.

Witches have re I read Born Wicked way back in December and I have literally been mulling over writing this review for two weeks now. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I really loved it. When I first started reading YA, I would say without a doubt, hands down, no hesitation that books about vampires were my absolute favorite (I’m sure Twilight contributed to my vampire adoration). But of course the lack luster has worn off and I realized that many vampire stories are very cookie cutter.

Witches have really grown on me and they have become some of my favorite stories in YA right now. As a history major in undergrad, I was always fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials and I would have taken that class in an instant if it had been offered. But sadly it was not and it was just a subject I dabbled in on my free time.

I loved the history of this story and that it is set in the past. It is set in a little town where at any indication that someone may be a witch, their sent off to an institution or hanged! In this world that Spotswood created, the witches used to be in charge and they openly practiced their magic. But they were overthrown by the Brotherhood who now impose their religious beliefs on the townspeople and rule with a strict hand. And all the witches are female.

The subplots were reall great as well! We have the whole story with Cate and her decision of whether or not she is going to marry or join the sisterhood. I'm kept on the edge of my seat just hoping that her or her sisters are not going to get caught doing magic. And then there's the whole intermingling of the Brotherhood and the Sisterhood and their roles in the community and the impact they have on the sister's lives. Then when Cate finds her mom's diary, so much more is revealed and the story just comes together with what is really going on and what could possibly go down in the next books!

Cate is such a great character. She is strong, protective of her family and is determined to help raise her sisters as her mother would have wanted. Finn, one of her possible love interests, is so cute and awkward but he is willing to accept her for who she is. Maura was one of my least favorite characters only because she was so annoying. There were times when I wanted to just slap her! But then after finding out about the prophesy, it seems like things played out they way they were supposed to.

I really loved this book! There are very few books that keep me up into the wee hours of the early morning because I just have to finish it and this one definitely did that to me! I was crying, it left on a cliffhanger and I just have to know what happens next and this first book hasn’t even been released yet! A great debut from a fantastic writer!
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Sep 05, 2011 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, signed-by-the-author, witches

Find more of my reviews on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

Born Wicked is a witchy treat with an aching romance and a fearful villain. The ending will leave you wanting so much more.

I’ve realized that it’s not really the steampunk novels that I’m getting into, but historical novels. It’s the time period that I love. Women are so restricted. They have to always keep up this pretense that they’re proper, but really they’re witches or Shadowhunters or vampires or faeries! The stakes are so much highe Find more of my reviews on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

Born Wicked is a witchy treat with an aching romance and a fearful villain. The ending will leave you wanting so much more.

I’ve realized that it’s not really the steampunk novels that I’m getting into, but historical novels. It’s the time period that I love. Women are so restricted. They have to always keep up this pretense that they’re proper, but really they’re witches or Shadowhunters or vampires or faeries! The stakes are so much higher in these historical novels, and Jessica Spotswood upped the ante even more. Not only is the main character a girl in a historical novel, but she’s also a witch in a town where witches are persecuted. Not put to death, but when they’re taken away, they’re never seen again.

The secrecy in this novel was superb. Cate’s mother’s dying wish was for Cate to always look after her sisters. This means keeping all of their magic in check. What they don’t know is that in the witch world (which will remain unnamed), having three witches in the same generation is a big deal. There’s a prophecy from the Daughters of Persephone, and one of the sisters is supposed to have mind magic. Like Cate does. Meanwhile, girls are being carted off left and right, accused of being witches. Cate has a lot to fear. And to add to that, she’s falling in love with the wrong guy.

The romance was beautiful. I was really rooting for Paul McLeod at first. He’s charming and witty and obviously enamored with Cate. He’s Cate’s oldest friend and she’s realized that they can’t be childhood friends anymore because they both feel something more. She’s been waiting for him, as he was in New London, and now that he’s back she’s having feelings for him. But the feelings she has for Paul are nothing compared to how Finn Belestra makes her feel. I must admit I fell in love with Finn. At first, I couldn’t understand her attraction to him. He kind of annoyed me at first, but I think that was Spotswood’s intention. As Cate and Finn fall too far in love to go back, the stakes get even higher, and Cate is forced to make a crumpling decision.

Other characters were definitely not left out. The other two sisters were vibrant and brash, and the father, while he was barely even there, still felt three-dimensional. I enjoyed every bit of this book and I cannot wait for the sequel! Definitely add this one to your list of 2012 debuts. Also, the cover is even more gorgeous in person! ...more

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