Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles)

Okay, let me start this review with full disclosure: I really wasn't that interested in Born Wicked. In fact, I only read it because I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book, and thought: Why not? From the very first page I was very pleasantly surprised at this book: start, unique, well-written and honest characters in a truly compelling plot that's unlike just about everything else in the YA genre right now.

Set in an alternative version of turn-of-century New England, Cate Cahill has always known what her future would be: marriage, or a life-long commitment to the celibate, religious Sisterhood. In a world controlled by the oppressive, religious Brotherhood, witches are hunted down and either sent to an asylum, a prison ship, or executed. Cate has been hiding her secret for years -that she and her two sisters, following the legacy of their deceased mother, are witches. Not only must Cate protect her sisters, but she uncovers an unexpected prophecy and learns secrets of the Sisterhood that will challenge the very fabric of the Brotherhood.

The first thing that drew me into this story was the elegant writing style and unique alternative history that pulls from America's Puritan period and the Salem Witch Trials to create a lush history that's easy to get lost in. And to top it off, Cate is a down-to-earth, honest character that's well-constructed, realistic and easy to readers to relate to. I thoroughly enjoyed her feisty, rebellious spirit and drive to protect her sisters from anything that would threaten them.

It was interesting to see how author Jessica Spotswood handled religion, magic and feminism here, especially since I felt like she did a nice job of juggling these themes without ramming them down the reader's throat. For example, when I first started the book I was a little concerned that Spotswood was going to paint religion in a negative light for oppressing people, especially women. But while the Brotherhood is obviously religiously-based, it was far removed from a recognizable religion (in fact, the Brotherhood felt more like a somewhat corrupt amalgamation of numerous religious) to not feel like some sort of attack on organized religion while still portraying feminist ideals without bordering on the super radical (I would note, however, that this book has virtually no appeal to male readers).

It didn't take long for Spotswood to win me over with Born Wicked. I was riveted to each page up until the very end, and I can't wait to see what happens next in Cate's story. Unique and unexpected, Born Wicked is a lush piece of fiction that's truly a delight to read.

There's no good way for me to start this review except to just come straight out and say that this book disappointed me. With a pretty cover and interesting premise but lacking in world-building, solid pacing, and full characterization, BORN WICKED seems to exemplify all that is characteristic of recently published YA that are big hits but technically weak. So what follows is probably going to be more of a what-not-to-do essay for YA writers, and I hope to God that future writers and publishers will take these points into consideration before publishing their books.

Every day Cate Cahill worries that today's the day she and her younger sisters Maura and Tess will be exposed as the witches they are. The Brotherhood, which controls almost every aspect of life in New England, nearly wiped out the Daughters of Persephone several decades ago, and Cate fears for their lives every day.

When a warning note from a stranger and her mother's diary reveal to Cate a dreadful prophecy that affects them all, Cate finds herself ever more mired in the events and relationships of Chatham: trying to decide what the new friendships of several popular girls in town means, dealing with a suspicious new governess, fending off the advances of her childhood friend, falling for someone completely inappropriate for her, and delving more into her mother's history and the details of the prophecy. The more Cate explores, the more she realizes that few people are who they seem...and they all seem to want something from her. But what about what she wants for herself?

So let's begin by going down that list, I guess. BORN WICKED claims to take place in an alternate history of the world, but unless your copy of the book came with the Editor's Note saying so, it's extremely difficult to figure out the "rules" of said world. BORN WICKED is set in an alternate world where New England is religiously oppressed and women dream of someday going to "Dubai" and engaging in freedom of expression. All of these similarities-but-differences beg the question: so where in the course of Earth's history did things change? Only that is never explained in the book. There is no explanation of any "turning points" that led to this alternate course of history. Instead we simply have proper nouns like Dubai and New London and Mexico and the Indo-China War with no anchors in our own history. We have details like dress shapes and vague descriptions of architecture but the details seem to be a jumbled mix of Victorian, American Colonial, and Asian history.

Look. If you want to write a fantasy, then just make up different names and say that your inspiration came from the Salem Witch Trials. Dune is often said to be an allegory of the Middle East oil crisis, but it's not set in the Middle East of our world, is it? If you want to write a story that has its roots in our world, then you damn well better explain in the story how your fictional setting came about. People seem to be confused about how to world-build different genres. For the record, science fiction, dystopian, and alternate-history settings require MORE world-building than fantasy, because they are a what-if regarding a possible different future or past track that we could take. Science fiction, dystopian, and alternate-history settings must, if anything, read like contemporary fiction: the world in the story must be completely natural for readers.

I think I've said enough about that one subject. Moving on.

Some people think it's a good thing that the last several chapters of a 300-plus-page book are dramatic and full of startling revelations and villains going BOOM and protagonists agonizing over difficult decisions that they must make in a pinch of a moment. This is not a good thing. It means that the pacing is uneven and that the rest of the book up until the last few dramatic chapters either drag painfully or could have been condensed into a few chapters without losing anything. You don't sell a 300-plus-page book by saying, oh my goodness, but just wait until you get to page 300. Page 300?! No. The first 300 pages need to be tight. They need to be informative. They need to ensnare the reader. The last few chapters CANNOT justify the first several hundred pages. I don't find the last few dramatic chapters of a book to ever justify the amount of time I spent dragging myself through the first several hundred pages.

And finally, characterization. Writers, minor characters deserve almost the same amount of thought and development you give to major characters. Consider that, if they were real (which is kind of the point of writing fiction: to make everything feel as real and believable as possible, no matter your intention for doing so), minor characters could and should have the potential to be protagonists of their own stories somewhere out there. All of the characters in BORN WICKED are kind of jumbled together in my mind. No one stands out. The Biggest and Baddest Villains are Completely Opaque-Black Badddd, but nearly everyone else's natures and backstories seem to be able to be summarized in just two sentences each. If you want your characters--and thus, essentially, your story--to be memorable for readers, this is not the way to go.

BORN WICKED is probably not better or worse than most of the other hyped YA out there, but, coming at the end of a looooong line of other hyped YA that display the same problems, it has, unfortunately, been forced to bear the brunt of my frustration with recent YA. BORN WICKED really isn't bad, depending on what standards you have. If you've found yourself enjoying most of the YA bestsellers of the past year or so, then BORN WICKED will be your cup of tea. If you are looking for standout YA that elevate the genre, though, it may be best not to have too high expectations for this book. I'm going to get off the computer and go hit some walls now.

When I started reading this one, it took me awhile to get into the flow of it. The story started pretty slowly, but picked up about a third of the way through. If you find it starts too slowly for your liking, punch through - it's worth it.

This world is brilliantly devised and written. It seems to take place in the 19th century, but it's hinted at that this is not the same 19th century from our past. This is a world where witches once ruled, but now the Brotherhood is the authority - seeking to subvert and oppress women. Every single trial and punishment I can recall from the book was a girl or woman - never a man. Women accused of witchery were either sent to an asylum or they mysteriously disappeared.

This is the world Cate Cahill and her two sisters have grown up in - as witches. Cate has spent the three years since their mother died trying to protect her sisters and keep their secret, all while watching other girls from the town be accused, tried, and punished for witchery.

I can't imagine the strength of character required for Cate to stay sane while living through the events of this book. My heart aches for her - for the choices she was forced to make, and for the sacrifices she made.

My only complaint with the book is that it ends in the middle of the story. I know that it's a series and will pick up in the next book, but it always bothers me when nothing is tied up at the end of a book.

Born Wicked is about three sisters, with the eldest, Cate telling the tale. Nearing her birthday, Cate must soon choose her future: Marriage to a man she may or may not have a choice in, or spending her life with the Sisterhood. Either choice means leaving her sisters, sisters that have not always made the smartest decisions about hiding the magic they have. In early New England, the hunt for witches has gone to an extreme, and The Brotherhood takes girls who are even suspicious of having magic to an asylum, are forced to hard labor, or in more extreme cases, kill them. The Brotherhood preaches that women should be meek and mild, and discourages them of having passions.

Cate has taken care of her sisters since their Mother's death as best she can, however her Father is having a new Governess brought in. New people means greater risk of exposure, and Cate already has a hard enough time keeping her younger sisters in check. Now with new dangers coming at her from all sides and the discovery of a prophecy almost certainly about their family that puts them even more in danger, Cate is put to the test.

I enjoyed Born Wicked quite a bit, and I found the world intriguing. As someone who'd always been curious about the Salem Witch Trials, it's interesting to see a twist on a world where this is taken to an extreme. Cate is an interesting character who does the best she can with the rotten hand she's been dealt, and I felt for her continuously throughout the book. No decision she makes is easy, and she's often left between choosing from bad to worse. That said, the romance in Born Wicked leaves something to be desired, and definitely screams `insta-love!'. I had a hard time really feeling the emotions Finn and Cate as they seem to happen without any real evolution. While Cate has known Finn since childhood, she never really paid attention to him in the past, nor him with her. The characters seem to go from `friends' to `risking their lives for each other' in mere days.

In regards to Cate's sisters, I often wanted to throttle Maura, her next eldest sister. Headstrong and stuck in her ways, Maura listens to nothing Cate tries to tell her, and is continually putting not just herself, but her entire family at risk for completely selfish reasons. The youngest sibling, Tess is much more interesting, perhaps because we really see so little of her. Not being old enough to be involved in the social situations happening around Cate and Maura, Tess is often left to the background. A middle ground between Maura and Cate, Tess wants to learn how to use her magic but isn't as foolish as her sister about it, and she is the character I'm much more interested in seeing in the future.

While I had some problems with conclusions being leapt to that had no forethought leading to them, I'm interested to see what comes next for the sisters. The prophecy has yet to really come into play, and like any book in a good series, leaves off at a point where I need to know what happens next. Despite some slow pacing in the beginning, Born Wicked picks up in the latter half and I'd recommend it to fantasy fans.

I was so excited for Born Wicked to come out. I waited patiently for whoever had it checked out to return it to the library so that I could read it. I don't like buying books before I try them out first, and I am super that I got this one from the library first. This book was such a disappointment. The pacing was slow, the plot was boring, the characters were all brats, and the world-building was non-existent. I wanted to love Born Wicked so much, but it fell completely flat for me. The only thing that redeemed it was that the writing was good, even if it was boring. That's what saved this novel from an F rating.

Let's start with the characters. I think Cate was supposed to be a strong woman in an oppressed society, but instead, she just came across as a whiny brat who's too weak to stand up for what's right. Oh she thinks she's noble, but she's not. She's a coward and she's weak. Maura is a temperamental brat, and I wanted her to get shipped off to the nuthouse or something. I really couldn't stand her. Tess was a pushover, but still the strongest of the three. The Sisterhood and the Brotherhood are both bunches of bullies. Finn was weak and Paul was just annoying. Basically I didn't like anyone in this book.

The plot was supposed to be a mystery, I think, or suspenseful, or something. I'm sure there was some point to this book other than to serve the author's purpose of preaching a message, but I'm not sure what, exactly, it was. I mean I guess it could have been a romance, but the ending kind of killed that for me. Sure, Finn and Cate were fine together, but I've seen better couples in YA. Of course, if I had been able to tolerate Finn and Cate, that may have helped. Also, I never felt like anything bad was really going to happen. This is the most anti-climactic novel I've ever read. I was completely bored the entire time. I had to make myself finish this book, and the only reason I did was because I kept hoping it'd get better at the end.

The pacing was slow-as-molasses, and the smallest and most insignificant things drag out FOREVER. There was also no world-building to speak of. I think this was the Victorian era, but they talked in modern colloquial phrases sometimes, so I can't be sure. I mean if she hadn't stated she was in New England and talked about carriages, I wouldn't have know where this book was taking place. And for all the history about horrible witches, Brotherhood, male dominance, etc., I still don't feel like I know anymore about the world than I did to start with.

As I previously stated, the only redeeming factor about this novel was the author's writing. Spotswood has a good writing style, but style alone isn't enough to make me pick up the next book in the series. This is one that I won't be continuing.

First, I have to say I think I was born in the wrong century. Books from the 1800's or even early 1900's where girls were proper and wore these amazing dresses always fascinates me. If you knew me, you'd never believe this because I never wear dresses or even dress all that feminine but let me tell you, if we dressed like they did back in the 1800's, I would be in heaven. It's always fascinated me. BORN WICKED is no different. I don't think my mind would be fitting for a girl of that era but I would try. Girls are so proper and just so - I don't know what word I'm looking for. I respect them because, like Cate, its like society wants you to dumb yourself down to make the male sex appear to be superior. I have to say I'm glad we've moved past that but if only we still dressed like this...

Now, moving on from what they wear . . . this book was amazing. I'll admit, I don't read many witch books; I'm not sure why I don't. I actually like the idea of witches but I guess a lot of these types of books haven't sparked any interest with me? But I'm definitely going to be searching for some because I really enjoyed reading this. There wasn't a whole lot of magic used but enough to appease an appetite for it.

Cate Cahill is the oldest child in her family and with the death of her mother; she has now become the woman of the house. She is sixteen years old and is on the verge of being forced into an engagement with a suitor. All girls must announce their intended three months before their seventeenth birthdays, which hers is coming up faster than she anticipated. She assumes her suitor will be her childhood friend, Paul McLeod, but she hasn't seen him in years and he never even came home from University for her mother's funeral. That doesn't sit well with Cate but he comes home and makes it a point to sweep her off her feet. It's apparent his intentions for her but an unlikely suitor sneaks in to the picture. Finn Belastra. He's not a respectable boy from a well respected family, in fact, he's been hired by Cate's father as their new gardener. But you can't control what your heart wants - but sometimes you need to make sacrifices, whether your heart agrees or not.

There is a prophecy talking about three sisters who will come of age at the turn of the twentieth century who will either help the witches come back to rule in their power they once had or become a second terror. Cate believes she and her two younger sisters, Maura and Tess, are these sisters and it scares her. She promised her mother she would protect her sisters but what happens when she finds out part of the prophecy that will have her sisters turn against each other with one of their lives on the line? To what lengths would you go to protect your sisters? The only friends you've ever really had, the ones you swore your mother you'd protect right before she died? It's a heavy burden that Cate carries...

This is another love triangle I really love. Lots of triangles annoy me but this, no, not this one. I really liked Paul when he first appeared in the story, but it didn't take long for my feelings to change about him. He's not a bad guy, per say, just not the best, either. Especially when it came to how he once treated Finn, that made me change my views on him. But I can see why Cate is so torn between them or what they represent, really.

This book has religion in it but again, it's done nicely where it's not being shoved down one's throat. I respect that. And it was needed for the story, it was used nicely. The Brotherhood are those overly religious types who like to force their ways down your throat, and unfortunately here, they have the power to be able to do so. To me, they are the devil.

I love how balanced this book was. Not a whole lot of action, not a whole lot of magic, not too much romance but enough - it was so evenly balanced and it was paced perfectly that the reader will just want to keep turning page after page. The tension between Cate and the middle sister, Maura, makes it relatable if you have a sister or even brother of your own. Siblings are at each other's throats a lot. This book was just, overall, put together wonderfully.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves books written in the Steampunk time period's. If you like Fateful, Infernal Devices, etc - I think you'll enjoy this. Obviously, if you're into magic and witches, this is a book you'll want to pick up. Even if you're really not, like me, you'll want to pick this up if you're into fantasy novels.

I would like to start this review by stating that I believe all writers should have the freedom to write whatever they want. I do not believe in book banning or publishing censorship. That being said, that freedom should be restricted to an adult audience. There is a perfectly legitimate reason why teenagers aren't allowed to drive a car until 16,vote until 18 and buy alcohol until 21; it's called maturity.

Though Born Wicked was unique and different and the writing was wonderful, it should not have been marketed or published to a teen audience. There was an incredible amount of inappropriate agenda pushing. Gay rights was mentioned at least three times in three separate occasions before page 61. There was a disrespectful misrepresentation of Christianity that was forced onto the characters by an extreme group of overbearing patriarchal rule. And the female characters were all forced into "arranged" teen marriages at the ripe age of 17. I didn't get the point? So you believe gays should be able to legally marry, Jesus should be crucified AGAIN and men are the spawn of Satan with one agenda: to have non-consensual sex as much as possible and lord over you like a slave master. Great! More power to you! It's just not great for teens. At. All. The main character could have easily been changed to someone in her early 20's, still dealing with the same issues and younger siblings and I think it would have made a great adult novel and would have probably done very well. I did not see the point of marketing it to teens.

This was all written of course, as overly dramatic to make a point and to world build; I understand that. But the point is, a teenager probably wouldn't. Teenagers are still children, that's why they still live at your house, eat your food and spend your money. Most teens are not mature enough to process and/or cope with such adult topics. Parents talk all the time about the negative effects that the overtly explicit media has on children; how it robs them of their innocence. Please let teenagers be teenagers! Leave the adult topics to the adults.

4.5 stars

What an enchanting debut! I love being swept away in a well written historical that has magic, romance, and paranormal elements in it, all of which Born Wicked has. Jessica's solid world building, well written characters and flawless plot line also added to my love of this book. Not to mention a strong protagonist, her forbidden romance (sold), and the dangers of living in a society that fear witches. Sounds intriguing right? I was totally addicted to Cate's story.

I really liked Cate and the relationship she has with her sisters. It felt real and genuine, and to me that goes a long way in a book. I felt like I was able to understand and being an older sister, connect with her on some level. With her mother's passing, everything Cate does revolves around her ability to take care of her sisters like her mother asked her to do. It's why she's overly protective about who knows the secrets she and her sister's harbor, why she and her sister's can't openly practice their magic, and why she must carefully choose who she can trust. In her quest for more answers from her mother's cryptic journal entries to her, Cate is also faced with a tough choice, follow her heart, follow the easier path, or join the Sisterhood.

No matter what Cate does, her every movement is being watched. It's like she's being hunted by the Brotherhood who are out to cleanse their society of Witches. Despite a society that frowns upon well educated women, I loved that, that doesn't deter Cate from being a strong, independent and knowledgeable women. Though I give her kudos for acting other wise when she needs to, to protect herself and her sisters. I liked that she thinks before she acts, and often times as hard as it is, she puts her sister's before herself. The one thing I loved that the did for herself, was who she choose to give her heart to. I have to say I loved both romantic interests- Paul the guy she grew up with and is able to have so much fun with, or Finn, the guy who's accepting of her no matter how proper or improper she may act at times.

A lot is at stake for Cate who only has a few weeks to declare who she's going to marry, or give herself over to the Sisterhood, who also harbor their own secrets. Her decision at the end totally surprised me, and I can't wait to the sequel. I really enjoyed Born Wicked. It's a wonderful, clean cut debut to sit and spend the afternoon reading. It's a book that has a timeless feel to it and one I'm looking forward to reading again. I think this is the first book in what's going to be a fabulous series. If you're a fan of magic, witches, forbidden romance and historical settings I highly recommend picking this one up.

I went back and forth many times between 3 and 4 stars for this book. Having real witches in my family tree, I was fascinated by the story line.

At first, my only complaint was that the story moved too slowly. I thought the first description of things such as eyes and hair would suffice. I found myself skimming through on many occasions just to pass through the obvious. Don't get me wrong. I think this is a great book and I am looking forward to the next chapter. I am hoping the author gets more to the point after describing scenery and curls.

Faster faster please. And yes, do read this book! You won't regret it.

***Note*** I started this review (all that was written above) and actually liked the book enough to search for similar books. Lucky for me, I found a trilogy from Nora Roberts that made me take a closer peek. The first of the trilogy is 'Dance Upon The Air'. I read the preview and bought it online immediately.

I am so happy I did. I am only a short way through but already see an immediate resemblance with 'Born Wicked'. Maybe Jessica Spotswood read this a while back and loved it so much she felt compelled to write her own book based on three witches.

Either the case, I am delighted to have found the Nora Roberts trilogy. The opening scene is simply magical! Imitation is still the purest form of flattery.

UPDATE TO MY REVIEW: I am ninety pages into the Nora Roberts book and can no longer recommend 'Born Wicked'. It seems to be much to similar. However, 'Dance Upon The Air' has more story in the first one third of the book than BW had in the entire book. I have never once skimmed past a paragraph- much less pages as I did in BW.

The story of three witches is indeed fascinating to many. I'm back to finish 'Dance Upon the Air'. Read the prologue and you'll most likely be hooked as I am.

A wonderfully remarkable novel written by Jessica that you will eagerly fall in love with. Born Wicked takes place in the late 1800's, and introduces us into a family of three very unique sisters. They have always caught the eyes of others in the town of Chatham, but women, old or new, don't flaunt what they have. They are to cover their heads, and listen to the men. The Brotherhood especially. For The Brotherhood knows best, monitoring everyone, and searching ill behavior. Looking for witches.

Cate and her sisters are just that. Yet, not evil at all. Before their mother passed away, she instilled in Cate that she was special. Cate has mind magic. One of the most rare kinds of all. And her mother taught her not only to use her magic wisely, but to watch over her sisters.

Now, as Cate has done the best she can, she doesn't realize that her family has been watched by others, The Sisterhood has been contacted and someone is coming to live with them to teach them proper behavior. As you bond with Cate you realize this is one of the worst things that can happen yet, she only has a short time to decide what to do with her life because if she isn't married off, she will either have to go into The Sisterhood herself, which would be horrible, and possibly risk being noted as a witch, or The Brotherhood will assign her a husband. She doesn't want that either.

As Cate's prospect for a husband isn't the best choice, and will also risk her being exposed, she now has issues with her sisters and the woman from The Sisterhood. All the while, there is a prophecy that she might be linked to, so many hidden plans and secrets you will discover. The Brotherhood is cracking down on witches, let's hope they don't get too close to Cate.

As you are taken on this wild journey, you will be enthralled by far at how many shocking surprises you will find. Love, desperation, deceit and compassion. Born Wicked is simply put...incredible.