Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Title: Born Wicked
Author: Jessica Spotswood
ISBN: 9781617070600
Publisher: Penguin
Page #: Audio 9 hour run time
Released: February 07, 2012
Source: Playaway from my library

Summary:
"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 sheep - or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months 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 th ecompletely 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."
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First Lines:

"Our mother was a witch, too, but she hid it better. I miss her. Not a single day goes by that I don't wish for her guidance. Especially about my sisters."
Page 1
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Review:

This is a fantastic book about family, magic, and finding love that transends all things... like accidentally making feathers appear when you kiss and such. :) I'm pissed about the ending, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Cate and her two sisters are witches - but absolutely no one can know. Including their father. Their mother had known... but she was gone now. The Brotherhood (effectively the heavies, the police, the religion, the teachers, the "protectors", etc) watches all young girls to see if they exhibit signs of being a witch. They require all girls to be married or go into the Sisterhood - neither of which Cate is ready for. Cate finds out that there is a prophecy that might be about her and her sisters - much to her dismay.
I loved this book. It was such a rich story and I seriously wish I was living it along with Cate (without all of the women-oppression stuff, of course). She is a strong, independant woman who has taken on raising her sisters. She doesn't want to think about what might happen when she's married to someone or shipped off to the sisterhood. Even through all of the things that are there to keep her down, she still prospers. I really think she's an awesome character.

And her boys... my, oh my. Even though this is mostly historical fiction (to a point), there's still the type of love story that I know girls in this era will swoon over. You've got the hunky next door neighbor, who has known Cate since they were small children. He's been gone a while and has just returned... to take her away with him. And if that's not enough, you've got the son of the book seller - and now their gardener. I love that he's the son of a kick ass woman during this time of meek ladies. Good stuff!

You know, there is a big difference between reading a book about magic and a book about a family who happens to be magic. This isn't a story where you're hit in the face with their differences and how they feel about things. It's more like you're getting to know this awesome family who has this thing they have to deal with. I really appreciated that. I think that is really what took this book from being a cool story to an amazing book!

Okay, so the ending. Of course, I'm never going to tell you what happens... but I will say that I hated it. NOT what was supposed to happen. Not even a little bit. I spent the last chapter or two kind of screaming at the book. Lots of "No. Nononono!" "WAIT! Don't do that!!!" and "That's just not right. Stop that!" Yeah. No good. Now, I'm sure there's a reason... and I'll definitely be getting the next book asap... but it made me bitter. But what about...?!?!?! Sigh. Guess I have to wait.

Even through the ending, I still thought it was wonderful. I will definitely be recommending this book on to many readers. Really, if you love the Libba Bray Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy, I think this will be right up your alley. It's got all of the awesome elements to make a fantastic series. Now all I have to do is forget about the ending until I get the next book in my hands. Enjoy it!
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