My review of Born Wicked

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Everybody thinks 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. Then Cate finds her mother's diary, and uncovers 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 the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. But if what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe--not even from each other.

Another book about witches, another book with a forbidden romance. You might me sighing, but, believe me, this book has unique twists that sets it apart from other witch stories. 

Born Wicked is about Cate Cahill and her two younger sisters who all possess powers that are not accepted within the community. They are witches and no one can know, not even their father, for if they are found out, the Brotherhood would immediately get rid of them. Their mother passed away, but not before she taught Cate how to protect her sisters. When Cate discovers her mother's diary containing a secret that no one could ever imagine, she frantically attempts to find someone that could her change the fates of her and her sisters. Not only that, but Cate has to cope with a marriage proposal from her closest friend, Paul, and control her feelings over Finn Belastra; the way-too-clever boy who works as a gardener and cannot afford to attend university. Uh oh, the dilemmas of being a gorgeous witch.

The story got better as the book went on and I felt myself falling further and further into the world. I thought that Cate was a great protagonist and that her thoughts were really interesting to read about. I must admit, I did pay extra attention to the scenes with Finn in them. He was entertaining with a personality that you can't help but love. Though, I would have liked it if the two spent more time together before they got into a relationship. I think that would have been good.

FinnFinnFinnFinn. I LOVE YOU! The only way that I can think to describe Finn simply is: A very hot nerd. When he appeared in the story I couldn't help but smile and want to praise Spotswood for not throwing in the love interest as a bad boy with attitude issues. One of the choices that Cate has to make is whether she would be happier with Finn, Paul (her best friend since childhood), or going into the Sisterhood where she will learn a considerable amount about who she is and what fate has got planned for her. Me? I'm team Finn for the win!

After the cliffhanger that the book ends on, I cannot wait to hold Star Cursed in my hands! I predict: more mysteries, more characters, and more romance. But I'm sure Jessica has something up her sleeve that will surprise us all.

Rating