Born Wicked ARC
Born Wicked
By Jessica Spotswood
To be published on February 7th 2012
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Summary taken from Goodreads:
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 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 the completely 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.
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 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 the completely 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.
So I am going to put this out there- the books that "Born Wicked" is compared to confuses me. I love "A Great and Terrible Beauty" and anything by Cassie Clare, but I really am bewildered as to why they would be picked to explain this book. Libba Bray's book, I can see it a bit- but Cassie Clare? Um, no. Don't get me wrong- this was a fabulous book, but it is not steampunk and it is not at the level of fantasy as The Mortal Instruments.
That being said- I am choosing my own descriptor- Harry Potter meets the Salem Witch Trials. So far (being finished with book one), I would not describe this as dark magic. The magic in this book seems light and fun- unlike the magic in AGaTB. This magic is much more like Harry Potter, but set in a less fantastical setting.
This was an excellent book. The writing was engaging, the characters complex, and a storyline that was enticing. I loved how Cate developed and really became a woman and less of a selfish child in the book. I can't wait until the second book comes out- this is a fantastic debut.
If you are a fan of magic, Harry Potter, or of just reading a good book- pick this one up- you will enjoy it!
