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Monday, September 23, 2013

NICOLE'S REVIEW: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Title: Born Wicked
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Format Acquired: Hardcover
Publication Date: February 7 2012
Publishing House: Putnam Juvenile
ISBN: 9780399257452
Source of Copy: National Bookstore

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 ship - 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 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.


(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

It seems like I've been churning out low ratings the past few weeks. Sorry guys, this is another one that I have to give one rainbow to.

Cate Cahill and her sisters are witches but everyone just thinks they're eccentric. It's a good thing when all she wants is to hide the fact that she's a witch from just about...everyone. But chancing upon her mother's diary and the prophecy revealed to her, she's afraid that now there's no chance of keeping her secret secret anymore, not when she and her sisters have been prophesied about since a trio of witch sisters are so rare and all that.

I wanted to like Born Wicked, but one reason I couldn't get into the story were the characters. I couldn't form a connection with Cate and any of her sisters. They were boring. And despite its premise, the book focuses a whole lot on the romance. Where's the magic? The witchery? Cate's sisters weren't very interesting either. Tess, being the youngest and Maura being the middle child. Tess is a talented witch, she came into her powers early and I liked her best of the three sisters. Maura on the other hand irritated me to no end, she's rebellious and constantly dreaming of freedom and I do understand her reasons but she doesn't have to be such a turd to her sister. She's selfish and irritating and I wish she'd, for once, think about the consequences of her actions.

Cate also has two boys to choose from, Paul and Finn, although it's pretty obvious which one she's gonna choose. The romance took up most of the story and I found myself skimming through pages - which I hate doing - because really, their courtship and their interactions were bland at best. Even that closet scene couldn't do anything for me.

What's sad about this is that I was actually okay with the world building and the mood and the writing but the lack of interesting situations that push the story forward just makes it hard to read. The lack of focus on their magic also had me deducting points. Now for those of you who're looking for historical romance with a hint of the paranormal, then maybe you'll enjoy this one better than I did. I, for one, am going to forego this series.


Rating:

  
                         


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