Born Wicked(The Cahill Witch Chronicles)Author: Jessica SpotswoodPublisher: Putnam Juvenille, 2012Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
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.
Once, a long time ago, witches ruled, but those days are long gone. The Brothers' eradicated the witches and now keep a tight leash on all the women. If a woman is accused to witchery she is arrested, and shipped off to Harwood, an institution meant to cure them of their deviant ways. This is Cate's world, and when her mother died she had to grow up fast so she could take care of her sisters, Maura and Tess. She needed to teach them and protect them from the Brothers, because the Cahill women are all witches.
Paul McLeod is Cate's oldest friend. He's been away for a while, and now that he's come back all grown up and handsome, he intends to marry Cate. She has no problem with this, what could be better than marry someone she's known all her life? But he wants them to live in the city, and she can't afford to leave her sisters now. Not only that, but now that she's gotten to know Finn Belastra, the bookseller turned gardener, Cate can't stop thinking about him and his freckles!
Born Wicked is a delightful tale of knowing what you really want, going for it, and making sacrifices for the sake of others. Cate was a wonderful character to read. She's a bit of a control freak, but with good reason since she's trying to keep her sisters safe from the Brothers. She has no choice but to be the parent, the "bad guy," the one who "doesn't have fun." And I think that's why Finn is so perfect for her. He just lets her be free, be who she really is. The girl who likes to climb trees, and get dirty while gardening. I don't know if Paul would have let her be that free, though he seems to like her well enough and they've been friends forever.
I can't get into the story without giving away some major things, but I will tell you this…it will keep you reading all night long! As the story unfolds there are more and more twists and surprises on every chapter. Born Wicked ends with a rather disagreeable ending where Cate has given up her freedom, her happiness to save everyone she loves, and there is no hope on the horizon. But this is just the first book in the Cahill Witch Chronicles, and boy is it a great start! I can't wait what's next in store for Cate and her sisters!
Favorite Quotes:
Finn grins, gap toothed and boyish. "Ah, then you must be my elf."
"Pardon me?" I tuck a strand of hair beneath my hood.
"I noticed someone's been weeding and planting the spring bulbs. I fancied you had a garden elf. I imagined him short. And green. You're prettier." He flushes behind his freckles.
"Why, thank you," I laugh.
~
"Will you toss me an apple?"
I pluck an apple and throw it to him. He ducks.
"You were meant to catch it," I point out, swinging one leg over the branch, scrambling to find my footing on the lower limb.
"You surprised me with your excellent aim. It's—"
I glower at him. "If you say 'good for a girl,' I'll never forgive you."
"I wouldn't dream of it. You terrify me," he laughs.
~
Finn comes closer. "And I can trust you with it?"
I throw my hands up into the air, frustrated. "Yes! I trust you not to go murdering my flowers, don't I? We all take our chances."
