Book Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Title: Born Wicked
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Release Date: January 25th, 2012
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher for review (Thank you!)

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 stars 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.

Doesn't it feel absolutely wonderful when you're finally able to read a particular book you've been lusting after for ages, and you end up loving it? Well, that's exactly what I felt after finishing Born Wicked. This 2012 debut is certainly one not to be missed!

Our main character Cate, is independent, selfless and extremely protective of her sisters. Her willingness to sacrifice her own happiness in order to care for them, and the fact that her thoughts always revolved around her sister’s well-being made her such an admirable character. Even when her upcoming engagement was approaching (and it was a huge deal since every girl had to be engaged before their 17th birthday) she never forgot her duty- to take care of her sisters.

While I loved the majority of the characters, there were several that really annoyed me. And I mean, annoyed as in I’d happily stick a knife through their heart and even then my anger probably wouldn't fade. And yes, to those who’ve read this book, I’m talking about infuriating selfish members of THE BROTHERHOOD and SISTERHOOD. I swear the society would benefit from their riddance!

Oh, FINN <3 Yes, here’s another character I absolutely ADORED! His relationship with Cate was so heart-warming and throughout the book, you’ll constantly go Awwwww <3 at the sweetness between the two! I loved how Finn accepted Cate for who she is, even after she revealed to him her deadly secret, and was willing to protect her with everything he had. These two have got to be the sweetest couple ever <3

I also loved how it was evident from the writing and the way the characters communicated that the story was set in the 19th/20th Century. The last two historical fiction books I read felt like modern day characters  living in the past, so I was so glad Ms Spotswood managed to capture the historical aspects perfectly in Born Wicked!

AND THAT ENDING was so cruel and heart-breaking! My poor, poor Finn and Cate both deserved their own happily  ever after, but NO! Some selfish, heartless and completely thick-headed morons just had to ruin everything! Now I'm seriously DESPERATE for the next book! Why, why WHY did it have to end like that? *cries heart out*

Born Wicked is magnificent start to a series that I'm sure will become one of my favourites <3 After reading this, I'm going to hunt down every single witch-related book out there and devour them! My advice: GO READ THIS BOOK NOW!