Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)

My expectations were quite high going into Born Wicked due to the great book blurb, gorgeous cover and raving early reviews. Thankfully, it met and exceed those expectations! This is one debut you do not want to miss!

I was immediately drawn into Cate’s narrative. She seemed very pessimistic and had a negative outlook on just about everything. That could have been irritating, but she gives us reasons for her pessimism. She’s been in charge of her two younger sisters, since their mother died. All three of them are witches and must keep it hidden from their Father, the town, and especially the Brotherhood or face prosecution. Cate is suppose to announce a betrothal in a matter of months, even though she does fit into society’s mold of a proper young woman. Plus she discovers a prophecy concerning three sisters. If I had to shoulder all of Cate’s responsibilities and be under so many restrictions and expectations, I’d be a negative Nancy, too!

This books is full of magic, mystery, and romance. Women’s oppression is also a major theme throughout, and I think the author did an amazing job linking it to the magical and religious aspects of the book. There’s many twists and turns, and ups and downs. It kept me engaged from start to finish, and the events leading up to the finish left me in awe. I’m not sure what else to say without spoiling anything. If you’re looking for a new twist on witches, and something a little different in the YA genre (like no love triangle!), I urge you to go out and get this one!

I fully expected not to like Born Wicked. In fact, I wasn’t even going to read it until I started seeing awesome reviews for it pop up all over the place. Now, I’m not normally so judgmental about a book. I’m usually pretty easily swayed, actually, but historical fiction is not usually my thing. It’s one of the two genres I kind of avoid like the plague.
Boy am I glad, I gave this one a try.

I love that it actually takes place in an alternate history where the Brotherhood is in charge. I love world-building, so I still got a taste of that which was nice.

I rather liked Cate, although she did get on my nerves sometimes. I know she had a lot of responsibility hanging over her head, but her indecisiveness kind of drove me nuts at times. Paul was…ugh. I did not like Paul. He could be nice sometimes, but overall he was full of himself and so, so annoying.
Then, there was Finn. Oh, Finn. I don’t usually fall easily for YA guys, but I am definitely head over heels for him. He has freckles, glasses, and unruly hair. All things I love. Plus, you know, he loves books. Seriously, read this for Finn if nothing else.

I loved the flow of the story too. I never really felt like I was in the dark, but new revelations kept popping up at the perfect time. Every time I learned something new it completely sucked me back into the story.

The Nutshell: I absolutely loved Born Wicked. If you’re afraid of historical fic, please don’t write this one off. The alternate history provides enough world-building that you won’t be bored (as I usually am). I’m really not sure what more I can say besides this is definitely worth the read. And Finn. You should definitely read it for Finn.