It was a captivating book with a horrible ending I was very disappointed

Jessica Spotswood has truly outdone herself in this exciting, page turning, gut clenching book. The mix of action, excitiment, romance & mystery truly contribute to it's overall excellency. This is surely a novel that'll bring you to a completely new world with the Cahal sisters, as they go through their lives as the young witches of the town. This book is well recommended by "yours truly".

Good book, the resume caught my attention and I have wanted to read it for a while now. It was a good read, but I find it was a bit slow, nothing seemed to happen I know she wanted to make us understand every little detail, but there could have been more action or punch during the book. A lot of things were repeated throughout the book, and the part that got me hooked was only towards the end of the book around page 200 the book is 330 pages, so I mean it took a while for me to be really like oh what's going to happen next. At first I was bored a bit because nothing seemed to happen. I will still continue reading the trilogy because I want to know what happens. It is a good read but don't expect to jump off your seat at all times. It didn't hook me in enough.

Cate Cahill is the mistress of her house. Losing her mother when she was a small girl has left a big impression on Cate. Add to it a country with widespread religious indoctrination and fear mongering and this poor girl has had to grow up too fast. I wont go into too much detail about the story except to say the writing is exceptional, the pace is steady, and the characters are well written and likeable. I am very interestedto see how the story develops, and how Cate's life will unfold.

Definitely a worth while read :) The cover really caught my eye, so I opened it up and I was hooked. For people who love cute romance triangles, with an early 1900 setting with big poofie dresses, and magic, this is for you.

I have always loved reading about magic and witches, and my shelves are full of books that reflect that. Born Wicked is definitely a highlight, one that caught me by surprise though the lovely cover should have been a clue to the story inside. I immediately adored Cate, and felt the burden of what she had been left with, her responsibilities and her secrets. Desperate to have a life of her own, yet also protect her sisters the story revolves around the time where she must announce her intention to marry or join the sisterhood, I remember when I was ten my mom and I went on vacation and toured Massachusetts and Salem was on of our stops. I was fascinated and terrified as we went through the exhibits in Salem and I learned about the Salem witch trials. It was horrifying to think of young women who may be slightly different being accused and tortured. It also amazed me at the power men had. I thought about that power as I read Born Wicked and the Brotherhood, their judgements and cruelty. The Brotherhood is truly terrifying and every page I worried that the sisters would be found out. Born Wicked is well written, full of suspense, magic and just the perfect amount of romance laced throughout, I eagerly await the next in the series. Highly Recommended For more reviews check out: www.lostinthelibrary.com

I received this audiobook for review from the publisher. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own. This story takes place in the late 1800s, and it features the wealthy Cahill family. Mr. Cahill is a scholar but, since the death of his wife, he has spent less and less time at the family estate and often travels to New London. This leaves his three daughters – Cate (16 years), Maura (15 years), and Tess (12 years) – in the care of family servants. The girls have been somewhat like hermits since their mother died, never venturing into the community and socializing with others. Cate also made a promise to her mother before she died that she would take care of her younger sisters and protect them, because no one must know that they are witches! Cate receives a strange letter from someone with the initials “Z.R.” urging her to find her mother’s diary and warning her that she and her sisters are in grave danger. Cate discovers that there is a prophecy concerning a trio of sisters who are all witches. It is extremely rare to have three witches in one generation and, at the time that her mother died, both Cate and Maura already displayed their magical abilities. Cate’s mother was concerned that if Tess (who was too young at the time to display any magical abilities) manifests as well, it would be likely that they are the ones that have been prophesied about. The prophecy goes on to say that one of the sisters, who will be gifted with mind magic, will be the most powerful witch born in centuries. She will be powerful enough to change the course of history and even bring a resurgence of the witches’ power. The Brotherhood keeps the peace in Chatham by going around and arresting young women whom they believe to be witches. The young ladies are sent to an asylum in Harwood, where they are often never heard from again. Kate’s Intention Ceremony will soon take place, at which time she must decide either to marry and raise a family or join the Sisterhood. Although Kate’s childhood friend, Paul McLeod, returns to Chatham and confesses that he would like nothing more than to marry her, Kate is not sure whether to accept his proposal. She feels a very strong attraction to the gardener, Finn Belastra, whose mother owns the local bookstore. Even though the Belastra family is of a lower social class than the Cahill family, it does not stop Cate from falling for charming Finn. When the neighbourhood busy-body, Regina Corbett, suggests to Mr. Cahill that the girls need a governess to refine them into proper young ladies, Elena Robichaud is hired. Cate soon learns that nothing is as it seems, and that she can trust no one! I cannot recall ever reading an historical paranormal novel featuring witches! I loved it!! It was a refreshing change from the ever-popular dystopia and vampires. Spotswood’s prose is beautiful, and she creates such vivid imagery. I can’t believe that this is her debut novel! Cate is so wise beyond her years. She is completely unselfish, to her own detriment. She is wonderfully complex and carries herself with grace. Not at all snooty, she would rather be pulling weeds in the garden and getting her hands dirty then putting on airs and having tea with the local ladies. The romance between Cate and Finn is so sweet, and it is hard not to root for them. I’ll let you decide for yourself after reading this excerpt: [told in first-person by Cate] "My hands slide up his chest. My mouth reaches for his. Our noses bump in the dark, but Finn tilts his head sideways until his lips touch mine. They brush back and forth, testing. Tasting. He waits, but I only press closer, and he reads that for the invitation it is. His kisses grow bolder. My toes curl in my slippers; my fingers clench the fabric of his shirt; fireworks explode in my belly. His mouth explores the sharp line of my jaw, then moves to the hollow of my throat. “Finn,” I sigh. Never in my life has my voice sounded like that. I know my fingers in his hair and pull his mouth back to mine. His hands move over me, light as feathers, stroking my back, my hip. Tangling in the sash around my waist, anchoring me tighter against him. My body burns wherever he touches.” A little bit pulse-pounding, isn’t it? And that gorgeous cover does the story justice! The ending was gut-wrenching, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next in the series, Star Cursed, which is slated for release in February 2013. This is my first narration by Nicole Sudhaus, and I thought she did a fantastic job! She managed to capture the individual personalities of each character, and I was really mesmerized by her voice. MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it! I will likely re-read it again in the future! You should definitely read it! Thanks to Penguin Audio for the opportunity to review this fabulous audiobook!

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one sitting ...I havent done that in a while. It started off kind of slow, and some of the plot was kind of jumpy but I couldnt put it down once things started moving. The ending definitely left me wanting more!

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood is a new intriguing paranormal and historical novel. The combination of Witches and the Victorian setting is what makes this book very attractive and it's certainly reason enough to hook readers into the world that Jessica Spotswood has created! I really enjoyed this book. However, the first half of this novel was a little bit slow. Yet, I do think that those pages were necessary since we get to know many characters such as Cate (the heroine/witch), her sisters Maura and Tess (more witches), Finn Belastra (Love interest and Oh my God! you do want to meet this guy!) and his mother who, along with Finn, are very important characters. There is also Paul (Cate's childhood best friend and also love interest!) Elena, Cate's father and many others characters that fill the cast of this new paranormal series. I think Born Wicked is definitely a book that sets the beginning of a highly entertaining adventure filled with magic, romance, danger and the wondrous aesthetics of the 19th century! Born Wicked tells the story of Cate, our lovely heroine who lives in New England and who is also a witch. And God forbid being a witch because The Brotherhood, an oppressive organizations composed only by male members, have a lot of power over the people in town and even condemns witchery with the penalty of death. Born Wicked's world is like the reminiscence of an Inquisition which absolute intrigues me and makes my blood run cold at the same time. Born wicked deals with Witchery as a sin and is punished with prison, asylum and even death. So, with this complex situation, plus the oppressors member of the Brotherhood, Cate continuously faces the fear of being discovered with her sisters. However, there is another organization called The Sisterhood and... well, you should discover it by yourself! Thing really get interesting with all the magic, danger, romance and mysterious organizations! The romance in this novel is something that I really liked although it is not the main point of the story and I'm glad of it. Paul and Finn are really alluring characters but my heart lies only with one, Finn. Oh yes, such an intellectual and beautiful guy is impossible not to fall for! As for the setting, I must say that I love the way Spotswood illustrated it. Mannerism, fashion, language, everything you expect from the Victorian period was there along with some interesting magic spells! Born wicked is a great start for a new series. A little bit slow during the first half of the book but what comes later is really worth reading! I am sure, for all the things that have been settled in this book and its heartbreaking ending/cliffhanger, that what it is to come in the next installment will absolutely surprise me!

This book is one of the best books I've read about witches in a looooonnnnnggg time. Honestly, the last few witch books I've read have been cheesy, and overdone. They all felt the same. Born Wicked goes in a completely different direction. First of all, it had an amazing and beautiful setting. Jessica Spotswood creates a magical world. This world looks very much like Victorian England but Jessica takes it one step further and builds an entire brand new world. This world is haunting (the Brotherhood gave me chills), its mysterious. It's well thought out and incredibly detailed. I felt myself getting entirely wrapped up in the world and I can't wait to read the rest of this series so I can fall back in. Another reason you'll fall in love with this book is Finn Belastra. The well read, funny charming gardener?! Was I not supposed to fall (and fall hard) for him? The romance in Born Wicked was beautiful and heart wrenching. I will definitely be rooting for Finn no matter what! Now speaking of romance...I just have to comment of the presence of lesbian witches. I have to admit this one surprised me a little bit. They seemed to come out of no where, and it wasn't what I expected but for Born Wicked is was kind of a neat idea. I loved this book. It enchanted me and it wrapped me up in its historical setting. The characters are well formed and easy to connect to. It's definitely the start of an amazing series and after an incredible surprise ending I need the next one now! This and other reviews at Christa's Hooked on Books (http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com)