I can’t decide what I like most about Jessica Spotswood’s Born Wicked, her intense female leads or her provocative setting.
Maybe it’s the setting.
Taking place in an alternate history of late 1800s New England, where witches were overthrown and a group called the Brotherhood make the laws of the land, women are suppressed into being pious unthinking ladies who dare not call any attention to themselves lest they be accused of witchcraft. Once accused, whether falsely or not, they are either thrown in an asylum, forced onto a prison ship or possibly murdered. While rumors run wild with the exhilarating details of other countries where the woman are free, the women of New England must fall in line to go unnoticed and unharmed. But that’s hard to do when it’s not just the memory of the witches’ strength that has survived; their very magic still lives in many of the women.
Since their mother’s death. the Cahill sisters have stayed hidden in the father’s house. But Spotswood’s world has more in store for them than being recluses. While they have, as yet, gone unnoticed by the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood has been keeping a very watchful eye on the eccentric sisters, and thanks to a turn of the century prophecy, they will stop at nothing to harness the sisters’ power.
It’s an immense storm to be at the center of, but the oldest sister, Cate, is determined to steer her younger sisters through it. Thanks to the Brotherhood’s laws ,Cate must choose her intention – to marry or join the Sisterhood – before her next birthday. Cate comes up with a plan to keep herself and her sisters safe, with no forbidden magic needed.
But we’re talking sisters here. Teenage sisters. Of course things aren’t going to go to plan. Especially when there is love and pride involved. Maura, the middle sister, is determined to emerge from Cate’s shadow. Unable to recognize the great responsibility their mother put on Cate, Maura resents Cate’s insistence that they must hide themselves away. Maura wants to experience the world and doesn’t fear her sister’s or the Brotherhood’s disapproval. Caught in the middle of the battle of wills is the youngest sister, Tess. The seemingly most fragile and yet possibly most wise of the three, Tess sees and understands everything that’s going on, but as the youngest she is unable to stop it.
The Cahill sisters are not just at odds with their world, but with one another. And just as they have to find a way to survive the Brotherhood they also have to find a way to survive one another. Their fate depends on it.
Hmm… Maybe it is the leads.
Regardless of which aspect of the book steals your heart more, Born Wicked is a wickedly fun and inspiring read.
defydemure 