Born Wicked

By Jessica Spotswood

Recommended by Anna Reads

Born Wicked tells the compelling story of three sisters who are gifted witches in a society where being a witch is punishable. The relationship between the three sisters is the best part of the book and provides the richest and complex parts of the story. Without this being the center of the book it would not have held together for me.

The writing was good but the story a little predictable. There was a lot of talk about the oppressive society instead of descriptions of the oppression or illustrations of the injustice. This left the world a bit flat, leaving the reader to trust the characters interpretation of the society instead of having any tangible relationship with it in which to judge for oneself.

The magic, its origin and mystery surrounding it were interesting and were introduced well. This was an interesting seed that will hopefully be followed through in the rest of the series. Still, there could have been a little more detail around the magic itself, how the girls each discovered the magic or more illustrations of their time with their mother (their only magic mentor).

Although the book left me wanting more in a number of areas I will read the next book in the series hoping the author brews a richer story, develops the context a bit more and hoping to see how the Cahill sisters do as the future unfolds.

Book 45