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grav_ityThe last book I read, SHINE, was uber-realistic thanks to its realism. BORN WICKED was somehow uber-realistic thanks to its not-quite-realism. If that makes any sense.
I have no idea if Jessica Spotswood set out to write a supremely timely novel about female rights and powers, but with all the ridiculousness going on right now, it's hard to ignore. I got to page 8 or so before the CRUSHING NEAR-REALISM started to kill me, and it didn't really improve much from there.
Anyway, BORN WICKED is the story of the three Cahill sisters, told by the eldest, Cate. Set in the late 1890s, the book follows an alternate chronology where after American Independence, the government was ruled by witches. These witches were not entirely nice, and were eventually replaced by The Brotherhood, who are doing their very best to grind half the human species into the ground (guess which half!).
The Western half of America was settle by China, Dubai is a gleaming example of gender equality, no word is given on Canada, and while witches are no longer burned at the stake, they do tend to disappear or get sent to asylums where they often kill themselves.
It's not a good time to be born a witch, which Cate, Maura and Tess are. Worse, Cate is rapidly approaching her 16th birthday, on which day she will have to marry or join the Sisters, the female equivalent (though "equivalent" is a bad word choice, as they have no power at all) of the Brotherhood.
Cate does her best to keep her and her sisters' powers a secret from everyone (their father, their governess, the village at large), and tries to figure out if she can best help them by marrying well, or by joining the Sisters. Since they're teenagers, Maura and Tess don't always agree with Cate. Cate also has to deal with a pair of suitors, a dangerous family mystery, and enough surprises that I kept reading the book until 12:30 last night.
In addition to its timeliness and overall message, I think my favourite part of the book was the structure of its writing. There were several twists and turns that I saw coming, but it was because the book was so wonderfully written, not because the book was predictable. In each case, I felt that Cate (who writes in 1st person present), was completely justified in not having put all the pieces together because there was just SO MUCH GOING ON. It was very well done.
THIS PARAGRAPH HAS SPOILERS (because there's a prophecy in the book, and I can't NOT talk about it!): I really liked the use of the word "sisters" in the prophecy. Because creative interpretations of prophecy are what makes it SO MUCH FUN. Again, this one was very well written, and I look forward to seeing what happens.
SPOILERS ARE OVER NOW.
If you're looking for a heroine who kicks ass and takes names, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for a heroine who is determined, loyal, slightly selfish, wonderfully real and who has excellent growth and development? This is the book for you. Give it to a girl, and tell her that she is her own person, with enormous worth, and tell her that you trust her to make her own decisions.
8.5/10 for alternate history, clear message (I agree with), excellent character arcs and brilliant structure.
I have no idea if Jessica Spotswood set out to write a supremely timely novel about female rights and powers, but with all the ridiculousness going on right now, it's hard to ignore. I got to page 8 or so before the CRUSHING NEAR-REALISM started to kill me, and it didn't really improve much from there.
Anyway, BORN WICKED is the story of the three Cahill sisters, told by the eldest, Cate. Set in the late 1890s, the book follows an alternate chronology where after American Independence, the government was ruled by witches. These witches were not entirely nice, and were eventually replaced by The Brotherhood, who are doing their very best to grind half the human species into the ground (guess which half!).
The Western half of America was settle by China, Dubai is a gleaming example of gender equality, no word is given on Canada, and while witches are no longer burned at the stake, they do tend to disappear or get sent to asylums where they often kill themselves.
It's not a good time to be born a witch, which Cate, Maura and Tess are. Worse, Cate is rapidly approaching her 16th birthday, on which day she will have to marry or join the Sisters, the female equivalent (though "equivalent" is a bad word choice, as they have no power at all) of the Brotherhood.
Cate does her best to keep her and her sisters' powers a secret from everyone (their father, their governess, the village at large), and tries to figure out if she can best help them by marrying well, or by joining the Sisters. Since they're teenagers, Maura and Tess don't always agree with Cate. Cate also has to deal with a pair of suitors, a dangerous family mystery, and enough surprises that I kept reading the book until 12:30 last night.
In addition to its timeliness and overall message, I think my favourite part of the book was the structure of its writing. There were several twists and turns that I saw coming, but it was because the book was so wonderfully written, not because the book was predictable. In each case, I felt that Cate (who writes in 1st person present), was completely justified in not having put all the pieces together because there was just SO MUCH GOING ON. It was very well done.
THIS PARAGRAPH HAS SPOILERS (because there's a prophecy in the book, and I can't NOT talk about it!): I really liked the use of the word "sisters" in the prophecy. Because creative interpretations of prophecy are what makes it SO MUCH FUN. Again, this one was very well written, and I look forward to seeing what happens.
SPOILERS ARE OVER NOW.
If you're looking for a heroine who kicks ass and takes names, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for a heroine who is determined, loyal, slightly selfish, wonderfully real and who has excellent growth and development? This is the book for you. Give it to a girl, and tell her that she is her own person, with enormous worth, and tell her that you trust her to make her own decisions.
8.5/10 for alternate history, clear message (I agree with), excellent character arcs and brilliant structure.
