YA and Beyond discussion

Place to discuss Born Wicked

YAY! I can't find my copy of this, I'll have to see if my library has it!

just put it on hold from my library

Thanks, Heidi.....I couldn't remember what the book was, but I know I requested it from the library (still waiting on it). I was reading 2 other books that were instantly DNF for me, and I was really hoping it wasn't this one. And it wasn't!!! :)

Jenny wrote: "YAY! I can't find my copy of this, I'll have to see if my library has it!"

argh....that's the worst!

Got a copy from the library last week! Have to finish up a re-read of something else, then I'll start this one, hopefully within the next couple days. :)

I am so far behind due to my HP re-reads! I have to get to last months read still.

I'm behind on these, too, Heidi!

Haha I usually don't get to our group reads until a month later. :P I think I'll actually be able to get to this one this month. But ... I'm also super behind on all my other yearly challenges.

Okay so I'm about 200 pages in, and I like it so far! I've been meaning to find more books about witches, and I feel like this book takes an interesting spin on it––I like the sort of "alternate history" vibe it has, which wasn't what I was expecting (and I looove alternate histories!!). I really like the focus on sisterhood too, particularly between Cate and Maura (although I wish there was a little more interaction between Cate and Tess....and well, between all of them really).

The main thing that's bothering me is that the romance doesn't interest me that much. The love triangle feels forced (as they often do, haha) .... and honestly at this point I don't see much point in Paul's existence, he's just a very dry character in my opinion, but maybe that's kind of the point?? I like Finn, he's at least cute/dorky and I appreciate that, I just still don't find the romance super compelling. *shrugs*

I also hope there's more magic in it towards the end! I feel like it's just starting to get into Cate testing her powers and whatnot, and I wish it had gotten into that a bit sooner. But I'm interested to see where it goes. :)

I needed an easy read after Salt to the Sea (which, by the way, is a fantastic book--her best so far). I'm 75 pages into Born Wicked, though, and I feel like nothing's happened. Hope it picks up a bit!

I still need to read Salt to the Sea; I keep hearing such good things about it!!

I know what you mean Elora ... I like the book but it's not very fast-paced, haha.

No, its really not fast paced, although the second and third ones are. They also have much more magic in them. This one was really setting up the story, and I think giving the reader a feel for what it is like for these girls, and how stifled they are.

I also love the alternate history vibe, with it feeling more historical fiction with a paranormal twist. I LOVE the romance between Finn and Cate (I agree completely with your assessment of Paul) But for me, the best part of this series is the three sisters and their relationship, which goes through all kinds of ups and downs! I also really love how loyal Cate is to her sisters...you'll see just how much later in the book!

I also love the whole almost dystopian society where men have complete control and women do not. I mean, I don't love that, but I love the whole concept and how its done here. Really makes you think a bit on women's rights and equality.

Elora wrote: "I needed an easy read after Salt to the Sea (which, by the way, is a fantastic book--her best so far). I'm 75 pages into Born Wicked, though, and I feel like nothing's happened. Hope it picks up a ..."

LOVED Salt to the Sea, and I agree that its her best work :)

I agree with you Jenny that I think the sisters' relationship is my favorite thing about the book! And I love that Cate is so dedicated to her sisters. :) And I also agree that it feels slightly dystopian, and that it gives you something to think about regarding the oppression of women.

Oh thanks for the info, Jenny! I'll have to check out the sequels. :)

Brigid....you should totally check out salt to the sea. Have you read any of her other works? Sepetys has been added to my top ten authors.

No I haven't! I need to try some of her books. :)

Oh my goodness....they are so good! Each one is a gem in its own right.

Awesome!! Maybe I'll look for her books next time I'm at the library. :D

Btw I finished this book! And over all, I liked it. I wasn't totally in love with it, but it was a fun read. I still wish there had been a bit more focus on the magic and less on the love triangle/romance, but there was at least more magic and whatnot towards the end––and it kinda had a cliffhanger, so I might give the sequel a try!

Also can I just say that Maura was by far my favorite character? I just found her much more interesting than Cate, lol. (view spoiler)[I may be biased though because I have a soft spot for queer characters, lol. Somehow I had a feeling from the beginning that Maura was bi (I guess)?? Maybe I just sensed it being bi myself, haha. But idk I was just very suspicious about what the relationship between her and Elena really was and then I was like "I KNEW ITTTTT." (hide spoiler)]

I finished it last night.....
The action/magic picked up a lot at the end, which I really liked--enough to make me want to read the sequel.
@Brigid....I had no idea about maura.....

Yay Elora! Yeah that's how I felt about it. I'm curious to see where it goes next!

And haha.....well like I said, I think my radar for these things is pretty sensitive. :D

I think I may have to skip this months read. I still have last months read on audio to listen to and my library does not have this on audio. Until the end of the year my plan is to only read the monthly reads I can get on audio because print books are taking me too long to read at this time.

That's ok Heidi! Haha I understand, I'm falling behind on so many of my yearly challenges.... at this point I have to make some compromises, lol.

I think next year will be better since I will not have my Harry Potter books thrown in the mix. :)

Yeah....but HP books are totally worth it!!!!

Elora wrote: "Yeah....but HP books are totally worth it!!!!"

They sure are :)

Ahhh yeah I still need to re-read the last three HP books––but they're so long and I'm so behind on a bunch of my other goals! Hopefully I'll still manage to re-read them before the end of the year, though. :P

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Ahhh yeah I still need to re-read the last three HP books––but they're so long and I'm so behind on a bunch of my other goals! Hopefully I'll still manage to re-read them before the end of the year..."

Yeah. My re-read of HP books 5 and 6 have put an even bigger cog in my reading plans because they are so long

I tried reading this book, but I just wasn't in the mood for it I guess. I just couldn't enjoy my reading experience. Maybe I'll try it some other time.

So I took Jenny's advice and read the sequels. Book 1 I skimmed a ton, book 2 was better (some skimming), but book 3 was fantastic! Full of action and intrigue, it definitely was the best of the trilogy.

Oooh good to know, Elora!