I really did not what to expect when I picked up this read. I had heard some mixed reports, but I really loved this book. I also loved how this book was regency romance with a magical twist. I also loved how this book focused on sisters and sisterhood. It was a very quick read, i also really loved the romance at the heart of the read, I did not expect to get a romance that I loved. It was such a fun read, I hope in future books that world building gets expanded. I really loved this read! ( )

I really did not what to expect when I picked up this read. I had heard some mixed reports, but I really loved this book. I also loved how this book was regency romance with a magical twist. I also loved how this book focused on sisters and sisterhood. It was a very quick read, i also really loved the romance at the heart of the read, I did not expect to get a romance that I loved. It was such a fun read, I hope in future books that world building gets expanded. I really loved this read! ( )

I don’t mind a triangle if I feel genuinely torn between the two options, but in this book, as in so many other books, it seemed obvious who Cate most clicked with so the other love interest appeared somewhat unnecessary, and the story kind of treated him that way as well, offering little closure on that relationship despite his importance in Cate’s life.

I would have preferred ditching that other love interest altogether and instead give his pages to youngest sister, Tess. The brief glimpses I got of her, hearing about her love of baking, seeing how measured and thoughtful she is, she came across as genuinely likeable and interesting even though she didn’t feature prominently here, so hopefully going forward in the trilogy, she’s a bigger part of it.

I enjoyed how the sisters’ magic is sometimes tied in to emotions, but I did have an issue with the most powerful magic in the story, situations where the sisters either waited longer than made sense to wield that magic or they didn’t use that magic at all which made even less sense when they were the more powerful entity and using that magic would have solved the problem. I realize that solving problems that early on in a trilogy leaves little need for books 2 and 3, so if this was meant to be a longer story then maybe don’t give them that level of power in the first book, wait until later in the trilogy for them to develop it or something, because it just seemed so, so questionable that someone wouldn’t use the one big weapon at their disposal when their freedom is on the line. It’s annoying to watch a character sacrfice themselves as if there were no other option when there quite clearly was a far more proactive option via that magic.

I also didn’t really understand why Cate needed to keep so many secrets from her sisters, like my issue with the magic, it seemed like it was more about prolonging the story rather than happening for a legit reason. Cate’s mantra the whole way through the story is to protect her sisters, yet she holds back information that could shape their choices and therefore protect them?

I’ve done more complaining than praising in this review, which isn’t entirely fair, I did like the romance even if it was a little rushed, I also liked that the relationship between the sisters is sometimes contentious and I liked the 1900’s setting and The Crucible-like situation these women and witches are struggling against, it does make for high stakes conflict. I was never bored, always entertained, I liked most of the characters, and was pleased by an unexpected friendship Cate forms, too. I absolutely intend to continue on with this trilogy, there’s a lot of potential here, it’s just that there were some aspects of this first book that didn’t entirely add up. ( )

too heavy on the terrorizing of women ( )

Although the subject of witches and YA fantasy are my cup of tea, and sprinkle some romance and historical setting, it was a no-brainer I gravitated toward this book. However, fell a bit off the mark for me. The overall mood of Born Wicked was pleasant enough but I feel the balance between witchcraft and romance to be skewed in favor of the latter. I am a fan of romance, don't get me wrong- YA has a tendency to really dramatize the build-up and that is a sweet spot I crave, however, it just didn't quite feel as fulfilling as I had hoped. And with that subpar romance, and the lack of witchcraft moments, it just didn't really do it for me. ( )