Note: Born Wicked Spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.
Who does not love witches? Seriously, I cannot name a single person. Y’all remember the truth bombs Jessica Spotswood dropped on us at the end of Born Wicked with the big OH NO GASP GASP GASP moment? And then all of the swoons that she brought? Well the next book in the Cahill Witch Chronicles, Star Cursed dials all of the emotional reactions up a notch and left me simultaneously cursing Spotswood and praising Spotswood. As a girl who loves talking books with her friends, I honestly cannot wait for you all to read this book so we can discuss the ending and just how out of control it was. I can’t wait to talk with you guys about Finn and my love of him, about the Brotherhood and why they are the WORST and about Cate Cahill and how I’m rooting so hard for her. Drop your schedule and read Star Cursed.
Star Cursed begins pretty much exactly where Born Wicked leaves off. Cate Cahill has gone to join the Sisterhood in New London and is basically taking magic lessons. Her sisters are still at home, but she sees this as a sacrifice she must make to keep her sisters out of harm’s way. Finn Belastra has joined the Brotherhood in order to protect his family and Cate. Things are not very easy right now for Cate. Anyways, things get real, real fast in Star Cursed. The Brotherhood has basically gone bat shit and are clamping down with their restrictions on women, it’s literally a witch hunt. Cate still has feelings for Finn, but you know she can’t exactly act on them now that she is posing as a nun. AND AND, the head nun in charge is dying which means leadership of the Sisterhood will pass to someone else, most likely the prophesied witch whom everyone thinks is Cate. Oh, and Maura is still around being a general pain in the ass. Plot distillation, y’all.
So, in this sequel, there is of course, character growth for Cate Cahill AND I LOVE THAT. Seriously, I will always love it when characters learn things and change and have revelations. This is the book where there’s torment and pain and anguish and all of that happy fun stuff in store for Cate and it is awesome. We get to see how Cate deal with all this new strife and responsibility. I loved seeing all of her self denial because I am a weirdo like that. I’ve decided that I can really relate a lot to Cate, except that I am really selfish whereas Cate is super self sacrificing. I love seeing how much she cares for her little sisters and acts as a surrogate. I love how protective she is and the lengths she will go to save her family. That’s the mark of an admirable character to me, as personally, this blogger thinks family is one of the most important things there is and I don’t often get the chance to read about such strong sibling relationships in fantasy. Y’all should read this book if you like reading about sisters who fight but at the end of the day love each other fiercely. Also, if you like determined and headstrong main characters.
If you are one of those people who is like FUCK YES WORLD BUILDING then I think you’ll dig Star Cursed. There’s more of Spotswood’s patriarchy filled society, FYI, she does not celebrate the patriarchy, but instead is all THIS SUCKS. As a reader I found myself thinking ugh, stupid mens trying to take rights away. You see, as Star Cursed goes on and on the Brotherhood keeps on subjugating women taking things away little by little, and it made me think of contemporary politics but I will not get into that. Anyways, I just found myself thinking that if you are looking for feminist fantasy that says hey it’s cool to have what are traditionally perceived to be feminine attributes as well as romantic swoon type feelings READ STAR CURSED. I mean, I don’t really know if Spotswood meant for it to be so female-empowered and so anti-patriarchy, but either way that is my impression and y’all I fist pumped like the dork I am because I love subversion.
Most of you are like me, I bet, since you are reading this blog — you come to a book for the awesome plot and characters and end up staying for the romance. If you remember Born Wicked, chances are you will remember sweet, bookish Finn and his feels for Cate and her feels for him and ALL OF THE SWOONS. Yo, this book totally takes that up a notch. I mean, it is GRIPPING romance. Like hold the book tight in your hands as you read because oh my god oh my god OH MY FREAKIN GOD there is KISSING and yes, some sads too. I loved just how tumultuous the romance was — at first you are like oh no Cate and Finn are star crossed lovers and nothing can happen because she’s in the Sisterhood and he’s in the Brotherhood. BUT THEN, revelations occur. And you guys, I won’t say much on this except there are feelings and swoons and a moment where I wanted to throw the book across the room I was so invested. Throw it in a good way I mean, as a release of all of my emotions.
Obviously, I had a ton of emotions and feels while reading Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood. I wish I had read it at a point where I could honestly really put 100% of my focus on the book because let me tell you, it is absorbing and there’s a lot going on. Now, I mean, it’s not like there’s TOO MUCH going on with a scattered focus however, there’s many plot elements that do weave together in a pretty neat fashion. Personally, I loved going from a swoon to anger to soaring joy to sadness to feeling utterly livid. I loved experiencing the gamut of emotions while reading. At this point I can’t wait to see how everything plays out for the Cahill sisters and Finn and OMG the ending of Star Cursed is a total book flinger in the best possible way so this is really me saying if you trust my reviews read this series AND READ BOOK TWO.
Disclosure: Received for review
Other reviews of Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood:
Pure Imagination – “Oh my! I don’t know how I can wait for book 3”
Ex Libris – “the kind of wonderful pain that only a well-written story can bring”
Fiktshun – “incredibly exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking and utterly riveting second book”
Books by Jessica Spotswood:
Born Wicked
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I am so excited to read this! I read the first book recently and Jessica Spotswood will be in town next week signing. Awesome review.
I *really* enjoyed the first book in this series (and that ENDING!!) so I’m definitely looking forward to this one. LOVE that there’s great character growth and worldbuilding, two of the things that make a book/series a standout to me. Yay!
I don’t remember the ending from Born Wicked!!!! Well that just settles it; I need to reread it! I am so super excited about Star Cursed though. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!!!
UGH! I need to re-read the first one and then get this one. ASAP!
I’ve read so many books, but Jessica Spotswood’s Star Cursed really stands out. It has so many components in it- suspense, action, and romance. This book will keep you on your toes to navigate the many plot twists and turns. It’s definitely a must-read for anyone!