Review: Star Cursed

This review will contain SPOILERS if you have not read Born Wicked.

Title: Star Cursed

Author: Jessica Spotswood

Publication Date: June 18th 2013

Length: 371 pages (Hardcover)

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2

Synopsis from Goodreads:

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate’s friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn’t want to be a weapon, and she doesn’t want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood’s schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she’ll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess’s quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

Review:

First, I want to say that I was quite nervous before starting this book. Excited yes, but also very, very nervous. If you’ve read the first book in the series, you probably remember that it ended with Cate leaving behind her whole family, and the boy she loves, to join the sisterhood of witches in the city. This is what scared me. In Born Wicked I loved the dynamics between Cate and her sisters, and I loved her relationship with Finn. So naturally, I feared we wouldn’t see much of them in Star Cursed, and that I wouldn’t like it quite as much because of it.

Luckily, I found out pretty early on in the story, that that was not the case, and I let out a sigh of relief as I continued reading. I was not let down. Maura pissed me of as usual, Tess was adorable, and Finn was a real cutie. All was well in the world.

Or was it?

Since I really liked her in Born Wicked, I was quite surprised by this, but part of my problem with this novel, was actually Cate. I don’t know if it was just me, if it was because she felt lost without her family, or what, but I just couldn’t get a grip on her character. Her personality was all over the place, and she could go from being all insecure, to claiming to be the strongest witch in the room (her own words) in a matter of a few chapters. At one point, Paul told her:

“You’d tell a man with a broken leg to stop his whining and walk it off.”

“Really? She would?”, was the thought that ran through my head as I read that sentence.

It’s not the question of whether I like Cate or not, because I do. She makes some stupid decisions, yes, but that isn’t the problem here. The problem is that when I read books, I want to KNOW the characters. I want to think to myself: “Yes, that is exactly how she would react. That is so (insert name of random character)”

This time, I didn’t feel that way, and I didn’t like it.

Another thing that I kind of missed, was the magic. Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely some magic present (not only the bippity boppity boo-kind either ;)), but considering that the story takes place at a (kind of) school for witches, there were surprisingly few moments of actual magic-doing. I know that they have to be careful, but still.

Now you might be thinking: And? Was it any good then? Should I read it? Did you like it a much as Born Wicked?

The answers to that is yes, yes, and almost. I did like Born Wicked more, that is true, but I also really enjoyed this novel. The two things I mentioned above did prevent me a bit from loving it, but other than that, it was exciting and entertaining. I really like the characters and the world, and the atmosphere and tone of the book is pretty much the same as it was in Born Wicked, so if you liked that one, I’m pretty sure you will like Star Cursed as well. Plus, you know, witches are awesome.

Ps. Try not to be around other people when you read the ending. I was in a bus full of two entire classes, and I wanted to scream of frustration, but had to settle for some squealing instead. Don’t make the same mistake.

Seriously, though, the next one can’t come out soon enough.

4/5 Moustaches