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A review by bookph1le
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
4.0
It can be very difficult to review a book like this. After all, I didn't immediately warm to it. That's not to say that I disliked it, because I didn't. Instead, it was the kind of book that snuck up on me, one that I was feeling kind of neutral about until I suddenly realized how much I loved it. Some minor spoilers ahead.
I'm not sure exactly what I expected from this book, but it turned out to be more literary and thoughtful than I imagined, and that may be why it took me a little while to get into it. The description made me think it would open on a very adventurous note, but it took some time for the action to build. This wasn't a bad thing, but I can see how it might not work in the book's favor, if readers aren't hooked and lose interest. But giving up on the book would be a mistake, because it offers a huge reward.
Hands down, my favorite thing about this book is Cate. I love that she had sharp edges that made me frustrated with her at times. Her flaws made her so convincing as a character, and her struggles were very compelling. I like that she sometimes messed up in very big ways. I like that she did something so odious that it actually made me protest out loud--and I'm sure it will come back to bite her at some point. But even though she did a terrible thing, it made sense to me that she would do it, and that's what made her so convincing a character. I felt as if I knew her and knew what she was like. I loved that she was so fiercely independent and determined to make her own choices rather than let circumstances dictate her actions. It means that bad things happen as a consequence, and those consequences give the book real weight.
The cast of characters in general is fantastic. None of them are entirely predictable, and they were all distinct individuals with their own motives and reasons for doing what they did. At no point did any of them seem like mere plot devices. They not only had their own unique personalities, they also all provoked different reactions from me.
Another thing I admired about this book was how much it made me think. I was surprised by how feminist its message struck me, because that can be sadly rare in YA lit. Though men play key roles, Cate doesn't allow any of them to interfere with the things that mattered most to her, which I thought was fantastic. I loved that Cate was true to herself and her own principles, no matter what. Yet, what was truly great about this message was that, rather than set up a clear man versus woman dichotomy, the issue is very complicated. The men aren't all evil. Some are complacent. And the women aren't all good. Many of them seem to have agendas of their own that are less than savory, and I liked that Cate walked a fine line. Rather than naively accept what she is told, she is determined to figure out the motivations behind the actions.
One weak point in the book for me, though, was the romance. While I loved that Cate chose a man who loved her as she was, thorns and all, I felt like their falling in love happened a little too fast. Still, it can also be unfortunately rare for YA lit to present the heroine with a love interest who doesn't infantalize her or try to control her, so I loved that this wasn't the case in this book. Add to this that he actually sees her as an equal and you have an almost perfect romance. Almost.
The last third or so accelerates to breakneck speed, and I was glued to the book, desperate to see what happens, only to find the mother of all cliffhangers. Book, you did not just go and end like that, did you? Not after you played at all my emotions! I am now waiting for book two with bated breath.
I'm not sure exactly what I expected from this book, but it turned out to be more literary and thoughtful than I imagined, and that may be why it took me a little while to get into it. The description made me think it would open on a very adventurous note, but it took some time for the action to build. This wasn't a bad thing, but I can see how it might not work in the book's favor, if readers aren't hooked and lose interest. But giving up on the book would be a mistake, because it offers a huge reward.
Hands down, my favorite thing about this book is Cate. I love that she had sharp edges that made me frustrated with her at times. Her flaws made her so convincing as a character, and her struggles were very compelling. I like that she sometimes messed up in very big ways. I like that she did something so odious that it actually made me protest out loud--and I'm sure it will come back to bite her at some point. But even though she did a terrible thing, it made sense to me that she would do it, and that's what made her so convincing a character. I felt as if I knew her and knew what she was like. I loved that she was so fiercely independent and determined to make her own choices rather than let circumstances dictate her actions. It means that bad things happen as a consequence, and those consequences give the book real weight.
The cast of characters in general is fantastic. None of them are entirely predictable, and they were all distinct individuals with their own motives and reasons for doing what they did. At no point did any of them seem like mere plot devices. They not only had their own unique personalities, they also all provoked different reactions from me.
Another thing I admired about this book was how much it made me think. I was surprised by how feminist its message struck me, because that can be sadly rare in YA lit. Though men play key roles, Cate doesn't allow any of them to interfere with the things that mattered most to her, which I thought was fantastic. I loved that Cate was true to herself and her own principles, no matter what. Yet, what was truly great about this message was that, rather than set up a clear man versus woman dichotomy, the issue is very complicated. The men aren't all evil. Some are complacent. And the women aren't all good. Many of them seem to have agendas of their own that are less than savory, and I liked that Cate walked a fine line. Rather than naively accept what she is told, she is determined to figure out the motivations behind the actions.
One weak point in the book for me, though, was the romance. While I loved that Cate chose a man who loved her as she was, thorns and all, I felt like their falling in love happened a little too fast. Still, it can also be unfortunately rare for YA lit to present the heroine with a love interest who doesn't infantalize her or try to control her, so I loved that this wasn't the case in this book. Add to this that he actually sees her as an equal and you have an almost perfect romance. Almost.
The last third or so accelerates to breakneck speed, and I was glued to the book, desperate to see what happens, only to find the mother of all cliffhangers. Book, you did not just go and end like that, did you? Not after you played at all my emotions! I am now waiting for book two with bated breath.