Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood
Release Date – June 18, 2013
Publisher Website -  Penguin/Putnam
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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.

In series there is potential for book two to be drawn out, stall the story and save all the big reveals for the final book in the series. If this is true in the Cahill Witch Chronicles, than I may not survive the third book. Filled with twists, reveals, and swoon worthy romance, Star Cursed pulls no punches.

Cate is quickly becoming one of my favourite female characters. She's thoughtful and careful and this doesn't change in Star Cursed. She doesn't become someone she's not because of her power. Even what it's clear that she is one of the strongest witches in the Sisterhood, she remains steadfastly Cate. It will be interesting to see how her actions at the end of the novel shape her character going forward, as I expect a slightly harden, anger fueled witch may be what's in store.

Maura is so head strong. She's opinionated and doesn't back down. She's the more cunning out of the three sister, and the more willing to get what she wants at any cost. She crosses a few lines in Star Cursed that I didn't expect for any of the sister's to ever cross. It only heightens that Jessica Spotswood is unflinchingly willing to go to the darkest parts of their relationships.

Tess is quickly growing into a surprising character. Her desire to do good, and he sweet nature are contrasted with some pretty impressive power. She seems wise beyond her young years, .

It's the relationship between the three sisters that fascinates me. The mixture of love and competition between them feels organic. It reads like a true sisterly bond that bonds them as much as it tears them apart. I can't wait to see where the relationship goes from here, especially with the revelations at the end of the novel.

The Brotherhood is one of the best villains I've come across in awhile. Simply because I fear them. I fear for our characters as a result. As a reader it's a terrifying, and yet exhilarating thing when you fear for the main characters. It's often easy to put stock in the fact that your main characters are safe. Jessica Spotswood has went for the jugular by telling us not only are they not safe, but that one of our beloved Cahill sisters will die. I creates a tension that's different from most stories. She's partnered this fear with a group that is chill inducing in it's single minded focus. Add to this the fact that certain members of the Sisterhood may not have the best intentions, and I was constantly on edge.

The real danger to Cate, Maura and Tess comes from within. The prophecy talks not only of the witch that will save them all, but that one of the sisters would die at the hands of another. The entire prophecy and it's implications is ingenious. As tensions grew within the sisters, as a reader, I immediately became agitated. The reveal of who is the prophesied witch was a definite twist, as it was not who I was expecting. I am still not sure there won't be another twist thrown in, but I was more than satisfied with the unveiling.

I thought the end of Born Wicked was bad. Star Cursed is worse. Star Cursed takes your heart, rips it up and shows it to you for good measure. Stunned isn't even a strong enough word. It's an emotional one where your connection to the characters factors into how deeply you feel it. It's torturous in the best possible way. I am pretty sure Jessica will take much delight in the agonized response to the final chapters. In other words... book three now please.

As someone who fully loved Born Wicked,  Star Cursed surpassed all my expectations, and was even better than the first novel. The Cahill sisters cast a seductive tale filled with romance, and witchcraft that left me spell bound.