Review: Born Wicked

Title: Born Wicked
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Release Date: 7 Feb. 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 326
Rates: The Best to Love

Synopsis from Goodreads

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

My Thoughts

Many people have been waiting to get their hands on Born Wicked. However, the synopsis left me with only a mild interest in the book. I am so very, very glad I read it. It has been a while since I read a book with girls in corsets this was this incredible. Witches and prophecies have a taken on a new light in my eyes. Lately, I've been tired of the spins in magical novels, but this book reminded me how wonderful a story about witches, secrets, and courting can be. Cate, Maura, and Tess,...moreMany people have been waiting to get their hands on Born Wicked. However, the synopsis left me with only a mild interest in the book. I am so very, very glad I read it. It has been a while since I read a book with girls in corsets this was this incredible. Witches and prophecies have a taken on a new light in my eyes. Lately, I've been tired of the spins in magical novels, but this book reminded me how wonderful a story about witches, secrets, and courting can be. Cate, Maura, and Tess, the three sisters, are rich with personality. Maura is stubborn, and she drove me a little crazy the way refused to do anything other than her way. Tess is less in your face and very intelligent. She's the quiet smart one. Cate. Oh, being in Cate's head is a pleasure. She deals with new secrets flying at her left and right. Dealing with courting and keeping her sisters safe. I'm pleased to say that she does not make poor decisions and make me shudder. For the difficulties she faces, I feel she makes good choices. She has to make decisions regarding her own feelings and wishes while thinking more about what is best for her sisters. The boys. They are dashing men that make me grin. They make me wish I was being courted by the architect gentleman or the scholarly gardener. I'll refrain from revealing anything about them. But, let me tell you, you will never want to stop reading about them once you have started. Jessica Spotswood created something amazing. I could not put the book down until it was finished. Witches, the Sisters, the Brotherhood, Cate and her sisters. Everyone is has secrets. Cate has choices, but she is pulled in every direction. I NEED the next book.

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: 2 Jan. 2012
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 256
Rate: Lovable

Synopsis from Goodreads

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

My Thoughts

I love The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Love at first sight is all fine and dandy, but there is a line between obsession and a slow fall to love that starts at first sight. Hadley and Oliver's falling in love does not feel overwhelming and fast; it is just right. I have read books that have the characters become instantly obsessed with each other, and it makes me roll my eyes. This book is smooth. I was completely content while reading it.

There was more to the story than Hadley and Oliver falling in love. Hadley was dreading seeing her father in London. She was dreading his wedding. She had no desire to go to London. Oliver is heading toward is own troubles in London. They are teenagers dealing with problems and getting to know each other. Oliver is a funny guy, and his conversations with Hadley were very entertaining.

This is the type of story that I will always believe can come true. It is a story I would make up in my head while on a flight. I think everyone makes up little stories in their head, and they especially come up with them when traveling. Making up background stories for people are them, making up stories of people they might meet. I always fear writing one of mine down and not capturing the right voice or mood. But, it was done here. It was written down perfectly.

Review: The Scorpio Races

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: 18 Oct. 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 409
Rate: The Best to Love

Synopsis from Goodreads

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

My Thoughts

The Scorpio Races had me so captured I could not stop reading it even with Christmas festivities around me. It didn't event stop me from exclaiming my feelings about the book while reading it. I stayed up all night to finish it. Maggie Stiefvater wrote a book that made me to completely happy and set on edge. It is a masterpiece. She created a suspenseful story with characters that stole my heart.

Sean Kendrick. The more I read it more the powerful it became. He was hard and lovely. Kind and fierce. So at odd and different from everything else. His love for his capaill uisce was as magnificent as the creatures. His love for Puck was more curious and giggle worthy with it's suspense.

Puck was proud and full of fight. Kate Connolly. She wanted life to stay the same, but it was changing. She was trying her best to keep her brother, her house, her horse. She was willing to do everything she could and keep her pride too.

The deadly creatures in this book make for an intense story when paired with the proud people on Thisby. The pride and other motives compel these characters to enter the race that many will not live through. The sea horses are terrifying and fascinating. The Scorpio Races captured me from the start.