Book Review: Star Cursed

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. Quoted from Goodreads

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Excellent book!  Loved it. Star Cursed stars just where Born Wicked left off.  Cate is miserable about leaving her sisters and Finn, but they're all reunited in one way or another soon enough, and the action just keeps on going.  No middle book slump for this series. The Brotherhood is still evil and repressive, the Sisterhood manipulative, and Cate torn between what she wants and everyone else's expectations.

Seriously, I love this series.  It's one of those you can't put down.  There's so much tension coming from everyone and so very few people Cate can trust, it's hard to stop reading. I really love the way Jessica Spotswood handles everything.  There are problems on all sides, and things are escalating   Nothing is black and white.  The Brotherhood is mostly evil, but then there are good men working on it like Finn who are only trying to save their families.  Same with the Sisterhood.  Some of them really are good, trying to save girls and provide safety for young witches.  But others are power hungry, willing to sacrifice people for their own power.  Plus, the ending!  It's just as horrible and impactful as the first book, leaving you feeling like you've been punched in the gut and you don't quite know how you will recover without the third book. 

 Everything else is also up to par.  I really liked how I got to know Tess better in this book.  In the first one she was mostly just Cate's youngest sister, but she didn't play nearly the role that Maura did.  I really liked the way she developed more in this book.  She's only twelve, but she grows up a lot and is a comfort to Cate, especially with what is happening with Maura.  Oh, Maura.  She's irritating and tragic all at once. I won't give anything away, but she continues down the path she began in the first book.

Finally, Cate and Finn. I loved them in the first book, and they get even cuter in this one. I thought with the change of location we would loose a lot of the characters from the first book, but besides Cate and Finn's parents, everyone is here, and their stories get to continue.  Harwood becomes more of a frightening reality. In contrast, there's also some hope on the horizon.  Common people are starting to turn against the Brotherhood, following the patter of the witches' downfall hundred's of years before.

Basically, you need to read this series.  It's a fascinating alternative history, oozing with suspense and tension.  There's so much peril and manipulation, oppression and rebellion, I love it. It's a enchanting 4 stars for me, and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I'm just praying it doesn't take as long as this one to come out.  I'll admit, her writing is good and the story superb, but like I said, that ending killed me.