Star Cursed

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin)
Released: June 18, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2
Source: Library

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.

I wanted to love this book as much as I loved Born Wicked, but though this was a good read, it wasn't as captivating as the first book. I will still be reading the third book, because Star Cursed definitely is a good book, just not as gripping or emotional as its predecessor.

What was missing, I felt, was the relationships between Cate and her sisters and between Cate, Sachi, and Rory. This drove most of the first book, and I was really looking forward to the tension and banter. But though Cate's sisters are there, she doesn't interact with them much, and after Sachi is arrested, that friendship loses its spark - Rory is not enough to give it that same tone, since Sachi was the one who really was the leader. Cate and Finn's relationship was there, but since it got caught up in the rest of the brewing war, it lost the completely romantic and wonderful atmosphere of the previous book.

What was definitely there was Cate's obvious struggle to do what's right or what's immediately good. And the tension created by the different ideas among the Sisters, the growing need for action, the Brothers' continued sliminess and horror. The secrets slowly coming out, the prophesy coming to fruition, the terror Cate feels at all of this - it's all gorgeously portrayed. Definitely makes me want to know how this all turns out!