Sisters' Fate (The Cahill Witch Chronicles)

After reading that brutal, heartbreaking ending in Star Cursed last summer, I have been counting down the days to the release of Sisters' Fate like a mad woman. (Seriously. I made a countdown widget and everything. That's how invested I am in the fate of the Calhill sisters.) So the second Sisters' Fate was released, I grabbed the book - I think I literally grabbed the package from my USPS delivery guy - and devoured it. And let me just say, guys - You want this book and you want it now. *** Things that worked: Characterizations: Readers have seen Cate grow from an uncertain teenager who is unsure of how to proceed as her sisters continue to blossom into their powers, to a still young but world-weary leader who has been given a talent and a destiny that is just really terrible to comprehend sometimes. Spotswood does an amazing job of continuing to show Cate's gutsy determination to protect everyone in Sisters' Fate, but it's also tempered with sheer devastation at losing Finn at the start of the novel and unyielding frustration at how how much the universe seems to be stacked against her. There is no doubt that Cate just wants all of this to end, for the good of everyone involved. But at the same time, Spotswood is also careful to show the little joys that Cate is able to find in her life, even in the midst of unrelenting terror. Her quiet admittance that she enjoys healing magic for the good that it brings to others, is not only a nice reminder that this is a young woman with an innately good heart, but also a thoughtful throwback to the Cate of Born Wicked - she's overcome her fear of magic, once and for all. As for secondary characterizations, Spotswood shows consistent balance and growth for all, particularly Maura and Tess. Even though readers may be horrified with Maura's devastating actions in Star Cursed, Spotswood also never fails to gently remind readers of the genuine hurt that Maura has experienced in seeing her two sisters move away from her, and how she believes that this justifies her actions. Similarly, Tess is struggling with the idea that she's the Oracle, but also makes it clear that she's not to be belittled or treated like a child, regardless of her actual age. There is a quiet strength to Tess's personality throughout the book, which underlines both her power and her eventual role in the prophecy. *** Writing: Spotswood's been a strong writer since Born Wicked, but it's Sisters' Fate where she really shines. She continues writing in first-person, present tense, bringing us back into Cate's head in the midst of unimaginable chaos and uncertainty. She skillfully interweaves previous story lines with new plot twists and revelations, dropping just the right amount of hints and clues to show how they all come together to lead Cate and the rest of the characters to their inevitable conclusion. I was especially taken with the reintroduction of characters like Mei, Rilla and Alice, and the introduction of new characters like Alistair and Prue. To paraphrase Erin Arkin's review, these characters all "...had a role to play", but also added a nice new dimension to the struggles of New London. The story has been about the war between the Brotherhood and the Sisterhood for so long, Alistair and his sister add in much-needed insight on how non-witches are viewing the ongoing struggle. *** Familial Issues: Family will always be at the heart of the Cahill Witch Chronicles, and it shows up in so many facets of Sisters' Fate. Without giving any spoilers away, Spotswood shows how family can be the driving force behind so many actions - both good and bad - and how family can also surprise you with their reactions in the most needed-of moments. *** The romance: Even though Finn is operating without a lot of the necessary details as Sisters' Fate begins, his fundamental Finn-ness is still there. He's steady and trusting as he renews his acquaintance with Cate, and generally wiling to believe in her once more. However, his memory loss does come with the occasional change in personality. There are moments when Finn reacts in a way that Cate doesn't expect - his reaction to mind magic is one of them - and I think it's an important distinction/reminder that Finn is very much his own character, regardless of how much the changes may impact Cate. Ultimately, it makes his eventual willingness to fully trust in her all that more special. He's doing it on his own terms again. *** The ending: It's always hard to write a satisfying ending in the aftermath of an epic prophecy - see Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson series for two examples - but Spotswood manages to do just that. The ending that she's crafted is both respectful and reflective of what all of the characters have gone through in the course of three novels, but also presents a pretty clear path for what all of the characters will experience going forward. *** Things that didn't work/Things to consider: Honestly, nothing. I thought the book was fantastic as it is. However, for the sake of partiality... *Minor spoilers ahead* My one minor quibble with Sisters Fate' is that I feel like we didn't really get to see the prophecy full come to pass - i.e.g we didn't get to see one of the aforementioned scenarios fully play out. All of the groundwork has been set, and we can easily see how everything and everyone will evolve going forward, but without any of the actual result. But if anything, I think this is a perfect excuse for Jessica Spotswood to continue to exploring this world in a spinoff series. (*Cough Penguin Cough*) *** Final Verdict: I've read the third book in many trilogies over the years, and I'll be honest: I've almost always found them wanting. This is definitely not the case with Sisters' Fate. Jessica Spotswood brings us back into the world of New London with ease, quickly immersing readers in a complex, intricate world that is teetering on the brink of collapse. Along the way, she also shows us with beautiful prose, what it means to fight for love in all forms: whether it's the love between sisters, friends or the heart of a true love - all in the face of overwhelming odds. I highly recommend this book for fans of the first two books, but also for readers and educators who are looking for a unparalleled trilogy that asks readers to consider what it means to fight for free will and the future, and how to find happiness even in the face of personal loss. Giveaway: We love Jessica here at the blog for so many reasons. She's incredibly generous with her time, and has always made it a point to give people swag for people who gift her books over the holidays. Her books are also incredible as well, and I know that I've personally given Born Wicked and Star Cursed to the young women in my life, because I think Cate is a good role model for them. SO. To celebrate Jessica's general awesome and the conclusion of her general trilogy, we're giving away a paperback set of Born Wicked and Star Cursed. We hope you'll love these book as much as we do, and you'll go out and get Sisters' Fate too!

I am always going to be a big fan of witches, friends. I’m a big sucker for magic in any form, but witches for me are it. I like natural magic especially, and the Cahill sisters–Cate, Maura, and Tess–all have some kind of it. Well, at least not the magic that requires blood and body parts and snake venom (although let’s be serious, those witches are fun, too). I’ve always been invested in The Cahill Witch Chronicles series by Jessica Spotswood for the witches and the alternate history, and SISTER’S FATE was a worthy conclusion to a dark, emotional series. I’ll try to avoid the spoilers, but things are not really looking awesome for the Cahill sisters, or the Sisterhood in general, at the beginning of SISTER’S FATE. Things are worse than ever between Cate and Maura, Finn has no memory of Cate or their feelings for one another, the Sisterhood is under new leadership, the Brotherhood is using an illness to turn the populace against witches, and hanging above everything, as ever, is the prophecy that one sister will kill another. Umm…EEP. One thing that Jessica Spotswood has been great at for this whole series is creating this dangerous, fraught atmosphere for the Cahill sisters and their fellow witches and friends. That is amped up in SISTER’S FATE. The new leader of the Sisterhood, Sister Inez, is all about vengeance and equality at any cost. She’s manipulative and devious. Her leadership is fracturing the Sisterhood, so Cate has that precarious situation to deal with. Outside of the Sisterhood, things are deteriorating rapidly as well. The Brotherhood is not as unified as before, but they are just as cruel. Cate trying to figure out how to balance her allegiance to what she believes is right for the Sisterhood and her love for Finn and her crumbling relationship with Maura and a host of other things keeps the drama in SISTER’S FATE up. Cate remains a tough cookie. She’s dealing with ALL THE THINGS. I liked how SISTER’S FATE managed to make the drama about EVERYTHING, not just the romance, and Cate is at the center of it all. She’s under so much pressure, but she bears it well enough all things considered. She can sometimes be a little overprotective and righteous, but as an older sister myself, albeit one who is NOT dealing with all of the things Cate has on her plate, I understood her actions. Perhaps the biggest issue on Cate’s plate is her sisters. Tess is the oracle of the prophecy, but that knowledge is as dangerous within the Sisterhood as it is without, so there’s that. Maura is a jealous and destructive as ever and suffering from MAJOR middle child syndrome, so that’s another problem. Cate basically hates her guts for erasing Finn’s memory. The way Cate and Tess feel like they have to band together against Maura is heartbreaking, but I can’t say I wouldn’t react the same. Which is awful! They’re sisters! But between Maura’s behavior and her allegiance to Sister Inez and the knowledge that the prophecy is coming to pass sooner rather than later sets all of the sisters up for some serious heartache. Tears were shed, my friends. But I love the way Jessica Spotswood made this sister relationship so imperfect and complicated. Of course, SISTER’S FATE also deals with the aftermath of said memory erasure. Cate and Finn were always so adorable and nerdy and sweet together, and I love them. It legit broke my heart to see Cate avoiding him and having to lie to him about their relationship to keep him safe. She runs into him a few times early on and her heartbreak over seeing him and being strangers was REAL. WAH! But I REALLY liked that Jessica Spotswood didn’t make the resolution of this something easy or magical. That would’ve felt fake and forced. I think I felt more butterflies over these two in the first two books, but I’ll always love these two. SISTER’S FATE had all of the ingredients for great drama: danger, secrecy, manipulation, relationship complications, life-threatening situations, death, bravery, upheaval. It’s been carrying through this entire series. I’ve been a fan since book 1 and I’m sad to see things end! I loved Jessica Spotswood’s alternate history and the way she wove magic into her story. And of course I loved the characters and their relationships as well. I don’t know what else she has up her sleeve, friends, but I can’t wait for it. This series is definitely one to check out if you haven’t already.

I really enjoyed the final novel in The Cahill Witch chronicles, this book starts right where Star Cursed left off. Cate is struggling, not only with the fact that her love, Finn, no longer remembers anything about her, but also, a prophecy that is hanging over her head, along with all the issues at the sisterhood. The novel quickly moves through the fallout of Inez and Maura having attacked the brotherhood. Now that Inez is in charge she's making decisions that the rest of the sisterhood doesn't fully agree with. Also, there is a fever that is striking a number of people that the brotherhood seems to know a lot more about. Cate, as a healer, is trying to do her best to find a solution, but the brotherhood is sending anyone accused of witchcraft to the gallows. After the cliff hanger ending in star cursed I waited with baited breath to see the cook the conclusion of the final novel and I was not disappointed. Maura still drove me crazy, there was a lot of character growth with her but I found it hard to relate to her. Tess was still amazing and very wise beyond her years. Overall, this was a satisfying book and I hope this isn't the end for these characters.

I stumbled across the Cahill Witch Chronicles accidently and I never thought I would get caught up in the series this fast! I read all three books in only one weekend and I L.O.V.E.D. them! The characters are vivid and evoke so much emotion - you laugh with them, you cry with them, you're mad at them. My favorite character in the book is - besides Cate of course - Tess. It's a story about family, friendship, love, magic, history and war. A great mix! I'm sure I'll read it again when some time has passed. Definitely a must-read!

El producto corresponde a la descripción del fabricante.

The book came in perfect shape and complete my series! I loved it. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. It gave a mix of a happy and sad ending to the series

He recibido justo lo que quería. No he tenido ninguna sorpresa negativa. La descripción era más que correcta. Muchas gracias.

I would recommend this to any young reader. Loveable characters and a story that makes you root for a happy ending. It was so fun re-reading these as an adult.