Character Interview with Tess (Jessica Spotswood)

Title: Born Wicked
The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1
Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Pages: 330
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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.

Kayla: Tess, how does it feel to be the youngest sister?

Tess: It can be...challenging. Cate and Maura argue about everything, and I'm always pulled between them, having to choose sides. I try to play peacemaker, but between Cate's stubbornness and Maura's temper, it's not easy work. They can both be impossible sometimes!

Kayla: What is your favorite part about Magic?

Tess: I hope that someday, witches will be able to practice magic openly, and I'll be able to use it to help people.

Kayla: How is it that you can always see through someone?

Tess: That's easy enough. It's just paying attention. Most people don't.

Kayla: What do you personally think of Mind Magic?

Tess: It's like all our magic -- it depends on the witch; it can be used for good or bad. But it's not to be used lightly. I caught Maura practicing on Father and Mrs. O'Hare and I threatened never to speak to her again if she didn't promise me she'd stop. She knew I meant it too. But she didn't mean them any harm, you know. She's just trying to prove herself.

Kayla: How ready are you for Jessica to write down more of you and your sister's stories?

Tess: I'm a little scared, honestly. The prophecy says one of us won't live to see the twentieth century. That's only a few years away now. And there's so much more I want to see and do and learn. But I don't want anything to happen to Cate or Maura, either!

Kayla: What is one situation where you would use Magic no matter what?

Tess: To protect my family -- Cate and Maura and Father and Mrs. O'Hare.

Kayla: What do you sense is coming up in the next book "Star Cursed"??

Tess: *lowers voice* Well, there's a secret I've been keeping from everyone. I think it could be important. I'm not sure how long I can keep it a secret, either. I know I should tell Cate -- but I'm frightened to tell anyone.

I grew up in a tiny one-stoplight town in Pennsylvania, where I could be found swimming, playing clarinet, memorizing lines for the school play, or—most often—with my nose in a book. I've been writing since I was little but studied theatre in college and grad school. Now I live in Washington, DC with my brilliant playwright husband and a cuddly cat named Monkey.

Find Jessica Here: Website|Facebook|Goodreads|Twitter