Maybe because it's been awhile since I read about witches or maybe it was because Jessica focused on a time period where witchcraft was still misunderstood, but I really enjoyed this book. Jessica did a great job creating this world where witches live in secret and the community is ruled by a bunch of religiously cynical men. I loved that I hated them so much. 
 Now I'm one of those girls who hates feeling inferior to men, female rights and all that, so to be thrown into this world where women are deemed to have evil, sinful ways and must be taught to behave and follow their husbands, be lesser than men, that definitely fueled the fire in me and kept me going through this. I wanted to see how Cate and her sisters would bring about a change to all this and they truly are a force to be reckoned with after all is said and done. 
 There were definitely some twists to this story, a few that were pretty predictable, but a couple that I didn't see coming at all. Cate is an amazing, albiet uptight, big sister. She cares deeply for her sisters and would do anything to ensure their safety. Her sacrifices for them and the responsibility she had to bear after the death of her mother really made me feel for her. I liked that Jessica didn't keep us in suspense for too long and she kept the magic alive throughout the story instead of only giving us bits and pieces here and there. 
 This was really more about Jessica and her sisters, the family secret, and their destiny so there wasn't too much in the way of love. Since it was a more proper time there weren't too many lusty scenes, but they're in there. Still, I think the bigger focus is on the Cahill sisters and their destiny. The ending pretty much sucks, not in a bad way, in a way that makes me want to read the second one right now to know what happens next! Damn cliffhangers!