Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Ever since Lia uncovered the ages-old prophecy that threatens to separate her and her evil twin sister, Alice, forever, Lia and her friends have been in England, honing their magical skills and preparing to learn more about the prophecy. However, Alice's and the Souls' powers have grown, endangering the lives of the people Lia loves most. With the help of Dimitri, a handsome and protective member of the Grigori, Lia and her friends journey to Altus to find the location of the lost book pages to the prophecy. It is not long before they learn that the journey will be far more difficult and dangerous than they anticipated, however, with a whole slew of frightening magical creatures on their heels...and even in their midst.
In GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, Michelle Zink successfully introduces new elements to this ambitious historical supernatural story in a way that will impress fans of the first book. The same problems I had with the first book, however, still exist in this one, with the result that it will keep die-hard fans reading while most likely not bringing in a newer audience.
GUARDIAN OF THE GATE removes readers from the late nineteenth century as we know it. Instead, we are brought into an in-between world full of mystique and danger, mythical creatures and a love that, if not exactly realistic, is at least delicious in its passion. Fans of James from Book One might be thrown a little by the introduction of Dimitri, but his devotion to Lia is a strong one, although his reasons for his dedication could have been better explained.
Lia is, as always, an admirably independent character when it comes to her unfair share of bad news. Unfortunately, her first-person narrator was rather rough and uneven: at times she lapsed into omniscient voice, and at others she too easily explained to readers what would have been more effective had the characters showed us their intentions and motivations themselves. Likewise, GUARDIAN OF THE GATE also had the similar weakness of Book One in that the plot moves so slowly that, combined with the uneven narration, it became all too easy for me to put this book down right when I shouldn't have wanted to.
It may not be without its faults, but overall, Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters series is an exciting blend of historical fiction, supernatural, and the gray areas of conditional relationships. If you're a fan of haunting writing and do not mind the slow pacing and incomplete character development too much, this series is definitely one to consider.
In GUARDIAN OF THE GATE, Michelle Zink successfully introduces new elements to this ambitious historical supernatural story in a way that will impress fans of the first book. The same problems I had with the first book, however, still exist in this one, with the result that it will keep die-hard fans reading while most likely not bringing in a newer audience.
GUARDIAN OF THE GATE removes readers from the late nineteenth century as we know it. Instead, we are brought into an in-between world full of mystique and danger, mythical creatures and a love that, if not exactly realistic, is at least delicious in its passion. Fans of James from Book One might be thrown a little by the introduction of Dimitri, but his devotion to Lia is a strong one, although his reasons for his dedication could have been better explained.
Lia is, as always, an admirably independent character when it comes to her unfair share of bad news. Unfortunately, her first-person narrator was rather rough and uneven: at times she lapsed into omniscient voice, and at others she too easily explained to readers what would have been more effective had the characters showed us their intentions and motivations themselves. Likewise, GUARDIAN OF THE GATE also had the similar weakness of Book One in that the plot moves so slowly that, combined with the uneven narration, it became all too easy for me to put this book down right when I shouldn't have wanted to.
It may not be without its faults, but overall, Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters series is an exciting blend of historical fiction, supernatural, and the gray areas of conditional relationships. If you're a fan of haunting writing and do not mind the slow pacing and incomplete character development too much, this series is definitely one to consider.
Amee S. (ambeen) -
I am a huge fan of the first book. I read it in two days because it was so intense and interesting. Very much like the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray, but awesome in its own right.
Unfortunately with book two, I was struggling to the end. I wanted to love it like the first, but I just couldn't. My main problem is that the book moves slow as molasses and feels simply like a filler book so that it is a set of three books instead of two.
I do not blame the author at all for this. I feel like it's a trend in YA for there to be at least three books, so publishers are signing authors on for 3 book deals when the author only has a two book story. I have seen this with several trilogies here lately. Wake trilogy by Lisa McMann, Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Airhead trilogy by Meg Cabot (although this one was a little less obvious/drug out compared to the others) and now Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy. I feel like the publisher gives us a powerful first book and then gives us the next two books which are each interesting on their own, but if they cut the crap, could be combined into one. I don't know if this is just because more books=more sells/profit or if it is just because 3 is a nice number. Either way I wish that publishers would sign authors on with a relatively open contract so that we could avoid the dragging and extra preparation/planning/plotting the characters are forced to do boringly. The books end up feeling contrived, and I know, for me at least, I am less inclined to buy the books instead of getting them from the library or for a $1 on a used book site after it's been out a while.
I highly recommend the first book in this series. Skip the second (the author nicely covered details from the first book to refresh the reader so I'm sure this will also happen in book three) and read the third which I'm holding out hope packs in a lot of action and gets to the point already!
Unfortunately with book two, I was struggling to the end. I wanted to love it like the first, but I just couldn't. My main problem is that the book moves slow as molasses and feels simply like a filler book so that it is a set of three books instead of two.
I do not blame the author at all for this. I feel like it's a trend in YA for there to be at least three books, so publishers are signing authors on for 3 book deals when the author only has a two book story. I have seen this with several trilogies here lately. Wake trilogy by Lisa McMann, Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Airhead trilogy by Meg Cabot (although this one was a little less obvious/drug out compared to the others) and now Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy. I feel like the publisher gives us a powerful first book and then gives us the next two books which are each interesting on their own, but if they cut the crap, could be combined into one. I don't know if this is just because more books=more sells/profit or if it is just because 3 is a nice number. Either way I wish that publishers would sign authors on with a relatively open contract so that we could avoid the dragging and extra preparation/planning/plotting the characters are forced to do boringly. The books end up feeling contrived, and I know, for me at least, I am less inclined to buy the books instead of getting them from the library or for a $1 on a used book site after it's been out a while.
I highly recommend the first book in this series. Skip the second (the author nicely covered details from the first book to refresh the reader so I'm sure this will also happen in book three) and read the third which I'm holding out hope packs in a lot of action and gets to the point already!
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Guardian of the Gate (Prophecy of the Sisters, Bk 2) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Lia made her way to London after the tragedy of her brother's death. She knows that Alice is now truly her enemy. Lia continues to hunt for the missing keys while discovering how to gain power amongst the planes. She's nowhere near as strong as Alice, and that thought frightens her.
When she receives word that her Aunt Abigail, guardian of Altus, lays dying, Lia must travel to her to discover the location of the hidden pages. These pages will tell Lia how to use the keys to close the gate once and for all.
However, traveling to Altus will be a difficult journey. During the trek, Sophie begins to turn on Lia. The Souls have captured her and force her to tempt Lia into opening the Gate. Lia refuses, but the betrayal causes her deep grief.
Through her journey, she meets a man, Dimitri. At first, he's a friend, but soon, he captures her heart. Lia doesn't know how to choose between him and James. Unfortunately, in the wake of Lia's disappearance, Alice has been comforting James. The thought of her twin with her childhood love makes Lia sick. She vows to straighten out everything after she accomplishes her mission. Until then, she finds comfort with Dimitri.
The journey to uncover the pages will be extraordinarily dangerous. Dimitri will accompany her, along with several riders along the way, each only knowing part of the journey. Will Lia and Dimitri escape with the pages unscathed and the secret knowledge, or will Alice and the Souls intervene?
I loved the second book in the PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS trilogy, and I can't wait for the third book and the showdown. I enjoyed the tension between Lia and the rest of the characters as she pulls away from everyone due to the weight on her shoulders. I like the introduction of Dimitri and the new love triangle for Lia. CIRCLE OF FIRE will be released in August 2011.
Lia made her way to London after the tragedy of her brother's death. She knows that Alice is now truly her enemy. Lia continues to hunt for the missing keys while discovering how to gain power amongst the planes. She's nowhere near as strong as Alice, and that thought frightens her.
When she receives word that her Aunt Abigail, guardian of Altus, lays dying, Lia must travel to her to discover the location of the hidden pages. These pages will tell Lia how to use the keys to close the gate once and for all.
However, traveling to Altus will be a difficult journey. During the trek, Sophie begins to turn on Lia. The Souls have captured her and force her to tempt Lia into opening the Gate. Lia refuses, but the betrayal causes her deep grief.
Through her journey, she meets a man, Dimitri. At first, he's a friend, but soon, he captures her heart. Lia doesn't know how to choose between him and James. Unfortunately, in the wake of Lia's disappearance, Alice has been comforting James. The thought of her twin with her childhood love makes Lia sick. She vows to straighten out everything after she accomplishes her mission. Until then, she finds comfort with Dimitri.
The journey to uncover the pages will be extraordinarily dangerous. Dimitri will accompany her, along with several riders along the way, each only knowing part of the journey. Will Lia and Dimitri escape with the pages unscathed and the secret knowledge, or will Alice and the Souls intervene?
I loved the second book in the PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS trilogy, and I can't wait for the third book and the showdown. I enjoyed the tension between Lia and the rest of the characters as she pulls away from everyone due to the weight on her shoulders. I like the introduction of Dimitri and the new love triangle for Lia. CIRCLE OF FIRE will be released in August 2011.
