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An ancient prophecy divides two sisters—one good, one evil.
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, they find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Michelle Zink lives in
First off, the concept and plot was interesting and I appreciated how nonfictional elements were incorporated to create a story that felt both worldy and unwordly. Now I'm not usually a slow reader when I have the time to read leisurely without a deadline, but the story did not pick up until much later (in the 200 pages or so), which made me feel like I would stop reading at any moment. The characters (with the exception of Sonia) were quite plain and boring. Alice I think is of an orthodox evil and I think "evil" in her sense could have been taken to a completely different level. The dialogue, despite the decade it takes place in, was stiff, felt unnatural to read, and added to the monotony of the slow story climax. Overall it wasn't what I expected when I read the early plot summary before the release. The storyline has a lot of potential and I hope that the sequeal, if there is one, can avenge the not-so-glamorous prequeal.
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fairynne
Posted July 14, 2009
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The Prophecy of the Sisters is a tragic story of betrayal, magic, loss, and love. It is a tale of good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and the incredible journey of four young girls locked in an ageless battle to defend humankind. Michelle Zink brings something new to the table, something that will leave readers screaming for book two. Lovers of gothic fantasy will not be disappointed in the slightest, and those looking for romance are sure to get their fair share. Prophecy of the Sisters had me riveted to one spot, immovable for six hours until I had finally finished. The mysteries and riddles are sure to keep clever minds churning, while the twists and romance are sure to stop the heart. Michelle has created a classic tale of ancient evil and endless good, and she has done so with a skillful grace.
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lia and Alice Milthorpe are twin sisters that just became orphans. Their father has died a mysterious death, just as their mother did many years earlier. Following this tragic incident, Lia finds a tattoo-like mark on her wrist, her first clue that she is entangled in a mysterious prophecy that has a history of turning sisters against each other. Lia finds herself doubting whom to trust and what her role in the events shall be.
You know that quote "the opposite of love is not hate; it's indifference"? Well, that's how I feel about this book. I just didn't care about it at all. The book wasn't bad. When a book is bad, it works up negative feelings for me, and I end up with a ranting review of several pages. This book, however, was "meh" to the extreme.
Everything was dry, lifeless as a limp noodle. I could tell it wanted to be a gothic, A Great and Terrible Beauty-like tale, but it wasn't. Not in the least. There was no drama or tone or action. Lia had no personality and her narrtive consisted of telling rather than showing. All the characters did was sit and talk, walk and talk, ride horses and talk.
Alice was supposed to be a big bad sister that Lia was once close to, but I didn't get that impression. Alice and Lia were already distant by the beginning of the book, and perhaps if Zink had started out with them close, that would have created more tension.
There is also a love interest that doesn't even deserve mentioning.
And the Prophecy was all too easy to figure out. I was ages ahead of the characters and felt like a girlfriend tapping her foot, waiting for her boyfriend to catch up with her at the mall. There were several "surprises", but I wasn't particularly surprised.
I rarely don't finish a book. I believe in giving a book a chance. Well, I got to page 250 of this novel, and I couldn't care less about the ending. Huh. You know a book is flat when I say "couldn't care less". I hate that expression. There was this girl in middle school who said that about everything and I just wanted to punch her in the face. Anyway......
This book is a definite miss for me, which is kind of disappointing. The premise seemed intriguing, but as I didn't even finish the book, I doubt I will be reading the sequel. I am still astounded as to how people gave this book such good reviews. How did I miss that spark? Alas, my favorite thing about this book remains the cover.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ZeroG57
Posted March 10, 2011
My friend looked for months to find me this book. I only made it up to page three though. The book was boring and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to be good. I don't know if 20 years from now, just out of curiousity sake I will give the book another try but I definitely know it wont be nagging me at night. The book just didn't capture my full attention and I felt myself drifting into space. I returned the book an hour after I got it telling my friend, "I CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE OF THIS BOOK." She nodded in understanding and said, "yeah I know what you mean."
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love books that have riddles you have to decipher. This book is filled with hidden meaning and messages. Who is good/evil/angel/demon/gate/guardian? What are the keys, where can they be found? Some will be clear as you read but others will have you shooting up in your seat as you discover them. Also before you read this you should know it is a trilogy. I didn't know that when I started it. The next book is out Aug 2010. I also will warn you that the book takes place in 1890 so the dialog is a little out dated and it may take you a few chapters to get the hang of it. Don't let that deter you because this is a series you don't want to miss!
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lia and Alice Milthorpe are newly orphaned twin sisters living in the late 1800's New York. Their mother died years earlier and their father has just passed away. Lia, Alice and their younger brother Henry live on their estate, Birchwood, with their guardian Aunt Virginia. Lia's boyfriend James and his father have been cataloging her father's library and continue to do so after his death. James comes across a book in Latin that he translates for Lia, a story about two sisters destined to play opposite roles in a struggle between good and evil. After her father's death, Lia discovers a mark on her wrist and she sets out to find the meaning of this and more of the prophecy. But she tries to hide this from Alice, certain she can not trust her sister, who's behavior has become cold and mysterious.
Lia meets Luisa and Sonia, who play a part in the prophecy and help her search for answers.
I am really starting to get into YA paranormal since reading Hush, Hush last month. I also have Ruined on my nightstand. The only downside for me is that most of these seem to be trilogies and Prophecy of the Sisters is no different. Now I have to wait, not my forte!
Lia dominates the story in this novel, so I hope to read more from Alice's point of view in the next book. But it was very intriguing and well-written. I also liked the era in which this was set and I felt Zink really set up a solid platform for this trilogy. I had this book saved to read for the read-a-thon but was so excited I started it early. I was not disappointed and this has only whet my appetite for the next two books. I hope Michelle Zink is a fast writer.
my rating 4.5/5
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. I will not give it away, the sisters are as different as night and day. I would like to see more from Alice's point of view though. I believe that this will do very nicely as a series. The writers knowlege of and vocabulary have left me with a new search and discover into the mysteries of "certain" myths. So in closing I am very satified and would recommend this book to teenagers as well as adults.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BloodyBad
Posted October 22, 2009
I loved this book of twin sisters, Alice and Leah. As the title indicates, the sisters play a part in a prophecy. One is the guardian and one is the gate, while it is one sister responsibility to keep the souls of Samil on the other side it is the duty of the other sister to release as many souls as possible. Are you confused yet? Leah was too when she found a mark forming on her wrist which she finds out means that she is a part of the prophecy.
The Prophecy of the Sisters is very poetic in its style, Zink does an amazing job of using beautiful words to describe every little action of the story. I am sure listening to the audio version of the book something to do with my opinion. The book was read by actress Eliza Dushku and she did a great job but at first it was weird trying to get her face and the characters she plays on TV out of my head. I am a huge fan of hers. Can anyone not like Doll House or Tru Calling?
The one part of the book that made me rethink the rating was the ending. I HATE books, movies and TV shows that have that to be continued type of release. The closing, for me, has to be complete in some way. It can be open ended or lead to more to come but there should be some sort of conclusion of the action. In my opinion this book didn't give that to me and it made me upset. Otherwise it was fantastic!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.It was so interesting and the story line was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. It had me angry, crying, and laughing! I seriously cannot wait til' the next one comes out!!! Im so stoked!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KateBrianIsAwesome
Posted August 30, 2009
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I have to disagree with the people who give it a low rating. It was the kind of book that took off right away and keeps you wanting to know more. It's mysterious and I honestly haven't read such a good mysterious book in a while besides the PRIVATE series. I love the setting of the book too. There were some twists in this book too so it keeps you guessing and I'm excited for the sequel. I'm not even done with the book and I can tell you all this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Captain_Riddikulus
Posted August 29, 2009
I saw this book at B&N a few times, nut I never bought it. But the other day I finally did and I'm glad I did. I loved this book, I bought it yesterday and I finished it on the same day. I could not put it down. I was dying to know what would happen. I'm glad that it leaves off for a sequel. The story was original and a little scary as well as sad. I don't think the story was slow at all. I think it was just right, it took it's time to set the story up quite nicely. All the characters were great, hell every thing was well done. I can't wait for the next one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Prophecy of the Sisters is unusual in the best sense of the word. The novel begins with twin sisters Lia and Alice's father's funeral on a rainy November day in 1890. The funeral as described by Lia, the novel's narrator:
"Perhaps because it seems so appropriate, I don't notice the rain. It falls in sheets, a blanket of silver thread rushing to the hard almost-winter ground. Still, I stand without moving at the side of the coffin."
Such melancholy, poetic description characterizes this Gothic story set at the tail end of the Victorian Era in upstate New York. The two primary settings--Birchwood Manor and its grounds and the nearby town--are fascinating and provide a perfect canvas for the story to play out upon. Just like the landscape, Prophecy of the Sisters is dark and brooding. It's also all kinds of creepy. Dark spirits and unexplained marks, Lia's confusion, and not knowing whom to trust; Prophecy of the Sisters is an intense read. I was hearing bumps in the night and wishing for a nightlight.
Prophecy of the Sisters includes more spiritualism than I expected, although this fits the time period's fascination with seances and the like. Also, there are less romantic scenes than the summary suggests, which didn't bother me; Lia is a strong female character who is thrown into an ancient struggle between Good and Evil. I understand if she's a little preoccupied and intent on not scaring her beau, James, away. Despite her refusal to include him and their scant scenes together, their love is obviously genuine and deep.
While I frequently couldn't put it down, I did not rush through Prophecy of the Sisters. It's a book that deserves to be savored and thought about. I can't recall reading another novel that portrayed twins so distant as Lia and Alice; most fictional twins are inseparable. As I read, the plot dared to turn corners I didn't even consider, and I was surprised more than once. The plot twists and the Prophecy, individual choices, and love--for family as well as for members of the opposite sex--form a tale more complex than Good vs. Evil, Lia vs. Alice.
This is the second book I've read this month that appears to be a standalone but--happily--is not. The ending of Prophecy of the Sisters sets up an intriguing place for the next book to begin, and I'm excited to see where the story goes. My recommendation? Put this one on your "To Be Read" list. Now.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lia Milthorpe's birth had to be a mistake. Her mother had complications so Lia was born first instead of her twin sister, Alice. If only Lia hadn't been the eldest, she wouldn't have the strange mark on her wrist that appeared after her sixteenth birthday, or have a circle around her bed for protection, and she certainly wouldn't have her younger sister fighting to let the Souls into our world. Finding a strange book in her dead father's library starts the battle of Good and Evil . and the battle against each other. Maybe Lia was born first for a reason. Filled with chance, romance, and the fight to keep loved ones safe, this book dominates.
Prophecy of the Sisters is songlike, compelling, and enchanting with each step further into the book. It was just a tad bit unrealistic which is the perfect amount for a captivating and greatly intelligent story.
Each chapter gets more intense and each character is continuously revealing more of their true selves within the pages. The book started out with the best possible scene, where all the emotions begin to change. I appreciate that the author did such a thing. The first words of a story are a big part of how I judge the book altogether. I'm confident enough to say that it didn't let me down.
Author Michelle Zink twists the words used in daily language and makes it her own. It shows the world she is explaining and the lives she is telling about. I've used the phrase 'the best writing' in only one of my other reviews but now I take it back. I must say: this is the best writing I've ever had the pleasure of reading (and I'm not exaggerating).
Contains:
*intense and scary moments that wouldn't be handled well with kids under 13
*fictional evil spirits and talk of Satan (portrayed as bad)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have to say, I literally read this book from cover to cover in one sitting. It was that interesting. I loved the eerie creepy sensations you got while reading as Lia discovers more behind Alice's malicious actions, and the paranormal aspects of the book really enhanced the dark creepy theme that dominates throughout the storyline.
Despite the usual cliche of sister vs sister (with twins to add) I thought the main idea behind the storyline was really good and it does differ somewhat from the usual battle of the sisters plots. What's also nice to see is the addition of a historical fiction setting - which I personally like as it's one of my favorite genres to read.
Lia and Alice are great characters and perfect opposites. Alice is just filled with evil that you can't help but just hate her for her action and behavior. When things come to a climax towards the end of the novel (involving the twins' brother Henry) I almost wanted to jump in and intercept Alice. I hated her for what she did. She's just awful overall!
Although Lia might seem like the weaker one of the two, I can only hope she'll get stronger later in the trilogy as it progresses. She's got so much on her plate right now I'm hoping she doesn't crack and become all emotional (like most main characters do in a series) later in the second or third book.
Despite a wonderful story, great characters, and an even paced plot, I can't help but think there's some similarities between this book and the Gemma Doyle series (by Libba Bray), but it's not completely the same. If you've read both, then you just can't help comparing the two. I can't say yet which one I like better as I just started with this series.
However! if you liked the Gemma Doyle series, do pick this one up. It is worth the read and is a great book. The dark creepy theme and plot, a nicely developed cast of characters, and Alice becoming villain of the year gives the book a lot of substance to go through and will keep you interested until the end (which will make you want to get out and get the second book).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5965530
Posted May 7, 2011
This book is a great read, it always keeps your mind moving with cunfuzzling things. A book that is hard to let go of. When I finished this I had to wait 3 weeks for the next book to come out. I had been so antcy waiting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BriiixD
Posted May 4, 2011
I had found this book one day going down the book aisle of the grocery store. Not having heard of the book and having no intention of reading it right then and there, I took a gamble and threw it into my cart just based on the cover and title. I had the book on the shelf for a few months before I actually decided to pick it up; I sat outside reading that Saturday for HOURS and finished it the same day I started it. I never thought that I had the capacity to love anything--this book proved me extremely wrong. The only complaint is that I had no idea that it was the first in a trilogy, so I finished it with unanswered questions and now have to wait for the other books to come in the mail. I wish that the publishers could come out with a series set or compiled version of the books just so I could continue reading without having to wait. I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys not only a good thriller, but also a fairytale. This story reminds me of a darkened version of some sort of classic fairytale for some reason.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really enjoyed Prophecy of the Sisters. A lot of YA stories center around the romance-this isn't like those books really-while I do like yhe romantic books it's refreshing to find an independent voice-she does have someone she loves but knows she has to do something about the prophecy before she can do anything else with her life. This is such an interesting story & was pretty emoitional. The relationship between the sisters is an interesting one & will only get more so in the next book. I can't wait for the next one. Read it you wont be disappointed
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved this book. It is a great story and the characters are captivating. My daughter read this in school and wanted me to read it so I did. I didnt regret it, and immediately had to buy the second one which is also a great read. Cant wait for the third.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 30, 2011
this is a great booook!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Allie-Jade
Posted October 24, 2010
At first I saw this book online and the story sounded very interesting to me, but when I got the book and realized it was written in first person, well you can say I lost a great amount of interest in the book. However I picked it back up and read it and the story was indeed interesting and a fresh read compared to the vampire crap that has been going around, but it lacked the qualities to make me want to read the second book. Magic, switches in powers, and the maybe end to all they know, was good but the book has room for improvement.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
An ancient prophecy divides two sisters—one good, one evil.
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, they find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a ...