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haileybee22's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite book of the trilogy and possibly one of my favorite books.
innae's review against another edition
4.0
Lia has a new beau…and is in deeper. She has moved forward on understanding the prophecy, but now has even more to fear! Looking forward to the third book and resolution.
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
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. I was able to sympathize with her as she struggled to balance her love for her close friends with the gradual realization that the Souls make no one safe around her. Unfortunately, her first-person narrator was rather rough and uneven: at times she lapsed into omniscient voice (a big no-no for first-person POV), 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.
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. I was able to sympathize with her as she struggled to balance her love for her close friends with the gradual realization that the Souls make no one safe around her. Unfortunately, her first-person narrator was rather rough and uneven: at times she lapsed into omniscient voice (a big no-no for first-person POV), 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.
witchyenby77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
missbookiverse's review
2.0
Achtung! Ab hier Spoiler für [b:Prophecy of the Sisters|5271066|Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters, #1)|Michelle Zink|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870738s/5271066.jpg|5338444].
Liebes Guardian of the Gate,
ich weiß, das ist ganz schön unhöflich, aber ich muss gestehen: ich habe dich nur quergelesen. Ich würde ja sagen, dass es mir Leid tut, aber eigentlich ist das alles deine Schuld.
Du bist einfach so verdammt langweilig geschrieben! Es ist unglaublich wie oft du dich wiederholst; dass du jede Andeutung noch mal in einem Nachsatz erklären musst. Ich bin doch nicht bescheuert! Ich verstehe Zusammenhänge auch, wenn du sie mir nicht Schritt für Schritt erklärst. Du hast viel zu viel geschwafelt und spannende Stellen mit einem Absatz abgekürzt (das beste Beispiel hierfür: wie Lia und Dimitri sich innerhalb einer Nacht unglaublich gut kennen lernen, weil sie „100 questions“ spielen, sich also gegenseitig Unmengen an Fragen stellen, wovon du mir keine einzige genannt hast).
Keine Sorge, es gab auch ein paar Dinge, die ich an dir mochte. Das Kelpie zum Beispiel, die Höllenhunde und die Gesellschaft der Menschen mit außergewöhnlichen Fähigkeiten, die ich am Anfang kurz kennen lernen durfte. Insgesamt glaube ich eigentlich, dass tief in dir drin eine interessante Geschichte steckt (Stichwort Altus). Warum musst du die mit deinem langatmigen Gefasel nur so verschleiern?
Lia ist nach wie vor eine ganz schön langweilige, zu perfekte Protagonistin, allerdings hast du mir jetzt auch mal ein paar Spannungen zwischen ihr und ihren Freundinnen gegönnt. In einer Szene kommt es sogar zu einer richtigen Wutentladung! Ansonsten bleibt aber die eher gesichtslose Alice der viel interessante Part der Prophezeiung. Schade, dass du dich so über sie ausschweigst.
Wenigstens kommt in Lias Liebesleben Schwung als sie Dimitri kennen lernt. Wie oben bereits angeschnitten, entwickelt sich das ganze bloß viel zu schnell und unbegründet.
Deine große Schwester [b:Prophecy of the Sisters|5271066|Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters, #1)|Michelle Zink|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870738s/5271066.jpg|5338444] habe ich zwar besser bewertet als dich, aber im Grund seid ihr euch sehr ähnlich und ich glaube auch die jüngste und letzte im Bunde – [b:Circle of Fire|6798947|Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters, #3)|Michelle Zink|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300899140s/6798947.jpg|7004753] – wird da keine Ausnahme machen. Deshalb ist es nun Zeit für mich Abschied zu nehmen. Ihr und ich, wir passen einfach nicht zusammen.
Alles Gute,
Infinite Playlist
Liebes Guardian of the Gate,
ich weiß, das ist ganz schön unhöflich, aber ich muss gestehen: ich habe dich nur quergelesen. Ich würde ja sagen, dass es mir Leid tut, aber eigentlich ist das alles deine Schuld.
Du bist einfach so verdammt langweilig geschrieben! Es ist unglaublich wie oft du dich wiederholst; dass du jede Andeutung noch mal in einem Nachsatz erklären musst. Ich bin doch nicht bescheuert! Ich verstehe Zusammenhänge auch, wenn du sie mir nicht Schritt für Schritt erklärst. Du hast viel zu viel geschwafelt und spannende Stellen mit einem Absatz abgekürzt (das beste Beispiel hierfür: wie Lia und Dimitri sich innerhalb einer Nacht unglaublich gut kennen lernen, weil sie „100 questions“ spielen, sich also gegenseitig Unmengen an Fragen stellen, wovon du mir keine einzige genannt hast).
Keine Sorge, es gab auch ein paar Dinge, die ich an dir mochte. Das Kelpie zum Beispiel, die Höllenhunde und die Gesellschaft der Menschen mit außergewöhnlichen Fähigkeiten, die ich am Anfang kurz kennen lernen durfte. Insgesamt glaube ich eigentlich, dass tief in dir drin eine interessante Geschichte steckt (Stichwort Altus). Warum musst du die mit deinem langatmigen Gefasel nur so verschleiern?
Lia ist nach wie vor eine ganz schön langweilige, zu perfekte Protagonistin, allerdings hast du mir jetzt auch mal ein paar Spannungen zwischen ihr und ihren Freundinnen gegönnt. In einer Szene kommt es sogar zu einer richtigen Wutentladung! Ansonsten bleibt aber die eher gesichtslose Alice der viel interessante Part der Prophezeiung. Schade, dass du dich so über sie ausschweigst.
Wenigstens kommt in Lias Liebesleben Schwung als sie Dimitri kennen lernt. Wie oben bereits angeschnitten, entwickelt sich das ganze bloß viel zu schnell und unbegründet.
Deine große Schwester [b:Prophecy of the Sisters|5271066|Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters, #1)|Michelle Zink|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870738s/5271066.jpg|5338444] habe ich zwar besser bewertet als dich, aber im Grund seid ihr euch sehr ähnlich und ich glaube auch die jüngste und letzte im Bunde – [b:Circle of Fire|6798947|Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters, #3)|Michelle Zink|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300899140s/6798947.jpg|7004753] – wird da keine Ausnahme machen. Deshalb ist es nun Zeit für mich Abschied zu nehmen. Ihr und ich, wir passen einfach nicht zusammen.
Alles Gute,
Infinite Playlist
deedralapray's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in this trilogy was a lot more action packed than the first -- thanks to the fantasy-filled island of Altus. I'm really looking forward to the release of the next book (August 3, 2011)!!!
katetj's review
4.0
More reviews can be found at my blog: Nomalicious Reads
Ever since I finished reading Prophecy of the Sisters I couldn't wait to get my hands on Guardian of the Gate, excited to see what Michelle Zink would throw at me next in the sequel of this amazing, unique tale!
I got to it as soon as I could (which wasn't soon enough actually) and although I really enjoyed Guardian of the Gate, I found that it wasn't as gripping as the first. Which sometimes happens with middle books, don't get me wrong, it was still good and had its exciting moments, yummy scenes and a few where I gripped the edges of the book worried about what would happen to Lia and her companions next, it's just that I think since the first book was such a roller-coaster ride, I was expecting the second to be the same.
Guardian of the Gate was a bit more slow paced from the first, it has it's fast paced scenes too, so don't worry! We kind of took a step back and got to see Lia's growth from the first book and her constant worries for the journey yet to come, also Guardian of the Gate was practically Lia coming to terms with her quest and the possibilities that may occur from it, and accepting herself.
One of the best things about book two is... Dimitri! I wasn't a big James fan and I had read in other reviews about Dimitri so I was just bursting at the seams for him to show up! & ooh boy is he yummy! Lia and Dimitri's relationship did evolve fast, but Michelle does it in such a way that it doesn't seem so, I mean with all the crazy things that are happening around them I think they got together rather slowly!
& then I was literally biting my nails in worry and anticipation for when Lia or one of her trusty companions would let the beans spill about James to Dimitri... I mean come on they were practically engaged, I don't particularly like the guy but that would cause some reaction from Dimitri hearing about it.. no? But I guess I'll be waiting for that in book three! (I was actually kind of bummed it wasn't in book two)
I also was disapointed with the lack of creepy/bitchy Alice scenes, don't get me wrong when she did appear she made a splash with her evil ways that sent chills down my spine, but I wanted more evilll! Not that there wasn't any.. Michelle writes a good creepy scene! And I just wanted more! haha.
Okay before I babble on for too much longer, I shall end this review with... *drum-roll* Edmund is adorable and I love him to pieces! Where can I get one!?
Also, I can't wait to read the conclusion to this amazing series... Circle of Fire, where I've heard that things will pick up the pace like never before! & yes I'll admit, I'm a bit scared to find out what will go wrong happen next!
Ever since I finished reading Prophecy of the Sisters I couldn't wait to get my hands on Guardian of the Gate, excited to see what Michelle Zink would throw at me next in the sequel of this amazing, unique tale!
I got to it as soon as I could (which wasn't soon enough actually) and although I really enjoyed Guardian of the Gate, I found that it wasn't as gripping as the first. Which sometimes happens with middle books, don't get me wrong, it was still good and had its exciting moments, yummy scenes and a few where I gripped the edges of the book worried about what would happen to Lia and her companions next, it's just that I think since the first book was such a roller-coaster ride, I was expecting the second to be the same.
Guardian of the Gate was a bit more slow paced from the first, it has it's fast paced scenes too, so don't worry! We kind of took a step back and got to see Lia's growth from the first book and her constant worries for the journey yet to come, also Guardian of the Gate was practically Lia coming to terms with her quest and the possibilities that may occur from it, and accepting herself.
One of the best things about book two is... Dimitri! I wasn't a big James fan and I had read in other reviews about Dimitri so I was just bursting at the seams for him to show up! & ooh boy is he yummy! Lia and Dimitri's relationship did evolve fast, but Michelle does it in such a way that it doesn't seem so, I mean with all the crazy things that are happening around them I think they got together rather slowly!
& then I was literally biting my nails in worry and anticipation for when Lia or one of her trusty companions would let the beans spill about James to Dimitri... I mean come on they were practically engaged, I don't particularly like the guy but that would cause some reaction from Dimitri hearing about it.. no? But I guess I'll be waiting for that in book three! (I was actually kind of bummed it wasn't in book two)
I also was disapointed with the lack of creepy/bitchy Alice scenes, don't get me wrong when she did appear she made a splash with her evil ways that sent chills down my spine, but I wanted more evilll! Not that there wasn't any.. Michelle writes a good creepy scene! And I just wanted more! haha.
Okay before I babble on for too much longer, I shall end this review with... *drum-roll* Edmund is adorable and I love him to pieces! Where can I get one!?
Also, I can't wait to read the conclusion to this amazing series... Circle of Fire, where I've heard that things will pick up the pace like never before! & yes I'll admit, I'm a bit scared to find out what will go wrong happen next!
cursivequeen's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok. It was definately a 'middle' type book, where it moves things to where they need to be to set up the ending. It had been 9 months since I read the first book, so I was a little lost. There were parts that seemed to drag on more than was necessary.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
2.0
Lia and Sonia are in London developing their powers. Luisa and Aunt Virginia follow Lia to London and report on how powerful Alice has become and that James has come under Alice's control. Edmund, Lia, Sonia, and Luisa travel to find the lost pages of the prophecy.
Started off great but then Dimitri appeared out of nowhere as the savior of the group and the book became about Lia and Dimitri's romantic relationship, losing it's spooky, suspenseful flow and becoming anticlimatic in the end when Lia finally does find the missing pages. At the rate the plot in books 1 and 2 is going there will be 10 books in this series.
Started off great but then Dimitri appeared out of nowhere as the savior of the group and the book became about Lia and Dimitri's romantic relationship, losing it's spooky, suspenseful flow and becoming anticlimatic in the end when Lia finally does find the missing pages. At the rate the plot in books 1 and 2 is going there will be 10 books in this series.