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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I liked the first book.
I LOVED the second.
Either I was more into it, or it was just a better storyline. I think I may go back and re-read #1, because I think I just didn't go deep enough to truly enjoy it.
This is a GREAT YA series, for those who liked City of Bones type fantasy, or a good Gothic mystery.
I LOVED the second.
Either I was more into it, or it was just a better storyline. I think I may go back and re-read #1, because I think I just didn't go deep enough to truly enjoy it.
This is a GREAT YA series, for those who liked City of Bones type fantasy, or a good Gothic mystery.
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
Little, Brown and Company, 2010
340 pages
YA; Historical; Fantasy
3.5/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Now that Lia knows about the battle between herself and her twin sister Alice, she is doing everything she can to prepare herself for the final battle. She searches for more information and to develop her powers. Betrayal, magic, and power lust fill the pages as the sad truth is revealed: only one sister will be left standing.
The Prophecy of the Sisters was one of the first books I reviewed, way back in December 2009 and I was very eager for this, the second book, but I am only just now getting to it. In short, I was disappointed. My biggest disappointment is a SPOILER but I have other reasons. However there were still some things I liked so I'll start with those.
For the most part, the book reminded me of LOTR: FOTR because Lia goes on a journey to Altus with a few companions, receives healing and shelter there with elegant creatures, and then resumes her journey. When I was picturing most everything about this, I used visuals from the film. Now while I mention those similarities, I don't think it was copying or referencing LOTR; that's just what my mind imagined.
I still mostly like Lia, whose troubles just keep increasing as we prepare for the final confrontation. Edmund plays an increased role while Sonia and Luisa are still here. A few new characters are also introduced (see spoiler for the most important one).
And now we come to the negative. Because Lia and Alice are separate, there is not much of Alice which is unfortunate because the few scenes where they're together were great. Alice as a character still does not have much of a personality beyond her desire for power and to destroy Lia but I still was intrigued by her.
In general, it also took too long for things to happen. I kept waiting and waiting for something to occur to push forward toward the finale but it didn't. There is some progress made in the later pages but it took too long to get there. I enjoyed the writing and the descriptions but I didn't need as much as I was given; I would have preferred more action.
SPOILER:
My biggest source of discontent was the new relationship Lia formed with Dimitri. I really liked James in the first book despite his limited presence and Lia for the most part just brushes aside thoughts of him for the "dreamy" Dimitri. Well, you know what? I don't like Dimitri and every instance where she thought about him, kissed him, touched him, made me like her a bit less. I also remain a bit suspicious of him although there are no outright reasons to be so.
END SPOILER
Overall: It is a must to read these books in order but this seems like a filler book in between the world-building of the first book and the ultimate showdown in the third. It would be necessary to read this but I didn't really enjoy it.
Cover: I also don't really like the redesigned covers; I found the original first cover appropriately creepy and the new covers with the faces are less to my taste. The cover model is very pretty though.
Little, Brown and Company, 2010
340 pages
YA; Historical; Fantasy
3.5/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Now that Lia knows about the battle between herself and her twin sister Alice, she is doing everything she can to prepare herself for the final battle. She searches for more information and to develop her powers. Betrayal, magic, and power lust fill the pages as the sad truth is revealed: only one sister will be left standing.
The Prophecy of the Sisters was one of the first books I reviewed, way back in December 2009 and I was very eager for this, the second book, but I am only just now getting to it. In short, I was disappointed. My biggest disappointment is a SPOILER but I have other reasons. However there were still some things I liked so I'll start with those.
For the most part, the book reminded me of LOTR: FOTR because Lia goes on a journey to Altus with a few companions, receives healing and shelter there with elegant creatures, and then resumes her journey. When I was picturing most everything about this, I used visuals from the film. Now while I mention those similarities, I don't think it was copying or referencing LOTR; that's just what my mind imagined.
I still mostly like Lia, whose troubles just keep increasing as we prepare for the final confrontation. Edmund plays an increased role while Sonia and Luisa are still here. A few new characters are also introduced (see spoiler for the most important one).
And now we come to the negative. Because Lia and Alice are separate, there is not much of Alice which is unfortunate because the few scenes where they're together were great. Alice as a character still does not have much of a personality beyond her desire for power and to destroy Lia but I still was intrigued by her.
In general, it also took too long for things to happen. I kept waiting and waiting for something to occur to push forward toward the finale but it didn't. There is some progress made in the later pages but it took too long to get there. I enjoyed the writing and the descriptions but I didn't need as much as I was given; I would have preferred more action.
SPOILER:
My biggest source of discontent was the new relationship Lia formed with Dimitri. I really liked James in the first book despite his limited presence and Lia for the most part just brushes aside thoughts of him for the "dreamy" Dimitri. Well, you know what? I don't like Dimitri and every instance where she thought about him, kissed him, touched him, made me like her a bit less. I also remain a bit suspicious of him although there are no outright reasons to be so.
END SPOILER
Overall: It is a must to read these books in order but this seems like a filler book in between the world-building of the first book and the ultimate showdown in the third. It would be necessary to read this but I didn't really enjoy it.
Cover: I also don't really like the redesigned covers; I found the original first cover appropriately creepy and the new covers with the faces are less to my taste. The cover model is very pretty though.
no disappointment here! Can't wait to read the next. I wonder how they'll get through, who'll win! The author is really quite nice as is her writing!
I need book 3 right now!!!
If you think “Prophecy of the Sisters” was another amazing debut…well think twice. Especially after reading “Guardian of the Gate” Michelle Zink just proves what an amazing storyteller she is and not just a ‘One hit wonder”. In the second installment Lia is facing very difficult decisions. Trust, friendship and sisterhood will be put to the test. I had a hard time with Lia at the beginning of the book. It just bothered me how naïve and innocent she seems…and don’t get me wrong I’m rooting for her but she better develop some back bone and tough skin or in the next book she will get her butt kick big time! I think I just adore the character too much and I don’t want to see her fail!
On the other hand if you read my thoughts on “Prophecy of the Sisters” you must know I developed a crush on James! Well let me just say: There’s a new sheriff in town! That’s it I won’t say anything else ;)
I can keep going on and on about what a great book this is…but I think the best way is for you to pick up a copy and be seduced by this astounding story
If you think “Prophecy of the Sisters” was another amazing debut…well think twice. Especially after reading “Guardian of the Gate” Michelle Zink just proves what an amazing storyteller she is and not just a ‘One hit wonder”. In the second installment Lia is facing very difficult decisions. Trust, friendship and sisterhood will be put to the test. I had a hard time with Lia at the beginning of the book. It just bothered me how naïve and innocent she seems…and don’t get me wrong I’m rooting for her but she better develop some back bone and tough skin or in the next book she will get her butt kick big time! I think I just adore the character too much and I don’t want to see her fail!
On the other hand if you read my thoughts on “Prophecy of the Sisters” you must know I developed a crush on James! Well let me just say: There’s a new sheriff in town! That’s it I won’t say anything else ;)
I can keep going on and on about what a great book this is…but I think the best way is for you to pick up a copy and be seduced by this astounding story
I’m going to get the negative out of the way first, and I think I am one of the only people who feel this way and I offer humble apologies to Michelle in advance.
The Negative: I hate this cover. I hate the new covers. I loved the original cover for Prophecy of the Sisters and I thought it added so much to the feel of the story itself and had I not already known how much I loved the first book I NEVER would have picked up the books AT ALL had they the covers they have now. I might even go so far as to say I loathe these new covers. And I don’t mean to hurt feelings, I just don’t think they fit the story being told one bit. My one saving grace is that I was lucky enough to get an ARC at the Teen Author Carnival in NYC (where I got to meet Michelle in person – finally!) and the cover isn’t anything like this. It’s just black with viney-swirls on it and much more appealing to me.
So, there’s my rant on the covers. And now on to the better part of the review – like how much I adore this series.
The Positive: Guardian of the Gate is the sequel to Prophecy of the Sisters, which was haunting and gothic and suspenseful and beautiful. The first thing that struck me with the second book was how beautifully Michelle writes. I had forgotten how much I loved the writing style in PoS as I have read many books since, but once I picked up this book I got the same feeling I had reading the first one. I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s like being underwater and seeing a rainbow and silk red ribbons all flowing in the breeze. That won’t make sense to you but it’s a mish-mash of that to me.
I did not find this book as suspenseful as the first. I was not on the edge of my seat the entire time ready to jump out of my skin at the next creepy surprise but there was this connection to the adventure and the quest to reach the secret island. Mostly I just loved the dialogue and the description – and I HATE description!
I like where this series was taken and where it is going. There were a couple of “reveals” that I guessed fairly early on, but it wasn’t off-putting at all. I tend to have decent hunches about books and movies so it wasn’t something that was glaringly obvious pretending to be foreshadowing. I was pretty proud of my correct hunches though, I’ll tell you.
This book was also as beautiful on the inside as the first one was. I was worried about that what with the cover changes and all. Also? The ARC I had smelled wonderful! Sort of sweet like candy mixed with book. I don’t know what glue they used for binding it, but it just made the book all that much better for me. I sometimes read with my nose it would seem.
I am rather sad that I have another year to wait for the third (and final?) book.
Michelle Zink is now a 100% auto-buy author for me. Sequels are always tricky, but she kept up the beauty of the writing and the story in this second book and therefore passed the test. Her way with words is like a painting coming to life. Brilliant. (HA! HA! I just noticed in my review of PoS I ended with a mention that Michelle might just have become an auto-buy author for me! I guess I just fulfilled my OWN prophecy!)
The Negative: I hate this cover. I hate the new covers. I loved the original cover for Prophecy of the Sisters and I thought it added so much to the feel of the story itself and had I not already known how much I loved the first book I NEVER would have picked up the books AT ALL had they the covers they have now. I might even go so far as to say I loathe these new covers. And I don’t mean to hurt feelings, I just don’t think they fit the story being told one bit. My one saving grace is that I was lucky enough to get an ARC at the Teen Author Carnival in NYC (where I got to meet Michelle in person – finally!) and the cover isn’t anything like this. It’s just black with viney-swirls on it and much more appealing to me.
So, there’s my rant on the covers. And now on to the better part of the review – like how much I adore this series.
The Positive: Guardian of the Gate is the sequel to Prophecy of the Sisters, which was haunting and gothic and suspenseful and beautiful. The first thing that struck me with the second book was how beautifully Michelle writes. I had forgotten how much I loved the writing style in PoS as I have read many books since, but once I picked up this book I got the same feeling I had reading the first one. I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s like being underwater and seeing a rainbow and silk red ribbons all flowing in the breeze. That won’t make sense to you but it’s a mish-mash of that to me.
I did not find this book as suspenseful as the first. I was not on the edge of my seat the entire time ready to jump out of my skin at the next creepy surprise but there was this connection to the adventure and the quest to reach the secret island. Mostly I just loved the dialogue and the description – and I HATE description!
I like where this series was taken and where it is going. There were a couple of “reveals” that I guessed fairly early on, but it wasn’t off-putting at all. I tend to have decent hunches about books and movies so it wasn’t something that was glaringly obvious pretending to be foreshadowing. I was pretty proud of my correct hunches though, I’ll tell you.
This book was also as beautiful on the inside as the first one was. I was worried about that what with the cover changes and all. Also? The ARC I had smelled wonderful! Sort of sweet like candy mixed with book. I don’t know what glue they used for binding it, but it just made the book all that much better for me. I sometimes read with my nose it would seem.
I am rather sad that I have another year to wait for the third (and final?) book.
Michelle Zink is now a 100% auto-buy author for me. Sequels are always tricky, but she kept up the beauty of the writing and the story in this second book and therefore passed the test. Her way with words is like a painting coming to life. Brilliant. (HA! HA! I just noticed in my review of PoS I ended with a mention that Michelle might just have become an auto-buy author for me! I guess I just fulfilled my OWN prophecy!)
I liked this one much better than the first book in the series -- can't wait for the end of the trilogy!
*** Don't read this if you haven't read Prophecy of the Sisters, which is Book 1 in the Prophecy of Sisters series ***
I liked this book more because it got Lia out of the stuffy manor. She's left James and gone to England where she continues strengthening her magic and time on the plane with Sonia.
But soon her Aunt Virginia and Luisa arrive. Lia finds out Alice has been spending time with James. She pleads with Alice to stop, but only makes Alice more determined.
Working on the prophecy soon takes center stage, forcing Lia and her two friends on a perilous journey. This trek brings the handsome Dimitri and a betrayal.
I thought this book moved faster, mostly because more happened instead of Lia just worrying and wondering. Lia also took more charge. And I liked the addition of Dimitri. While the other book dragged a bit in the beginning, I read this one in just a couple of days.
My three complaints would be that
1) Lia gets tricked a few times, and most of the scenarios seem like it was a plot device for her to be so gullible. And when she's betrayed, she's outraged, but without any recollection of her being vulnerable in a similar situation. But in her case, outside forces helped fight it, unlike the betrayer. It wasn't like Lia had the inner strength to fight it.
2) The attraction to romance between Lia and Dimitri happens lightning fast. But I guess if you want anything like that to happen in a short time frame, you have to suspend reality a little.
3) I still don't get any sense of the magic she practices or how it works. In Harry Potter I got to feel like I was learning how to do spells. In this book, I'm removed, only getting glimpses.
I definitely want to read the third one. Alice is hardly in this book. It was be interesting to see how everything comes together in the end - the keys, James and Dimitri, the prophecy, and Alice.
I liked this book more because it got Lia out of the stuffy manor. She's left James and gone to England where she continues strengthening her magic and time on the plane with Sonia.
But soon her Aunt Virginia and Luisa arrive. Lia finds out Alice has been spending time with James. She pleads with Alice to stop, but only makes Alice more determined.
Working on the prophecy soon takes center stage, forcing Lia and her two friends on a perilous journey. This trek brings the handsome Dimitri and a betrayal.
I thought this book moved faster, mostly because more happened instead of Lia just worrying and wondering. Lia also took more charge. And I liked the addition of Dimitri. While the other book dragged a bit in the beginning, I read this one in just a couple of days.
My three complaints would be that
1) Lia gets tricked a few times, and most of the scenarios seem like it was a plot device for her to be so gullible. And when she's betrayed, she's outraged, but without any recollection of her being vulnerable in a similar situation. But in her case, outside forces helped fight it, unlike the betrayer. It wasn't like Lia had the inner strength to fight it.
2) The attraction to romance between Lia and Dimitri happens lightning fast. But I guess if you want anything like that to happen in a short time frame, you have to suspend reality a little.
3) I still don't get any sense of the magic she practices or how it works. In Harry Potter I got to feel like I was learning how to do spells. In this book, I'm removed, only getting glimpses.
I definitely want to read the third one. Alice is hardly in this book. It was be interesting to see how everything comes together in the end - the keys, James and Dimitri, the prophecy, and Alice.
I liked this book, but wasn't as impressed with the writing in this one as I was in the first. I suppose that is just the curse of the "second book," but the story seemed rushed and in a hurry while still trying to be guarded and mysterious...a weird combination. So, I didn't hate this book, but didn't love it either. I am looking forward to reading the next book...when it comes out.
Ohmygod! This book was amazing! I loved it! I have to say I'm really suprised by it because I didn't really find the first book that interesting but this one totally made up for that! I have to say a part of it had to do with Dimitri! He's so yummy! I love him and Lia together! They're are awesome and sweet and just plain wonderful! Go Dimitri! Can't wait to read Circle of Fire!
In the first book we learn that Lia and her twin Alice share roles in the prophecy. In this book, Lia continues on her quest to end the prophecy while her twin sister, Alice, tries to stop her.
It starts out weird. There's this disjointedness about the beginning and it may be because it doesn't exactly pick up where the first book left off. The story continues and you aren't pecked to death by every little detail of her quest/journey or the mystical island she visits, but you're also not really given enough information to make things seem plausible. Perhaps the author wants you to feel as confused as Lia?
I think it's a good story - overall. But I think maybe it's written in the wrong time period. The accuracy of it all seems really off. In many of the scenes, the actions of the characters don't ring true. A new character was introduced in this book - a love interest for Lia -and though that was fun and the romance is definitely PG it was another part that I couldn't help but feel was way off for the 1890's.
It was frustrating as I read along to learn so little of the prophecy so late. As with the first book, it didn't really get good until toward the end, and then it just ended. I read this thinking it'd be one of my quick YA reads that I read in a day because I can't put it down, when in fact, it was a quick YA read that I read in a day because I just wanted to get it over with.
It starts out weird. There's this disjointedness about the beginning and it may be because it doesn't exactly pick up where the first book left off. The story continues and you aren't pecked to death by every little detail of her quest/journey or the mystical island she visits, but you're also not really given enough information to make things seem plausible. Perhaps the author wants you to feel as confused as Lia?
I think it's a good story - overall. But I think maybe it's written in the wrong time period. The accuracy of it all seems really off. In many of the scenes, the actions of the characters don't ring true. A new character was introduced in this book - a love interest for Lia -and though that was fun and the romance is definitely PG it was another part that I couldn't help but feel was way off for the 1890's.
It was frustrating as I read along to learn so little of the prophecy so late. As with the first book, it didn't really get good until toward the end, and then it just ended. I read this thinking it'd be one of my quick YA reads that I read in a day because I can't put it down, when in fact, it was a quick YA read that I read in a day because I just wanted to get it over with.