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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This is the second book in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy. I gave the first book, titled Prophecy of the Sisters, a 4/5 stars, and I'm only giving this one a 3.5. I wanted to explain this- I didn't like this book any less than the first book, only looking back on PotS, if I was rating it right now I probably would only give it a 3.5, but I'm not going back and changing it, of course.
I like this series a lot, but they have flaws. Mostly, I found it hard to keep engaged in this book. I didn't feel like there was a lot of tension with the plot, and in reality, over the course of this whole book NOTHING happened. This was my main problem. In the end it picked up a little, leaving us with a good cliffhanger for the third book, but before that, there just wasn't a lot of plot happening. Even though it was good, it felt a little slow. I was expecting more action from the second book in the series. It didn't really happen for me. (Maybe the third one? I'm hoping.)
The writing was as beautiful as the first book. Lia's voice is elegant, and I almost feel like I'm reading a paranormal story written by Jane Austen, without SO much romance (does that even make sense? Maybe that's just me). The smooth language and flow is amazing. Since this book does take place in the 18th or 19th century, it makes sense that Lia would talk and think the way she does. It's very appropriate to the time. I loved it. If you read my first review, you'll also know I loved the mythology of the story. It's very well developed, if not entirely unique.
The ever present YA love triangle shows up in this book. I liked the introduction of the newest character- Dimitri. I won't say much about him, but he's great and provides a good contrast to James. I'm interested in seeing how Lia will deal with the inevitable conflict between the two that was only briefly mentioned in this book.
One tiny complaint I have- where is Alice? She hardly appeared in this book. What was she doing while Lia was going through all her happenings? There wasn't much confrontation between the two sisters after the first couple of chapters. I practically forgot about Alice's existence. I understand the book isn't from her point of view, but it's good to have villians that actually appear sometimes! Alice was such an intriging and creepy character in the first book, I missed having her around most of the time. (Though she wasn't completely absent- She was still present throughout, just not as much as I would've liked!)
If you loved Prophecy of the Sisters, you'll love this one too. Overall I give this book (and the trilogy so far) a 3.5/5 stars.I would recommend reading this series if you're a fan of mythology, historical books with good romance and storylines! If you haven't read Prophecy of the Sisters, you have to read it first, but if you like it, be sure to continue by reading Guardian of the Gate.
Review originally posted at Book Infinity: http://avacypher-bookinfinity.blogspot.com/2010/10/book-review-guardian-of-gate-by.html
I like this series a lot, but they have flaws. Mostly, I found it hard to keep engaged in this book. I didn't feel like there was a lot of tension with the plot, and in reality, over the course of this whole book NOTHING happened. This was my main problem. In the end it picked up a little, leaving us with a good cliffhanger for the third book, but before that, there just wasn't a lot of plot happening. Even though it was good, it felt a little slow. I was expecting more action from the second book in the series. It didn't really happen for me. (Maybe the third one? I'm hoping.)
The writing was as beautiful as the first book. Lia's voice is elegant, and I almost feel like I'm reading a paranormal story written by Jane Austen, without SO much romance (does that even make sense? Maybe that's just me). The smooth language and flow is amazing. Since this book does take place in the 18th or 19th century, it makes sense that Lia would talk and think the way she does. It's very appropriate to the time. I loved it. If you read my first review, you'll also know I loved the mythology of the story. It's very well developed, if not entirely unique.
The ever present YA love triangle shows up in this book. I liked the introduction of the newest character- Dimitri. I won't say much about him, but he's great and provides a good contrast to James. I'm interested in seeing how Lia will deal with the inevitable conflict between the two that was only briefly mentioned in this book.
One tiny complaint I have- where is Alice? She hardly appeared in this book. What was she doing while Lia was going through all her happenings? There wasn't much confrontation between the two sisters after the first couple of chapters. I practically forgot about Alice's existence. I understand the book isn't from her point of view, but it's good to have villians that actually appear sometimes! Alice was such an intriging and creepy character in the first book, I missed having her around most of the time. (Though she wasn't completely absent- She was still present throughout, just not as much as I would've liked!)
If you loved Prophecy of the Sisters, you'll love this one too. Overall I give this book (and the trilogy so far) a 3.5/5 stars.I would recommend reading this series if you're a fan of mythology, historical books with good romance and storylines! If you haven't read Prophecy of the Sisters, you have to read it first, but if you like it, be sure to continue by reading Guardian of the Gate.
Review originally posted at Book Infinity: http://avacypher-bookinfinity.blogspot.com/2010/10/book-review-guardian-of-gate-by.html
I would give Guardian of the Gate 2.5 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I didn't altogether dislike it, I was disappointed in the direction this one took. One thing I enjoyed about The Prophecy of the Sisters was that it was set in the 19th century. In this book, we pretty much leave that behind. Most of the book is spent traveling through a forest and then on an Island in an in-between reality called Altus. It's so far removed from the surroundings and feeling of the first book that I had a hard time liking this part of the book.
I dislike the fact that Alice and James were hardly in the book at all. I feel like we are told that Alice is sinister a little too much, instead of being shown that she is. This was a complaint I had about the first book as well. And what about James, did Lia ever really love him? Could he not have gone after her to find her? Or how about Lia trying to protect James from Alice, why doesn't she? One thing I liked about her relationship with James was that it seemed mature and rooted in their past history. It was believable. They truly seemed to love and respect each other. I realize she is 16, and most 16 year olds don't know who they really love, but it was disappointing that she jumped into a romance with Dimitri all too easily. A romance that is passionate, but not rooted in anything as she hardly knows him.
There is one point where Lia realizes that there is another path she can take other than the stuffy 19th century ways of her world. True, the 19th century was overly strict and repressive to women in many ways, but there is a lot in between 19th century ways and the ways of Altus. She certainly doesn't have to throw everything that she has believed her whole life out the window. Is it because on Altus it's viewed as okay? It does bring to mind these questions though. Is something okay just because others think it is? What makes something right or wrong? I'm wondering what message the author will convey in the next book. I don't expect Lia to be perfect but I feel like Lia succumbs far too easily to it all and completely loses her head. Not to mention the fact that she starts kissing Dmitri passionately before they ever get there. She hardly knows Dimitri, yet she is kissing him like she never kissed James, and is willing to do more. It's Dimitri who stops her and says he respects the culture and rules of her world. I'm really getting tired of YA books where the female characters are so weak when it comes to hot looking guys and intoxicating kisses. I also found it a little inconsistent too, because in one part of the book she seems to be completely smitten by Dmitri and is willing to go all the way with him, but at a couple of other points in the book she thinks of James. Maybe it is an attempt to show that she is torn between her feelings for both of them, but it just makes her seem shallow to me.
As of the end of the book Lia hasn't decided what path her life will take. She hasn't made any life changing decisions about how she will live her life, whether it be according to 19th century ways, or the hedonistic ways of Altus. I haven't decided if I will read the next book yet either.
On a side note, I really liked the original cover to Prophecy of the Sisters much better than the one they are using now. It would have been nice to see what this cover would have looked like if they had kept the statue theme.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I didn't altogether dislike it, I was disappointed in the direction this one took. One thing I enjoyed about The Prophecy of the Sisters was that it was set in the 19th century. In this book, we pretty much leave that behind. Most of the book is spent traveling through a forest and then on an Island in an in-between reality called Altus. It's so far removed from the surroundings and feeling of the first book that I had a hard time liking this part of the book.
I dislike the fact that Alice and James were hardly in the book at all. I feel like we are told that Alice is sinister a little too much, instead of being shown that she is. This was a complaint I had about the first book as well. And what about James, did Lia ever really love him? Could he not have gone after her to find her? Or how about Lia trying to protect James from Alice, why doesn't she? One thing I liked about her relationship with James was that it seemed mature and rooted in their past history. It was believable. They truly seemed to love and respect each other. I realize she is 16, and most 16 year olds don't know who they really love, but it was disappointing that she jumped into a romance with Dimitri all too easily. A romance that is passionate, but not rooted in anything as she hardly knows him.
There is one point where Lia realizes that there is another path she can take other than the stuffy 19th century ways of her world. True, the 19th century was overly strict and repressive to women in many ways, but there is a lot in between 19th century ways and the ways of Altus. She certainly doesn't have to throw everything that she has believed her whole life out the window. Is it because on Altus it's viewed as okay? It does bring to mind these questions though. Is something okay just because others think it is? What makes something right or wrong? I'm wondering what message the author will convey in the next book. I don't expect Lia to be perfect but I feel like Lia succumbs far too easily to it all and completely loses her head. Not to mention the fact that she starts kissing Dmitri passionately before they ever get there. She hardly knows Dimitri, yet she is kissing him like she never kissed James, and is willing to do more. It's Dimitri who stops her and says he respects the culture and rules of her world. I'm really getting tired of YA books where the female characters are so weak when it comes to hot looking guys and intoxicating kisses. I also found it a little inconsistent too, because in one part of the book she seems to be completely smitten by Dmitri and is willing to go all the way with him, but at a couple of other points in the book she thinks of James. Maybe it is an attempt to show that she is torn between her feelings for both of them, but it just makes her seem shallow to me.
As of the end of the book Lia hasn't decided what path her life will take. She hasn't made any life changing decisions about how she will live her life, whether it be according to 19th century ways, or the hedonistic ways of Altus. I haven't decided if I will read the next book yet either.
On a side note, I really liked the original cover to Prophecy of the Sisters much better than the one they are using now. It would have been nice to see what this cover would have looked like if they had kept the statue theme.
definetly a lot better than the first one. I really like Dimirti with Lia, because he truly understand what she is going through. I think if Lia were to tell James the truth, he would never truly understand the burden that Lia has to go through.
This was my favorite book of the trilogy and possibly one of my favorite books.
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.
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.
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
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
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)!!!
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!