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A review by stephxsu
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
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.