Prophecy of The Sisters (Book 1) Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Pages: 343
Release Date: July 1st, 2010
Rating: 3/5
Review: The tag line of this book caught my attention almost as immediately as the cover. I can't say why I picked this book up, only that I did and when I turned it over and read An ancient prophecy divides two sisters--one evil. Who will prevail? I was hooked.
The books centres around twin sisters Lia and Alice who lost their mother at a young age and more recently lost their father. They, and their younger brother are now orphans and entrusted into the care of their aunt, their own late mother's twin sister. See, twins run in their family. If that weren't strange enough, so does an ancient
prophecy.If I can't love an ancient prophecy than what can I love? I read this long before I even started looking at the reviews because honestly, everyone is different. I will always take a glance over reviews but if I think that I'm going to like something, the chances are I probably will. That was the case here. I liked this story, a lot.
It was incredibly well written with vivid prose that erected a gothic literature setting. Usually, I have a hard time with what people deem 'slow books' but I did not find this to be slow at all. I loved the painted world of the Victorian era where this novel takes place. It had a familiar feel to those of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and smiliar stories with a fantastical twist.
The only issue I found with the books were relating to the characters themselves, while their lives and their worlds were vividly painted so that I could envision them, I felt that I got very little insight into the characters themselves. On the surface, Lia is kind and good, Alice is evil and mean. Very black and white in that regard and sometimes I can find that annoying.
The lack of reaction perhaps by Lia to the events of the novel may be an issue, there are a lot of things happening and the story is so focused on the prophecy that we loose a bit of the characters in there. I didn't have those OTP feels about Lia and James (though I ought to have) and none of the character's actions particularly shocked or enraged me in a manner I've become used to expecting from my novel escapades.
Perhaps it's because the characters are of that era and upbringing where feelings are meant to be bottled not shared, but when you are reading from the POV of a character you expect more inner struggle I think.
I did like it enough to go out and buy the second book immediately because I am truly interested in finding out what happens, I also shipped a copy to my best friend in Germany for Christmas because I knew she would like it (and she did).
However, I will say that as I started the second book I found that I placed it on my bookshelf for later. It is still sitting on my shelf waiting for some more free time. While I have a desire to find out what happens in this story, it did now draw me in as strongly as I wish it had, otherwise I would be finished the series already.
Favorite Quotes: though it's not particularly 'quotable' in the sense I do have one I liked.
“I shake my head. "Remember, Mother. There are no mistakes."
She smiles through her tears, leaning in to kiss my cheek "No mistakes, my angel.”
Recommendation:If you like Gothic era literature with a air of mystery, that this book will probably tickle your fancy. You have to enjoy descriptive literature however or you may find yourself shying away from the story.
