Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy) [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Michelle Zink (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010 | Series: Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy (Book 1)

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters--one good, one evil.

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, they find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Lia and Alice buried their father on a rainy day in the fall of 1890. His death was sudden, and strange happenings are keeping the twins from resuming their wealthy, well-educated lives. Lia begins to dream of flying and Alice, while reserved, does not appear to mourn her father. Lia's boyfriend, James, uncovers an ancient tome that cryptically tells of two sisters, one the Gate and one the Guardian. One has the power to return Satan to Earth, the other the responsibility to keep her sister in check. As Lia investigates the prophecy, a fortuitous trip to a fortune-teller, Sonia, unlocks new doors. With school friend Luisa joining in the adventure, the cast of characters is complete. Lia, Sonia, and Luisa band together to solve the riddle while preventing the increasingly malevolent Alice from discovering their findings. Zink's choice of first-person present sadly emphasizes her lack of character development. None of the perils the heroines face invoke fear or sympathy, as they are all half-explained and resolved too quickly for real concern to set in. Pass this title over for better historical fantasy fare.—Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, formerly at New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"This gothic horror-romance will appeal to aficionados of all ages. A fresh and engaging cast of characters, a page-turning plot and lyrical prose add up to an accomplished feat of storytelling." --The Guardian

From dangerous sances with deadly consequences to coldblooded sibling murder, this tale is extremely dark, but Zink's methodical unfolding of events will draw readers in. The ending primes for an anticipated sequel. --Kirkus Reviews

- A Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best book list for 2009

- 2010 Texas Lone Star Reading List selection

- Audio Edition received NAPPA Gold Honors

- Selected as a "Top 10 First Novel for Youth" by Booklist

- A NYPL "Stuff for the Teen Age" pick

Praise for Prophecy of the Sisters:
* "Zink does not shy away from grounding her fantasy in the sisters' characters. This arresting story takes readers to other planes of existence." -Booklist (starred review)

* "An intense and captivating story that gives a whole new meaning to sibling rivalry." -VOYA (starred review)

"Murders, secrets, and spirits haunt the Gothic landscapes as the girls work together to sort the prophecy and their places in it; tingly suspense is craftily managed." -The Bulletin

"A captivating tragedy immersed in a world of spells, Samhain and twisting family allegiances." -Publishers Weekly

"This is a brooding, haunting tale of an ancient struggle between living and dead, with two sisters at its heart. It's Gothic, Edwardian, and absolutely un-put-down-able!" -Tamora Pierce, author of the New York Times bestselling Beka Cooper series
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 Reprint edition (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316027413
• ASIN: B005K5ER90
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle Zink lives in New York with her four children. Prophecy of the Sisters was her first novel, and was chosen as one of Booklist's Top Ten Debut Novels of 2009 and as one of the Chicago Public Library's Best Books for Young Readers. It has also been listed on the New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age and the Lone Star Reading List.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I didn't love it as much as these other reviewers August 29, 2009

By B.E. Reader

Format:Hardcover

Trying to be the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. I was really excited for this book when I bought it. It had a strong beginning that had me wanting more but the middle part was just not that good. I felt that the plot of 'the prophecy' was weak. Things were there 'just because'. No further explanation and nothing wanting me to be more interested in the prophecy or Lia's friends. Weak characters. The evil twin was hardly in it. There were events that happened in the family where the emotions did not match the situation. I'm sorry to be harsh but I am giving it three stars to be nice. I was finally getting somewhat pulled back in around page 315. I'm sure there will be a sequel and I most likely will not read it.

25 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and enthralling July 7, 2009

By The Compulsive Reader VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Lia Milthorpe has always had a quiet, predictable, and happy life. But when her father dies unexpectedly, leaving her, her twin sister Alice, and her younger brother Henry orphans, strange things begin to occur. A peculiar mark appears on Lia's wrist, and Alice begins acting secretive. Lia's dreams become scarily real and threatening. It's not long before she discovers that she and Alice are a part of a dark prophecy that will firmly plant each sister on opposing sides and challenge every bit of loyalty, strength, and courage that Lia possesses in order to bring an end to the prophecy--before her sister can wreak havoc on the world.

From the very beginning of Prophecy of the Sisters, Lia is a convincing character; her hesitance to bring the strange circumstances that affect her to light and her motivations are true. Michelle Zink writes with startling clarity and vivid descriptions that establish a dark, mysterious, and brooding air that rivals that of the classics Rebecca and Jane Eyre. Her keen eye for detail and talent for revealing multitudes of aspects of the book without seeming didactic builds steady suspense throughout the entirety of the novel.

Lia's relationship with Alice is very fascinating, especially since many readers of the Young Adult genre are so accustomed to twin characters who are extremely close (as in Jacquelyn Mitchard's The Midnight Twins or Marissa Doyle's The Bewitching Season). It is complex and intriguing relationship, made even more so by the fact that Lia openly admits that she and Alice aren't especially close, but still she struggles with the idea that Alice may be evil and intent on doing her harm. It is the idea of one of nature's closest entities--twins--pitted against each other that really draw the readers in.

Another interesting aspect of Prophecy of the Sisters is Lia's romance with James, which is a real nice touch that adds a little light-heartedness to the story. At the same time, it would have been nice to know a little more about the beginning of their courtship, and it does seem that once Lia decides that if James knows the truth about her, he'll be in unnecessary danger, he does stay out of the picture, only to pop up once again towards the end. It will be interesting to discover his role in future books.

All in all, Zink has created an intense and riveting work brimming with myths, knowledge, and plenty of chills. Her characters are charming and strong, her otherworldly realms dangerous and eerie, and her plot entirely engrossing. Prophecy of the Sisters is overwhelmingly enthralling and engaging, with much of the same appeal as Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty. Readers shall rejoice at the debut of a stellar new voice with a very persuasive and unique point of view.

Cover Comments: I love this cover. I love the colors, and the statues and the eerie air that they exude--it sets the mood for the book perfectly. I think that this is the perfect cover for this book.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Beautiful Debut July 9, 2009

By Vania Stoyanova

Format:Hardcover

Michelle Zink's Debut novel is a dark fantasy filled with mystery and intrigue that captures us with the very first scene. The hauntingly descriptive funeral and revealingof a secret mark sets us off into a world never before seen. This is a twisty tale of two sisters, twins, battling their own destiny, seeking freedom from the one thing they cannot control, forces them to not only fight against their future, so clearly laid out for them, but also fight against each other. Zink portrays her relationships in a vivid form with each one full of personality, mystery and intrigue. Each character comes alive on the pages but they are all intertwined in a tale of dark and epic proportions.

Lia, though confident in her role in the prophecy is not as confident in her other relationships with her friends and family. She struggles with both her love interest, James, and her family, hiding the most important part of who she is. Trust is imperative and both Alice and Lia struggle with it, forcing the mythos and the character's struggles to intertwine and deepen as the plot arc advances. Alice, Lia's twin, is distant and cold, conniving and ruthless even, but yet she is a girl fighting her darkest nature and striving to do what she thinks best. She is sad and mysterious and I am compelled to read more, hoping to get to know her more; to understand her better.

The writing is the first thing you notice. It is lyrical and it flows seamlessly into the eerie and haunting occurrences of the novel. I was feeling the grief, the torment, the inner struggle with each word and felt what Lia felt. I was there with her struggling alongside her.

I was captivated by the mystery of the Prophecy, constantly on edge of my seat, guessing left and right, and yet I was surprised when it wasn't what I thought. Though sometimes I was ahead of the game so to say, the story was still interesting enough to keep me in it till the last page. Even when I had to put it down it was like a siren calling me back. I was rooting for Lia the whole time and her heartache was truly felt. Beautifully written, engrossing and lyrically enchanting; I couldn't put it down and I am ready to follow Lia through her journey, prophecy and destiny.
This tale that intertwines fantasy with mythology is a must read for any age. It is sure to keep you on your toes, guess at every turn, and it is sure to keep you up at night. Michelle's debut novel is a captivating beginning and a promise for a wonderfully entertaining trilogy, full of chaos and hauntingly enthralling.