Review: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way. 

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers.

Available at Amazon, Book Depository, Chapters, HBG Canada, Author's Website

Circle of Fire is the last book in the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy, and it was something I had long been waiting for. It is a strange thing though, when you have been anticipating a book like this for so long but when you begin to read, the realization hits that this is truly the end. Such was the case as I read through this book. Initially, I read at such a slow pace, I thought I would never finish! I couldn't keep it up for long, as I really needed to see how things would play out between Lia and Alice.

Part of my enjoyment with this series stemmed from familiar elements that I love built right into the story (standing stones, mystical worlds, etc.). There were also new places, new wonders to be discovered this time around. In Circle of Fire, we get to travel to Ireland, to a series of underground caverns (cairns) and see the ingenuity of people from long, long ago. I've said it before, I love learning about "real" things from fictional books. Thank you, Michelle Zink, for furthering my education!

Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Punlisher: Little Brown for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Subformat: Young Adult
Edition: Book II in The Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy
Publish Date:8/1/2010
US/Can Price:$17.99/$21.99
ISBN:9780316034470

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.

This is the second book in a series of three, the first being Prophecy of the Sisters, which published last year. Since reading it, I've been dying to get on with the series, but isn't that always the way?

I was dreading that this book would be told from Alice's side of the story, being that she is "The Guardian" in this tale, but happily it is still from Lia's point of view. While it would be interesting from Alice's POV, she is such a scary, complex character, I feel more affinity with Lia.

We pick up here not long after Prophecy ended, where Lia and Sonia have gone to England in a search for the third and fourth keys that are needed to fullfil the prophecy. The thing of it is, when there is a year between books and if you don't read the first book all over again, there are things that are forgotten. The prophecy in this seems a bit complicated at times, so I struggled with the implications of certain actions that happened. Don't get me wrong, I very much love this series still! What I'm getting at, though, is that it is definitely not a stand alone novel. (Also, the lack of remembrance may just be my personal issue :-p )

These books are classic Gothic inspired, complete with doppelgangers (the twins, Lia and Alice), that very much reflect the opposite personalities of each other, with a twist. (You have to read the books to discover the twist) For me, Guardian of the Gate was darker than the first book, which is fitting as we work towards the final battle between good and evil.

I was leery of the introduction of Dimitri in this book. I was a big fan of James in Prophecy and didn't want to like Dimitri at all, but now, like Lia, I'm completely torn! What I love about these books....or am anxious to get to in the story....is the connection with the standing stones in Avebury. I'm a sucker for this aspect of British mythology. It will be interesting to see what Michelle Zink does with all of these elements.

I must now wait patiently for book three of this trilogy, The Beast, which will publish in 2011 to see Lia's choice and how this will all play out in the end....and let me tell you, patience is not one of my strong suits! One thing I know for sure is that I will be reading the entire series all over again once it has been completed.

(Note: You may have seen this review on BookloversInc.; this is indeed my review and has been duplicated here and on the other site as I am a contributor there too...no plaigirism involved :-)

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

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, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

I know, I know, you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but from the moment I saw The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, it nagged at me to buy it. It just seemed mysterious, maybe a little creepy, definitely dark. I hadn't picked it up yet but Mel @ He Followed Me Home asked if I could give her some input on it, so I borrowed hers and, well, devoured it. On my way back from returning it to her, I immediately stopped to purchase my own copy.

Prophecy of the Sisters takes place in a small town New York in the late 1800's. The twin girls live in a large manor house, set a distance from the town, and surrounded by woods, a river and cliffs. As we start the book, the girls are at the funeral of their father. (See what I mean? Perfect setting for dark themes!)

Lia is the narrator, so we get to see her inner workings very well. Her twin sister Alice, is another story, having been involved in some sinister actions. Lia is unaware of the Prophecy mentioned but gradually comes to the realization of its effect on her and her twin's life.

We get a taste of scary nightmarish-realms, a strange bond between the sisters that transcends the love/hate relationship, and find out about what their father was working on before his death, that could potentially put an end to the Prophecy or see it to its ultimate, disastrous fruition.

There are some parts of the story that left me wanting more; the relationship between Lia and James is only touched on but I can see where he may play a larger role in the future. Also, the Prophecy itself is multifaceted and left me with some confusion. But I am confident that anything that was unclear or untouched will become known throughout the future book(s).

I have done nothing but rave about this book since reading it, though I can't really pinpoint why it effected me so much. Perhaps its the dark imagery invoked or the multiple myths/legends/folklore that are blended into the story. I know for sure that I'm very much looking forward to continuing this story when Guardian of the Gate gets released in August of this year.

Waiting on Wednesday: Jan. 27, 2010

This weekly event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we get to share which upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.

This is an easy one for me this week! From my good friend Mel at He Followed Me Home, I borrowed Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink on the weekend and, well, spent all day Saturday reading it. Then I ran out and bought my own copy. It's definitely something I will need to read again. (I'll be posting my review of Prophecy later this week, so stay tuned).

So the book I'm waiting for this week is Guardian of the Gate, the second in the series, by Michelle Zink. While the cover art hasn't been finalized yet, I found the book trailer on the author's official website (click here to check out Michelle's blog for more information on all of her work). This trailer seems to feature only the new (perhaps German?) cover for Prophecy, but the haunting music heard is the work of Michelle's son, Kenneth, and is the "score" for Guardian. I think it's a good reflection of the dark, Goth-like feel to this incredible story. I hope you enjoy!