Book Review #2: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zin

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS BY MICHELLE ZINK

Without the Keys, something terrible will happen.

Something that cannot be undone.
And with them, I might bring an end to the riddle of the Prophecy and my strange part in it.

If Alice and I are on conflicting sides of the Prophecy,
the Keys would be dangerous in her hands.
Which means I have to find them.
And I have to do it before my sister.

Sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe has just recently lost her father, leaving her parentless. But when a strange mark appears on her wrist, she realizes she is being branded with much more than her newfound title of orphan. Lia and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other.

Lia hides this discovery from Alice and even from her beloved James, but to escape from the burden this secret bestows she must end the prophecy-before her sister. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the mark on her wrist, the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her, and the impact the resolution of the prophecy could have.

With, haunting, lyrical prose, this multi-layered story of family, friendship, and romance explores the timeless question of predetermination versus free will. And it takes readers on an unforgettable coming-of-age journey where one sister's self-discovery could have an impact of Biblical proportion.

This is the first in a series about 2 sisters and an ancient prophecy that divides them. In the book, we are able to see Lia's point of view while her twin sister Alice remains a mystery. Despite this, we are still able to get a sense of who Lia and Alice are. The book has a gothic feel and adds an air of mystery with an ancient prophecy that needs to be solved. The author offers a couple of twists to the story that makes the reader more enthralled and invested in the mystery. There is also an element of romance between Lia and James that breaks the monotony of death and darkness that her character seems to face. The dynamic between the two sisters is also interesting to watch since the two seem not to share quite the ordinary twin relationship.

Since this is the first book, there are still a lot of mysteries that are left hanging and a couple of characters who play an important part in the plot has not yet been explored thoroughly. There are also major players in the story that has yet been introduced. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.

Be sure to get a copy of this book and its sequel Guardian of the Gate out NOW!