Book Review + Book Giveaway: The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

The year is 1890, and three siblings have just buried their father. The youngest sibling, Henry is crippled. Lia and Alice, twins, have an unusual bond. They are fiercely close, yet scared to be honest and to reveal too much to each other. Perhaps this is the result of losing their mother at age six. Perhaps there's another explanation. One that has to do with Alice's strange mumblings in the Dark Room and her eerie presence.

Lia does not want to think badly of her sister, so she tries to pretend that all is well. Except, this denial is getting harder to maintain, particularly when Lia's boyfriend, James, gives a translated version of an old Latin poem he found hidden in her father's library. This poem, vague and cryptic as it is, seems to allude to a set of twins--One is the Guardian of good and one is the Gate. To Hell.

Though it is not all that closely related, I could not help but think of Jane Eyre while reading this book. It had that creepy, Gothic but romantic vibe to it. Through out, this book held my attention and kept me wanting answers. And, the relationship between James and Lia was sweet. I could not help but fall for James a little myself.

I loved the style of writing used in this novel. In looking at the events from Lia's perspective, I think that the suspense builds more and the events seem more shocking than if it had been a third person narration. I love this time period--the late 1800's--and think that this is the perfect setting for a battle between good and evil. There is a second book in this series that came out in August of 2010. It's called Guardian of the Gate and I can't wait to find out more about this story when I read it!

Now, for the giveaway. I have an extra hardcopy edition of this book for one lucky commenter. To enter, simply leave an email address and an answer to this question:

What is one prediction or prophecy that you have for 2011?

This giveaway is US only. 
Closes 12/31/2010.

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