Book Review- Guardian of the Gate

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.


I had high expectations when I first started reading this book. Since I really liked the first book, I was hoping this one would be even more exciting. But...it didn't meet my expectations. 


The characters were pretty good, everyone seemed realistic enough. But the first thing that bugged me was that the book is set several months after they leave for London, so we don't get to see them search for the keys. 


Anyways, at this party Lia meets this dashing man who is mysterious and stuff. (Here comes what really ruined the book for me) As Lia is being chased by these Hell hounds, the man she met at the party, Dimitri, suddenly appears. And guess what! First we see that the Hounds don't even try to go after him, but then he confesses that he's part of some supernatural thing that Lia's father was apart of. 


So after he saves her, Lia gets her to tell him who he really is and then he tells her that *gasp* he's been watching her to keep her safe! Apparently that really didn't bug her all that much, especially after having met only twice, that Dimitri confesses that he feels like he's known her all her life and then Lia says the same cheesy lines and Bam! Their in love! And then they make out for the rest of the night. 


And I kinda really wanted to slap Lia and say, "are you out of your mind? You barely know the guy! And what about James?" 


Ah yes, James, now he's the real love interest I like. He actually knows Lia and has a reason to be in love with her. But as we find out from Alice, James has been spending more and more time with her since Lia has left. So after burning his letter and thinking that it'd be better for the both of them, Lia feels bad about "loving" Dimitri. and she only mentions this a couple of times. 


So, now onto what I did like. I thought that there was much more excitement and adventure in this book than the other one. It has a stronger sense of danger. Plus at first we think that Lusia is betraying Lia but no, it was actually Sonia, who has accidently let the Spirits into her mind. But after they get to Atlus, the Sisters there manage to save Sonia and Lia learns some important stuff about where to find the pages from her dying aunt. 


The ending was okay, it was exciting and I think it met my expectations but I'm not sure. It was good anyways because not only does she find the pages, but Lia confronts Alice for one of the last times. 


The writing was good, as was her descriptions. I love her descriptions and Lia's voice actually. Will I read the next book? Sure, but I won't have as high as expectations for it. 


Offial Website: Michelle Zink
On Goodreads: Guardian of the Gate
First Book Review: Prophecy of the Sisters
So, have you ever read a book where the first one was really good but the second one wasn't?


Sincerely,
Peony

Book Review- Prophecy of the Sisters

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.


In the first book in this series I found this book at my library and started to read it while waiting for my brother to come pick me up. I usually don't really paranormal/gothic books but as of late I've somewhat been getting into them (mind you, I still will not pick up a vampire book). I've seen this book before at the bookstore but I never bothered picking it up because I was too busy buying the books I originally came for. 


When I began reading it I fell in love with Michelle Zink's writing style. It's first person in present tense (I think). One of the reasons I think I love this point of view is because I'm writing one of my books in this PoV too. So it helps me see how other writers have handled it. The second thing that drew me in was Lia's voice and the way she told the story. I also loved the way Ms. Michelle words her sentences. 


I thought that the prophecy was interesting, the way she wrote it was cool. And I like the mystery and the quest that Lia has to take. I thought that the characters were nicely done. I disliked Alice, although I never could figure out if Lia and Alice were close when they were young. Although I enjoyed Sonia's character, I thought that she trusted Lia too soon and that they became friends too quickly. Although I enjoyed the slight romantic pieces in the story, I was disappointed how Lia didn't tell James about the prophecy. Poor James! And he really is cute! I liked Aunt Victoria's part in the story, I thought she did well, as did Lia's brother Henry. Poor Henry, I hate the ending! 


The rules that was laid out for the Outerworlds and the rules set upon Lia and Alice are interesting. As is the parts about their births. I wasn't expecting it. Although there were a lot of surprises in the story but to me I had already figured them out by the time they were revealed. Maybe it's cause I'm a writer or it was just really clear what was going to happen in some parts. 


At times I thought that some parts were rushed and that the characters did things for no reason (like how Alice and her friend got to see Sonia and then Alice gets mad at the end of the visit). And although I thought that the Outerworlds was cool, the whole spirit talker and spirit world thing bugs me. I don't apporve of people who try to talk to the dead at all so I wasn't thrilled with this part. I also thought that Lia should have been more..afraid of this whole thing. Where was her screaming, "why me?" She seemed to take the fact that she could very much help end the world at any time pretty calmly. It didn't seem to scared her witless. (I mean think about it, what would you do if you could help end the world?)


I liked the setting. Although I've seen alot of the 1890s in books lately. Maybe it's the Luxe series to blame? But I think that the time period fits. The part where the little girl randomly shows up was weird. I mean she just shows up and then reappears whenever Lia loses the ribbon. Who is this girl?! 


The other part that bugged me was that Lia didn't seem to grieve all that much over her father's death. She did a little at first, but then afterwards it's...nothing. Where was her crying and sobbing over his death? I mean, from what the story implied they seemed pretty close. And then only a couple pages here and there have speaks of her being sad over his death.  


Overall I really liked this book. I thought it was good but parts bugged me. Especially about the whole evil Beast and spirit talker people. 


Offial Website: Michelle Zink
On Goodreads: Prophecy of the Sisters

*By the way, Mondays will also be Book Reviews again along with Poetry because of the excessive amount of books I'm reading during the summer. Probably during the school year I'll change it back to just Poetry.

So, have you ever read any books with end of the world stuff (besides zombies)? How about books with twins in them?

Sincerely,
Peony