Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Little Brown
Release Date: 1 August 2009
Date Finished: 4 December 2010
Buy | Borrow | Accept | Avoid
Challenges: 100+ Reading, Hogwarts Reading Challenge, Reading Resolutions, Young Adult Reading,
The Short and Sweet of It
Lia and Alice share parents and a birthday; they are twins, but an ancient prophecy puts them on opposite sides of a battle between good and evil.
A Bit of a Ramble
I read this in one sitting, not necessarily because I was in love with the story, but more because it was such a simple read. The premise, a prophecy involving two sisters who are at once the force against and the method of Samael's return, is really interesting; however, I found myself predicting the next steps in the plot and then being annoyed when what I thought would happen actually did happen. Events which were clearly meant to be twists I guessed chapters in advance.
I will say, however, that I sort of like the main character Lia. She's rather charming despite one Very Big Thing she ignores that just ticked me off. Her sister, Alice, also has me curious. Lia and Alice are not your typical twins. They are not 'two-sides of the same coin', they are not close friends or deadly enemies; instead, they are more like two completely separate people, sharing a role in the same prophecy, but so disjointed they barely feel like they are part of the same story. I do wish more time had been spent with Alice, who plays the 'bad guy' in this strange tale.
Most of the YA books that I find a bit iffy have the same 'problem' - depth. I wanted more history, more character development, and more explanation of events. I can't decide if I'm going to continue with the series or not.
This Book Around the Web
If I've missed your review, let me know!
Amy Reads; The Library Lurker; and a whole bunch more can be found here
Question: Should I go on and read Guardian of the Gate, the second in this series?
Twins in literature usually mean something slightly creepy (that cover is creepy) so I perked up when I saw this. Too bad it wasn't just a tiny bit more unpredictable. On the bright side, at least you didn't invest a whole lot of time reading it.
ReplyDeleteI don't care much for predictable...I like some element of surprise and depth is a must. I taught a class in YA Lit many moons ago and I love the group of books that fit into this category/genre (whatever people want to call it) but just like any other group of books, there are somet that are better than others. Like you I tend to lean toward the ones that have more depth to them...of course many of them can be read in one sitting so if you're looking for a quick skim...
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter just finished Fallen in less than 48 hours and told me I MUST read it...so it will be my next YA choice :)
I've considered reading this but have never gotten around to it. I figure if I do, it'll be for a readathon or something.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about buying this for my kids, but the fact that it is rather predictable and you can blow through it so quickly is a turn off to me. Thanks for sharing your honest opinions in this review. I think I will probably skip it.
ReplyDeleteI got an audioversion of this from the library and quickly lost interest in it. My daughter (12 at the time), however, was riveted. My understanding is that they have updated the cover to show a photograph of twin girls because the cover with the statues wasn't "pulling" (whatever that means).
ReplyDeleteYes, so so so predictable right? I found book two more interesting in some ways (a bit more of Alice) but worse on the predictability and flatness scale.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love this one. I felt like there was a lot of buildup and not much action. I didn't bother reading the sequel!
ReplyDeleteI feel so similarly about the lack of depth in YA books! I've been super frustrated lately by it...and I've been considering reading much, much less YA next year because of that frustration.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Prophecy: At least one of them isn't name Cassandra! There's always at least one Cassandra in a PROPHECY book, so I'm glad the author avoided that little bit of predictability.
Now that you say it, lack of depth is my major complaint with YA books too.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it sounds like you may want to skip the follow-up. I think most ya books do lack depth now that I think about it. Plus the stories feel recycled, girl falls in love with vamp, werewolf, fairy, etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm still curious about this book so I'll read it someday anyway.
Nice review! It sounds like an interesting concept for a story but it's too bad that it wasn't executed in a good way. I think I will pass on this one. Thanks for your review!
ReplyDelete