Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

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In Michelle Zink's debut novel, orphaned twin sister Lia and Alice Milthorpe are yoked together in an ancient prophecy that makes them enemies and could destroy them both. If Lia can break this familial curse, she can not only save her relationship with her beloved boyfriend; she can finally resolve the mystery behind her parents' death. A teen author to watch.

From the Publisher

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.

Publishers Weekly

Set in 19th-century New York, Zink's tense and haunting debut novel is narrated by 16-year-old Lia Milthorpe, left in the lurch by the recent death of her father under mysterious circumstances. Lia, who bears the mark of the Jorgumand (a snake devouring itself) on her wrist, soon learns that she and her twin sister, Alice, are fated to play crucial opposing roles in a mystical struggle that goes back to the dawn of time; unfortunately neither girl is temperamentally suited to the role she has been assigned. The author's language, formal and restrained, is appropriate for the setting and gives the chilly scenes between the sisters an especially gothic air (“We are not the kind of sisters who engage in nightly hair brushing or confided secrets”). While Zink relies on the well-used trope of the grand prophecy, the story is anything but clichéd, with flawed and fragmentary translations, misinterpretation and methodical but inspired deduction complicating and enriching the tale. The result is a captivating tragedy immersed in a world of spells, Samhain and twisting family allegiances that stands on its own while leaving room for sequels. Ages 12–up. (Aug.)

Children's Literature

Twins Lia and Alice could hardly be more dissimilar. Quiet Lia's favorite retreat is her father's library, while sparkling Alice earns comparisons to their late mother and thrives in society. The sudden, mysterious death of their father—found in the house unmarked, save for an expression of abject horror—forces Lia to confront just how vast that chasm has become. For Alice seems not to be grieving, but preparing. For what, Lia does not know, save that it involves midnight rituals, frantic searches through her father's library—where previously Alice never set foot—and a brooding, palpable sense of danger suffusing the house. When she stumbles upon an ancient copy of a prophesy involving twin sisters, one the "Guardian" against, the other the "Gate" for the vindictive spirits of Hell, she realizes what Alice has been searching for. Now, the question is, which is she? And for how long can she hold out against her own twin? Zink sets her novel in late-1800s New York, and one can hear the echoes of Walpole and Poe in the biting wind, bare tree branches, and drafty passages of Lia's world. In fact, the novel exhibits nearly every characteristic of Gothic fiction—ancestral curses, the supernatural, suicide, etc.—and, as such, could make a successful modern addition to a lesson on this genre. For those simply in search of thrills, chills, and surprises to accompany hot chocolate on a rainy evening, though, Zink's book also is sure to delight. Reviewer: Cara Chancellor

VOYA

Lia and her twin sister, Alice, have never been particularly close. After the sudden and strange death of their father, the girls find themselves pitted against each other as part of an ancient prophecy. This prophecy, if fulfilled, would bring about the downfall of the world and release an evil that has been contained for the generations of the prophecy. Lia must rely on her new friends, Sonia and Luisa, to help unravel the secrets of the prophecy and figure out how to end it before her sister is able to defeat her. Zink's dark, haunting debut, the first of a planned trilogy, is an intense and captivating story that gives a whole new meaning to sibling rivalry. The intricate plot is full of twists and turns, some expected but others will not be seen coming. The story begins slowly, but as the secrets of the prophecy are revealed, readers will find it difficult to put down the book as it races towards its conclusion, where they will be left wanting more. Lia's narration enables readers to connect with the range of emotions she experiences firsthand. Her grief, frustration, and fear are powerful and help drive the story. Zink masterfully combines compelling characters with an interesting nineteenth-century setting to create a Gothic tale certain to appeal to fans of Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy. Reviewer: Alissa Lauzon

VOYA

The Prophecy of the Sisters reminds me of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy with its compelling characters who pull you into their lives, a plot line that keeps you glued to its pages, and writing that is so powerful at times that it takes your breath away. This book has everything that a reader can ask for in a novel—romance, friendship, mystery, suspense, sadness. You experience it all and yet want to read more. Lia and her friends grab your attention from the very first page and don't let go once throughout their story. There had better be more to this story because I am waiting for the next installment. Reviewer: Mary Boutet, Teen Reviewer

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Lia and Alice buried their father on a rainy day in the fall of 1890. His death was sudden, and strange happenings are keeping the twins from resuming their wealthy, well-educated lives. Lia begins to dream of flying and Alice, while reserved, does not appear to mourn her father. Lia's boyfriend, James, uncovers an ancient tome that cryptically tells of two sisters, one the Gate and one the Guardian. One has the power to return Satan to Earth, the other the responsibility to keep her sister in check. As Lia investigates the prophecy, a fortuitous trip to a fortune-teller, Sonia, unlocks new doors. With school friend Luisa joining in the adventure, the cast of characters is complete. Lia, Sonia, and Luisa band together to solve the riddle while preventing the increasingly malevolent Alice from discovering their findings. Zink's choice of first-person present sadly emphasizes her lack of character development. None of the perils the heroines face invoke fear or sympathy, as they are all half-explained and resolved too quickly for real concern to set in. Pass this title over for better historical fantasy fare.—Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, formerly at New York Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

Everything changes for 16-year-old Lia Milthorpe when her father dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving her orphaned along with twin sister Alice and younger brother Henry. Hours after her father's death, a mysterious mark appears on her skin, which she recognizes as the mythical Jorgumand-a snake eating its own tail. Thus begins the unfolding of the Prophecy of the Sisters: Lia learns that she and Alice are the Guardian and the Gate-one good, one evil-who will either prevent evil Souls from entering the world or bring about the end of the known world. Which twin is meant to fulfill which role? She is uncertain whether to tell her beloved bookseller James about her suspicions. She narrates her tale in a late-Victorian voice, describing the enigmatic adults who help her and who have their own roles in the Prophecy. From dangerous seances with deadly consequences to coldblooded sibling murder, this tale is extremely dark, but Zink's methodical unfolding of events will draw readers in. The ending primes for an anticipated sequel. (Fantasy. YA)

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