Books

Prophecy of the Sisters

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.

And coming August 1st, 2010…

Guardian of the Gate, Book II in the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy

Praise for Prophecy

“As 16-year-old Lia Milthorpe stands at her father’s grave, she has no idea that his death is about to set off a chain of events that will put her and her twin sister, Alice, at odds and decide the fate of a legion of lost souls led by the fallen angel Samael. A circular mark on her arm, the discovery of an ancient prophecy, and the strange behavior of Alice all tug her toward the realization that like her mother and aunt before her, she and her sister are the Guardian and the Gate, positioned to help Samael or hinder him as he and his minions try to gain a foothold in this world. Debut novelist Zink sets her story in an old house in upstate New York in the early 1800s, and she crafts the atmosphere as carefully as she plots the story and shapes her characters. The latter is especially important because there are deep psychological underpinnings to the sisters’ actions and reactions, and Zink does not shy away from grounding her fantasy in the sisters’ characters. This arresting story takes readers to other planes of existence; in the next book Lia travels across the ocean to find others who can help her in the fight against evil. Readers will have a hard time waiting for her to arrive.” – Booklist (starred review)

“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….Readers will find it difficult to put down the book as it races towards its conclusion, where they will be left wanting more….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.” – VOYA (starred review)

“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 séances 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)” – Kirkus

“When Lia and Alice Milthorpe’s father dies unexpectedly, their grief is compounded by a series of strange events. Lia discovers a jagged circle branded on her wrist and suffers eerie and terrifying dreams. Then the twins learn that they are cursed by an ancient prophecy which will divide them for ever in a battle between good and evil. Marketed for young adults, this gothic horror-romance will appeal to aficionados of all ages. The intricate plot twists are matched by Zink’s control of her characters’ complex personalities as, with uncommon skill for a first-time novelist, she builds up to a terrific climax and cleverly lays the groundwork for more books to follow. A fresh and engaging cast of characters, a page-turning plot and lyrical prose add up to an accomplished feat of storytelling.” – The Guardian

“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. – Publishers Weekly

“Lia has just the right dash of boldness to be an utterly appealing heroine, and her coterie of companions adds strength and humor to her dangerous endeavors. The language is appropriate to the period without being overly stylized. . .Murders, secrets, and spirits haunt the Gothic landscapes as the girls work together to sort the prophecy and their places in it; tingly suspense is craftily managed. . . It’s a cliffhanger waiting for a sequel. Here’s hoping for a finish that’s as strong as the opening.” – The Bulletin

Prophecy of the Sisters is currently published or will soon be published in over 20 countries including the US, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Russia, Italy, Brasil, Argentina, France, Spain, Poland, China, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Estonia, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, the UAE, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, and Slovakia .