Prophecy of the Sisters

Gr 8 Up—This tale about orphaned sisters in 1890s New York strikes a gothic chord in Michelle Zink's first book (Little, Brown, 2009) in a planned trilogy. Lia and Alice Milthorpe are the latest in a long line of twins central to a centuries-old prophecy. They have become enemies and are turned against each other. One girl seeks to open the gate to the Otherworld, while the other does her best to keep the status quo. A veritable bounty of the supernatural, including angels, séances, and astral projection, adds to the period detail and just a touch of romance to make this an intriguing first volume. Although this title has a conclusion of sorts, secondary characters are not yet fully developed and many plot lines are left dangling awaiting the next volume. Occasional atmospheric music adds an otherworldly edge to the telling. Without providing distinct voices for the characters, narrator Eliza Dushku still manages to convey their individual personalities, such as Lia's earnest innocence and Alice's growing malevolence. For fans of paranormal romance and historical fiction.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI