I'm not sure why I waited so long to read this book. But for some reason I was apprehensive to do so... I mean this book has been sitting on my bookshelf for ever! Probably a year... oops. And I am kicking myself for not picking it up earlier!

It was a little slow for me at first... there wasn't much happening, I was trying to figure out exactly what was going on. But the beautiful writing and the richly descriptive details of the era kept me engaged. Lia's story was so passionately told in the first person narrative, I couldn't help but contemplate and solve this mystery along with her. Just wow.... characterization was just awesome. Lia is what really drew me to the story, the mystery is probably what kept me reading, but Lia was the catalyst.

The premise of the story was something completely unique... to me at least. I haven't read anything quite like it. I've read novels about prophecies before but nothing that tied two sisters together in this sort of situation. It seems as though we still have a lot to learn about the Prophecy.... but the things we did discover are enough to hold the reader over until the next installment.

This novel is just gorgeous! The writing, the setting... the characters. It just works to well. The plot might have been a little slow, but the other elements of the story far outweigh that. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series! (And I won't have to wait long... Guardian of the Gate hits shelves Aug. 1!!!)