THE SEVEN SISTERS takes readers from the shores of Lake Geneva to modern day Rio de Janeiro to bohemian Paris of the 1920s in a sweeping saga of passion, sacrifice, and the enduring power of art.
Upon the death of their wealthy, enigmatic father, Maia D’Apliese and her sisters convene at their family home, a secluded estate on the shores of Lake Geneva. Each of the sisters had been adopted at birth from a different part of the globe. Maia, the eldest, is the first to learn of their adoptive father’s death. Confusion is added to her grief when the sisters — Maia, the beauty; Ally, the leader; Star, the peacemaker; CeCe, the pragmatist; Tiggy, the nurturer; and Electra, the fireball – gather to hear the reading of the will. Their father has left each of his daughters a simple clue about her birthplace.
Until now, Maia has constructed her life so that she does not have to leave the safety of the family nest. But spurred by her father’s final bequest, Maia embarks on a journey to Rio de Janeiro to discover the truth of her origins. In Rio, Maia is accompanied by Floriano Quintelas, a novelist and amateur historian, who is intrigued to discover that Maia is apparently descended from the Aires Cabrals, an aristocratic Portuguese family who have been prominent in the country for the past two centuries. Together, they delve into her complex family history, a quest that is helped by their discovery of the crumbling mansion where an elderly woman – Maia’s biological grandmother — is on the verge of death. When the old woman’s caretaker secretly slips Maia a stack of old letters, an astonishing family history unfolds.
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Atria Books
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 480
Atria Books
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 480
Series: Book One, The Seven Sisters
Genre: Historical Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
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*****
I love the cover for this book, but I gotta say the UK cover is simply gorgeous and complements the plot perfectly.
Six sisters, each adopted with a story and it's up to each of them whether they want to discover their past. This first book in the series centers around Maia and I loved the setting of this book. Brazil is not a place that I have ventured before (with a little in France too) and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Weaving back and forth from present day to the 1920/1930's Brazil is a country just as affected by the great depression as the rest of the world. New money isn't as good as old money, marriages arranged for social advantage with love not a factor.
The author has clearly displayed her knowledge not just of Brazil but the history of the country, and I found the historical details regarding the statue, Christ the Redeemer fascinating.
The synopsis above does a great job outlining this book, coming it at almost 500 pages it is the size that is easy to get lost it. The story moved at a smooth pace and the writing was superb, I was able to visualize so much - from the family home on Lake Geneva, the streets (and studios) of Paris and Rio this is my favorite so far by Lucinda Riley. I am curious about each of the sisters now, having given us just enough clues as to the characters of these sisters I am left wondering where the author will take us next. This is a big undertaking for Lucinda Riley, the planning and research into this unique/original idea is something that has me anxiously awaiting the next book. Also add in the fact that there are only 6 sisters, oh yeah I can't wait!
Praise for The Seven Sisters
“A brilliant page-turner, soaked in glamour and romance.” -The Daily Mail“Riley launches her most ambitious andexciting writing project to date……a labyrinth of seductive time-switchstories, the enchanting brand of novel writing which has made Riley one of thebest women’s fiction authors on the market… An epic start to an epic series.” -The Lancashire Evening Post
The Seven Sisters Available at
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Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland and during her childhood travelled
extensively abroad, particularly to the Far East to visit her father.Moving to London she became an actress working in film, theatre and television. Five years ago she designed and built a house on the island of Koh Chang in Thailand, where her father had purchased land many years before. Her passion for history combined with her love of travel, and Thailand in particular, inspired her to write her novel Hothouse Flower, published by Penguin in November 2010.
She currently lives in Norfolk and France with her husband and four children.
For more information please visit Lucinda’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Goodreads.
More Titles from Lucinda Riley
The Orchid HouseThe Lavender Garden
Girl on the Cliff
The Italian Girl
The Midnight Rose
The Seven Sisters Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, June 1
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Spotlight & Giveaway at A Novel Review
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Spotlight & Giveaway at A Novel Review
Friday, June 12
Review at A Novel Review
Review at A Literary Vacation
Spotlight & Giveaway at To Read, or Not to Read
Review at A Novel Review
Review at A Literary Vacation
Spotlight & Giveaway at To Read, or Not to Read
Great review and yes the UK cover is gorgeous although I love the US one as well. I'm really looking forward to the next book and like you I'm wondering what's going to happen when we get to the seventh sister since there is only six. lol. Should be interesting.
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