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The first book in a series from #1 internationally bestselling author Lucinda Riley, author of The Midnight Rose—hailed as "an extraordinary story [and] a complex, deeply engaging tale filled with fascinating characters" (Library Journal).Maia D'Apliese and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home, "Atlantis"—a fabulous, secluded castle situated on the shores of Lake Geneva—having been told that their beloved father, who adopted them all as babies, has died. Each show more sister is handed a tantalizing clue to her true heritage—a clue that takes Maia across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once there, she begins to put together the pieces of her story.
Eighty years earlier in the Rio of the 1920s, Izabela Bonifacio's father has aspirations for his daughter to marry into the aristocracy. Meanwhile, architect Heitor da Silva Costa is devising plans for an enormous statue, to be called Christ the Redeemer, and will soon travel to Paris to find the right sculptor to complete his vision. Izabela—passionate and longing to see the world—convinces her father to allow her to accompany him and his family to Europe before she is married. There, at Paul Landowski's studio and in the heady, vibrant cafes of Montparnasse, she meets ambitious young sculptor Laurent Brouilly, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again.
In this sweeping, epic tale of love and loss—the first in a unique, spellbinding series—Lucinda Riley showcases her storytelling talents like never before. show less
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Maybe even 4.5 stars! THE SEVEN SISTERS is the first in an ambitious series of novels Lucinda Riley plans (2 more are already written)-- each telling the story of six girls, all adopted by the same mysterious man who lives in a castle on Lake Geneva. If this one turns out to be representative of the entire series, I am totally hooked.
This novel presents the story of Maia, the oldest. It begins with the death of her adopted father, Pa Salt, and the legacy he leaves each daughter, allowing them to learn more about their origins. Eager to avoid a reunion with a former lover, Maia decides she will pursue her past immediately, leaving Geneva for Rio de Janeiro, where her own clue points.
In Rio, Maia discovers the dramatic story of her show more beautiful ancestor, Izabel, born to a nouveau-riche coffee entrepreneur who is eager to achieve the status of a well-married daughter. As Izabel's story slowly unfolds -- from Rio to Paris and back in the 1920s-- she finds herself among the artists creating Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue that now hovers over the city. And by discovering Izabel's story Maia is able to come to terms with her own dark secret.
It's a wildly inventive and suspenseful story, where you won't know what's going to happen next, including a zinger of a denouement on the very last page. Completely absorbing and unique! I'm off to book #2. show less
This novel presents the story of Maia, the oldest. It begins with the death of her adopted father, Pa Salt, and the legacy he leaves each daughter, allowing them to learn more about their origins. Eager to avoid a reunion with a former lover, Maia decides she will pursue her past immediately, leaving Geneva for Rio de Janeiro, where her own clue points.
In Rio, Maia discovers the dramatic story of her show more beautiful ancestor, Izabel, born to a nouveau-riche coffee entrepreneur who is eager to achieve the status of a well-married daughter. As Izabel's story slowly unfolds -- from Rio to Paris and back in the 1920s-- she finds herself among the artists creating Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue that now hovers over the city. And by discovering Izabel's story Maia is able to come to terms with her own dark secret.
It's a wildly inventive and suspenseful story, where you won't know what's going to happen next, including a zinger of a denouement on the very last page. Completely absorbing and unique! I'm off to book #2. show less
Maybe even 4.5 stars! THE SEVEN SISTERS is the first in an ambitious series of novels Lucinda Riley plans (2 more are already written)-- each telling the story of six girls, all adopted by the same mysterious man who lives in a castle on Lake Geneva. If this one turns out to be representative of the entire series, I am totally hooked.
This novel presents the story of Maia, the oldest. It begins with the death of her adopted father, Pa Salt, and the legacy he leaves each daughter, allowing them to learn more about their origins. Eager to avoid a reunion with a former lover, Maia decides she will pursue her past immediately, leaving Geneva for Rio de Janeiro, where her own clue points.
In Rio, Maia discovers the dramatic story of her show more beautiful ancestor, Izabel, born to a nouveau-riche coffee entrepreneur who is eager to achieve the status of a well-married daughter. As Izabel's story slowly unfolds -- from Rio to Paris and back in the 1920s-- she finds herself among the artists creating Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue that now hovers over the city. And by discovering Izabel's story Maia is able to come to terms with her own dark secret.
It's a wildly inventive and suspenseful story, where you won't know what's going to happen next, including a zinger of a denouement on the very last page. Completely absorbing and unique! I'm off to book #2. show less
This novel presents the story of Maia, the oldest. It begins with the death of her adopted father, Pa Salt, and the legacy he leaves each daughter, allowing them to learn more about their origins. Eager to avoid a reunion with a former lover, Maia decides she will pursue her past immediately, leaving Geneva for Rio de Janeiro, where her own clue points.
In Rio, Maia discovers the dramatic story of her show more beautiful ancestor, Izabel, born to a nouveau-riche coffee entrepreneur who is eager to achieve the status of a well-married daughter. As Izabel's story slowly unfolds -- from Rio to Paris and back in the 1920s-- she finds herself among the artists creating Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue that now hovers over the city. And by discovering Izabel's story Maia is able to come to terms with her own dark secret.
It's a wildly inventive and suspenseful story, where you won't know what's going to happen next, including a zinger of a denouement on the very last page. Completely absorbing and unique! I'm off to book #2. show less
This is one of those books you can read when life is hard and you need something easy that basically reads itself. I've seen some reviews by people who were super disappointed by these books, but they were exactly what I expected. Is it The Best Book Ever, The Series to End All Series, filled with Deep True Emotions? Nah. Did I feel like I knew every character like a lifelong friend at the end? Nope.
Did I smile while reading, and feel like picking it up again, time and time again? Definitely. I'll pick up the next one for sure.
Did I smile while reading, and feel like picking it up again, time and time again? Definitely. I'll pick up the next one for sure.
#1 The Seven Sisters - ★★★★★
The Seven Sisters is one of those books that whilst you read it, you know you’re reading something special. And once you’re finished, you wish you could read it again for the very first time.
Synopsis:
Maia D’Apliese and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home, “Atlantis”—a fabulous, secluded castle situated on the shores of Lake Geneva—having been told that their beloved father, who adopted them all as babies, has died. Each of them is handed a tantalizing clue to her true heritage—a clue which takes Maia across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once there, she begins to put together the pieces of her story and its beginnings.
Eighty years show more earlier in Rio’s Belle Epoque of the 1920s, Izabela Bonifacio’s father has aspirations for his daughter to marry into the aristocracy. Meanwhile, architect Heitor da Silva Costa is devising plans for an enormous statue, to be called Christ the Redeemer, and will soon travel to Paris to find the right sculptor to complete his vision. Izabela—passionate and longing to see the world—convinces her father to allow her to accompany him and his family to Europe before she is married. There, at Paul Landowski’s studio and in the heady, vibrant cafes of Montparnasse, she meets ambitious young sculptor Laurent Brouilly, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again.
Thoughts:
“Well, as a true artist knows, every rule is there to be broken, every barrier to be pulled down. We have one life, mademoiselle, and we must live it as we choose.”
The book holds so many stories, each of them beautiful and intriguing in their own way. First, we dive into Atlantis, in Pa Salt’s world – and meet his six adoptive daughters. Pa’s death gathers all sisters together and we get the glimpse of their personalities.
But this book’s focus is on Maya, the oldest sister. From Switzerland, her destiny brings her to sunny Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and through the streets of Paris, France. Through Maya, we go a few decades back and witness another love story, also shared between Brazil and France, with the connection of how the Cristol got built and the many secrets that structure holds. Every page kept me glued to the book and I couldn’t put it down in the evenings.
Between three different timelines and two love stories, I thought I’ll have a hard time remembering everything. But the story is so well written that not once did I have an issue. Firstly, I loved getting to know all the sisters. The family dynamic reminded me a bit of the Umbrella Academy. I also loved getting to know Maya and through her -Bel. Bel’s story was heart-wrenching. Her sacrificing her own happiness just to please her family was truly heartbreaking. I loved watching her blossom in Paris and I also enjoyed that the statue of Cristo was part of the love story and the book.
Lucinda combined history and fiction and created a masterpiece. I will cherish this book so much and cannot wait until I get my hands on the next one. Five amazing stars from me.
“I think we often don’t deserve what we get. But then, maybe in the future we get what we deserve.”
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi show less
The Seven Sisters is one of those books that whilst you read it, you know you’re reading something special. And once you’re finished, you wish you could read it again for the very first time.
Synopsis:
Maia D’Apliese and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home, “Atlantis”—a fabulous, secluded castle situated on the shores of Lake Geneva—having been told that their beloved father, who adopted them all as babies, has died. Each of them is handed a tantalizing clue to her true heritage—a clue which takes Maia across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once there, she begins to put together the pieces of her story and its beginnings.
Eighty years show more earlier in Rio’s Belle Epoque of the 1920s, Izabela Bonifacio’s father has aspirations for his daughter to marry into the aristocracy. Meanwhile, architect Heitor da Silva Costa is devising plans for an enormous statue, to be called Christ the Redeemer, and will soon travel to Paris to find the right sculptor to complete his vision. Izabela—passionate and longing to see the world—convinces her father to allow her to accompany him and his family to Europe before she is married. There, at Paul Landowski’s studio and in the heady, vibrant cafes of Montparnasse, she meets ambitious young sculptor Laurent Brouilly, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again.
Thoughts:
“Well, as a true artist knows, every rule is there to be broken, every barrier to be pulled down. We have one life, mademoiselle, and we must live it as we choose.”
The book holds so many stories, each of them beautiful and intriguing in their own way. First, we dive into Atlantis, in Pa Salt’s world – and meet his six adoptive daughters. Pa’s death gathers all sisters together and we get the glimpse of their personalities.
But this book’s focus is on Maya, the oldest sister. From Switzerland, her destiny brings her to sunny Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and through the streets of Paris, France. Through Maya, we go a few decades back and witness another love story, also shared between Brazil and France, with the connection of how the Cristol got built and the many secrets that structure holds. Every page kept me glued to the book and I couldn’t put it down in the evenings.
Between three different timelines and two love stories, I thought I’ll have a hard time remembering everything. But the story is so well written that not once did I have an issue. Firstly, I loved getting to know all the sisters. The family dynamic reminded me a bit of the Umbrella Academy. I also loved getting to know Maya and through her -Bel. Bel’s story was heart-wrenching. Her sacrificing her own happiness just to please her family was truly heartbreaking. I loved watching her blossom in Paris and I also enjoyed that the statue of Cristo was part of the love story and the book.
Lucinda combined history and fiction and created a masterpiece. I will cherish this book so much and cannot wait until I get my hands on the next one. Five amazing stars from me.
“I think we often don’t deserve what we get. But then, maybe in the future we get what we deserve.”
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi show less
A wealthy Swiss businessman has traveled the world and adopted six daughters, all named after the stars in the Pleiades constellation. The sisters have grown up with a life of privelege and have all been able to go their separate ways to fulfill their dreams in adulthood. Upon their father’s death, whom the sisters lovingly call Pa Salt, the sisters are brought back together at their childhood home on Lake Geneva, called Atlantis. Here they realize that they do not know much of their father, or where they came from. Pa Salt has left each daughter a letter with clues to their past if they want to find out more. The oldest daughter, Maia, who works as a translator takes the opportunity to follow her clues to Rio De Janiero, Brazil where show more she uncovers her past with the help of an author that she has translated for. She finds that she is connected to an aristocratic family and through her Great Grandmother’s letters, Maia learns of Izabel a Bonifacio’s time spent in Bel Epoque Paris and her connection with the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Enchanting and addicting, I could not put down The Seven Sisters. Maia and Izabela’s dual timelines unfold much like a fairytale, two elements that I love! There are mysteries upon mysteries that pulled me into the story. Each sister is introduced in the beginning, and each has their own distinct personality and their own past to find. This book focues on Maia. Each of the characters has astounding depth; Maia is compassionate, emotional and intelligent. Maia’s intense feelings drew me in and rooted me to her story. When Maia reaches Brazil, her sense of adventure is tapped into and another layer is uncovered. The story flows flawlessly between Maia and her great-grandmother Izabela, and I loved both stories equally. Izabela and Maia’s stories parallel each other’s lives and both are strong female characters that are fighting for want they want out of life. I love that Izabela’s story took me from Rio De Janiero to Bel Epoque Paris, where she met sculptor Paul Landowski and his assistant Laurent Brouilly where I could learn of the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue. I can’t wait for the other sister’s journeys. Filled with intrigue, adventure, romance, beautiful writing and imaginative scenes, The Seven Sisters is one of my favorite books so far this year.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less
Enchanting and addicting, I could not put down The Seven Sisters. Maia and Izabela’s dual timelines unfold much like a fairytale, two elements that I love! There are mysteries upon mysteries that pulled me into the story. Each sister is introduced in the beginning, and each has their own distinct personality and their own past to find. This book focues on Maia. Each of the characters has astounding depth; Maia is compassionate, emotional and intelligent. Maia’s intense feelings drew me in and rooted me to her story. When Maia reaches Brazil, her sense of adventure is tapped into and another layer is uncovered. The story flows flawlessly between Maia and her great-grandmother Izabela, and I loved both stories equally. Izabela and Maia’s stories parallel each other’s lives and both are strong female characters that are fighting for want they want out of life. I love that Izabela’s story took me from Rio De Janiero to Bel Epoque Paris, where she met sculptor Paul Landowski and his assistant Laurent Brouilly where I could learn of the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue. I can’t wait for the other sister’s journeys. Filled with intrigue, adventure, romance, beautiful writing and imaginative scenes, The Seven Sisters is one of my favorite books so far this year.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less
Oh dear, this book was painful to read. I tried to like it but I just couldn't. For the most part, I found the plot boring and it certainly didn't hold my attention. It was repetitive and had unnecessary detail and the dialogue laboured in more than one spot. Nor could I connect with any of the sisters. Maia was a rather insipid protagonist and I didn't like how she let, Floriano, the love interest, boss her around. She needed some backbone.
The historical story was a bit better but not enough to encourage me to continue with the series. I couldn't tolerate another six books like this one.
The historical story was a bit better but not enough to encourage me to continue with the series. I couldn't tolerate another six books like this one.
The first in the Seven Sisters series, loosely based on the Greek myth of the Pleiades and their constellations. Six adopted sisters are brought up in a castle called ‘Atlantis’ on the shores of Lake Geneva. When their father, affectionately known as Pa Salt, dies, he leaves each sister clues to their true heritage which takes each one on a journey. This first book is about Maia and her clue takes her across the world to delve into the life of her great grandmother, Izabela Bonifacio, in Rio de Janiero.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeframe story and was completely immersed in the characters’ lives. I found both timelines equally as engrossing but I did love the history behind the building of the famous monument, Christ the show more Redeemer. Historical fact and fiction are blended beautifully. The descriptions of Geneva and Rio are very vivid, it made me want to visit both places. Neither Maia’s or Bel’s journeys are always happy ones. There are trials and tribulations along the way. However, I’m glad that Maia found herself in the end and am hoping she will pop up again in subsequent books!
A wonderfully engaging and absorbing read and I’m looking forward to reading The Storm Sister, the second book in the series which is about Alcyone or ‘Ally’ the next oldest sister. Double thumbs up from me! show less
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeframe story and was completely immersed in the characters’ lives. I found both timelines equally as engrossing but I did love the history behind the building of the famous monument, Christ the show more Redeemer. Historical fact and fiction are blended beautifully. The descriptions of Geneva and Rio are very vivid, it made me want to visit both places. Neither Maia’s or Bel’s journeys are always happy ones. There are trials and tribulations along the way. However, I’m glad that Maia found herself in the end and am hoping she will pop up again in subsequent books!
A wonderfully engaging and absorbing read and I’m looking forward to reading The Storm Sister, the second book in the series which is about Alcyone or ‘Ally’ the next oldest sister. Double thumbs up from me! show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Seven Sisters
- Original title
- The Moon Sister
- Alternate titles*
- Le sette sorelle. La storia di Maia
- Original publication date
- 2018
- People/Characters
- Pa Salt; Maia D'Apliese; Ally-Alcyone; Star-Asterope; CeCe-Celaeno; Tiggi-Taygete (show all 23); Electra; Marina; Claudia; Christian; George Hoffman; Kreeg Eszu; Zed; Izabella Bonifacio; Paul Landauski; Laurent Brouilly; Fiordiano; Valentina; Gustavo; Lohan; Gabriella; Beatrice; Heitor da Silva Costa
- Important places
- Lake Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Epigraph
- We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars ---- Oscar Wilde
- Dedication*
- Voor Jacquelyn
Vriendin, steun en toeverlaat, en in een ander leven zus - First words
- I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard that my father had died.
- Quotations
- Never let your fear describe your destiny.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Ik probeerde te gaan zitten en keek zoekend naar Pa om me heen, maar ik was weer helemaal alleen en wist dat hij er niet meer was,
- Publisher's editor*
- Pan Macmillan
- Original language
- English
- Disambiguation notice*
- De zeven zussen - Maan is het vijfde deel uit de zevendelige serie over liefde, verlies en de zoektocht naar wie je werkelijk bent.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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