The Moon Sister

This is the fifth book in The Seven Sisters series by Northern Irish author Lucinda Riley, featuring the adopted daughters of Pa Salt, each named after one of the stars in the Pleiades. This is Tiggy’s story (Taygete) and shifts between her life on the Kinnaird estate in the Scottish highlands and the story of her Gitano (gypsy) ancestors in Spain.

Tiggy is an animal conservationist and delighted to be working in Scotland rehoming wild cats. Everything changes when she meets Chilli, an ancient gypsy living on the estate who believes he is to send her home to Sacromonte, Granada, to meet her family. Given the awkward situation she finds herself in feeling a strong attraction for her boss, the Laird of Kinnaird, Charlie, and pursued by show more persistent millionaire Zed, she decides to do just this.

In Granada, she discovers the story of the Gitanos living in caves built into the slopes of Cerro de San Miguel on the edge of the Camino del Sacromonte. In particular she learns about Lucia Amaya-Albaycin, her grandmother, a famous flamenco dancer. The book shifts back to 1912 to Lucia’s story, which moves from Sacromonte to Barcelona, and through the Spanish Civil War she flees to Portugal, then Argentina and the USA where she pursues her dream of becoming a famous dancer.

I found both stories interesting and the settings atmospheric, but both also had their irritations. Lucia is a selfish, stubborn and childish character who I wanted to shake at times. Tiggy is constantly referred to as the intuitive one, but with very little evidence to support this in my mind. In Spain she spends a whole 10 days learning to be a Bruja, which apparently transforms her life and gives her both the second sight and healing hands, enough to get her employed by a vet with no qualifications . There are glaring medical errors. Zed is a major part of the story and then this storyline simply evaporates, possibly to recur in the subsequent book. The Spanish Civil War is almost mentioned in passing with very little context. Despite the flaws, the settings and secondary characters such as Annalina, Chilli and Meneque were engaging enough to make it a pleasant read. I’m not entirely sure whether I am committed enough to read any more of the series but I can see that the premise is attractive enough to get readers hooked in for the ride. 3.5 stars show less

This is the fifth and most recent release in the planned seven-volume series by Lucinda Riley called The Seven Sisters. And while I enjoyed it, it is probably my least favorite so far.

The full series is based on six fictional sisters, all adopted by a wealthy Swiss man, who, as adults, seek to learn about their biological ancestry. Each volume tells the back story of a different sister's journey. At the same time, each sister winds up connected to some actual historical figures -- and Lucinda Riley is a master of historical detail.

This time it's the story of Tiggy D’Aplièse, a young woman with a passion for wildlife conservation and a gift for hands-on healing. Her origins lie in the 20th century tradition of Romani (gypsy) dance. show more The novel weaves back and forth between Tiggy's 2008 life helping a Scottish laird reinvigorate wildlife on his vast highland lands and the story of her ancestors, who originate in a small town in Spain.

Tiggy's grandmother, Lucia, begins performing as a child and winds up traveling the world, as one of the preeminent flamenco dancers of her time. Riley modeled Lucia's story on the life of Carmen Amaya (1918-1963), who revolutionized the dance by wearing pants and infusing much more emotion into the movements.

There's lots of drama. The Scottish laird's troubled marriage, financial problems, and rebellious teenage daughter. There's a shady rich guy pursuing Tiggy who clearly has no understanding of the #MeToo movement. Tiggy faces her own health challenge. Oh yeah, there's also the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

I enjoyed learning more about the Romani culture and about the mid-century lifestyle of traveling performers. But overall, the book simply did not feel as "tight" as the others. And there were a few instances where coincidences felt a bit too convenient and contrived.

Still I will eagerly continue with the series. This one still deserves four stars. And I remain a huge fan of Lucinda Riley. show less

When I spotted this little gem had landed in my inbox it was like father Xmas had been early 🎅🏼 This book has been on my pre-ordered list since last November I think it was, what ever date it was it was a long time ago!! It still is on pre-order because as much as I love and appreciate these digital review copies I’m still dying to have the pretty hardback edition in my wee grubby little paws 🐾

Having read all of Lucinda’s books it is still this Seven Sisters series that captivate and remain dear to me the most, and for everyone who are still waiting for the 1’st Nov release day in the UK, I can wholeheartedly say it is so so so worth the wait!! And on the subject of waiting, waiting for Electra’s story (The Sun Sister show more maybe??) next will be an even longer wait for me having read this one early!

Tiggy, the Moon Sister, has always felt a strong connection to nature and animals and she begins her story in the beautiful surroundings of the Scottish Highlands helping care for the deers and wildlife with her elderly friend. Sadly as that door closes Tiggy is offered to travel with the Scottish wildcat’s and take a job on the Kinnaird estate overseeing the cats care and future breeding program.

As with the other sisters, Tiggy received a letter from Pa Salt with details of where she was born and how to find her birth place if she chooses to do so. Whilst she is at Kinnaird Tiggy meets an old gypsy, Chilly, who has been a resident on the lands of Kinnaird for as long as anyone can remember. And it is this meeting along with other situations that arise that give the free-spirited Tiggy the gentle push to travel to her birthplace and people in Granada Spain.

It is there she learns her story and the story of her people taking us all back through time with her to 1933 Spain and the history of the gitano people and Tiggy’s once famous flamenco dancer grandmother, Lucia.

Weaving together past and present seamlessly Tiggy comes alive on the pages and it is impossible to not feel connected to her story in some ways and even though I’ve said it about previous books in this series, Tiggy’s story will stay with me for a very long time. I will definitely be re-reading this book once I receive the hardback edition on publication day and I have no doubt in my mind that I will enjoy it as much reading it a second time.

The book leaves us with a tantalising snippet into the next sister, Electra, and how her story begins. We don’t really know much at all about Electra as the other sisters haven’t given us many clues about her but none the less I am sure her story will be as equally fascinating as her other sisters before her. And as for the last book in the series owing to the fact they don’t have a seventh sister my imagination has been running riot and with any luck Electra will be the one to unlock some of that mystery for us!

Now the long wait for book number 6 and to finally find out just who the real Electra really is!

The Moon Sister will be published on 1st Nov 18 in the UK

As I said earlier, I am extremely lucky and honoured to receive advance reader copies of books to review and would like to take this moment to say a HUGE Thank You to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for all my arc copies. They are truly appreciated 🙏🏼

Thank you to the publishers Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

This is the fifth book in The Seven Sisters series to which I am listening on my morning walks.
Six girls were adopted by Pa Salt, an ultra-wealthy man. After he dies, each daughter is given a letter and a clue to her true heritage. Each daughter’s journey is the subject of a novel. The Moon Sister is the story of the fifth daughter, Tiggy.

Tiggy gets a job as a wildlife consultant in the Scottish Highlands. There she meets Chilly, a Spanish gypsy who tells her he was expecting her; he tells her that her roots lie within the Roma community of Sacromonte near Granada, Spain. Of course, she travels there and learns more about her family, especially Lucía Amaya-Albaycin, a great flamenco dancer. As expected, Tiggy, who has always been show more described as intuitive, is identified as a bruja, a healer who can connect with the supernatural world. Angelina, a relative, teaches her all about herbs and how to use her intuition.

The structure is that of previous books in the series. There are two narratives, the present involving Tiggy and the past describing the life of an ancestor who is exceptional in some way. Again, there is more focus on distant relatives, a grandmother and great-grandmother, rather than on Tiggy’s mother whose story is almost an afterthought.

Tiggy is a likeable character, though her meekness and unwillingness to speak up and thereby avoid misunderstandings become annoying. Why not tell Charlie the real reason for her leaving his employ? Why not be more direct with Zed? She repeatedly mentions her veganism but eats food made with dairy products? Her grandmother Lucía, however, is not sympathetic in the least. She is totally self-absorbed, uninterested in anything except her dancing career. By choice, she remains illiterate. She is never satisfied and always wants more. And she abandons her own child, even after her own childhood?! I’ve enjoyed the historical information provided in the other books, but this one has much less, although there is a definite attempt to portray Roma culture in a positive light.

The love-at-first-sight trope is used again and is unconvincing. The relationship between Charlie and Tiggy just doesn’t ring true. Coincidence is certainly overused in this novel so that it is difficult to suspend disbelief. Chilly waited in Scotland for Tiggy’s arrival so he could send her to Spain – even though Pa Salt left her a letter telling her where to go and even the colour of a door? Zed shows up on the remote Scottish estate where Tiggy works?

This book has more hints about Pa Salt. Tiggy visits her childhood home, known as Atlantis, and discovers a previously unknown basement in the house. Of course the mystery of that man will not be solved until the eighth book. In the meantime, I’ll continue to book six. Though I’m becoming disenchanted with the repetitive structure and weaknesses in the books, they are perfect companions for my easily distracted mind while I’m on my morning walks. I recommend the series only to those who want pure escapism and are willing to overlook the flaws.

Note: Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski). show less

Fifth in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley, ‘The Moon Sister’ is the story of Tiggy, wildlife conservationist and warm-hearted introvert. Each of the D’Apliese sisters is different with diverse skills, interests and hugely varying birth stories. Tiggy’s story alternates between a Highland estate where she is managing the rewilding of Scottish wildcats, and the flamenco world in Spain during the 1930s.
The Kinnaird Estate is a beautiful, isolated, wild place. The four wild cats move into their custom-built enclosure and Tiggy moves into a shared estate cottage with fellow worker Cal. Riley builds the Kinnaird community quickly and skilfully from new Laird Charlie to housekeeper Beryl and old retainer Chilly. It is Chilly show more – speaking in a muddled mixture of English, Spanish and Romani – who introduces the first hints of premonition, seeing and herbal remedies. He tells Tiggy she has healing hands. Caught up in the twists and turns of the Kinnaird family, the frictions in Charlie and Ulrika’s marriage and their tempestuous daughter Zara, Tiggy grieves for Pa Salt and is curious about her own birth family. In his farewell letter, Pa Salt tells her she comes from a gifted line of seers. She must go to Granada in Spain, to the gypsy area called Sacromonte, where she must knock on a blue door and ask for Angelina. Tiggy delays, unsure of the truth, attracted to Charlie. But when she is injured in a poaching incident on the estate, Tiggy feels upset, confused and wronged. She flies to Granada. This is a quick reminder that Tiggy, who lives the most normal, ordinary life of the sisters so far, is far from a normal girl and when times get tough, the D’Apliese wealth is ever-present.
The second storyline is that of Lucia, Tiggy’s grandmother, who rises from a tiny girl living in deepest poverty in Sacromonte to a world-famous flamenco dancer. Though Tiggy’s character and situation is appealing, I found Lucia a more difficult character. By nature energetic and stubborn, Lucia turns into a selfish, spoiled woman who rides roughshod over others. Exploited by her feckless father who keeps control of her money and career, Lucia’s few moments of caring for others were not enough for me to warm to her. But the world in which she lives, the Sacromonte community, the gypsy brujas, and the violence and depravities of the Spanish Civil War were fascinating to read. As with the stories of the other sisters, Riley concentrates most of the birth family story on a generation further back than the birth parents and there were times when I longed for less flamenco and more bruja. I also wanted to know Chilly’s story and how he came to work on a Scottish estate.
There are more teasers in this book about the truth of Pa Salt’s identity and death, but nothing concrete. There is also the reappearance of Zed Eszu, who can only be described as a sleazy millionaire cad, who first appeared in Maia’s story. What lies behind his fascination with the six D’Apliese sisters. And is Pa Salt really dead?
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less

I have loved this series to date, and I loved those parts of the book set in Scotland, especially the character of Cal who was such a warm-hearted and caring person; and reading about Kinnaird Estate, the scenery, the wildlife in their care and the Laird Charlie and his family, but I was not so enthralled with the gypsy or gitanos community of Sacromonte, particularly when some of their number hit the road to tour their flamenco dancing and guitar playing talents. I found myself flicking forward through the book to see when Tiggy might be back in Scotland, and what might happen to her future and that of the marriage of the Laird, and the future of the estate.

The Moon Sister is the fifth installment in the “sisters” series from Ms. Riley. I’ve only had the opportunity to read one other book – The Storm Sister. She writes the books so that they can stand alone so do not worry that you have to read from the start. Anything you need to know to understand what is going on is skillfully woven into the story at hand. The basic premise is that a man adopted 6 babies from around the world, naming them after the stars in the Pleiades, a constellation known as the Seven Sisters. This book is about Teygeta called Tiggy.

Tiggy has accepted a job to work with Scottish wildcats on a remote estate with (of course) a handsome laird. He is married but things are not (of course) going well in the show more marriage. Tiggy settles in and gets her feline charges settled as well. Then she goes about doing her thing which other than feeding the cats every day was not much. She does develop relationships with the various inhabitants around the property including a mysterious man named Chilly who has second sight. He has told her that he knew she was coming and that soon she would leave to go home to the place of her birth to meet her family.

This leads to Chilly sharing with Tiggy the story of her grandmother, a famous Flamenco dancer from Spain. As things fall apart on the estate – some jealousy, and other things that to me were never fully explained – Tiggy heads off to face her past to find her future just as her adoptive father wanted her to do.

In Spain she literally walks right into the place she needs to be to find her answers. While necessary it was all rather facile in service to the plot. There Tiggy learns the rest of the story about her grandmother and then her mother and father. She also finds out about herself and the powers that she holds that have come down to her through time.

So, did I like this book? It was certainly easy to read. I read it in one long day. It was a pretty book if I can use that work; it took place in beautiful settings that Ms. Riley knew how to write to bring to life for her reader. I felt like I was on that glorious estate in Scotland, basking in the sun in Granada or experiencing life on a private island. The problem was how easy it all seemed for everyone despite lack of money in some cases, war in others. There was minimal conflict and that which was there was somewhat easily resolved.

Reading The Moon Sister made for a diverting Saturday. I had the time so I sat and read it through. I am not sure that had I started it without the firm block of time that I would have read it in one sitting like this. It wasn’t that compelling, it was certainly interesting. show less