Status
Available
Series
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: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 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 ta… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member tandah
For me, this book started out so well - I really enjoyed the book's setup for what the series, the introduction of Pa and Marina, as well as the adoption and arrival of the 6 sisters, and beginnings of the mystery of the 7th. After Pa's death, the solicitor gives each sister a letter which, I
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expect will send them all off on a road trip to find their birth roots. And so we begin on eldest sister Maia journey to Rio and Paris, and then, for me, it slid into romantic tosh. I could tolerate one romantic thread, but not two. The historical story in particular was (for me) a grinding read, the contemporary tale was more bearable, but a little predictable. I remain, however, intrigued by the series' setup, and think I will go to book two (Ally's story?) because despite my boredome reading about the romances, I am curious about the overarching story (I just hope it has a little more complexity to it than the Rio leg). Show Less
LibraryThing member booklovers2
Seven Sisters is the beginning of a series of what I imagine a 7 book series! Seven sisters is the story of 6 girls adopted by a wealthy man and are raised on an estate on Lake Geneva. They are from all over the world and who receive a coordinate of where they were born upon their adopted father's
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death. Introduction to 6 of the sisters with Maia, the oldest sisters quest to find her birth parents, take her to Rio. The story has a VERY intriguing ending and the beginning of Ally's story. Definitely interesting, good mystery, love story and history lesson as many of the details and some characters are fictional accounts of real people. Loved it! Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Meh. Now I have meh form with this author having read The Light Behind the Window before and to be honest many of the same problems with this one as I did with the previous one, neither stories really satisfied and in particular the contemporary story, I just didn't really feel the relationship
This book should have been perfect for me, I mean, I've never been to Brazil but I've grown up with it as part of the background colour of my life (my father spent some pre-marriage years in Brazil, I learned how to count first in Irish, then in Brazilian Portugese, then in English, and I can't ask my dad does he want a cup of tea in English), I've been to France and I have been helping my dad with family history stuff for years. This just didn't do it for me really. It wasn't a bad read per say, but it just didn't leave me feeling like I wanted to read the next book NOW!
It wasn't a bad read but it left me wanting more from this book and not more from the author. Not someone I'm going to avoid but not someone I'm going to grab for first out of the pile. The Innate pinkness of girls and simplistic view of clothing and makeup choices rubbed me up a bit the wrong way.
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develop, you could see first stirrings but not anything much really. This book should have been perfect for me, I mean, I've never been to Brazil but I've grown up with it as part of the background colour of my life (my father spent some pre-marriage years in Brazil, I learned how to count first in Irish, then in Brazilian Portugese, then in English, and I can't ask my dad does he want a cup of tea in English), I've been to France and I have been helping my dad with family history stuff for years. This just didn't do it for me really. It wasn't a bad read per say, but it just didn't leave me feeling like I wanted to read the next book NOW!
It wasn't a bad read but it left me wanting more from this book and not more from the author. Not someone I'm going to avoid but not someone I'm going to grab for first out of the pile. The Innate pinkness of girls and simplistic view of clothing and makeup choices rubbed me up a bit the wrong way.
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley is the first book in the Seven Sisters series. Maia D’Apliese is in London when she gets the news that Papa Salt (her adoptive father) has passed away. Maia is one of six children that her father adopted during his travels and then brought home to Atlantis.
The story goes from 2007 (which is present for Maia) into the past as Maia reads letters from her ancestors. I found The Seven Sisters to be a long, long book. The author includes many descriptive paragraphs (of Atlantis, Rio, statues, etc.) which I started skimming over after a while (the book just seemed to go on forever). The Seven Sisters is basically a romance novel with Maia’s search for her family as well as Maia finally getting confidence (and believing in herself) thrown in. I give The Seven Sisters 3 out of 5 stars. I think The Seven Sisters could have been much better with some editing. I thought this novel would tell the story of all the sisters (at the beginning), but it only told Maia’s story (I imagine that there will be five more books). Overall, it was a satisfactory novel. I just kept hoping for a twist about Papa Salt to be thrown in (clues that he was still alive).
I received a complimentary copy of The Seven Sisters from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
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Atlantis is their home in Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Maia is the eldest of the six girls. The others are Alcyone (Ally), Asterope (Star), Celeano (CeCe), Taygete (Tiggy), and Electra. They are named after the star cluster the Seven Sisters. There is a seventh name, but their father never brought home a seventh girl. The lawyer gives each girl a letter from their father and shows them an armillary sphere. It was made special and there is one band for each girl. On the band is the girl’s name, a saying, and coordinates. The girls (well, all but one) never asked Papa Salt about their origins and now he is giving them an opportunity. Maia’s letter also contains a little tile with names written on it. Maia decides to look into her birth parents and sets off for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The coordinates lead her to the house of the Carvalho family. With the help of Floriano Quintelas (an author for whom Maia translated his work from Portuguese to French), Maia sets out to find out her origins. The story goes from 2007 (which is present for Maia) into the past as Maia reads letters from her ancestors. I found The Seven Sisters to be a long, long book. The author includes many descriptive paragraphs (of Atlantis, Rio, statues, etc.) which I started skimming over after a while (the book just seemed to go on forever). The Seven Sisters is basically a romance novel with Maia’s search for her family as well as Maia finally getting confidence (and believing in herself) thrown in. I give The Seven Sisters 3 out of 5 stars. I think The Seven Sisters could have been much better with some editing. I thought this novel would tell the story of all the sisters (at the beginning), but it only told Maia’s story (I imagine that there will be five more books). Overall, it was a satisfactory novel. I just kept hoping for a twist about Papa Salt to be thrown in (clues that he was still alive).
I received a complimentary copy of The Seven Sisters from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member CandyH
What an absolutely wonderful story by Lucinda Riley. This book sets the course for the rest of the series and delves into the life and history of the oldest sister, Maia. The sisters are adopted from all over the world and live with their father, Pa Salt and their caregiver, Marina. With the death
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of Pa Salt, the girls are left with many questions as to their pasts and their futures. This is truly a good story. Show Less
LibraryThing member TinaC1
I enjoyed this book so much I bought the second book in this seven or six? book series. What a great concept for a series of books, six sisters, their stories told separately starting at he same point of a family bereavement. Book one is Maia’s story and I was pleased that what the reader might
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expect of a happy conclusion of Maia’s searching was different and this means each story will be interesting and not predictable -predictability may have overshadowed the uniqueness of the setup,of the story telling. In this book the reader learns a little about each sister and is left withy many mysteries to solve in the forthcoming books. Off to read number two! Show Less
LibraryThing member smik
While there is plenty of mystery in this novel, it is not crime fiction.
There is also plenty of human interest to keep you reading, as Maia D'Apliése, adopted soon after birth, searches for the truth about her parentage. She and her 5 sisters, all adopted is shocked to learn of the death of their
Maia's journey takes her to Brazil and back 4 generations, which sometimes becomes a bit confusing (to the reader).
I very much enjoyed this story and am already looking forward to the next in the series
There is also plenty of human interest to keep you reading, as Maia D'Apliése, adopted soon after birth, searches for the truth about her parentage. She and her 5 sisters, all adopted is shocked to learn of the death of their
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adoptive father, Pa Salt. They are also told that he has already been buried at sea. For each of them he has left some clues about their parentage, if they want to take up the search.Maia's journey takes her to Brazil and back 4 generations, which sometimes becomes a bit confusing (to the reader).
I very much enjoyed this story and am already looking forward to the next in the series
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LibraryThing member booklovers2
Seven Sisters is the beginning of a series of what I imagine a 7 book series! Seven sisters is the story of 6 girls adopted by a wealthy man and are raised on an estate on Lake Geneva. They are from all over the world and who receive a coordinate of where they were born upon their adopted father's
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death. Introduction to 6 of the sisters with Maia, the oldest sisters quest to find her birth parents, take her to Rio. The story has a VERY intriguing ending and the beginning of Ally's story. Definitely interesting, good mystery, love story and history lesson as many of the details and some characters are fictional accounts of real people. Loved it! Show Less
LibraryThing member Mnpose
I first started this book as a light read after some nonfiction reading. But now I am hooked. I love the travel descriptions as much as the story itself.
I am ready to discover all of the mysteries now.
I am ready to discover all of the mysteries now.
LibraryThing member gpangel
The Seven Sisters by Lucina Riley is a 2015 Atria Books publication.
With the sudden passing of their beloved Pa Salt, his six adoptive daughters gather at their childhood home to mourn and learn about their inheritance.
Each sister is given a clue to their true heritage-
The first adopted
I have been trying to get around to reading this series for ages. Sadly, just as I finally checked out the first installment in this beloved series, I found out that Lucida Riley had passed away. I was shocked and saddened for her family and her many fans.
But as I started reading the book it occurred to me that there would have to be at least seven books in the series for all the questions to be answered- and I didn’t see a seventh book listed. I started to wonder if maybe I should wait to see it the series would ever be completed before I got too deeply involved- but thankfully, it was announced that Riley had already started work on the last book, had copious notes written, and that her son would see the book through to the end, so readers aren’t left hanging.
So, despite the sad circumstances, I really enjoyed this first segment in the series. I love family sagas, emotional dilemmas, tragic love affairs, and romance, especially in an exotic location and set in a historical time period- so naturally, this book was a perfect fit for me.
Now I know why this series is so popular! Such a shame the saga had to end on such a devastating note. Still, I’m looking forward to the remaining stories of each sister- and will be sure to savor each one!!
With the sudden passing of their beloved Pa Salt, his six adoptive daughters gather at their childhood home to mourn and learn about their inheritance.
Each sister is given a clue to their true heritage-
The first adopted
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daughter, Maia D’Apliese, decides to pursue the clues, taking her all the way to Rio. Upon arrival, she is rebuffed by a woman who is obviously related to her- but she is not without help. As she learns of her past, a story emerges that is fascinating, heartbreaking, and haunting. I have been trying to get around to reading this series for ages. Sadly, just as I finally checked out the first installment in this beloved series, I found out that Lucida Riley had passed away. I was shocked and saddened for her family and her many fans.
But as I started reading the book it occurred to me that there would have to be at least seven books in the series for all the questions to be answered- and I didn’t see a seventh book listed. I started to wonder if maybe I should wait to see it the series would ever be completed before I got too deeply involved- but thankfully, it was announced that Riley had already started work on the last book, had copious notes written, and that her son would see the book through to the end, so readers aren’t left hanging.
So, despite the sad circumstances, I really enjoyed this first segment in the series. I love family sagas, emotional dilemmas, tragic love affairs, and romance, especially in an exotic location and set in a historical time period- so naturally, this book was a perfect fit for me.
Now I know why this series is so popular! Such a shame the saga had to end on such a devastating note. Still, I’m looking forward to the remaining stories of each sister- and will be sure to savor each one!!
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LibraryThing member LibraryCin
The Seven Sisters / Lucinda Riley
3.5 stars
Maia is the oldest of six adopted sisters, who grew up with a wealthy single father in Switzerland. When their father dies, they are each left with a hint about where they came from and it is up to them whether or not they want to pursue it. Maia decides
I enjoyed this. I enjoyed Izabela’s story more than Maia’s, and, unfortunately, I just didn’t “get” the connection between Maia and her love interest. Other than that, I did like Maia’s story, as well, but it really was Izabela’s that shone for me. I also liked the story of the creation of the Christ the Redeemer statue that stands in Rio de Janeiro; the people were real people, but of course, the story as written here was fictional. It is another book that goes back and forth in time with the two storylines, but that’s not something that bothers me. I do plan to continue the series, which I imagine will focus on each sister separately.
3.5 stars
Maia is the oldest of six adopted sisters, who grew up with a wealthy single father in Switzerland. When their father dies, they are each left with a hint about where they came from and it is up to them whether or not they want to pursue it. Maia decides
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to find out her story and heads to Brazil to do so. There, she meets someone who tells her of her great-grandmother’s story – a story of a “lost” love in France, while having to marry someone she doesn’t love in Brazil. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed Izabela’s story more than Maia’s, and, unfortunately, I just didn’t “get” the connection between Maia and her love interest. Other than that, I did like Maia’s story, as well, but it really was Izabela’s that shone for me. I also liked the story of the creation of the Christ the Redeemer statue that stands in Rio de Janeiro; the people were real people, but of course, the story as written here was fictional. It is another book that goes back and forth in time with the two storylines, but that’s not something that bothers me. I do plan to continue the series, which I imagine will focus on each sister separately.
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LibraryThing member mbmackay
I was recommended this book by a friend.
My wife started it first, but dumped it after 50 pages, saying it was terrible writing. I got about halfway into the book before I too dumped it, but I only read further for the amusement of fault-finding.
I can't believe how terrible the book is. The plot is
I went to Goodreads to find out how more about the plot - purely to confirm that it would incredibly unrealistic. I couldn't find any plot spoilers, but I was amused by the ratings - many five stars, but mixed with a significant number of one stars. We were not the only ones to be repelled by the book.
My wife started it first, but dumped it after 50 pages, saying it was terrible writing. I got about halfway into the book before I too dumped it, but I only read further for the amusement of fault-finding.
I can't believe how terrible the book is. The plot is
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inane, the characters as shallow as glossy photos, the actual writing is poor - every adjective is a superlative, and every paragraph is filled with unnecessary, trivial detail.I went to Goodreads to find out how more about the plot - purely to confirm that it would incredibly unrealistic. I couldn't find any plot spoilers, but I was amused by the ratings - many five stars, but mixed with a significant number of one stars. We were not the only ones to be repelled by the book.
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LibraryThing member alisonb60
Amazing book, so well written. Now I am going to read the rest in the series - can’t wait
LibraryThing member tuusannuuska
3,1 stars
I picked this book up initially for the beautiful cover, which is not always the best route to pick.
The writing is good, and I liked the structure of the book. The plot, however. The plost is a dime a dozen, it had nothing original about it, and for a "tragic romance" it made me feel
The only thing that actually interested me about this is Pa Salt's storyline, and that's like 3% of the book.
I have the next book in the series, but I need to be seriously bored if I actually end up reading it in the near future.
I picked this book up initially for the beautiful cover, which is not always the best route to pick.
The writing is good, and I liked the structure of the book. The plot, however. The plost is a dime a dozen, it had nothing original about it, and for a "tragic romance" it made me feel
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absolutely nothing. I didn't empathize with the privileged Bel who always only thought of herself and was quick to make excuses for her cowardly decisions. She didn't deserve happiness and I didn't really believe in any actual connection between her and her love interest (aside from the physical). I was also pretty annoyed with how both Bel and Maia were reduced to surface beauty. Sure, the author tried to make them into interesting and cultured women, but in the end she also made sure to underline that their ultimate value was in what pretty things they were.The only thing that actually interested me about this is Pa Salt's storyline, and that's like 3% of the book.
I have the next book in the series, but I need to be seriously bored if I actually end up reading it in the near future.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member mcorbink
Excellent story of 6 young women adopted by the same man. They share a somewhat fairy tale upbringing. Always feeling safe, secure, with a mother figure in the picture too. In Book 1 their beloved father, Pa Salt, dies. The girls grapple in their own ways with their new reality. The author expertly
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goes through each sister, telling her story of finding her past while dealing with present issues. I've read 4 books so far and have not been disappointed. Book 2 was my favorite so far, kept me enthralled throughout the whole book. Each book is a new and different setting, Brazil, Norway, Australia, , Scotland, Geneva. There's an air of mystery to each book as well, I'm assuming it will culminate in the final book (guessing!). Show Less
LibraryThing member VanessaCW
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
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 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!
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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 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!
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LibraryThing member Mishker
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
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.
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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 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.
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LibraryThing member ElizabethCromb
The 1st of a series and sets up the stories and relationships so the reader is intrigued to learn the background story of each. The 1st sister's story leaves a number of threads hanging so that the reader is encouraged to read the rest of the series to discover whether the hints and clues carry
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through to a reveal later. Show Less