Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley

18 reviews

justinenoon82's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Riley's masterful blend of historical and contemporary narratives creates an engrossing read. The vivid descriptions of Norway and the world of music add depth to the story. While some plot points felt predictable, the overall journey of self-discovery and family history is captivating.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Sexual content, and Grief

The book follows Ally D'Aplièse, one of seven adopted sisters, as she embarks on a journey to discover her roots following her adoptive father's death. The story alternates between Ally's present-day narrative and the historical story of her ancestor in 19th century Norway.

Ally's journey takes her from a sailing competition in Greece to the fjords of Norway, where she uncovers her connection to a young woman named Anna Landvik, who lived in the late 1800s. Anna's story involves her journey from a small mountain farm to becoming a singer in Christiania (now Oslo), where she encounters the famous composer Edvard Grieg.

The book delves into themes of identity, family bonds, and the power of music. It explores Norwegian culture and history, particularly the period of romantic nationalism in the late 19th century. Riley's writing style is descriptive and immersive, painting vivid pictures of both modern-day settings and historical Norway. The narrative weaves together elements of romance, historical fiction, and family saga.

While uncovering her family history, Ally also deals with personal challenges and romantic entanglements in the present day, adding depth to her character arc.

This book is part of a larger series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. However, readers familiar with the first book in the series may have a deeper understanding of some background elements.

chaneoosthuizen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Suicide, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Infidelity, Mass/school shootings, and Colonisation

Honestly I find it hard to think of something that didn't happen in the book, almost to the point where it's unrealistic.

md3's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War

sandysmith's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records.  This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader.  The second book in the seven sisters series following the D'Apliase sisters this one concentrating on Aly. She is an excellent sailor who loses her fiance Theo in a race., which follows shortly after the death of her father. She is also a talented musician the back story being Greigs music. A thoroughly enjoyable read, with both timelines being interesting. I loved it 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Moderate: Suicide

bearybooky's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I enjoy that this book - even though overall kind of sad, managed to be hopeful, with good redemption at the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Antisemitism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Genocide, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War

Nazi

simply_fran's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Violence, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and War

btrlymv's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide

maguirony's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Infidelity, and Grief

_moonashes_'s review

adventurous emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Death of parent

prog51's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Grief