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shivthroughthelookingglass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
For the most part, I enjoyed the story enough to finish it, but I can't help but feel that this book was way too long! I got to 75% and still had over an hour to go until I finished and it felt like a bit of a slog. I also found it a bit strange how the point of the story was for Maia to find out her birth parentage but the main story was about her great grandparents. The story about her own mother felt rushed and like a bit if a damp squib after the epic tale of her great grandparents.
I liked it enough to be interested in continuing the series but overall was left confused.
I liked it enough to be interested in continuing the series but overall was left confused.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
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. 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.
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.
emiliew's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
4.25
This book really made me feel like I was living through the story!
The story is told through Maia in 2007 and Izabela in 1927. Maia travels to Rio de Janeiro in the hopes of finding out the truth about her birth family but finds so much more than she expected!
I thought this book was a little slow to start but once it got going I couldn't stop reading it. The descriptions of each place visited was so in depth that I could really picture myself there. I really enjoyed the history that was intertwined with the story. I'd never thought much of how Christ the Redeemer had been built but I'm so intrigued and want to learn more!
At times I wanted to shake Izabela for the decisions she was making but I can understand why, in 1927, that she would think the way she does. I love the journey Maia went on and her she came out of it with a much stronger sense of self. I appreciated the honest relationships portrayed between the sisters, not everyone is best of friends but they all have a lot of love for each other.
I'm looking forward to following the other sister's journeys.
The story is told through Maia in 2007 and Izabela in 1927. Maia travels to Rio de Janeiro in the hopes of finding out the truth about her birth family but finds so much more than she expected!
I thought this book was a little slow to start but once it got going I couldn't stop reading it. The descriptions of each place visited was so in depth that I could really picture myself there. I really enjoyed the history that was intertwined with the story. I'd never thought much of how Christ the Redeemer had been built but I'm so intrigued and want to learn more!
At times I wanted to shake Izabela for the decisions she was making but I can understand why, in 1927, that she would think the way she does. I love the journey Maia went on and her she came out of it with a much stronger sense of self. I appreciated the honest relationships portrayed between the sisters, not everyone is best of friends but they all have a lot of love for each other.
I'm looking forward to following the other sister's journeys.
sandysmith's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
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 first of the seven sister series I read concentrating on Maia, who alongside her sisters was adopted at birth. They are all handed clues to their birth stories after their adoptive father dies. This particular story is set in Rio. It was recommended by a fellow patient when I was in hospital and I'm so grateful for this recommended. A long book that felt short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Grief, Rape, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
agnebru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.25
imogen_browne's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rebekahy's review against another edition
4.0
I was skeptical going into this as usually when people rave about a book its not great. But I actually really enjoyed it. It was slow starting and took me a bit to get into it but the historical part was fascinating. Curious to see where the rest of the books go.
mil_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
helenreak1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luzmalg96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75