Ratings18
Average rating4.1
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 talents like never before.
Reviews with the most likes.
So, this was my second attempt at reading this book. I couldn't get into it the first time round. I suppose it just wasn't the right time when I tried to read it the first time.
I decided to give it another go after managing to get an audiobook of it (thanks, Tracy Fenton!) and this time I really ended up enjoying it!
I loved how we travelled from Geneva to Rio to Paris. I thought the descriptions of these places were beautifully done!
I loved reading about Maia's and Izabela's stories, although the two time periods couldn't have been more different. I found myself really feeling sorry for poor Izabela. I mean I can understand her father wanting to have a good life, but to use his daughter to further his social standing was just sad to me (even though he did love his daughter).
I loved this book and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series!
This was a gripping novel. Heartwarming and compelling. Cannot wait to read The Storm Sister
I tried, but I just couldn't finish it. I thought the premise for the series was imaginative, but I found the characters language to be stilted and the backstory took up a lot of time. I didn't find it that interesting. I wanted to get back to Maia and her sisters. Anyway, eventually when I found myself skipping chapters, I just gave up.
It's a very popular series, so I expect I'm in the minority here, but it just wasn't for me.
Featured Series
8 primary booksThe Seven Sisters is a 8-book series with 8 primary works first released in 1861 with contributions by Lucinda Riley, Sonja Hauser, and 5 others.